Have you ever read a book by Jane Austen?

Question

Please, tell me more about her books..are they good?
What do you think?

What do you think about Sense and Sensibility?
What is it about?

Answer 1

I've read all of Jane Austen's novels-I had a phase where I loved Victorian romances, and hers weren't sappy to me..she can be very ironic and gently mocks many social customs of her time. Since you asked about Sense and Sensibility: The novel is about two sisters who have very different temperaments. The older sister is very reserved about her emotions, and keeps them well hidden, even from her family (she's very sensible); the younger sister, is very, very impulsive and has wide ranges of emotion, which she displays very openly to family, friends, acquaintances, which was frowned on in Victorian times.

To get a real feel for the book, here's a definition of sensibility: Sensibility refers to an acute perception of or responsiveness toward something, such as the emotions of another. This concept emerged in eighteenth-century Britain, and was closely associated with studies of sense perception as the means through which knowledge is gathered.

I liked Pride and Prejudice (It's about a Victorian who is too prideful, and whose class prejudices cause all sorts of romantic problems; and then all sorts of people develop prejudices as well).

Emma is about a young Victorian woman who thinks she is a good matchmaker...it's very funny.

Persuasion is about regrets and whether mistakes can be righted: The title refers to the persuasion to which the heroine, Anne Elliot, has given in, to her later regret. But many other people in the novel have regrets as well.

Northanger Abbey is full of romantic misunderstandings, you never know who is going to end up with whom.

Mansfield Park is quite a sad indictment of the differences between the Victorian classes...it paints quite a clear picture of the differences between the upper/middle class and the poor.

Lesser known is a short novel, Lady Susan about the effects of gossip and jealousy.

The recent movies of Pride and Prejudice (2005), Emma (1996), and Sense and Sensiblity (1995), were all very well done as well. A film of Persuasion is being released this year (2007). I can't remember if I've seen the 1999 film of Mansfield Park...there's only television films made of Northanger Abbey. I'd try to read the novels first-they're wonderful!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Pride and Prejudice is the best book hands down! But I am a big Jane fan and think that Sense and Sensibility comes a close second. Emma I was not so fond of...... Emma frustrates me no end!Northanger Abbey is great but a bit difficult to get into for a first Austen book. Persuasion I loved too. Mansfield Park is fabulous. (Don't let the awful BBC adaption put you off!) So in order...... 1. Pride and Prejudice 2. Sense and Sensibility 3. Mansfield Park 4. Northanger Abbey 5. Persuasion 6. Emma

Answer 3

I love reading Jane Austen. I have read Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Pursuasion and Northanger Abbey. Part of what I love so much about them is that they are written in a drastically different style that current books. The language used and general style make it harder for me to read, so I read slower. I find it much more enjoyable because I take my time when I read the book.

Answer 4

I have read "Pride and Prejudice" and "Jane Eyre" by Jane Austen. Her writing style is most unique, and can capture a reader unknowingly. She is very descriptive and is able to communicate feelings that not many writers ever could.

However, I found that "Pride and Predjudice" has a bit of Old English language, that doesn't make sense in this day and age. For an explanation of the old language, I bought the original copy from the Enriched Classic series. The book is then accompanied by time lines, explanations of key themes, discussion questions a bio. of Jane Austen etc etc.

Either way, they are very good books and are worth a read at least once in your lifetime.

Answer 5

i read some of pride and prejudice but i didn't finish it . jane austen was a visionary and loved what she did as a author and i think that she was someone who changing society's views on how woman should be treated and on how their
views and opinions should have been important during that time, through the books she wrote. Jane Austen will be remembered as a key writer and somewhat feminist of her time.

Answer 6

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorite books. I think it really examines the role of women in that time period...are tehy just pretty things that should marry as wealthy as they can or do they have minds as well? It is also an interesting look at social classes.

Anyway it is a great book, it can take a little time to get used to the writing style and the language used (it doesnt sound like a modern novel) But its definately worth reading...theres some great romance in it too!

Answer 7

For many years I felt Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was her best book and it was my favourite. Then I read her Mansfield Park. I liked it even more! Emma was good too.

Answer 8

I tried to read Sense and Sensibility, but I couldn't get through it. My friend read Pride and Prejudice, and she really enjoyed it. I hope to go back and finish reading Sense and Sensibility, but the language is difficult to get into and understand.

Answer 9

Yes, I've read several of her books. Excellent period pieces and very well written. "Pride and Prejudice" is her best known work and it's a great book. I also enjoyed reading "Emma" and "Sense and Sensibility."

Answer 10

Jane Austen is one of my favorites. I would recommend her books if you like historical romance. Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are my personal favorites, but they're all good.