Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
1817
Around 270 pages
Sadly, this is the last of the Jane Austen novels. It is also probably the least accessible to readers.
This novel is a satire of the gothic novels that were popular at the time. Now, having followed this list, I have read many over the top gothic novels so I really get the humor of this book. If you haven't, you can still enjoy it, but it is almost like there is an inside joke you are not a part of. In addition, there are many references to random novels from the time, like The Monk or Camilla. Again, the list helps me out there.
This is the story of Catherine Morland, who fancies herself as a heroine of a gothic novel. Like I have said in previous posts, making fun of other novels is always a fun approach. Anyway, the story follows Catherine as she visits Northanger Abbey, which she expects to be like the castle in Mysteries of Udolpho, and falls in love with Mr. Tilney.
So this is a great novel, one that can be enjoyed by anyone. However, if you want that extra pleasure, I would recommend reading Mysteries of Udolpho first.
Funny, witty, and romantic. A great way to say goodbye to Jane.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Originally titled Susan.
Exposes the danger of believing that fiction is like real life. This is something that I am guilty of 24/7.
Is going to be adapted into a teen thriller. Groan.
And we continue with Jane Austen with this little gem, which is probably the least popular of her novels. Now, I think all Jane Austen novels are worth many reads so I will try to persuade (haha get it?) you to give this one a try as well.
This is the story of Anne Elliot. Many years ago, she rejected a proposal of marriage of Frederick Wentworth because her parents were against, due to his lack of connections and wealth. Now, many years later, Wentworth is rich and powerful but unable to forgive Anne. Will these two ever get it right???
So I will admit, Anne is not the most exciting Austen heroine. She is pretty much Fanny Price, but older. That in itself is actually interesting, because most Austen heroines are young while Fanny is "past her prime" (aka around 27). The plot is rather simple though, probably because Jane Austen died before she could polish up the novel.
I still love this book, though. We have the funny scenarios, the great romance, and, though Anne may seem to be a bit of pushover at the beginning, a plucky heroine who rises above her surroundings. It is also one of the shorter Austen books so you don't risk much by trying it.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Jane Austen's brother named this book.
The second Bridget Jones' Diary movie is loosely based on this plot.
Set in Bath, where Jane Austen spent several years.
And my streak officially ends with this novel, the next one being Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott, which I haven't read (really, who has?). Expect that post is the next couple weeks. For now, we have my favorite Jane Austen novel Emma.
Jane Austen said that Emma would be a character that no one would like. I like her precisely because she isn't perfect or likable (unlike a certain Fanny Price).
Emma is a young, beautiful, rich, and witty woman who lives with her father. She likes to take on projects, which for her means meddling into (and kind of ruining) other people's lives. One of her projects is a young woman of inferior birth named Harriet Smith, who she condescendingly tries to improve. The only man who isn't completely charmed by Emma is George Knightley. And he's dreamy!
I am a woman who constantly puts her foot in her mouth. One time, I accidentally insulted someone's cousin who had died in Iraq. Don't even ask me how that happened, I am still not sure. My point is, I find Emma relatable, especially in a particularly cringeworthy scene when she insults Miss Bates in front of a large party. Emma is constantly embarrassing herself and those around her. While that doesn't make Emma particularly likable, it certainly makes her relatable.
Another great novel, you are probably getting sick of me saying that, but if you are going to read one Jane Austen, this is the one to read.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Maria Edgeworth was critical of the novel. So jealous.
Adaptations include Clueless and Emma (1996).
First Austen heroine to have no financial concerns.
Well, this is certainly a new experience. I am used to writing one post every month; suddenly, I am writing four posts in one night. This is partially due to my obsessiveness since I have to get caught up in one sitting. It is also quite fun and I hope you enjoy all this extra reading material.
So by now you should know that I am a huge Jane Austen fan, I don't think I could express that any clearer without getting annoying (or maybe it is too late for that). So, yes, prepare for more gushing.
This is the story of Fanny Price, a poor girl who is taken in by her rich relatives. Her relatives, especially Mrs. Norris, constantly remind her of the fact that she is inferior to them. Romance blossoms and mean people get their comeuppance.
All right, so I do have a few qualms with this novel, but keep in mind, I still love it. First of all, Fanny Price is probably the most boring Austen heroine. She is so virtuous and feminine that she really is no fun. I also found Edmund, her cousin, equally dull. So I suppose they are a good match.
Okay, bad part over! This is a great novel; still humorous and still poking fun at people. People critique Jane Austen for having no historical context, she actually includes a bit about the Bertram fortune coming from slave labor in Antigua. This is pretty serious for an Austen novel. but suggests that even the idyllic country life she often portrays is dark in its own way.
A great read, but don't expect the fire you get from the characters of Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
The most controversial of Austen's novels, partly because of Fanny's character and partly because of her mention of slavery.
Filch's cat in the Harry Potter series, Mrs. Norris, is a nod to Mansfield Park.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
1813
Around 300 pages
Prepare for a rave, ladies and gentlemen. I have nothing but good things to say about this novel; I have read it multiple times and have seen the 2005 film adaptation an embarrassing amount of times. Most people have already read this by now because it is such a classic novel. More than that, it is just plain fun. I know some people think of reading classics as tests of endurance (maybe rightfully so; I just read Crime and Punishment and felt like I had run a marathon) but this novel is a funny, even a bit goofy sometimes, and easy.
Do I have to give a plot summary? The story follows the Bennet family which consists of:
Mrs. Bennet who is absolutely obsessed with marrying off her daughters and embarrasses them considerably in the process
Mr. Bennet who is a complete doormat to his wife but still uses dry humor to irritate her
Jane Bennet, the eldest, kindest, and prettiest daughter
Elizabeth Bennet, our heroine who is extremely intelligent but very judgmental
Mary Bennet, the plain sister who considers herself very wise from all the books she reads but is actually quite silly (god, that sounds like me)
Kitty Bennet, an insipid girl who copies everything Lydia does
Lydia Bennet, a selfish idiot who is eager to marry
Well, that about covers our main characters. The plot mostly centers on the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. At first they don't get along…but then they FALL IN LOVE????? All right, it has been done a thousand times since then, but it is never done better.
Okay, enough about the plot since you probably know it already and skimmed through that brief character description that I painstakingly wrote out for you. Like I said, this novel is really funny; I don't think there has ever been a more hilarious character than Mr. Collins. Not to mention the fact, men, that Mr. Darcy is the standard of which most men are compared to; in fact, in tenth grade, my friend Mara and I used to categorize the boys in our grade by Bingleys, Darcys, and Collinses (most guys fell into the Collins category). Irrelevant Amanda fact for you.
I feel like I am not explaining this book well. This is probably because I grew up with it. I have a thousand memories associated with this book, from watching the film version in my sister's apartment to rereading it to make myself forget the pain of my surgery when I was in bed for two months. Everyone has books like this that have major sentimental value. I know, though, objectively that this is a great book and you are missing out if you don't read it. All right, I have babbled on long enough.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Originally entitled First Impressions.
Film adaptations include Bridget Jones' Diary, Pride and Prejudice (2005), and Pride and Prejudice (1940).
Charlotte Bronte was a vocal critic of the novel. Shut up, Charlotte, you are just jealous.
Can we not even bring up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies please?
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
1811
Around 370 pages
I think this is the first time in the list that I have come across something chronologically that I have already read. It is particularly exciting because this is one of my favorite books.
I am a huge Jane Austen fan. I have read all her books, seen the movie adaptations, went to the National Gallery in London simply to see her portrait, and I even watched Becoming Jane, despite Anne Hathaway's inability to do a British accent. Just watch the beginning and be frightened.
Anyway, I know a lot of people simply don't like her. If that is the case with you, there is not much I can say to persuade you to read her novels. There are plenty of authors that I simply cannot like (Charles Dickens and Mark Twain come to mind). I love her, not only because she is hilarious, but because of the way she depicts sister relationships. My sister is my best friend, so whether it is Jane and Elizabeth or Marianne and Elinor, I love reading about their closeness.
This is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their respective loves. Elinor is very level headed and rarely shows what she is feeling while Marianne is reckless and impulsive.
I first read all the Jane Austen novels when I was in high school and I was immediately struck with how modern and relatable they were. Now that I have worked my way to this spot in the list, I am even more impressed with her. The romance novels of the 1700s were usually epistolary and portrayed some pure, infallible, and beautiful girl who everyone immediately fell in love with. This novel is just so different. The women are human, intelligent, and real.
I am reasonably sure that this novel can be enjoyed by men, though I have not collected enough data to be certain. I urge male readers to comment so we can decide this.
Fantastic, witty, and just wonderful.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
I strongly recommend the film adaptation with Emma Thompson. It is a great film with a great cast.
Austen was originally going to publish the novel in epistolary format but decided to change it.
