Jane Austen discussion
Hello! What's your favorite Austen book?
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Ria
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Feb 09, 2011 06:56AM
Hi, I am new around here but am a dedicated follower of Jane Austen. I wish I could decide which book I like best. I think I have, but then I read another and change my mind again. I recently decided Emma was my favourite, but I am reading Northanger Abbey right now and I am rediscovering so many things to like about that. Thank goodness she didn't write 100 books. I would never have known where to settle next!
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Hi Ria - welcome to the group. We hope you will look around and add you thoughts!
Hello... I am a new member to this group, but I must say that I have been an Austen fan for many years. Last year, as a part of my personal challenge to myself, I read the complete works of Jane Austen. At least, I attempted to. I simply could not get through Emma. I became so completely frustrated with Miss Woodhouse that I put the book down and never picked it up again. Truth be told, I think I love Pride and Prejudice the best. Most people say that it is their favorite, in my opinion, because it is the most well- known. I love it because of Austen's wittiness is far more sarcastic than in her other novels. She pokes fun at Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters with such acuity that you can't help but laugh aloud at their utter ridiculousness. Also, I think that there is a heat between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth that doesn't seem to be there in her other novels. They seem to have this mutual disdain that boils over into passion, and it gets my heart thumping every single time. When the book ends and we see them married, I get little butterflies in my stomach when I think of their future together as well as their obvious passionate natures!
Mod
Jane's novels do always offer something new each time you read them, Ria! And I COMPLETELY agree with you, Breezy, about Emma's character--she's why it's my least favorite novel of Austen's--and ESPECIALLY about Pride and Prejudice-- it's my fave too!
Hope you two enjoy this group!
Didn't Jane Austen say about Emma that she had created a heroine that no one but herself would like much? (or words to that effect) But Emma does grow on you after many readings; she does redeem herself and hopefully learns a lot about life in the process.
Karlyne wrote: "Didn't Jane Austen say about Emma that she had created a heroine that no one but herself would like much? (or words to that effect) But Emma does grow on you after many readings; she does redeem he..."She did say something like that. I don't dislike Emma, she has a good heart with a spoiled and somewhat prejudiced head. I do sometimes think she needs a slap in the face... but she's a good kid in general. If I had to pick a least favorite, it would be Mansfield Park because it is so heavy and dry. I mean, it is written that way on purpose to have such a great contrast between the majority of the book and the section where they are putting on the play, but compared to her other novels it just drags. I still appreciate it, tho. I would read MP again any day, while you would have to threaten torture to get me to revisit anything by, say... George Eliot... or... Edith Wharton... *shudder*
Oh, boy, Manda, do I know what you mean! George Eliot and Edith Wharton were indeed "good writers" in that they knew how to use words, but after one of their novels, it takes a long time to get out from under the black clouds they leave behind. Give me a positive outlook anyday!
I have a top three but I finally committed myself to proclaming loud and clear for all the hear that Persuasion is my all time favorite. I most identify with Miss Anne Elliot and even though my Capt. Wentworth never found his way back to me, Anne Elliot is one of my favorite characters. Plus, Capt. Wentworth's letter is the most endearing!
I also love Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I would say Northhanger Abbey would follow next with Mansfield Park right after that. I can not comment on Emma because that is the last of my Jane reads and I just can't seem to read it because I know that is the last of the true Jane novels! I do realize though...I have to read it because I want to get to Emma and Mr. Knightley!
Mod
Well hi, I'm new to this group.
I'd have to say Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, though that's because I've read it multiple times. I haven't quite gotten through Emma or Sense and Sensibility. I confess I love the books but it's hard to get through the diction and language difference, as I'm used to contemporary work.
Still, love Austen's prose so I had to join this club.
I'd have to say Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, though that's because I've read it multiple times. I haven't quite gotten through Emma or Sense and Sensibility. I confess I love the books but it's hard to get through the diction and language difference, as I'm used to contemporary work.
Still, love Austen's prose so I had to join this club.
Welcome to the group, Elisa! Austen's prose is amazing - it's why we are here! Keep reading - you may find your opinion of the books varying a little as you get older and different things happen in your life. I hope you join in the discussions - it is nice to have you here!
Mod
Pride and Prejudice is my fave as well! I adore the language of Austen, so keep reading, as Megan said.
Hope you enjoy the group!
Megan, thank you! So far I'm loving Goodreads discussions overall, and it's nice to have such a good community.
Rachel, thank you! I do enjoy this group a lot. I think that the older I get, like Megan said, the more I will come to understand Austen's work in a different light. Hope so, at least.
Rachel, thank you! I do enjoy this group a lot. I think that the older I get, like Megan said, the more I will come to understand Austen's work in a different light. Hope so, at least.
Pride & PrejudiceThe Characters are timeless
Shawnette, that is very true. I still find most of them very dynamic and fun (or annoying and rude). Makes for a great classic. =)
I need to read more Austen so I have more input!
Amanda wrote: "Absolutely Pride and Prejudice. I love stories where the main characters hate each other in the beginning then start to fall in love. It's just so amazing!"Me too! You must also enjoy Much Ado About Nothing, my favorite Shakespeare almost entirely for the romance between Beatrice and Benadict. If you haven't seen the Kenneth Brannagh version, then get on that action!
Pride and Prejudice, although i quite enjoy her unfinished works also.
I have three favourites and I absolutely can't pick one among them:Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
I also adore Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Mansfield Park I like a little less, but I still like it enough to have read it at least 3 times.
I have yet to read Lady Susan and her unfinished works.
Serenella, I never even knew Austen had unfinished works! How many are there?
There are three unfinished works. Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sandition. They usually come together in one book. I found mines at barnes and nobles.
There is also her juvenilia - well worth a read. Expecially her "History of England"!
Hi everyone! I just joined this group, and my favorites are Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
Hey Andrea! Welcome =) I'm fairly new here, too. Persuasions' definitely my favorite Austen novel, although can't say the same for Northanger Abbey. Pride and Prejudice is a close second ;)
Mod
You've picked two of my top three Austen novels there--my other fave is Pride and Prejudice.
Glad to have you here!
Hi. I'm a new member and my favorite Jane Austen book is Pride and Prejudice. It is my favorite book ever! I loved it soo much that I read it again after I first finished it. Reading it made me want to read Jane's Other books. The only one I haven't read yet is Northanger Abbey.
Mod
Welcome, Analisa!!
Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book as well, and you should get to Northanger Abbey as soon as you can. It's wonderful!
Hey Analisa! Welcome to the group!
Karlyne wrote: "Oh, I just don't know. I mean, Captain Wentworth and the letter?"I loved Captain Wentworth, too! Good call!
Oops - I guess I was supposed to introduce myself. My name is Melanie, and I just love Jane Austen, and actually that whole era of British literature. My favorite Austen is of course Pride & Prejudice. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre - and I'm excited to see the new movie version coming out. I do hope they don't butcher it.
Hi Melanie! Welcome to the group!
Mod
Welcome, Melanie!! Glad to have you in the group!
Megan wrote: "There is also her juvenilia - well worth a read. Expecially her "History of England"!"I got those from the library once...isn't one of those stories the one that contains the quote "Run mad as often as you choose but do not faint!" That one cracks me up.
I think that's what I love about Jane Austen. As proper and reserved as the society was that she lived in, her novels are so witty and even hilarious at certain points. I love how her quirky supporting characters remind me so much of people I know, in exaggerated ways.
Anyway, to answer the question, my favorite Austen novel is "Pride and Prejudice." It was the first one of hers I ever read, and I just love it to pieces. I love Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (her poor nerves) and the sisters and the ridiculous Mr. Collins and of course, Mr. Darcy.
I love them all, but my other top two favorites are "Emma" and "Persuasion." I rather like Emma, even though some people don't seem to. Sure, she's silly and a little selfish and misguided, but she means well. :)
There are so many to choose from my favorite is Northanger Abbey, since it is her first book, I believe that she wrote since it doesn't fall into her later genre of writing styles.
Mine are 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Emma'.Yours,
Prabhakar.
[Author of "Mayhem Of The Miserables!"]
My favourite novel and movie is "Persuasion". I believe this is the last complete novel that Jane Austen wrote, and she was trying to perfect it, but was quite ill. But Anne's yearning and faithfulness to the man she loves is so admirable. And the letter is such a beautiful piece of writing!
I just discovered this group and this thread seemed like a good place to start. My favorite novel would probably be Persuasion. I love the character of Anne and I've always been a sucker for stories about that kind of faithfulness (which is the reason that I think Captain Wentworth's letter is the most romantic moment in any novel). I also love the humor in her descriptions of Sir Walter Elliot's vanity. For instance, I always find it humorous when the admiral comments about Sir Walter's former dressing room that there are so many looking glasses that "there's no getting away from oneself."
Hi Lorraine and Nicole. Ah yes, that letter...Persuasion is my favourite too!
I haven't read Persuasion in some time. I'm tempted to pick it up again and read. :)
The letter is to swoon over. Most people would adore receiving such a letter, right ladies!
Mod
Hey Nicole! It is my favorite one also!! Nice to have you in the group!
My name is Laura. I'm 24 and have been a Jane Austen fan for the past ten years. I love all her books, but my favorite has to be Persuasion because it's the most romantic. If I had to rank the books, it would be:
1. Persuasion
2. Emma
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Sense and Sensibility
5. Mansfield Park
6. Northanger Abbey
I did a post with all my rankings and stuff at my blog here if anyone's interested- http://marspeach.wordpress.com/2011/0...
Hi Laura! Welcome to group! Thanks for giving us the link.
Mod
Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my two faves!
Glad to have you here!
For me it is:1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Northanger Abbey
3. Sense and Sensibility, I still need to finish this.
Hi Adalie! Of course your list is subject to change! Depends on what you are reading at the time!
Hi everyone. Mine would be...1. Persuasion
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Emma
4. Northanger Abbey
5. Sense and Sensibility
I didn't like Mansfield Park. I enjoyed Sanditon and couldn't tell when Austen's left off and the other author's portion began.
Deanna wrote: I enjoyed Sanditon and couldn't tell when Austen's left off and the other author's portion began."Which continuation of Sanditon did you read? I've read the one by Jane Austen and Another Lady. I actually liked it as well, even though I usually stay away from continuations and sequels and spinoffs by other authors as a rule.
Deanna, this is a sure sign of a good author when you can't tell when Jane Austen left off and the author took over.
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)
