Jane Austen discussion
Hello! What's your favorite Austen book?
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Mukta
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Nov 22, 2010 03:00PM
In my opinion Pride and Prejudice is her best book altohugh i like her other books too....
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Hi All! My favorite has been Pride and Prejudice since I was about 12. It remains my number one Austen love but I must admit that lately I've been loving Persuasion almost as much. They're both such lovely stories yet Elizabeth and Anne appear to me opposites but the more I read Persuasion the more you realize it's essentially the same character with more life to her. Two of my favorite characters in literature.
Hello everyone. This is my first comment on a forum like this. I love lots of books but especially Jane Austen. I'm a Literature teacher and have taught Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma many times. I've read Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey but have yet to read Persuasion. I'm holding off mainly as I want to have one to look forward to! I've also visited Chawton and Bath last time I was in England - so I think that truly makes me a JA tragic. I love all of Jane's books but especially the first three I mentioned as I know them so well. Look forward to seeing what everyone thinks!
Hi Georgle, this is really intresting to teach Jane Austen, I would like to know how your students according to their age ofcourse react to her?As for JA Lovers IMO , she is so simple yet so deep that is why we like her, one more book no one mentioned here is letters from JA to her friends, it's been popping in front of me in liberaries that I think I should get it , anyone has any idea about it
Hello Vavarra and Georgie! Nice to have both of you here. I hope you settle in and join the discussions. We look forward to hearing what you have to say!
The novel I have most enjoyed reading of Jane Austen is, Mansfield Park. I am attracted to the character of Fanny Price. I can picture her so vividly at her child size writing desk/table holding the pen much too tight with perhaps white knuckles as she writes. I have often wondered if their was some sort of symbolism of a young woman living in a room decorated with miniature furniture and the lack of fire/warmth in the room.
Welcome Georgie! What grades do you teach? I am interested in knowing which grades do best in reading Jane Austen. I am in the process of finishing my Masters and will eventual be teaching, and I would love to be able to teach Austen!
Hello all,I completely agree with Gary that my favorite Austen is the one I've just read, especially because every time I re-read them I remember why I liked them so much. I think the one I go back to the most is Northanger Abbey since it's a novel about novels (for anyone who has seen The Jane Austen Book Club, when Grigg made this observation I totally screamed YES!! and jumped off the couch). The idea of a book-within-a-book (The Mysteries of Udolpho) is pretty cool too.
Hey Kathleen! Welcome to the group. Lots of us re-read them - over and over. Austen always seem to have something new to say.
Susan wrote: "Welcome Georgie! What grades do you teach? I am interested in knowing which grades do best in reading Jane Austen. I am in the process of finishing my Masters and will eventual be teaching, and ..."Hi Susan - I teach senior Literature so the students are around 16 to 18 years old. I find that they do enjoy Austen if they persevere with the language which they find quite tricky at first. Also I suggest that they need to read the novels twice - especially a novel like Emma which keeps you guessing the first time around. Generally the girls like Austen better which I suppose is not surprising - but I have had a few converts among the boys. I also try to get the students to be quite critical about Austen's heroines' fates. For example, is it entirely satisfying that Marianne in S&S only learns to love fusty old Brandon "in time" and why can't Emma live her life as a wealthy "old maid". For these kinds of questions they need to appreciate the kinds of novels they are and Austen's world view at the start of the nineteenth century.
Georgie wrote: "Susan wrote: "Welcome Georgie! What grades do you teach? I am interested in knowing which grades do best in reading Jane Austen. I am in the process of finishing my Masters and will eventual be ..."Sounds like a wonderful exercise for seniors, and it is great that some of the boys have caught on. It's great that you encourage critical reading, and it's certainly an essential life skill. Glad you'll be joining our discussions here. I'm sure you will enjoy them. I know I do.
The reading that Georgie is using with her Senior Literature class is great, because the teens are broadening their views with classics such as Jane Austen, and not some of the Young Adult books out there that are just the usual death, boyfriends, and divorce.
Robin wrote: "The reading that Georgie is using with her Senior Literature class is great, because the teens are broadening their views with classics such as Jane Austen, and not some of the Young Adult books ou..."Too true Robin - I always steer the students to more intelligent texts because even if they are very old, if it's a good story with interesting characters and enduring themes, they will love it. I've just finished teaching Casablanca for the fourth year and who would have thought that they would really enjoy a black and white film, but they did. Austen is the same, and I must say that if a text is taught with enthusiasm (of which I have loads for Austen) then that rubs off too. Many teen novels are written according to a formula and it shows. They're boring.
I think it stimulates their minds more with the classics, while I was growing up there was no such thing as Young Adult, I just read what seemed to spark my interest. It helps to have educators that see the need to spark teens interests in other world views be it classics, or whatever the genre is.
My favourite Austen novel is Persuasion. Pride and Prejudice and Emma come second, and then Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility. I don't like Northanger Abbey.
Robin wrote: "I think it stimulates their minds more with the classics, while I was growing up there was no such thing as Young Adult, I just read what seemed to spark my interest. It helps to have educators th..."it is fun to get the young connect with the classics, I remeber enjoying the classics so much when we watched the film after finishing the story , it kind of comparing the picture you drew in mind for the characters with the cinema point of view and see which parts they stress upon in the movies!
that is so true, and it was usually up to the directors and not the authors who chose what to highlight as far as "good cinema" and what was to leave a good impression in the movie going publics mind. I am all for reading great books.
Mod
And thanks to Georgie for spreading the Austen love among teens! :)
I second that one about Georgie. And for future Austen readers.
Greetings all!!When you get the chance, totally check out this video!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PM0o... or just type in "Jane Austen Fight Club"So Georgie, where do u teach?i might have to move just ti have your class!! :)
Hello allI am fairly new to Goodreads and have just joined this group. I've been reading and re-reading Jane Austen's novels for the best part of thirty-five years. In the last few weeks I've started listening to audiobooks, so that I can "read" while doing other (less interesting!) things. So far, I've only listened to books which I've already read and love. Last week I listened to Juliet Stephenson reading Persuasion and this week it was Emilia Fox reading Pride and Prejudice. I'll be moving on to Emma, and from Emma to Sense and Sensibility and then to Northanger Abbey. I'm not too sure if I will tackle Mansfield Park! You can probably tell from the fact that I chose to listen to Persuasion first that I think of it as my favourite. After finishing two Austen audiobooks, it remains so. I love its romance and its quietness. I love Anne and I love Wentworth and I realised as I listened that I know parts of it almost off by heart!!
Hello Kim! Persuasion is my favorite also. I have also been re-reading them for years (and years) and in the last few years, I have been listening to them once a year. And I find them as wonderful as ever.
See you around in our discussions!
See you around in our discussions!
Mod
I hope you enjoy it here!
Kim wrote: "In the last few weeks I've started listening to audiobooks."Kim, why don't you download Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell from librivox.org, listen to it and join our discussion? I also love listening to my favorites (as well as books that are new to me) while I cut up vegetables, fold laundry, etc.
Hi! I just started goodreads too, but I've been a Jane Austen fan since my aunt read me parts of her stories when I was 9! My favorite is Sense and Sensibility, because of Elinor's story: she has such a bad time throughout the book, and finally at the end she gets her true love.
Hello Amy. Welcome to Goodreads and to our group. I hope you will join in our discussions! Good to have you here.
Mod
Welcome, Amy! I like the character of Elinor Dashwood as well. Hope you like this group!
Amy wrote: "Hi! I just started goodreads too, but I've been a Jane Austen fan since my aunt read me parts of her stories when I was 9! My favorite is Sense and Sensibility, because of Elinor's story: she has..."In some ways I think ' Persuasion ' is one of my favourites for much the same reason that Amy gives for her love of ' Sense and Sensibility '. Though I do love P and P as well. It was my Mum's favourite and I think she read it over and over again. She was cursed with Alzheimer's for the last 9 years of her life so I like to hope she had Darcy and Elizabeth somewhere in her mind for company once she wasn't communicating with us anymore.
I think that Persuasion was my least favorite until a few years ago... I used to think that Anne was just a pushover until I matured enough to see her true character.
Alicia wrote: "Kim wrote: "In the last few weeks I've started listening to audiobooks."Kim, why don't you download Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell from librivox.org, listen to it and join our discuss..."
Hi Alicia
I will do that. I understand that it is a very long book, which will suit me well. I have lots of commuting to do!
Rachel wrote: "Welcome Kim! I think we all re-read Austen now, so this is the group for you! :) I want to get time soon to listen to them, especially Pride and Prejudice, which is my personal fave. I hope you e..."
Thanks so much for the welcome. I am looking forward to being involved!
hi everybody!I'm new to the group n i'm getting up to date with things. My favorite jane austen book in Northanger abbey.I like the book because Catherine reminds me of me. The book is great n I like the character of the book.
Mod
I'm new to the group n i'm getting up to date with things. My favorite jane austen book in Northanger abbey.I like the book because Catherine reminds me of me. The book is great n I..."
Welcome, Brenda! Northanger Abbey is one of my top Austen faves, too. Good to have you here!
Hey Brenda! Welcome to the group!
hey veryone!!I hope everyone has a Wonderful holiday!!!
check out his website when you can:
www.janeaustengames.com
It's pretty cool!
has anyone checked out Jane Austen Fight Club on youtube yet?
if so, what do you think?
I like the solitaire games. Thanks for the link!
Northanger Abbey is one of my favorites as well, besides Pride and Prejudice.
Mod
I hope everyone has a Wonderful holiday!!!
check out his website when you can:
www.janeaustengames.com
It's pretty cool!
has anyone checked out Jane Austen Fight Club on youtube ..."
I saw "Jane Austen Fight Club" awhile ago, and thought it was hilarious! I'll have to check out the games link soon--sounds fun! :)
The solitaire games are fun but I too am waiting to marry off the daughters.....
Can't wait to marry off my daughter too!So pumped!!!
Hello, I've just joined this group. I am currently twenty years of age, and I've just begun reading Jane Austen's novel since last year. My favourite Jane Austen novel to date is Pride and Prejudice, followed by Sense and Sensibility.
Welcome to the group Michelle! Nice to have you here. Keep reading Austen and tell us what you think!
Hello! My favorite Jane Austen book is Pride and Prejudice. I didn't have any sisters, so I was always envious of friends who had sisters (even those in stories).
Sandy wrote: "Hello! My favorite Jane Austen book is Pride and Prejudice. I didn't have any sisters, so I was always envious of friends who had sisters (even those in stories)."I didn't have any sisters until I was 16, and I would do the same thing! Welcome to the group!
Believe me those sisters are peachy compared to my sister.
Hi Robin,Yes, I have had friends who have offered their sisters to me. Ha!
So, I've read Pride and Prejudice at least a dozen times and whenever I need a good laugh (or cry--or any of the emotions in between) I pick it up again and again. I've read many others, including the posthumously published Sanditon and P&P remains at the top of my list. I also really enjoyed Mansfield park, though I think I would have liked it better if Fanny had ended up with Henry and not her cousin...My least favorite would have to be Northanger Abbey.
Mod
You two have wonderful taste--Pride and Prejudice is my fave too! :)
I haven't read one yet, just watched some movies...I can't wait to dive in to Pride and Prejudice...it came free on my Kobo!
Jane Austen
Books mentioned in this topic
Persuasion (other topics)Emma (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
George Eliot (other topics)Edith Wharton (other topics)
