Thursday, February 25, 2010

Reading Review: Jane Austen

Sometimes it is necessary to step back from the world speeding ahead of us. We all have our own ways of doing this. Going to the spa, taking a walk or maybe catching a movie. My own peaceful spot of serenity is inside a good Jane Austen novel. Nothing is better than slipping back to a period of friendly courting, esteemed honor, and good old 18th century English “society”. Jane Austen satirizes English society flawlessly through her romantic comedies.


Pride and Prejudice, debatably Austen’s most famous novel, follows Elizabeth Bennett, a witty young country girl. Elizabeth stands out from the majority of the other characters in the book because she is determined to marry for love rather than stature and wealth. Jane Austen proves that Elizabeth is an oddity of sorts by opening the book with a cynical insight to the 18th century view of love. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a gentleman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife!” As Elizabeth’s mother searches for “agreeable” men to marry her daughters, Elizabeth is forced to recognize her own prejudices against a proud man in order to find her true love.


Jane Austen’s, Emma, is perhaps my favorite book of all time. Austen’s title character, Emma, is a rich young girl who has decided her mission in life is to be a matchmaker for her friends and acquaintances (whether they ask for it or not!). Despite her past failures and warning from her brother-in-law, Mr. Knightly, Emma is determined to set her new underprivileged charge up with a man above her station. Along her journey, Emma learns the price of meddling and hopes her chance at love hasn’t passed her by.


Other books by Jane Austen include Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abbey. What is your favorite Jane Austen Novel?

Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

6 comments:

Kel said...

For those of you who don't have the patience to get through a Jane Austen novel but are still interested in the story, let me know. I can tell you the best movie adaptations to watch.

Kel said...

Oh...and it is always best to read an Austen novel with a British accent in your head!!! :)

Betsy (zen-mama.com) said...

I am a HUGE Jane Austen Fan. I love them all but Pride and Prejudice wins..although Persuasion is really wonderful!!

Kel said...

Betsey...Finally another Jane Austen fan! I have pushing her novels to friends and family for years with no luck. I haven't read Persuasion in a while. It may have to be my next book!

(Tia's) Comfy Place said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am not a new follower. And I am so happy to have found another Austen fan! I too just reread P&P! *sigh* So so good.
I am giving a copy of P&P away on my blog along with other goodies. You should stop by and sign up!
Have a good weekend!

Kel said...

Tia - I'm actually rereading P&P right now. My copy is a bit tattered, so I'll have to sign up for your giveaway! Thanks for stopping in!