Which Jane Austen Book Should You Read First? Her Best Books Ranked

[@TJAllenwood]

I like Northanger Abby as well. For those who don’t like Catherine’s naïveté, I think they need to realize that we are all naïve when we were young.

[@fatemah4444]

I happened to read it around the same time I was realizing my naivety (at 19 yrs old) haha

[@EllieDashwood]

This is such a good point!

[@bernicerogers2383]

I'm still naive. 😂

[@jules2291]

Well I'll give it a try I guess . I mean I had to read Pride and Prejudice in High school a couple years ago and later now in lockdown a couple months ago read Emma and Sense and Sensibility - and I'm halfway through Mansfield park . For someone who wasnt a fan of classic books I'm slowly becoming hooked on Jane Austen . Books and movies and all .

[@belorama8]

I read them for the first time when I was 13 or 14 and I was in HIGH judgment of how naive Catherine was! 😂 I guess as a child I had too much Street smarts and not enough patience. I also love the book Mansfield Park, but even as a teen had no patience for Fanny either. 🤣 I guess I like the imperfections in characters to be more like blind spots, personal biases, or bigger flaws. Like with Elizabeth Bennett, Anne Elliot, Emma or even Mary Crawford.

[@bernicerogers2383]

I read Pride and Prejudice first and was glad I did as I didn't realise how witty Austen was and it drew me in, making me want to read other books too.

[@EllieDashwood]

She is incredibly witty! And Pride and Prejudice really highlights that incredibly!

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I read Pride and Prejudice many years ago, but my wife had never read this. She picked Persuasion, and found it confusing, so I recommended Pride and Prejudice and she liked it. After that I decided to make recommendations based on classic literature I was familiar with.

[@cmm5542]

It was my first too. Followed by Emma. Those two are still my favourites, but I really love Northanger Abbey too. I recently watched the film of Sense and Sensibility and want to read that one again - I love the youngest sister and the side characters more than the main story. I've never read Persuasion, but this channel keeps reminding me that I need to!

[@rosechan4999]

Me too. I feel the exact same way about it!

[@wrongwayconway]

My favourite novel is Persuasion. The idea of an "older woman" Anne Elliot, getting a second chance at love. ❤ sigh. I always found it just perfect in the portrayal of what 'spinsterhood' meant for an unattached woman.

[@rachelporter-chastain6067]

I read Persuasion in High School and I loved it.

[@robinsonsomething]

100%! I didn't get married until i was 26 and my family had given up on me for several years at that point. Also Wentworth is a treasure ❤

[@jessica_jam4386]

@@robinsonsomething 26? Man I’m about to turn 34 and I’m not married yet lol. I do love Anne Elliot though, she’s relatable for those of us who chose not to marry young (though my reasons were just not being ready, not breaking up with someone I love like Anne)

[@robinsonsomething]

@@jessica_jam4386 lol yeah, my family is SUPER old school traditional. But it's good that you know what you want. It's much better to stay single than marry the wrong person.

[@charlottevanlangevelde1114]

@@jessica_jam4386 Anne didn’t “choose” to not marry young, she was persuaded to not marry Wentworth because he wasn’t ranked high enough.. It’s not like she didn’t want to marry at all, she just couldn’t love any body else, nobody was good enough compared to the captain.

[@fishstick7104]

I love Persuasion! It's a story about the one that got away, but they still get to enjoy some of their youthful love when they become re-engaged! They don't find each other as old people like so many stories these days. I related to Anne so much as I grew up, learning to trust myself more and not be swept along with what other people told me to do.

[@terrifrid3398]

I’m another Persuasion fan. Anne Elliott is the ultimate underdog that comes out on top

[@lema4198]

Totally with you on this I LOVE persuasion

[@TJAllenwood]

You said exactly what I have always thought, that Mr. Knightley is a true gentleman. Perhaps the most gentlemanly person of all the Jane Austen novels.

[@EllieDashwood]

Yes, he totally is!

[@aislingrvr]

Agree 100%, he's my favourite of the Austen love interests

[@madisonwilcox1939]

Too bad we can't clone him - what do you think? ;)

[@maryhamric]

Austen said he was her favorite hero. Who can argue with that? Mr. Knightley is my absolute favorite!

[@cmm5542]

​@@maryhamric He's mine too. Followed by Colonel Fitzwilliam. Henry Tilney and Darcy are still battling out for the final spot in my top three 😁

[@jeromemckenna7102]

When I read Pride and Prejudice I was about the same age as Elizabeth, but I didn't know the ages of the characters. As a much older reader (age 69) I can see how insecure many of the young characters are, even Darcy.

[@daffodilunderhill7066]

For those who have Audible there is a new collection of Austin's books that is excellent! There are actors reading each part and some music where appropriate. They produced it during quarantine so everyone was doing it from home. I am enjoying it very much.

[@EllieDashwood]

I love listening on Audible! I'll have to check it out!

[@pennynifiachra6308]

I know modern adaptations aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I feel like it would be so easy to make one for Northanger Abbey. That book feels timeless!

[@nobirahim1818]

There is 😄 Sort of 🤔 There's a web series here called The Cate Morland Chronicles. I feel like I'm on a spree of video recommendations 😅

[@pennynifiachra6308]

@@nobirahim1818 Oh cool! I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for the recommendation 😁

[@elisa4620]

There are at keast two movies adaptation of it. It's interesting to see how they put Catherine's imagination on screen. Sorry I didn't realized that you said "modern". And, yeah, so true.

[@elisa4620]

@@nobirahim1818 Thanks for the recommendation

[@nobirahim1818]

@@pennynifiachra6308 and @Elisa -Pleasure 😄 There are webseries of other Jane Austen novels as well. You might already know of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Emma Approved. They're brilliant 😄 Pemberley Digital in general is great

[@user-zo4ig4xx5n]

I don't think there is a Jane Austen book I don't like but my favorites are Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. However my favorite of all Austen heroines is Emma. I know many people see her as a spoilt brat but I find her so witty and smart and funny and so adorably headstrong. I absolutely love her!

[@EllieDashwood]

Emma is super loveable! And it really is way to hard to choose just one!

[@madisonwilcox1939]

I love Emma as well!

[@cmm5542]

Emma is my favourite too. She is just so relatable. I don't have her exact same faults, but when I read her it's like a breath of fresh air, reminding me I don't have to be perfect to be loved or to be capable of loving others. And I love how perfect she and Mr Knightley are for each other, without either of them BEING perfect! (I mean, he's pretty close, but . . . 😅 he's still human.)

[@janedoefamily6458]

I've read all of these except for "Emma" I'm reading it now, but I'm only on chapter 3. I love "Mansfield Park." In my opinion, it's second only to " Pride and Prejudice." I don't understand why so many people hate Fanny. She's such a gentle, kindhearted girl. She's my favorite Jane Austen Heroine. I hope I'm not being creepy by commenting on nearly every new video. I'm sort of obsessed with 1800's literature right now and every new video that feeds my current fixation makes me happy. 😁

[@EllieDashwood]

Fanny is an amazing heroine! I think its super sad people hate her too. Also, I really appreciate all of your commenting! Thank you! And 1800s literature is a great thing to obsess over. 😃

[@Amcsae]

I've read them all except Northanger Abbey. I love Mansfield Park! I adore the relationship between Fanny and Edmund, but most people I describe it to get stuck on them being cousins, and I think that's a large part of why many people never read it... (eeew, cousins 😵) I look around that (different times and social customs), and see a story of best friends, children who have been close all their lives, realizing how they feel about each other. Fanny knows her feelings first, and watches as Edmund chases after someone she knows will be bad for him (and not just from jealousy, but because they aren't a good match). Then when Edmund finally starts to see Fanny as a woman, and how important she really is to him, it's so satisfying! One thing I miss in both adaptations I've seen, is Henry Crawford's portrayal. It's been awhile since I read the book, but I recall him having a bit of character growth and seriously pursuing Fanny with affection, not just to get back at Mariah (before reverting after Fanny rejects him). The films I've seen both gloss over that and emphasize him being a cad. Also, we don't get to see Fanny going home to get that insight into what her live would be like without her Aunt and Uncle taking her in, and what she's risking by standing by her gut and rejecting Mr. Crawford's proposal against her uncle's wishes.

[@EllieDashwood]

@@Amcsae that part when she goes home is one of my favorite parts of the book! I don’t know why they leave it out! 😭

[@lovetolovefairytales]

@@Amcsae forget how Henry acts, I'd like a modern adaptation that was honest about how the book said he looked. He's a short, not handsome guy, and coasts by on charisma and flirting; no more decent looking actors for this troll please.

[@Amcsae]

@@lovetolovefairytales interesting point! Charisma is not to be underestimated though! It's much more important than looks in attractiveness, in my opinion, anyway.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Pride and Prejudice is such a fantastic novel. I watched the 2005 version this evening. The ending to the story is perfect for those who are hopelessly romantic.

[@EllieDashwood]

2005 P&P is sooo romantic for sure!

[@YatsukiNoSei]

Three months ago, I read P&P just to try this e-book app advertised in the airport, and I absolutely loved it, so I was tempted to read more Regency era books, and this video just gave me the confidence I was lacking to go and buy this nice set of the full Austen collection because I have no control when it comes to collect books. I don't think I'll dislike any one of this. Thank you for your comments!

[@EllieDashwood]

That is so cool! I'm so excited for all the wonderful books you have ahead of you to read!!!!

[@KimJiMi45]

My favourite book is Persuasion, then Mansfield Park and then Pride and prejudice 😁 I love them all. I started to read Jane Austen books with Pride and Prejudice and I think that was the best decision. It is easy to read, funny and relatable and relatively short so everyone can enjoy it ;)

[@natyvas17]

Those are my three favorites as well 🥰

[@kcbramble]

I started with Emma, as it was lent by a friend. As we're talking 40 years ago, and I was young, and not too discerning, I seem to have taken the first description of her as gospel truth, and in my first reading I found no faults in Emma. She could do no wrong! Once I was disabused of that notion (as supported much later by the movie "Clueless"), I found it fascinating. As a first book and with guidance, it helped me to understand societal norms of the time (why is the elder brother Mr. Knightley, and why is the younger brother Mr. John Knightley? And what is a "natural child", and what would that do to Harriet's prospects, and why was a yeoman so much above Emma's notice in one way, and so much below it in another? Why would being, or becoming, a governess be so frowned upon, or the prospect of it be such a horror? And what's up with the poverty of Miss Bates, and why would Emma think it necessary to show her any respect? And, what was the horror of Mrs. Elton's family having been "in trade"? I mean, hey, her brother has a barouche-landau, like a limousine!). By the way, your videos clear up almost all of these doubts really well, and sorry you didn't exist 40 years ago! You are a treasure! Anyway, with that cleared up by pre-KZbin research, it opened up another world! I loved all the books! I've even found some "murder mysteries", with Jane Austen as a character (Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor), that I didn't find terrible, as they dealt with the same society from a different viewpoint. Side note from another video: trouble remembering the peerage? Do Men Ever Visit Boston? Duke-Marquess-Earl-Viscount-Baron.

[@brontewcat]

Good comment.

[@maluferreira151]

I love MANSFIELD PARK!!! It's my favorite to reread of all Jane Austen's books. Pride and Prejudice is brilliant too, but for me is so easy to remember the story that I don't read it as much as Mansfield and Northanger.

[@michellecrocker2485]

I once had a book called “Jane Austen’s guide to etiquette “. I found it fascinating and no doubt gave a context for the social customs highlighted in her novels

[@amdza]

I just reread pride and prejudice for the first time since high school and now I'm hooked. The only problem with this video is they all sound so good!

[@EllieDashwood]

It’s because they’re all too good! Jane Austen doesn’t know problems she’s created for us on picking one! 😭

[@jessicaperry182]

I love sense and sensibility the juxtaposition between the sisters is brilliant and then in the scene where elinor tells marianne what she has gone through is heart breaking

[@elisa4620]

Another thing I love about it, aside for how well written, funny and witty it is is Elinor's character and how she is appreciated. I relate to her SO much. And, maybe it's because of the fanfoms I'm in, but I often feel like characters like her are seen negatively by people, even IRL. So it's refreshing and has a "feel good" effect to me. :)

[@heatherb2307]

Thanks for sharing! I personally rank them as follows: Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, and, Mansfield Park. Northanger Abbey is really funny, sweet, and underrated, IMHO. Regarding Mansfield Park, I actually like Fanny Price but get very, very, VERY annoyed by her cousin Edmund!

[@lynnevetter]

Indeed! The "best book" is so subjective, and it changes. I used to love P&P over all, but now Persuasion is mine.

[@EllieDashwood]

It’s so true! It’s also amazing how time changes our perspective on life and literature like that!

[@OkGoGirl82]

I felt the same way the first time I read Northanger Abbey! I felt like I related so much to Catherine.

[@EllieDashwood]

She is so relatable!

[@lovetolovefairytales]

I really liked Northanger Abbey a lot! I love to read, like Catherine, and like Catherine I had an "Isabella" friend in my life who turned on my family, and some months after I cut that friend out of my life and was really torn up, I met a friend who was more like Mr. Tilney's sister. No Mr. Tilney yet, but maybe someday lol. 😂

[@OkGoGirl82]

@@lovetolovefairytales Yes! I also had an Isabella in my life before and that was another reason I totally connected to the story.

[@imfromneverland3692]

THE TEXT MESSAGES ARE KILLING ME 😂😂😂

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂

[@zhazhagab0r]

I stan Henry Tilney.

[@EllieDashwood]

That's because he's too ridiculously awesome!!!

[@joycarolin3636]

Personally, I started with pride and prejudice and can only say it was literally (haha) the best decision I have ever made. I did not grow up with classics - my parents still have no clue about them whatsoever - but I thought it did give me the best insight into literature and really made me fall in love with it (for heaven’s sake I’m a lit student now 😂). But all in all - it’s Jane Austen : you really can’t go wrong with whichever novel you choose

[@ZackRekeSkjell]

I am currently reading Pride & Prejudice and am loving the tone of it, but you have convinced me that Northanger Abbey should be my next Austen read. Thanks for the great video!

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw, thank you! I hope you love it!

[@BB-jh7ek]

I read them all, my favorite is PP, it was my first classic novel. My least favorite is SS, because of Marianne. 19th century culture is so interesting for me, I found many interesting things from your channel.

[@DavidScotton]

I agree with you the BBC Sense and Sensibility (2008) did a much better job of fleshing out the male characters. When I originally read the book, Edward came across as such a non-entity I didn't think Elinor was going to end up with him - I actually thought Colonel Brandon was going to end up with her instead of Marianne. In the miniseries it made much more sense that Elinor really was in love with Edward.

[@robinsonsomething]

I just love Austen's characters! Yes, the main characters are wonderfully fun and witty and 'sparkly', but people like Mr Woodhouse - he's so wonderfully quirky and might be my spirit animal in his hypochondria. I think Mr. Bennet is another who is just interesting. The Crofts! I love them! So many rich backgrounds characters that i want to see full stories about them 😁 Mrs. and Miss Bates. I would read a book about Colonel Brandon and his adventures in the military any day. That kind of thing. Lol sorry, I'm weird.

[@veronicamoravega7754]

I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice, my third Jane Austed after Emma and Persuassion books I LOVED so far, let me tell you this video it's SO well made and lovely, I wish you did more videos like this with other famous classical authors

[@shoshannasofaer3903]

What I have come to believe about Mansfield is that it is very important in terms of the economics of the time, and the use of slaves in the West Indies. The Bertrams have a hard time with slave revolts which is why Mr. Bertram has to go to the West Indies. Yes, I am officially a Jane Austen nut, have read all the books multiple times. My favorite remains Pride and Prejudice because I love Elizabeth so much. Next is Persuasion, and then Northanger Abbey. Quite a mix! I like Sense and Sensibility least because NEITHER Elinor or Marianne are attractive to me. I am writing a very odd book, which is a series of letters to Jane Austen, trying to explain current life. Very tricky! I did not start reading Austen until my mid-20’s. I am now 77, so wish me luck finishing my book. My hope is to tell her what is happening in the world today....complicated!

[@jaimicottrill2831]

Too hard to choose, I love them all.☺️Also I love the animation and comments, they’re perfect! 😂

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw, thank you!!!

[@SleepingSpinet]

Thank you for this!! The way you break each book down is just delightful! Also- now I have to read Persuasion!!! 💗 So far, Emma is my favorite Austen read; it’s the most fun, I think!

[@maijuk802]

Thank you, Ellie, for this video. I've now made it my mission to read all of Austen's works. Seems like I've been missing out.

[@EllieDashwood]

Yay! They are all awesome! I hope you enjoy them. 😃

[@OkGoGirl82]

I love all her novels so much that I don't know that I could rank them, with one exception; I like Mansfield Park the least. Not that I don't like it, and I like Fanny just fine, but it's not the first I go to when re-reading one.

[@EllieDashwood]

It is so hard to choose!

[@busolaolagunju3410]

I love it because it has a more complex plot than the average Austen novel. Fanny is a little annoying but again, there's a more interesting cast of characters than the average Austen novel.

[@melissabelcher5479]

I love them all! But mansfield park is definitely my favorite. I was actually surprised to find a lot of people don't like it.

[@vineethg6259]

Me too! I never could understand why Fanny is often regarded as Austen's most unpopular heroine. She may not be so colourful a character as Lizzy, Emma or even Catherine, but that's because she has been made to feel like an second-class orphan in front of her privileged cousins for so long!

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Mansfield Park is my favorite too. I'm even doing a fanfiction of it at the moment.

[@kendalynmurdock4806]

I also love Mansfield!

[@caitlinj8754]

I actually love Mansfield Park. I feel like there is such beauty in the description.

[@heatheravello4053]

Mansfield Park gets so much flak but as someone who grew up a quiet observer in a family full of drama, i find her very relatable. She can see the Crawford's are bad news while everyone else is taken in by them, mostly because they didn't think she was worth wasting energy on in the beginning and by the time they realize they need to try to pull the wool over her eyes, it's too late. Like Mary Crawford realizing that the best way to get to Edmund is to befriend Fanny, or Henry believing that Fanny would make an excellent wife that wouldn't be on his back when he acted a fool. She can see quite clearly that they are tacky as heck but everyone around her thinks she's being judgemental. I hate when people tell you to ignore your instincts about people because many times those little alarm bells in your head are going off for a reason!

[@jessicabelda7735]

Great video! I love your nerdy passion and soft voice, you describe these stories so well. I need to read the rest of Her books, I’ve read Jane Eyre, and love the pride and prejudice movies I need to read the book.

[@DaisyNinjaGirl]

I think one of the things that makes P&P so successful is it's character study of Lizzie Bennett - she has all of her father's caprice and wit, and all of her mother and younger sister's force of nature "this setup stinks and I shall not abide it." That, and it has the archetypal fairy tale plot (cf Beauty and the Beast) of how to conduct a love affair when there's a huge power difference. If she accepts either of her first two proposals, her marriage is going to fail because she wouldn't be able to tolerate a husband who doesn't respect her; Lizzie's big plot arc isn't just about understanding Mr Darcy, it's about _making him respect her_ when he has all the money and power. But also, I probably wouldn't enjoy being friends with Lizzie - she sucks all the air out of the room, and very clearly inherited her Mum's dismissive and competitive views. Emma, who is openly vain and selfish, translates that into doing a lot of kind things, right from the beginning of the novel (charity works etc), her challenge is to see the world clearly. And for the novel well down your list - I honestly think that Northanger Abbey should be required reading for every teenager. It just, so lays out the mechanics of how mean girl politics work; it lets you listen to the Thorpes' and General Tilney's explanation of themselves, and then it _shows_ you what they actually do. And Henry Tilney, what a keeper. And the big rants about novelists who don't like patronising novels in their books, and women being fine for themselves alone, and history being mostly made up. [Chef's kiss]

[@fruzsimih7214]

I must admit I've had difficulties with Jane Austen since I was a teenager, I just couldn't relate to the stuff I've read by her. But I'll give it another try. Northanger Abbey and also Persuasion seem interesting to me personally.

[@jargoggle]

this video made me interested in northanger abbey and convinced me to read it, and now its one of my all time favorite books! thanks for making this video :)

[@helloworld0973]

Your videos are amazing and your videos on the Victorian Era are amazing!

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw! Thank you!!!

[@Punchgirl4]

I managed to go all the way through school and university without ever reading any Jane Austen. It wasn’t until 1995 when the sublime BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was being shown on TV that I decided to read the book at the same time. I fell in love with the novel and regularly reread it. I then went on to read all of the other novels and when I start my re-reading of P&P, I usually end up following it with all of the other books. As a result I have now read all of them numerous times, and there’s none that I dislike, but I do have favourites. Pride and Prejudice comes first, for me it is a perfect book and the BBC TV version is as close as you can get to a perfect adaptation, much better in my opinion than the 2005 film, which although I still enjoyed it, annoyed me with the way it made the Bennett’s appear to be living in a barn, when they were actually quite rich for the time. Sense and Sensibility comes next. I love the dynamic between your namesake Elinor Dashwood and her headstrong sister Marianne. Perhaps growing up in England made me more familiar with some of the social mores but I didn’t find any of it off putting at all. The film with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet really captures the essence of the novel for me too. Persuasion is a close third. It’s themes of long lost love, and second chances resonate with me even now. It’s not showy, but quietly affecting. There was a TV series made of it starring Ciaran Hinds, which I remember as very good, but I can’t find it anywhere. It is surely a novel that’s ripe for a new version. Emma is an enjoyable book but Emma herself can be so irritating. I don’t dislike her as such, but would sometimes like to give her a strong talking to. Austen treats this novel with a light touch, making scenes and characters very funny at times. I didn’t care for the recent film of Emma, but enjoyed the Gwyneth Paltrow version much more. Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey are both novels I enjoy for different reasons, but they would never be the book I’d pick up first. Perhaps it’s because I find the heroines less appealing, I don’t know, but they are still masterpieces and well worth persevering with. I’d love to see a modern version of both of these. A recent discovery has been Lady Susan and Sanditon. Both are more like novellas, but enjoyable nonetheless. The recent movie of Lady Susan called Love and Friendship was an absolute joy. It took a few liberties with the narrative but was just hilarious. Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan was so deliciously wicked, a truly horrible person that you can’t help kind of loving. I find your explorations of English novels, history and society very interesting, keep up the good work 😊

[@ruthvogel7390]

I am not a bit like Emma, but loved it. My favorite.

[@laurelanne5071]

I love Emma and Northanger Abbey. Fun fact! If you're a fan of the 1995 movie Clueless, the plot of Emma will feel somewhat familiar

[@tymanung6382]

Of course.AmymHeckerling explicitly based her Cher Horowitz on Emma Woodhouse, despite time, nation and ethnicity differences (Jewish American and British English).

[@maryhamric]

Emma is my favorite. A story about someone who screws things up and figures out her errors and her own heart.....and wins the best Austen hero is wonderful. We've all screwed up in ways that affect others negatively and that is why I love it most. After that, Persuasion for the long standing love against all odds. P&P is great....but like Jane said "bright and sparkling". It's fun and funny. But I really prefer her deeper content.

[@danielasarmiento30]

Ellie: Which book should you read first? Me, who has read four of the mains and is missing just northanger abbey: Do tell, I want to choose I tried to get through Emma, twice, but really couldn't. I did adore persuasion and Fanny in Mansfield park. I obviously like pride and prejudice and sense and sensibility. I plan to reread sense and sensibility and then go for northanger abbey. I feel like Fanny and Emma are the most controversial characters in Jane books, as people either love them or hate them. Do you think there's a relation between loving Fanny and hating Emma and vice versa? They seem to be in separate ends of the spectrum as far as personality goes, with Emma being a bright, rich, self confident woman who pretty much does as she pleases and Fanny being a quiet, frail little mouse who is pretty much holding on to life by charity and her morals.

[@catlinboy]

I hate both Emma and Fanny. I feel they both lack some self awareness and think they know best. Emma because she's rich and thinks so highly of herself, and Fanny manages to look down on her cousins even whilst being bullied by them. Fanny even manages to look down on her own siblings after wishing to go back to them for so many years. Don't get me wrong, I formed my opinions as a teenager and I'm sure I was grossly unfair to them both, but I liked neither book mostly because I didn't like those characters.

[@elisa4620]

@@catlinboy Since Jane Austen books are almost entirely character driven, it would be hard to like them if you can't stand the main characters. But maybe you can appreciate the character growth?

[@elisa4620]

I haven't read all Jane Austen books yet. As a self-taught non native English speaker they are harder to read. But I'm getting there slowly. So far I have read Pride and Préjudice, Northanger Abbey and Sense and sensibility. I have watched adaptations of all 6 books though. Elinor is my favorite heroine. We are extremely similar so I relate to her so much. I also appreciate the fact that her character is portrayed very positively. There are so few Elinor-like characters and they are rarely appreciated (at least in the fandoms I am in). Even in real life, we are not always appreciated. So it feels good. That video was interesting and funny. I enjoyed your humour through the messages. Maybe, if you haven't done it yet, you could make book, series and movies recommendations for each of these books? (as in you you liked X you could like Y)

[@saku577]

Amazing editing and animations on this video, really loved the text messages and tweets and such, lol! They are funny and interesting, but not as forcedly quirky as to be obnoxious, like what you see in many videos by other people. Also really liked the close-ups of the books, they are very artistic (Plus your copies of the books are really pretty, especially Emma!). You may or may not have reminded my little German ass of the time I first tried to read Pride and Prejudice (in translation) with a very limited understanding of English naming conventions, and between Elizabeth, Lizzy, Lydia, Liddy, Catherine, Kitty, Mary and Jane wondering just HOW many daughters these people had??? I was not the brightest, clearly 😂 The way I see Austen's novel is thus: I, too, would generally suggest P&P to readers new to her, since it and Emma are maybe the closest to modern romance novels people might already be more familiar with. Emma is a bit sillier (not in a bad way, just in overall tone) so if someone wants to not take ther first Austen book too seriously, Emma would be my pick for them. Persuasion (my personal favourite) feels a bit more mature and subdued, likely due to Austen herself being more mature when she wrote it, but if readers don't mind that, it would be a good first Austen book as well. S&S is very steeped in Austen's own time and less universal, so in my opinion it works best for people who have an interest in and/or some knowledge of social customs of the Regency era. Northanger Abbey doesn't work at all for people who don't know about Gothic novels, especially the really old classics of the genre. It also feels more like a coming-of-age novel due to Catherine's young age compared to most of Austen's heroines. Mansfield Park has political themes that would go over the head of anyone who doesn't already know about the era, particularly slavery (It's not a coincidence after all that a judge named Mansfield, a few decades before Austen wrote the novel, significantly contributed to slavery being forbidden in Britain). So... we agree on a lot of points! Have you ever read Georgette Heyer's novels? And if so, will you review them or do videos about them? It would be so cool to see younger Austen fans getting into Heyer as well!

[@jaimicottrill2831]

I like Georgette Heyer books too. 👍🏼

[@lorisewsstuff1607]

I loved the goth version of the fashion plate. That was funny. I can imagine a flock of Regency teenagers dressed all in black going around being snarky.

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw thank you so much! That really does mean so much to me after all the many hours of editing I put into this video . 😂 And those are all such great points on the books. And even as a native English speaker the first time I read P&P I was like, "How did they get Kitty from Catherine?" 😂 I actually haven't ever read Georgette Heyer, though I have heard of her. Is there one in particular you'd recommend?

[@EllieDashwood]

😂 All the teen regency angst!

[@saku577]

@@EllieDashwood Cotillion is pretty much a universal favourite among Heyer's fans (and the heroine just happens to be called Kitty 😂), as is The Grand Sophy! I'd love for you to read them ❤

[@tine272]

i'm in love with how you explain the plot points and the usage of images in your videos makes it so fun to follow along!

[@josephbowditch9160]

I always imagined pride and prejudice was a MASSIVE novel. I've mostly been reading Russian literature lately, so I guess I assumed if the book is titled X and Y, it's lengthy 😂

[@estarramanderley8172]

It's easy. All of them are for me. 🤩🥰

[@EllieDashwood]

Same! They're all great!

[@bernicerogers2383]

Did you read them voraciously all at the same time? 😂

[@estarramanderley8172]

@@bernicerogers2383 In fact, I only read "Pride&Prejudice" the other ones I all listened to and yes, sometimes more than one at once. 😅

[@ej8967]

I just discovered your videos and have been watching for hours lol! I'm on an Austen kick recently as I reread P&P (though it felt like the first time) and decided to read all the rest of JA's books. I am on Emma at the moment! I also love watching the various film/tv adaptations before and after i read (I'm a mixed-media nerd) and love comparing all of them! I also love researching things so all your vids on the P&P economics are absolutely wonderful!

[@Kelly-zv6ui]

I love Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice the best. I can read them over and over while I only read Emma and Sense and Sensibility once a year or so. I’ve read Mansfield Park and Northhanger Abbey and may read them again at some point in the future.

[@taylorgayhart9497]

I love them all for different reasons, I really do have a hard time picking a favorite!!!

[@roseoznz]

I’ve only read the top 4 of these but persuasion was my favorite… so far! You’ve convinced me I finally need to read the other two 😄

[@astermos-6616]

I read Jane Austen for the sake of improving my vocabulary. Pride and Prejudice is hilarious though.

[@madisonwilcox1939]

Funny how something as simple as watching a movie can start an obsession. I watched the 1997 version of Emma on cable tv and was hooked. Have seen every Jane Austen based movie since and have read the books. Love this channel - it answers many of the questions regarding women & class of that era. Emma is a great book and my favorite, if I were going to recommend a first book that would be it. If I had to go back in time and become a Jane Austen heroine - it would definitely be Emma Woodhouse. Bring on George Knightley - he's my idea of a good, loving friend & husband... :) Very interesting to read other's opinions on the subject!

[@carola-lifeinparis]

English is my second language so I struggled through my first attempt of Sense and Sensibility and only tried the books again when I saw the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I have not read Northanger Abbey and Persuasion yet but saw the film versions. Lovely video :)

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw thank you! That's amazing that you were able to read S&S at all! A lot of native English speakers struggle with that one.

[@carola-lifeinparis]

@@EllieDashwood Now as an adult with a few more years of English, they are actually okay to read (and now it is easier to just look up a word) but this is not the book to choose to read for your 4th year of English :)

[@amdza]

I recommend getting an annotated version! I've read a couple of Austen's books annotated by David Sharpard and I love them! They have pictures and illustrations, footnotes on English customs and history and Jane Austen herself, as well as definitions of words that were used differently in a historical context. I think they're worth it for the pictures alone, helps me get the whole BBC picture production rolling in my head 😂

[@rhondagatlin7973]

I am very excited to read my first Jane Austen books. I did now realize how much I might enjoy them, until Hallmark peaked my interest. I don't know why I didn't read them, except I am dyslectic and growing up was so difficult to learn to read. I only did the least amount of reading until now. I am a well educated 70 year old children's author, with a masters +. I retired as an elementary school teacher of 40 years mostly second grade. I now am a slower reader, but with the larger print on Kindle helps. I am able to peruse through most books, if romance of the G rated. I hope I find these books of Jane Austen in that same range. Thank you for your enlightening narrative of her books. Rhonda-Kay Gatlin

[@fatemah4444]

I would love to see a video on where you discuss whether P&P is a romance or not. Personally I think it's a subplot (class and marriage being the main) however I thought it was solidly only a romance because I watched the 2005 movie first and was genuinely surprised at how many issues she explores.

[@EllieDashwood]

I've actually debated making this very video! I wasn't sure if anyone would actually want to see that. But I guess you do! 😂

[@fatemah4444]

@@EllieDashwood Definetly do and it's an underrated/unexplored topic. Maybe geniuenly compare the romance scales in all her novels, specifically the misinterpreted ones. Thank you♡

[@curiousitykilledthecat9933]

I’ve read all except Northanger abbey which I’m planning to read this summer! Pride and prejudice will always be incredible and my favourite book, but I enjoy anything that Austen writes :)

[@caitlinmarie8261]

Pride and Prejudice is ofcourse always going to be #1, but Northanger Abbey is a great coming of age story.

[@julijakeit]

Emma was a not a usual heroine in the times where women didn't inherit estates, had very little rights and become the property of their husband in legal terms. Emma was rich, young and had no male relatives to kick her out or reduce her life to charity once her father died. Emma is very relatable to today's female readers because we all have the same rights to study, earn and make the life as we want.

[@cmm5542]

Actually, it wasn't as unusual as fiction represents. As a rule, reading about someone overcoming oppression is more interesting than someone leading a normal life. Jane Austen's ability to write about people living everyday lives, at least for the upper classes, was what made her so compelling. Of course more people were poor then as now, but she wasn't writing about them. Her depictions of ordinary landed gentry of her day where BOTH the men and women would have had money (yes, women could and did inherit estates except in the case of an entail which was not the norm) is actually quite historically representative. I just find it exasperating every time I read the overwhelmingly common misconception that men 'owned' their wives. Not in Europe since the Middle Ages. Wives were freewomen, not chattel. It is true that unless your dowry/settlement was legally put into your own name, all your OWN property would have to be shared with your husband (and his with you; no separate bank accounts as a rule), but that was it. Men in Austen's time would have been shocked, and their wives grossly insulted, to think we represent them today as being 'owned.' That wasn't how it worked. A mistress might be treated as a possession, but not a legal wife.

[@katmaresparkles9578]

This is my ranking of the books from most favourite to least favourite - 1 pride and prejudice 2 sense and sensibility 3 emma 4 northanger abbey 5 mansfield park 6 persuasion.

[@mmmmyeah1849]

I BOUGHT THE ENTIRE SET, CAN'T CHOOSE

[@StrangeSpark]

Personally, my favourites are Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abby. I haven't read persuasion yet. However, I HATED Emma. Mansfield Park is so much better. I can't be bothered with Emma's Character. Everyone seems to hate Mansfield Park, but I loved the characters. Everyone is weird and unique and interesting.

[@EllieDashwood]

It's so amazing how everyone likes different novels! I think that just shows how diverse Austen's writing really is.

[@Ailorn]

I hated Emma the most as I read them too, but she grew on me at the end when she learned and was humbled. Persuasion is my favorite besides Pride and Prejudice, I highly recommend it.

[@michellecrocker2485]

I’m often divided between Emma and Pride and prejudice because I’ve seen theatrical versions but I might as well add Northanger Abby to my list of decisions because my aunt had us go to a community play based on it

[@adrivoid5376]

I started with Emma, I was given it second hand in a box of books. Im so glad I did, bc it was so funny and the social dynamics felt relatable. I was 20 and Emma reminded me of people I know- I was so eager to figure how it all go!

[@mariaefstratiou7427]

My favourite is Northanger abbey

[@vineethg6259]

This video is a gem! You have a done a great job covering Austen's major works in under 25 mins. I'm definitely going to add this to my favourites.. 🙂 Also, I read all of Austen works for the first time in their unabridged form only within the past 1 year - one of the positives of the lockdown for me I think! Now I pretty much understand why _Emma_ (the novel, not the character) hasn't been a favourite with me. You are spot on when you say it is _character-driven,_ not _plot-driven._ That explains everything now, which is also why I strongly felt at that time that Austen should have written a story with Jane Fairfax as the central character instead. It might have had a better _plot._ My favourite Austen novels rank something like this: *1* - _Pride & Prejudice,_ *2* - _Northanger Abbey,_ *3* - _Mansfield Park,_ *4* - _Emma,_ *5* - _Sense & Sensibility,_ *6* - _Persuasion._ That P&P would show up first in my list should be hardly a surprise. Its just the perfect romantic comedy ever written. Period. I have read the book four or five times in the past 1 year, and God alone knows how many times I have watched the 1995 BBC adaptation. Whenever I feel a bit down, a dose of P&P is all that is required to cheer me up. 😊 Every part of the story, every scene, every dialogue is just so memorable and iconic. I haven't yet come across another book that can match _P&P_ in that. The rest of my ranking might seem a bit counter-intuitive, perhaps. I loved _Northanger Abbey_ and its naive and hyper-imaginative heroine so much (even more so after I read a few of Radcliffe's works to figure out what exactly Austen was parodying here). I have always felt that had I been born female, I may have been just another Catherine Morland! 😃 I cannot say for sure why Mansfield Park happens to be my next favourite. Maybe its because of a sympathy that I felt for the unfortunate Fanny Price who was uprooted from her home to live as a second-class resident with her wealthy relatives. I could see why she came to love Edmund, and why she was so happy to receive from him a simple gold chain for her precious locket rather than the expensive one that Henry Crawford gave her. Also the part where she returns to her home after 9 years and the difficulty she has in relating to her own home and family after the long separation was a nice touch, and so was the description of the death of Mary - Fanny's favourite sister from childhood - and the favourite knife which she left to Susan on her deathbed. Its just a minor detail of little consequence in the novel, but there was something moving about the whole thing - one of the rare _deaths_ in an Austen novel that was an emotional moment (though we do not witness it). And then there was that famous description of serpentine walk at Mr. Rushworth's estate. I must confess the hidden allegory escaped me the first time I read it! Rest of the three novels hasn't been much of a favourite with me, though I did not dislike any of them as such. _Emma_ lacked a compelling plot, _Sense & Sensibility_ lacked a compelling hero, and _Persuasion_ felt a bit dull and melodramatic.

[@vineethg6259]

@Jonathan Parks Same with me too! I saw rightaway the connection between Frank riding to London for a haircut (it was pretty obvious he had other some other reason for going) and the pianoforte showing up immediately after that. 😁 And Jane's insistence to fetch her own letters from post office, together with Frank's comment about Dr. Perry's carriage wondering who had told him that, only served to confirm that there was an ongoing correspondence between the two. I thought I was remarkably clever in figuring it all out the first time. Now that I see others have done too, I'm disappointed. 😀

[@vineethg6259]

@Jonathan Parks Jane Fairfax struck me as a proto-Jane Eyre that Austen didn't develop as a character. I have wondered at times whether Charlotte Brontë intended her famous heroine as her take on the character (and that is without that _Jane_ Eyre and Edward _Fairfax_ Rochester thing). I have even wondered whether CB's final unfinished novel _Emma (!)_ which starts with a parlour-boarder of unknown origin in a school (Harriet Smith, anyone?) was intended as yet another take on the Austen novel. But I guess I'm running away with my imagination on a few coincidences. 😏

[@EllieDashwood]

I love when Fanny gets the simple gold chain too! And Catherine is super relatable! I'm so glad that the lockdown had at least one positive effect, it seems like so many have had the time to start to read all of Austen's novels.

[@danielrobinson7350]

@@vineethg6259 Charlotte Bronte didn’t like the Austen novels at all.

[@TheMissileHappy]

I'm reading Mansfield Park right now. Before that I only read Pride and Prejudice and Emma. I love all three of them, but I have to say I'm most invested in Fannys story, she is so lovely and I get excited whenever I pick up the book to continue :D

[@CarolineLisy]

Just bought Emma at a used bookstore. Can’t wait to read it!

[@pelicanformation3802]

P&P: The story would be very different if Mr D had said, "Yes she is pretty, but she is not really my type" or "She is pretty, but I am a boring country man and we won't have anything to talk about." The boasting is a little self protective to me, or awkward conversationalist. I

[@EllieDashwood]

I'm now just laughing imagining these different scenarios. 😂😂😂

[@sarahherboth9447]

I really like the moral discussions involved in Mansfield Park! Persuasion is probably my latest favorite. I think I would have such a hard time getting through Emma! By the way, your hair looks really cute and a tiny bit curly 🙂

[@bookmouse2719]

Persuasion for sure is a must to read sometime.

[@angierodriguez4729]

The first and only one I have read was Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely loved it, it was my first taste of classic literature and I was hooked, I was 14 years old at the time and then I re read it 3 more times throughout the years but I never went back to Austens books until now, I am currently on chapter 5 of Northanger Abbey and I’m enjoying it very much.

[@rodentary]

And i personally love the Jane Austen Book Club movie. They explain the books to us newbs. And the special features are awesome.

[@SN-bk5xj]

Yes!! I love that movie, that’s what made me want to read all of her books 😄

[@melissamybubbles6139]

I'm listening to the Audible included collection, as I never finished all her works in college. I read P&P, S&S, and possibly Persuasion years ago, along with her history of England, which is the most snarky thing she probably ever wrote. I wonder what I'll think of them now, since so much has changed. I got bored with Mansfield Park and DNFed it back then. Now I'd probably relate to it better. I recently got through Emma. It was fun. I was the girl often wanting to be told what to do, because I knew I lacked social talents.

[@rbaxter286]

"How I Planned The 1810 Clerkenwell Diamond Robbery"? A true classic in the genre!

[@katherinerobinson6234]

My personal favourite is Persuasion, but I also really like Mansfield Park. I like Fanny Price and felt like she deserved better than Edmund.

[@SrtaLJCarneiro]

Why everybody hates Mansfield Park? It’s my favorite book and definitely better than Northanger Abby! When I read Northanger Abby it was very clear to me it was her first book. The storytelling is more amateurish and I counts identify myself with the protagonist taste for gothic literature. I think it’s the book that feels more dated to me while the others might be dated in some values but their themes ages better. I think Mansfield Park is a great exemple of this. Some stuff is outdated like what’s the problem with they rehearsing a play? But the theme of the story is timeless: “what’s the role of family upbringing in the character”. Well I think last place for Mansfield Park is quite an injustice!

[@adelaaire8861]

My favorites ,story wise ,have to be Persuasion and Northhanger Abbey.Mabey Mansified Park as well.😊

[@PlaceholderName-b4d]

Started reading Sense and Sensibility today and finally understood why your name is what it is.

[@williamisley1880]

Thanks so much for this. Your presentation was both charming and just! I like very much how you organized it and explained the character of the novels without giving anything away. I actually just finished reading The Mysteries of Udolpho and, although I read Northanger Abbey before, it was a long time ago and without having read Ann Radcliffe's novel. I look forward to rereading Northanger Abbey with a better appreciation of what Jane Austen is doing in that novel. Thanks again. I truly enjoyed the video.

[@beansprout_apg886]

P and P needs to read first to grasp on Jane Austin’s way of writing and it got a happily ever after type that we used to read then go to sense and sensibility.

[@MsJubjubbird]

I like reading them in the order they were written. You can see Austen's different life stages and maturity evolving that way. And I certainly don't think her first novel is worth any less than her last one- funnily enough those are my two favorites. Emma is also good for millennials because they will recognise the story from Clueless.

[@rbaxter286]

"How I Planned The 1810 Clerkenwell Diamond Robbery" A true Classic, though underappreciated.

[@topfiverankings]

I just discovered your channel and few mins in I really am amazed and love your style of videos, I subscribed thanks for recommendations cheers!!

[@lauraberkholtz7959]

Northanger Abbey is my favorite, because I find it hilariously funny.

[@EllieDashwood]

It is so funny!

[@barbaramichelotti9684]

Why do you never talk about the 1997 (or maybe 1998) Emma movie with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam? I found it absolutly amazing!

[@vineethg6259]

Its 1996. ☺ And its a bit remarkable (and confusing) thing that two _Emmas_ came out that year - the Gwyneth Paltrow one and the Kate Beckinsale one.

[@EllieDashwood]

That is a good question. I haven't actually watched it in a few years, so it's probably just not at the top of my mind. I should definitely break it out for a rewatch though!

[@Padmepotter4986]

I definitely prefer the BBC adaptation of Emma to the Gwyneth paltrow version but it is still very well done. Jeremy northam as Mr Knightley might honestly be my favorite version of a Jane Austen character ever. The only possible exception would be Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. But it's incredibly close.

[@daveoly6947]

I loved the bbc version. Kate beckinsale and mark strong- no contest

[@cmm5542]

It's my absolute favourite adaptation. Of ANY book, not just Austen. Well . . . Rebecca was pretty good.

[@TheFrancoPhiler]

1 Persuasion 2 P&P 3 Sense 4 Abbey 5 Emma 6 Mansfield

[@susannaseay4799]

You make me want to read them all over again!!

[@EllieDashwood]

They’re just all so good and re-readable! 😃😂

[@susannaseay4799]

@@EllieDashwood the characters are like old friends, even the ones you don't like.

[@lizard9375]

If anyone wants to read Emma and likes to listen to audiobooks, definitely pick the one read by Juliette Stevenson. She does the voices so well, and it made the long book fly by.

[@candyclews4047]

My favourite is Persuasion but I wouldn't recommend anyone start with that. I guess P&P is the obvious one to start with and it's so funny!

[@mch12311969]

Love P&P and also Northanger Abby. I also enjoyed Sanditon, would love to hear your opinion of this title

[@EllieDashwood]

P&P and Northanger are both awesome! And I've been considering doing a video on Sanditon!

[@Mindy14]

Northanger Abby is my absolute favorite, then Sense and sensibility and Pride and prejudice.

[@nowandthenandneverbeen]

I've read 4/6 of the books, and one thing that I really noticed in all of them is that all of the heroines are shown as very dedicated too and accommodating of their families, even those family members who are treat them terribly, or who the narrative/narrator condemns in some way. Is this a common regency value, from what we can tell? Is Jane Austen trying to show us something specific? Or maybe it's something that was trained into women because they were so dependent on their families socially and financially?

[@tlc2741]

I’m a Romanticist scholar. My take is that the British Romantics weren’t much different than us, but that the women had significantly less freedom and agency. I think that family was important in the Romantic era partly because women relied on their families to support them (and males too from the patriarch of the nearest family with money), but that doesn’t mean family love was fake. I also think their worlds were smaller (no internet, travel takes longer, no TV, etc) so that made everybody closer to their families and immediate communities. Lastly I do think there are some differences in how society and daily life was conducted in the Regency that differs from today, most notably for anyone who wasn’t in the servant class-I think there was more emphasis on socializing in general than there is today (today has more emphasis on work/career for most people I know), and maybe that value of the social had an impact on how accommodating people were of family members, as you say.

[@kendracrispin5327]

I was introduced to P&P via "Wishbone" on PBS, and soon after heard about the BBC version. I was intrigued and I ended up reading all of the novels, one by one. Even started finding other adaptations to watch. S&S has a warm place in my heart because I saw the mid-90s version. MP and Fanny Price have a strong hold on me. I suspect it's because I feel like Fanny lacked key support to be able to stand up for herself much more than she did, and it was her own loyalty to her family (along with society norms of the time which modern people may not relate well to) that worked against her when she wanted Henry Crawford to go away. I suppose that my protective instincts were triggered, because I've imagined many ways her life could've been better. I'm interesting in seeing you do a video on the relationships in MP. Particularly covering why Mary Crawford and Edmund Bertram would've had a very rough marriage, and why Henry Crawford is truly a man that no self-respecting woman would want to marry. Or wish to impose on her worst enemy.

[@rdelamadrid]

Really great content in this video. I have only read Pride and Prejudice and was looking for where to go next. Now I know. Persuasion. Also, even though you don't mention it in this video, that you for putting me on to Elizabeth Gaskell. I just finished North and South and really enjoyed it. I'd never heard of her before.

[@silverdoe3658]

Emma followed by P&P