The Best Order to Read Jane Austen's Novels | Where to Start With Jane Austen | *Unpopular opinions*

I thought I would create a video on what I think the best order to read Jane Austen's novels, particularly if you are new to Austen. This is obviously just my thoughts and opinions, I would love to hear what you have to say below 🤍
Tune into my bi-weekly podcast What the Austen? where I chat about Jane Austen topics with guests.
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[@AmandaAcousticSanDiego-jv4dp]

Izzy, this is a really cool idea. My name is Amanda Fagan. I’m a huge nerd and Jane Austen fan. I decided to read all six of Jane's books this last summer. I just absolutely love the characters. I decided to write a song about a character from each novel, turning it into a six-song EP album. I wanted to give it a twist. I decided to only use instruments that existed during the Regency Era. I called the album "Love, Jane." I didn't shoot for a genre, but my mom said that it seems like a mix between classical music and pop! I have actually been invited to perform at Chawton House on Jane Austen’s birthday this December! I don’t have the money to fly to the UK, but will be performing on Zoom. I’m so excited! In the meantime, I'm reaching out to Jane Austen fans one-at-a-time, trying to get some attention for the album. Yeah, I'm broke from paying to have it produced, so I'm basically knocking on doors, shaking people by their shoulders, saying, "Hey, can you listen to my album!" Ha, ha. Here is one song I want you to hear. This is song is based upon Pride and Prejudice and is called, “Ardently.” open.spotify.com/track/2BUMEQj0evVavl76gyKgP5?si=4084c9be2b534929. As for the album, it is on all platforms. Can you help spread the word?

[@richardrose2606]

Thank you for saying positive things about Mansfield Park. People come to it and are thrown off because it is so different from her other novels. I think Fanny is a great charater. I would argue that MP is Austen's most mature novel.

[@Izzymeakin]

I love this comment! It isn't my favourite Austen for sure, but its not one to write off. I have so many thoughts about this book, it is one of my favourites to discuss :)

[@CailyDance22490]

I LOVE this video and your rationale for the order! loved your points about Sense and Sensibility's authenticity, Emma Woodhouse's strong communication, Mansfield Park's literary deep dive potential, and Persuasion as the reflection of the maturity of Jane Austen's writing. Anne Eliot is such an evolved heroine!

[@Izzymeakin]

Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it 🤍 Anne is such an evolved heroine, such a great way of wording it haha. Can't wait to share more of our podcast chats on this platform 🤍🤍

[@BrendaStrine]

Thanks so much for sharing! I am just starting out on my Jane Austen journey and I really appreciate all your helpful hints.

[@peggybruening4415]

Loved your take on the Austin novels! You are a delightful speaker🤗

[@patriciadeane7250]

Delightful video on Jane Austin……thank you!

[@Izzymeakin]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@BontleLanga]

I particularly enjoyed your description of Northanger Abbey! Can't wait to read it (and I can't wait for all your upcoming content)❤

[@Izzymeakin]

Thank you lovely, your support always means so much! 🤍🤍

[@agnesmoore214]

Lovely video Izzy, hope everything goes well for you ❤️

[@Izzymeakin]

Thank you!! 🤍

[@3653cdw]

I so enjoyed this video. It's a peaceful setting with all your beautiful books. Persuasion! 😍 When I (tried) reading Mansfield Park, I couldn't get through it and found it confusing but perhaps it was the point in time I tried reading it. Ill give it another try. I await more of your videos. I am half agony and half hope.

[@Izzymeakin]

I am so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to comment! Persuasion is such a wonderful novel, I hope everyone gets the chance to read it at least once in their life 📖 As for MP it might be worth giving it another go, although I'd say you aren't alone in feeling that way. It reads very differently to me than her other works, and I think it's hard to get into and enjoy at surface level. Let me know if you do give it another go!!

[@fernandolr217]

This is great info. Thank you! 😊

[@Izzymeakin]

So glad you enjoyed it! 🤍

[@anneroy4560]

I think Jane is wonderful ... have read all her novels several times ... have never seen any of the films / telly adaptations ... I know what the characters look like, the casting office does not ...

[@Izzymeakin]

Oh ahah, sometimes it is nice to hold onto your imagined appearance of the characters and the books are always there to enjoy 📖

[@rachaelrobinson2050]

I was quite nervous when Persuasion ended up at the end. I thought it was going to be at the end because you didn't like it, but i was quite happy o hear your reasoning why it was at the end. It's my absolute favorite!

[@Izzymeakin]

Oh I'm glad it was a happy surprise then 😱 I love Persuasion it's such a beautiful novel 📖

[@PrincessLessons]

Loved your choices! I never know what to recommend first. I think waiting a little bit to read Emma is great advice. It took me a long time to enjoy that one. I read Persuasion last of the six and it’s a beautiful ending to the Austen read-through experience.

[@Izzymeakin]

I love hearing your thoughts on this! I know so many people who've said Persuasion was their last read, and that they really appreciate that it was. I think knowing Austen was not in the best of health when finishing it, makes it all the more powerful and emotional. If you are going to write a farewell novel that's the way to do it 😩🤍

[@PrincessLessons]

@@Izzymeakin I agree! It’s really a beautiful ending. Bittersweet, yet hopeful and happy. I think it sums up her philosophy on love well, too. Like you said, Austen encourages us to hold out for the love of of our lives and not settle.

[@Izzymeakin]

@@PrincessLessons 100% agree 😫🤍

[@surrebaldrius]

Great recommendation of reading order. My favourite is Persuasion but I don’t think it is suited for first time Austen readers either.

[@Ambermarie13]

I’ve read Pride & Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, so I’ll just continue on with your list! Thank you ☺️

[@Izzymeakin]

Amazing! I hope you like the others 📖 Did you enjoy P&P and NA?

[@Ambermarie13]

@@Izzymeakin yes!! I loved them both very much

[@freshparchment]

Wonderful choices! I always struggle with this question, myself. I definitely agree with Pride and Prejudice first. After that, I honestly think it depends on the personality and tastes of the reader where they go next. If they're more plot-driven, I think Emma might be a good choice next, then move on to the more contemplative ones.

[@Izzymeakin]

So glad you enjoyed it! It really is such a hard question, my answers are ever evolving and there isn't an exact formula. I think in the grand scheme of things you are right that people need personalised reading order based on their personality and reading preferences, but I often find that is clouded by my own preferences 😂

[@freshparchment]

@@Izzymeakin Too true! I find myself doing the same thing. I wonder if it would be easier to rank the novels if there were more of them, or would they all have been perfect? 😀

[@Izzymeakin]

@@freshparchment gosh I know! It’s mad to think if she had lived longer we would of had so many more books 😱

[@freshparchment]

@@Izzymeakin Yes! And, according to one of my professors, according to the canon authors aren't allowed to have "an off day", so they all would have been perfect by that definition (as well as her past performance). 🤣

[@Izzymeakin]

@@freshparchment haha I love that! And totally believe it 😂😂

[@user-ij3ti4kd7f]

14:24

[@mary_yankulova]

Great video! Thank you! I am hitting the subscribe button!

[@Izzymeakin]

Thank you so much!

[@richardtheguyfromthebeach]

You are beautiful.

[@Annas.bibliomanie]

Can you show your bookshelf 😍

[@Izzymeakin]

Oooo great idea! I can definitely do this in a future video :)

[@jimcooper5447]

@@Izzymeakin I totally agree with this idea! I must confess that I kept pausing the vid and squinting to try and read the titles behind you. lol I really appreciate your descriptions and reasoning for this order. Definitely an inspiration to read these again after so many years!

[@Izzymeakin]

I love this suggestion and I will definitely make a video sharing my collection :) I have a couple of videos planned in at the moment, but I will 100% get round to making it 📖📖 So glad the video is inspiring you to do a Jane Austen re-read!