What book should I start with from Jane Austen?

[Tosh]

Hi I wanted to read Jane Austen but I don't know what book I want to read I have read pride and prejudice and I didn't finish it I just didn't like it so from your opinion what book should I start with from Jane Austen?

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I don't know what to suggest if P/P didn't agree with you. It's the hands down favorite of all of her completed novels--even among casual readers, not just among the hardcore "Janeites."

JA may not be for you.

[Sophie]

Tosh wrote: "Hi I wanted to read Jane Austen but I don't know what book I want to read I have read pride and prejudice and I didn't finish it I just didn't like it so from your opinion what book should I start ..."

What was it about Pride and Prejudice that made it difficult for you to finish? If you're having difficulty with the language, I'd maybe set the attempt aside for a few years and then try again. I absolutely could not comprehend Dickens when I read him in high school, but later in life I came to enjoy the same book I hated (Great Expectations).

If it's something else, as Andrea says, Pride and Prejudice is the favorite among most readers, but Emma and Persuasion generally tend to be the top two among literary critics, professors, etc. I'd probably start with Emma if you do want to give Austen another try.

[Louise Sparrow]

While I don't usually recommend the film and tv adaptations because they aren't as good as the books, it might be worth trying them first to see if you like the stories generally before attempting another book?

[Tosh]

Well the one thing I didn't like about P&P was it was taking so long for Mr Darcy and the girl (forgot her name) to talk, and get in their romance I just couldn't wait I guess maybe I should try again to read it. But Becoming Jane (the movie) does interest me a lot. Also that bother me was I don't think Mr Darcy and the girl are good togther from what I read because it didn't seem like they wanted to get to know each other.

[Tosh]

But I am watching the P&P trailer and the concept seems interesting (I did read this when I was 14) so maybe that's why I was interested before lol I try that first.

[Janet]

Tosh

Try my book Darcy's Story (available in paperback and Kindle) for the hero's side of the novel. That may give you an added dimension to Jane Austen's book - a subtle masterpiece.

[Abigail]

Hi, Tosh, it sounds as if you like more straight-ahead romance and not so much the model of “hero and heroine meet, hero and heroine fight, hero and heroine eventually get together.” Also, Elizabeth Bennet doesn’t realize she’s in love for much of the book.

Jane Austen’s work is not “romance” in the way we understand the term today—it’s more about social comedy, human psychology. Also, the rules of society in Jane Austen’s day regulated how much contact young men and women could have.

But all that said, you might find the plots of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion (which are also shorter novels) more congenial. In both, the heroine knows her heart from the beginning, and more of the action is seen through her attachment to the hero.

[Karlyne]

But remember that if you do read Northanger, keep in mind that it's a satire, a comedy almost. I had a friend who was disgusted with how dumb the heroine was and completely missed the humor!

[Tosh]

Abigail wrote: "Hi, Tosh, it sounds as if you like more straight-ahead romance and not so much the model of “hero and heroine meet, hero and heroine fight, hero and heroine eventually get together.” Also, Elizabet..."

Ok I will do!

[Patricia]

i would suggest persuasion or northanger abbey. I also would suggest Jane austen variations or perspectives from characters like

or , the first book in the series, its from the POV of the hero in Emma. You could also try modern jane austen variations that others had written too, same plot lines of story but differences too in a modern times.
or amish versions by
it might help to read some of them in a modern setting before tackling the classic. :)

im always finding more sequels/variations of the books so list is always ongoing. http://austenesquereviews.com/a-compr...

[Patricia]

my personal favorites in jane austen variations are
and

[Shannon]

Thanks, Trish, for mentioning my book above!

Tosh - I was thinking that if you are struggling with the language and the writing style (huge, long paragraphs, dialogue style), it would probably help to get to know the stories first through the film adaptations. Then, if you understand and like the story, it will be easier to follow what's going on in the books.

[Elizabeth]

I love Pride and Prejudice. It was the first one I read. It was a struggle at first but I loved it. If u have trouble reading the books why don't u try listening to it. In audiobook or also watch the movies.