I love Sense and Sensibility. It's the most explicitly anti sentimental of her novels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Persuasion. It's also the best movie adaptation.

Persuasion is the best by far IMO. But I have the opposite opinion on the movie adaptations. I hate them all, and I’m hoping I’ll get one good one before I die.

Even the Ang Lee Sense and Sensibility? That was so well done.

I’m talking about Persuasion specifically. I hate those ones. I love 1995 Sense & Sensibility.

I feel the same. P & P, S & S, Emma all had good adaptations, P & P in particular has several good versions (1995 and 2005). Alas, still waiting for a good one on Persuasion.

Emma!

I like most others, too.

Anonymous wrote:If I’m 43 and never read a Jane Austen book but consider myself a reader, do I need to read one? I’m not sure if I should force myself to read one over the holiday break or just stick with a good non-fiction or historical fiction.

you are in for a treat- Austen's way with words is delicious. read persuasion. It is my favorite cosy read, I also love sense and sensibility but I agree P&P has the best writing. society and people haven't changed much really. forever after you will recognize people and situations that remind you of her books.

Emma

I've read all six at least 4 times each and I'd recommend Pride and Prejudice for your first Austen experience.

My current ranking (this changes regularly with rereads and they are all favorites for me!)

Emma
Pride and Prejudice
Persuasion
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey
Sense and Sensibility

Mansfield Park used to be at the bottom, but it grows on me every time I read it. I also really enjoy Austen as audiobooks.

Persuasion, Emma, Pride and Prejudice

Anonymous wrote:Persuasion. But I also love Pride and Prejudice. I re-read all of her books every few years.

+1. These two are my favorite, with Persuasion being my absolute favorite. Emma is also good. I didn’t like Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility as much.

I think that if you struggle with Jane Austen, the genre of Romantic/Comedy of Manners novels are not for you. Her books are instantly engaging(for the average fan) and not difficult reads. Don’t be embarrassed, an 8th grader can enjoy these books- she’s not Henry James. No one will be super impressed by your intimate knowledge of Austen books. Her fans are ardent like Swifties, but not snobs. I struggle with non-fiction and actively dislike all Dystopian, Fantasy or Crime/Mystery novels. Read what you enjoy.

I love Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, quite like Emma, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abbey, and only kind of like Sense and Sensibility.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Persuasion. It's also the best movie adaptation.

Persuasion is the best by far IMO. But I have the opposite opinion on the movie adaptations. I hate them all, and I’m hoping I’ll get one good one before I die.

Even the Ang Lee Sense and Sensibility? That was so well done.

I’m talking about Persuasion specifically. I hate those ones. I love 1995 Sense & Sensibility.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Persuasion. It's also the best movie adaptation.

Persuasion is the best by far IMO. But I have the opposite opinion on the movie adaptations. I hate them all, and I’m hoping I’ll get one good one before I die.

Even the Ang Lee Sense and Sensibility? That was so well done.

Anonymous wrote:Persuasion. It's also the best movie adaptation.

Persuasion is the best by far IMO. But I have the opposite opinion on the movie adaptations. I hate them all, and I’m hoping I’ll get one good one before I die.

Anonymous wrote:If I’m 43 and never read a Jane Austen book but consider myself a reader, do I need to read one? I’m not sure if I should force myself to read one over the holiday break or just stick with a good non-fiction or historical fiction.

Yes - Austen is an astute observer of the human condition …

Emma