Which Jane Austen book to start?

[Becky]

Susanna wrote: "I'm with Grace on that one."

Me too.

[Brooke]

I'm so glad I found this. I'm having to pick an Austen for my author project this year for HS, and now I know which book to start with :)

[Shelley]

Depends on your age. Pride and Prejudice is the obvious short/sweet choice.

But for people over 30, there's nothing as resonant as Persuasion.

Shelley, http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com

[Laura]

If you've seen P&P, I recommend starting with that to ease you in, as you'll have a good understanding already. Then I reckon you should dive headfirst into a slightly different one, like Northanger Abbey. It's a real break from P&P.

[Deborah]

Having read all of Jane Austen's books (I read a lot, so sue me!!), I think that Emma is a good place to start... I liked the idea of Emma's being totally unaware of her own love-life while being so absorbed by others' romantic affairs. If you like a novel about a comedy of misunderstandings, then go for Northanger Abbey.

[Danielle]

I honestly don't think it depends on your age. I personally love Persuasion. Northanger Abbey comes in close second.

I think Pride and Prejudice is a very obvious one to start off with but the two mentioned above are just that little bit more complex and intriguing.

[Carolyn]

I love all of Jane Austen's books, but particularly Pride and Prejudice. It has been called the finest book in English literature. That its prose truly sparkles in a way that few others do.
Carolyn