Austen, it's (finally) your time



I have a confession to make.  I have never read a Jane Austen novel.  I've seen the movies, know the stories, but, with my head hung in shame, I must finally come clean and admit that I've never actually read any Austen.

I feel like a traitor to my sex and my profession!

I haven't been able to get into any of the books I've brought home in the last few days, so I've decided to rectify the situation.

With which Austen novel do I start?  Pride & Prejudice? Sense & Sensibility? Emma?  Northanger Abbey?  I'm leaning toward Emma.  What do you think?

6 comments:

rockinkez | July 2, 2010 at 7:48 AM

thats so funny. neither have i! and i love the classics. erm, yeah... i reckon go for emma!
(i'm currently reading the woman in white by wilkie collins and really enjoying it. i will get round to an austen one day!).

Mayrozez | July 2, 2010 at 11:06 AM

I am shocked, I tell you, shocked! Persuasion's my favorite, but start with Pride and Prejudice. It's so very delicious and perfect. Oddly, I just started reading Emma, thinking I was re-reading it, but guess what...I quickly realized I have NEVER read it. Her wit is astounding. And you really can't go wrong whatever you choose. Although I also love Northanger Abbey, it's the least Austen-y of them as it's her first, I believe, and more satirical. I also just watched The Jane Austen Book Club, which isn't great, but did inspire me to pick up Emma.

infodaisy | July 2, 2010 at 1:57 PM

I'm a little surprised, but not shocked. My vote would be for "Pride and Prejudice" which I absolutely love. It is also, if I'm perfectly honest, the only one of her books that I'm absolutely sure I've read all of the way through. I feel like I've read the others and I'm sure I started some of them. Like you, I know the stories and I never miss a movie or mini-series but, like the majority of novels I've picked up in the last 35 years or so, I'm not sure I actually finished any of them. "Pride and Prejudice" was a required reading assignment for English class, not that I finished all of those, but I did like to do justice when I liked something. I have re-read it since, as well. I guess I should take a shot at catching up.

CatBus | July 2, 2010 at 4:06 PM

I've only read Emma myself! It's a great one to start with, though.

Caroline | July 6, 2010 at 8:54 PM

Alrighty ~ I chose "Pride & Prejudice" to start. I was afraid that was the too obvious choice, but I got to work and realized the library didn't have a copy of "Emma" available to check out while I do actually own a nice copy of "Pride & Prejudice." So, there ya go, decision made for me.

Unknown | July 9, 2010 at 3:12 PM

I thought I knew you!! I love Jane Austen. Ahhh....that brings me back to my early 20's. Pride and Prejudice is a solid choice. Think I'm going to have to dig out my old musty lit books and join you!

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