Jane Austen: Seven Novels
Jane Austen: Seven Novels is a beautifully bound collection of Austen’s completed novels. Austen is a talented writer who has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. Each novel has its share of wit and humour, romance and longing.
Pride and Prejudice: ★★★
This is by far Austen’s most popular work, and arguably the most beloved. The love story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy stands the test of time. While I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, perhaps it was the hype surrounding Pride and Prejudice that made me unable to fall in love with it as much as I did some of Austen’s other works. Whatever the reason, Austen’s skill as a writer is obvious.
Sense and Sensibility: ★★★★
Although not as popular as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility holds a special place in my heart. Austen drew me with this new family of women determined to survive after the death of the head of the household. Elinor’s love story touched the romantic in me. I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. Her sister Marianne was definitely the more dramatic of the two, but I still enjoyed how her story ended.
Mansfield Park: ★★★★
When I began Mansfield Park, I was struck by how different it was from the other books I had read by Austen (so far). Fanny Price was a ward to her rich aunt and uncle and the reader was able to see her change from a timid child to a thoughtful young woman. Although Edmund didn’t admit his feeling for Fanny until almost the very end of the story, it was lovely to see Fanny get her happily-ever-after and find her place in the Bertram family after to many years of feeling like an outcast.
Emma: ★★★★
Oh, Emma, how you surprised me! Initially, I thought Emma Woodhouse a flighty, well-to-do young woman who had nothing better to do than meddle in other people’s romances. I’m so glad I was wrong about her. By the end of the novel, I wanted nothing more than for Emma to make amends with Jane Fairfax and to confess her love to Mr. Knightly. Emma and Knightly were such good friends that it was fate for them to fall in love.
Northanger Abbey: ★★★
I liked how Austen referred to Catherine as the “heroine” of the story, which she was, but in almost a mocking way. Not mocking Catherine, but poking fun at the way a story is typically written and what’s supposed to happen to the heroine. It took many pages for me to really get into the story, but it was nicely concluded. Catherine got her happy ending, as ever “proper” heroine should, especially in a Jane Austen novel.
Persuasion: ★★★★★
By far my favourite novel by Austen! Anne Elliot had to deal not only with an ignorant father, tiresome sisters, the loss of her childhood home, but the reappearance of her true love, Captain Wentworth. The pain and longing Anne went through was palpable. I found myself almost rushing through certain parts because I wanted Anne and Wentworth to reunite so badly. This is truly an exceptional piece of literature.
Lady Susan: ★★
Although this is my least favourite novel by Austen, it wasn’t completely awful. It did make me laugh at certain parts. The main reason I didn’t enjoy it was the style it was written in. Unlike Austen’s other novels, Lady Susan was written as an exchange of letters between multiple people. I just found it hard to really care about the characters and their story this way.
Jane Austen: Seven Novels Rating: ★★★★★
Pride and Prejudice: ★★★
This is by far Austen’s most popular work, and arguably the most beloved. The love story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy stands the test of time. While I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, perhaps it was the hype surrounding Pride and Prejudice that made me unable to fall in love with it as much as I did some of Austen’s other works. Whatever the reason, Austen’s skill as a writer is obvious.
Sense and Sensibility: ★★★★
Although not as popular as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility holds a special place in my heart. Austen drew me with this new family of women determined to survive after the death of the head of the household. Elinor’s love story touched the romantic in me. I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. Her sister Marianne was definitely the more dramatic of the two, but I still enjoyed how her story ended.
Mansfield Park: ★★★★
When I began Mansfield Park, I was struck by how different it was from the other books I had read by Austen (so far). Fanny Price was a ward to her rich aunt and uncle and the reader was able to see her change from a timid child to a thoughtful young woman. Although Edmund didn’t admit his feeling for Fanny until almost the very end of the story, it was lovely to see Fanny get her happily-ever-after and find her place in the Bertram family after to many years of feeling like an outcast.
Emma: ★★★★
Oh, Emma, how you surprised me! Initially, I thought Emma Woodhouse a flighty, well-to-do young woman who had nothing better to do than meddle in other people’s romances. I’m so glad I was wrong about her. By the end of the novel, I wanted nothing more than for Emma to make amends with Jane Fairfax and to confess her love to Mr. Knightly. Emma and Knightly were such good friends that it was fate for them to fall in love.
Northanger Abbey: ★★★
I liked how Austen referred to Catherine as the “heroine” of the story, which she was, but in almost a mocking way. Not mocking Catherine, but poking fun at the way a story is typically written and what’s supposed to happen to the heroine. It took many pages for me to really get into the story, but it was nicely concluded. Catherine got her happy ending, as ever “proper” heroine should, especially in a Jane Austen novel.
Persuasion: ★★★★★
By far my favourite novel by Austen! Anne Elliot had to deal not only with an ignorant father, tiresome sisters, the loss of her childhood home, but the reappearance of her true love, Captain Wentworth. The pain and longing Anne went through was palpable. I found myself almost rushing through certain parts because I wanted Anne and Wentworth to reunite so badly. This is truly an exceptional piece of literature.
Lady Susan: ★★
Although this is my least favourite novel by Austen, it wasn’t completely awful. It did make me laugh at certain parts. The main reason I didn’t enjoy it was the style it was written in. Unlike Austen’s other novels, Lady Susan was written as an exchange of letters between multiple people. I just found it hard to really care about the characters and their story this way.
Jane Austen: Seven Novels Rating: ★★★★★