“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Okay, I am cheating a bit in today's book review by combining it with my "recommended reads" list.
Today I am going to "sort of" review all of Jane Austen's novels. I read (or reread, in some cases) them this spring leading up to the Pride and Prejudice ball that I attended. (One of my favourite things I have ever done. Read all about that here.)
In case you were not aware, the definitive list of Austen novels includes six full-length, completed novels (her seventh was started, but never completed) and several shorter pieces.
Sense and Sensibility (1811)
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Mansfield Park (1814)
Emma (1815)
Northanger Abbey (posthumously)
Persuasion (posthumously)
For my purposes, I read all of her novels and probably her most famous novella, Lady Susan.
So, in my humble and not-at-all scientific reasoning, I will count down and review these seven pieces.
7. Mansfield Park
“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.” ― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
I am ranking this one lowest because I simply just could not get into it.
Many actually consider this Austen's technically greatest work; it is definitely the most serious. It is beautifully written and addresses social constructs, as do all of Austen's novels, but this one also considers morality.
Part of the reason Austen is so successful is her characters. I don't always love the headstrong, sassy women she writes (getting to you in a moment, Miss Marianne Dashwood), but I do want to identify with them. Fanny just fell short for me. She is too moral, too perfect. Give me some more vulnerability in character, some more depth.
To be 100% fair, I did not dislike this book at all. In fact, in my reading and rereading, if I had come to this first, I would likely enjoy it more. But reading it immediately after my favourite Austen was not doing it any favours.
“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.” ― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
6. Emma
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.” ― Jane Austen, Emma
I really struggled with whether to list this higher or lower than Mansfield Park. It is less serious than Mansfield Park for sure, but to a fault. Where Fanny is serious, Emma is frivolous. She is spoiled, selfish, and entirely undeserving of all of the affection the world bestows on her. Again, a heroine I just can't get behind.
But Austen handles her with impressive skill. And her cast of supporting characters are diverse and lovely.
The big reason I decided to bring Emma slightly ahead of Mansfield Park, though I do believe that Mansfield Park is technically better, is actually two reasons. Firstly, that I was a teenager at the perfect time to fully appreciate Clueless, and secondly, Mr. Knightley.
I have no idea why he loves Emma, but he does. He is one of my favourite Austen men (and I have a few!). I enjoy the way that he teases Emma, and calls her out on her bad behaviour. Their dynamic is one of the best things about this book.
“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.” ― Jane Austen, Emma
5. Lady Susan
“My dear Alicia, of what a mistake were you guilty in marrying a man of his age! Just old enough to be formal, ungovernable, and to have the gout; too old to be agreeable, too young to die.” ― Jane Austen, Lady Susan
This short book - a novella - is written entirely in letters (epistolary). It follows Lady Susan, a young, beautiful, intelligent, horrible woman who is recently widowed. She is conniving and cruel, particularly in regards to her adolescent daughter, who she tries to push into a terrible marriage while securing a rather advantageous one for herself. Lady Susan invites scandal and drama everywhere she does. Reading these letters is a bit like turning into a Regency-era reality show.
This was one of Austen's earliest works, though published after her death, and it is very different than her other pieces, but the wit and manners remain.
I was enchanted by the skill with which Austen addresses this awful woman. She is incredibly interesting, and the fact that she is widowed is such a break from some of the morals governing the young heroines of her other novels. (She is described, from the beginning, as a coquette.) It is not so romantic as Austen's fuller novels, but it is a great look into the world of Regency manners and society and expression, with a compelling lead character and a unique style.
“Facts are such horrid things!” ― Jane Austen, Lady Susan
4. Northanger Abbey
“It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language” ― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Ah, to rate this novel so low on the list hurts me! It does. I loved it. Loved. It.
But then again, I love all of Austen's books, and I can't very well have three books listed at #2, can I? (Wait... can I...?)
Anyway, a decision had to be made, and so I made it.
This was the first in my Austen read/reread, and I read it in one sitting. Often considered a parody of Gothic romance, it follows Catherine, a young woman in love with Henry Tilney. She is a romantic sort, full of imagination and a fan of Gothic thrillers. So, when she gets to visit an abbey, she is so excited. She lets that imagination of hers get the best of her, and is caught up in the shadowy atmosphere of locked chests, thunderstorms, and sullen fathers.
Catherine is likable enough, though silly. She is young, and she seems it. I like that she is flawed. Tilney is such a flirt, but is playful. I like the fact that Austen, a novelist, plays with the dangers of putting too much importance in novels. Very clever.
The two parts of the book - the section in Bath and the section in Northanger Abbey - do feel quite disjointed to me; had Austen's family had the chance to get this work edited well before releasing it after her death, it may flow better.
I think I will reread this book in the fall, at Halloween, with a cup of cider in front of the fireplace (okay, okay, the fireplace channel on TV).
(As a side note, Northanger Abbey does have some of my favourite quotations in literature!)
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” ― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
3. Sense and Sensibility
“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.” ― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
I reviewed this book once here, so I will keep this relatively brief.
I know that many Janeites (or do you prefer Austenites?) will disagree with me giving this one a higher ranking than, say, Northanger Abbey. That's fair. But I have my reasons.
Elinor and Marianne are very different. Between the two, I identity with Elinor far more, though there is something about the romance and spontaneity of Marianne that is compelling. Plus, Austen's commentary on the propriety of women's roles in romance is interesting. (She wrote to him without an engagement! How dare she!). Austen highlights the Marianne's "mistakes" at the time, saying, "Yeah, she probably should not have done that, but her impropriety is not nearly as bad as his."
This was the novel that introduced the world, in 1811, to Austen (or rather, "A Lady"). Is it less perfect and serious than Mansfield Park? Of course. Is it less developed than Emma? Perhaps. But there is something about it that makes me love it.
The connection between the sisters is lovely. They are so different, yet so supportive of one another. Edward Ferrars is pleasing enough, yes. (It doesn't hurt to think of him as a young Hugh Grant!). But this novel contains my second favourite Austen gentleman: Colonel Brandon. I am a fan of the strong, silent types with a hell of a lot going on under the surface. Colonel Brandon is dashing, intelligent, sensitive, strong, and just a really good guy. Every time I think of the word "gentleman", I conjure up an image of Colonel Brandon. And in the movie version, where he is played by Alan Rickman? Who could ask for more?
“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.” ― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
2. Persuasion
“My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.' 'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.” ― Jane Austen, Persuasion
I have a confession to make. Before doing this read/reread, I had never picked up one of Austen's best books. This one. It almost, almost became my favourite. Almost.
At twenty-seven, Anne Elliot is Austen's oldest heroine, but possibly her best (I'm sorry, Lizzie). This was Austen's final finished work, and you can really tell in the depth of her characters. This work is all subtlety and development; none of the rapidity of Sense and Sensibility, for example.
Eight years before the novel begins, Anne was persuaded to break off her engagement to a naval officer, due to the presumed unworthiness of the match. But time has a funny way of changing things. He returns from sea, a wealthy and successful captain. Anne's family, meanwhile, is on the brink of financial ruin. They meet, and both are clearly still affected. She has regretted breaking off the engagement ever since, and he seems cold to her. At first.
This novel may actually be Austen's best. When we meet Anne, she is slipping away from society. Time is passing her by, but so has the affections of her family. She has a quiet strength, and is admirable, but is also more complex than possibly any other Austen heroine. There is something bittersweet to Anne, and really, the tone of this whole novel. It is Austen's most sophisticated work.
Captain Wentworth, too, is a solid Austen hero. He is well-developed, gentlemanly, brave, and self-sufficient. He did not inherit his money, but earned it. He realizes the folly of his ways, and that his pride and wounded heart was standing in the way of renewing a more mature, real love, with Anne.
A lovely novel, this one will definitely be reread in the near future. If I were to recommend one book to convince someone of Austen's merit, in fact, this might be it.
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.” ― Jane Austen, Persuasion
1. Pride and Prejudice
“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Obviously this has to be my number one choice.
You know, it is probably a little cliche to list this as my favourite Austen book. Even when rereading them all, I thought to myself, "Maybe another book will take its place."
Nope.
I already wrote a more in-depth review for this novel, which you can read here.
A lot of scholars place this one pretty low on lists of Austen's greatest books. It is more frivolous and light than other pieces, really all but Sense and Sensibility. And yet, it is by far the most popular.
I like to consider myself at least somewhat academic. When rereading this one (for the umpteenth) time, I almost wanted to like something else more, something more serious.
But then I started it, and from that famous first line, I got swept up into the world of balls and militia and Pemberley and fine eyes and Darcy - oh my, my, Darcy. The pacing is perfect, the connection between Darcy and Elizabeth is electric. This is romance and wit and manners and social constructs at its finest. I love the characters, the writing... everything.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
So there you have it. My definitive, in no way final or technical or official, ranking of Austen's novels (and a novella thrown in just for fun!)
Now it's over to you. What of Austen's have you read? What have you loved? What have you hated? Do you agree with my rankings, or no? Argue with me about them, please!
And don't forget to subscribe to get my monthly newsletter, which comes out next week. I am really excited about this one!