#AustenFan

[universalzone]

[storieschats]

Because the Internet Needs Another Jane Austen Ranking (It Doesn’t)

And yet here it is.

So I read all the Jane Austen complete novels (I will in the future be going into her juvenilia and other writings) and I will attempt to do what few have dared-rank them.

Now this is incredibly hard because I can’t even comprehend how someone writes that many amazing books and I go back and forth in my ranking all the time.

Still I will attempt do it and brace myself for the screams that may be heard by people when I put their favourites very low on the list (I really liked every single one of these so if your favourite is my last I still get it ok don’t put a bomb in my mailbox!).

Emma – I know I’m a stereotype. Emma is everyone’s and their aunt’s favourite Jane Austen novel... but there is a reason for that! And that reason is Emma herself, the rich pretty young daughter of the most well off gentleman in her area, she is an amazing character! She is nosy, arrogant and loves putting herself into other people’s business in very dramatic ways. We follow her as she attempts to match make the people around her. The book doesn’t shy away from showing both Emma and the reader how her behaviour negatively affects other people and by allowing a flawed character the space to actually be flawed it allows us to root for her and hope she finds a way to get out of the messes she puts herself into. The romance isn’t anything to write home about, and I wouldn’t suggest this as a starting point for Jane Austen novices. But everything else? Perfect.

Lady Susan – I know, I know, I can hear the screams from here. Lady Susan perhaps for her late publication date, perhaps for the fact that is written in epistolary form is not a very well-known or liked Jane Austen novel but I just loved this book so much! We follow evil Lady Susan who enjoys seducing gentlemen and mistreats her sweet only daughter. Lady Susan is chaotic, irredeemable, and endlessly fascinating. Watching her manipulate and mistreat those around her—while flaunting every societal rule—is an incredible ride. Seeing the perspective of what was considered a “seductress”, written by an actual 19th-century woman is fascinating to me. People don’t love the ending, but honestly, I think it’s the best part. So if you also enjoy watching someone wreak havoc for 100 glorious pages, come join me on the dark side.

Pride and Prejudice – If you’ve never read Jane Austen, start with Pride and Prejudice. It’s the happiest and most wish-fulfilling of all her novels, and its popularity is well deserved. We go along with Elizabeth Bennet, the oldest of five daughters, who will be left destitute after their father dies and a distant cousin inherits their house and properties. She meets a rich broody guy and well, you know how that story goes (although you only know how that story goes because of this book). It still has all the dry humour and social commentary that Austen is famous for but it is slightly muted. The romance is as good as it gets in Austen’s works, and Elizabeth Bennet is a fantastic protagonist.

Northanger Abbey – I absolutely loved Northanger Abbey! Honestly, if we’re ranking by pure enjoyment alone, this one might top the list. Our protagonist is Catherine Morlad who is seventeen years old, very naive, very kind hearted and also a fervent reader of gothic novels. This whole book is basically a parody of the gothic genre. We watch as Catherine, newly entering society as a woman, befriends two siblings who invite her to spend a while with them in their ancient home called Northanger Abbey with their scary father. Her imagination runs wild and we have a fun time! Catherine who considers herself in “training to become a heroine” is very fun to read and I have to shootout Henry Tilney, who is the only one of all Austen’s love interest that Regency-era me would actually have a crush on.

Persuasion – Anne Eliot is 27 years old and on the brink of spinsterhood. She was once engaged and in love but as he was poor and of no consequence she was persuaded to give him up. Years later, they come across again and it turns out he is now rich and important. So... problems all around. Look the romance is great, the letter is amazing and the only reason this one is so low is that Anne Eliot doesn’t draw me in, she’s a bit... dull. There, I said it. I know she is some people’s favourite Austen heroine but she never got to me. That being said Persuasion is still a great book.

Mansfield Park – The social commentary is great, the romance is dreadful, the main character is there. More needs to be said? I think it does, so let me introduce you to Fanny Price, Jane Austen’s most controversial protagonist. Fanny Price is sent from her impoverish family to live with her rich relatives when she is only ten years old. She is mistreated by them, and as a consequence, develops as a shy girl terrified of causing trouble or offense. When her uncle goes away, she and her four cousins (two boys, two girls) are left alone, along with their laudanum-addicted aunt, who couldn’t care less what anyone is doing, and the whole thing explodes into chaos. A friend from university comes to stay, the two problematic neighbours sibling duo come every day for shenanigans and basically everyone is going around behaving very morally wrong (for 19th century Britain) and having crushes on everyone else. Except Fanny who remains committed to her morals and principles, even with her people pleasing instincts.  I think of all Jane Austen novels this is the one that has aged the worst. You do have to keep reminding yourself that this is the 19th century but gosh Fanny sickly prudish behaviour annoys me so much.

Sense and Sensibility – After their father’s death, Elinor Dashwood, her two sisters Marianne and Margaret, and their mother are left destitute and dependent on their half-brother’s charity. I found the social commentary on the situation of the sisters due to the bad behaviour of their brother (who helps nothing as he is too worried with his wife and son and frankly with himself) appropriate. But the main point of this novel is restraint and self-denial. Basically saying we shouldn’t act on impulse even if we are young and madly in love. Elinor is sense, Marianne is sensibility the whole thing goes how it goes. I found both the romance and indeed the characters not noteworthy and though it was a great piece of writing with some interesting and well expressed ideas and not much more. I know however that this one has fervent admirers so I would love to hear it.

It’s obvious that my preference for main characters with a bit of spunk and chaos heavily influenced this ranking. But hey, that’s the fun part!

If you’ve made it this far props to you. I clearly can’t write a short post to save my life. Let me know how wrong I am—and share your own rankings!

[sunnyanddumb98]

My favorite author is Jane Austen. I’m not particularly a romantic person, or rather, I am a romantic person but not dating-oriented. Nevertheless, I think the plot in her novels is rarely just about marriage. Yes, her characters often end up getting married, but the way she presents irony in every character feels real and uncensored. Austen doesn’t comment on their ironic behavior; instead, she writes the behavior one too many times, trusting the reader to pick up on it. She is sympathetic to all because none of her characters are exempt from faults.

Austen also makes them confront their main character's flaw before they get their reward. This challenge is overcome with the tools that their environment provides them—it’s not magical or fantastic. Her stories are quiet tales about neighbourhoods and how the people within them affect each other in their own unique ways.

[crinolinedream]

[trueloveandotherscificoncepts]

When "I'll just read the first chapter before sitting down to work" turning into gazing wistfully out the window, wondering when Captain Wentworth will return. #austenfanproblems #janeausten #persuasion #selfie #plants #plantladyisthenewcatlady #plantlady #austenfan #classicliterature #literaturememes #nomakeup #nomakeupselfie #messyhair https://www.instagram.com/p/CHfnM0wgv26/?igshid=1v2ufnto0z2q8

[amlitlover]

Jane Austen died today in 1817

Northanger Abbey favorite quote: “Oh! I am delighted with the book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it.” https://americanliterature.com/author/jane-austen/book/northanger-abbey/summary

[cupofteajones]

Happy birthday, #JaneAusten! To all those #AustenFans out there, I hope your day is filled with wit and lovable humor! What are your plans on this blessed day? If you are looking for something to do or read, head over to the link in my bio that contains fantastic Austen tidbits! ❤️ P.S. Thank you, @seasaltmage, for the boxed set! 😍 #books #bookblogger #bookstagram #janeaustenbirthday #janeaustenfans #austenbirthday #austenbirthdaycelebrations #bookstack #classics #classicnovels #boxedset #authorbirthdays https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPNUn0urvq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pastoraleglatine]

Catching up on dead tree edition of NYT Book Review: Austen Powers! #janeausten #austenite #austenland #austenland #austenfan #prideandprejudice #mansfieldpark #newyorktimes #newyorktimesbookreview

[mirandamayer]

Dive into the Red Slipper Series. New additions this winter! #Regencyromance #RegencyFantasy #Ghosts #Wizards #werewolves #Bookstagram #Books #oregonauthor #JaneAusten #Austen #Austenfans #Regency #Romance #Paranormal #Supernatural #Magic #Mystical #YourNextFavoriteAuthor

[penandswordbooks]

New book release: Jane Austen's Cousin – The Outlandish Countess de Feuillide by @18thcand19thc. 📚 Eliza de Feuillide seemed fascinating and outlandish to her cousins in rural 18th century England. When she visited their village, her appearance was electrifying. She was an attractive, accomplished French countess with a vivacious personality who inspired their imaginations and regaled them with stories of life in London and Paris where she hobnobbed with French nobility and wore the latest fashions. One of these impressionable younger cousins would find Eliza’s stories so fascinating that she would incorporate elements of Eliza’s life into some of the most famous novels in English literature. This cousin was Jane Austen. ‘I'd heard about the Countess de Feuillide when reading biographies of Jane Austen and was keep to to find out more about her life in this biography. It's short and sweet, giving lots of information about how Eliza's life and how she inspired characters in Austen's books.’ Penelope, @Netgalley reviewer 🛒 Jane Austen's Cousin is available to order now, with 20% off the RRP when you order through the P&S website. Link in bio – or tap the post to view in our shop. 🔗 • #NewRelease #NewBook #JaneAusten #Austen #Austenite #AustenFans #FamilyHistory #18thCentury #GeorgianEra #Haedback #Bookstagram #NonFiction #BritishHistory #NetGalley #Biography #SocialHistory #MayReads #History #HistoryBooks#BooksOfInstagram #PenAndSword #PenAndSwordBooks (at Pen and Sword Books) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0YSvHrT34/?igshid=2hzlwfnwr3zj

[waffacles]

[universalzone]

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Scarf Shawl Wrap

[curiousdin]

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like. - Persuasion ❤️. #janeausten #austenfan #persuasion #books #biliophile #reading #bookhoarder #austenfanboy #fanboy #instaart #instaillustration #sketch #art #illustration #drawing #drawingpractice #markerart #cooldude #love

[adelearcherwrites]

Before today, I have never written a book review blog. And after today, you will probably beg me never to write one again. But I thought it might be a bit of fun to turn my hand to this – in my own leaves-a-lot-to-be-desired style. This blog has always been loosely based around the comings and goings of my daily life, and I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately – since actually writing something seems to be off the menu. Anyway, let’s just say I felt inspired to write a book review. So there.

I’ve been reading an awful lot of self-published authors in the last few months, but I’m also re-reading some of the classics. Currently, I am making inroads into Jane Austen’s ‘Mansfield Park’. But I’ve read it before (and seen the TV adaptation), so I feel well qualified on the subject if you’re in the mood to challenge my views (which, like I say, are well qualified). It’s not one of Jane Austen’s most beloved books (and there’s a reason for that), but it has its merits and charm, I suppose…

Okay, so before I start, I realise some of you may never have read ‘Mansfield Park’, so below is a brief synopsis I stole off the internet – because I can’t be arsed to write my own books’ blurbs, let alone anyone else’s. Mind you, I’ve had to ‘fill it out’ a bit because it wasn’t a terribly thorough synopsis.

Mansfield Park

‘Fanny Price, born into a poor family, is sent away to live with wealthy uncle, Sir Thomas Bertrum, his wife and their four children, where she’ll be brought up for a proper introduction to society. She is treated unfavourably by her relatives, except for her cousin, Edmund, whom she grows fond of. However, Fanny’s life is thrown into disarray with the arrival of worldly (and slightly horrible) Mary Crawford and her brother, flirtatious Henry Crawford – who has dubious designs on Fanny. Meanwhile, her true love, Cousin Edmund (are you allowed to fancy your cousin?), courts Henry’s beautiful, clever (if a bit devious) sister, Mary – much to Fanny’s misery.’

First and foremost, I have to say it’s really difficult to come to terms with our lead protagonist’s name. I mean, it wasn’t Jane Austen’s fault – Fanny was once a real name in its own right in Georgian society. But Austen would be turning in her grave if she found out the murky depths into which the word has fallen – especially in England. Anyway, I won’t labour the point. The female lead is called Fanny; you just have to get over it. And I won’t tell you how this story turns out, exactly, although you can probably derive the ending. Boy meets girl, boy meets another prettier girl, boy (who is normally pleasant) turns out to be a bit shallow, boy finally realises first girl was much nicer than second girl (who was clearly a bloody mercenary character to anybody with half a brain). You know the drill. Look, it’s a Jane Austen novel, and everything turns out okay in the end. But I can’t help feeling that I’ve been left with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I want to like Fanny (Price), I really do. She’s our heroine; she is much put-upon and ill-treated, she’s a harmless character who deserves better. But I couldn’t help wanting to give the girl a shake and a bit of a slap, and tell her, ‘Get a grip, love!’, and, ‘Never play second-fiddle to anyone!’. Edmund, her true love since childhood, clearly behaves like a complete tit for a good three-quarters of the book, but when he finally comes around and see’s the light; see’s Mary Crawford for who she really is, see’s what the reader has seen from page one, you can’t help thinking, ‘Well, well, well, sonny-Jim. It’s too little too late, Edmund! Tell him to sling his hook, Fanny!’. But Fanny, who has always considered herself his inferior throughout the novel, who keeps going on about how Edmund ‘shaped her mind’, is just supposed to accept this belated turnaround in his behaviour? She’s expected to swallow her pride? All is forgiven, is it? Err…well, yes…apparently. But I can’t help thinking, where was her backbone…? I’ve never really been fond of this kind of story-line. I’ve never really been comfortable when the person you’re supposed to be rooting for has to play second-best right up until the last minute – when you and I would say, ‘screw that for a game of marbles.’

Seen this TV adaptation…

Not seen this movie…

I’m saying nothing…

There are other things going on; a bit of seduction amongst Fanny’s cousins, improper relationships, broken engagements, even an undercurrent of the slave trade in Sir Thomas’ business in Antigua. But I’ll let you find all that out for yourself. It’s just I can’t help feeling this wasn’t one of Jane Austen’s best. We have become used to feisty, lively, intelligent, before-their-time female leads like Elizabeth Bennett and Emma Woodhouse – and Fanny just doesn’t live up to that high standard. She’s too down-at-heel (if you like strong female leads). But then, Austen couldn’t just keep rehashing the same headstrong lead heroines again and again. I get that. And times were different back then, I guess.

Anyway, on the whole, I enjoyed the book. I probably wouldn’t have read it twice (and seen the TV adaptation) if I didn’t. However, it may be more of a case that I just love Jane Austen, and (unfortunately for her and us) she didn’t live long enough to write as many books as we’d have liked – to sate our appetites. So we devour all the books we have available again and again – well, I do. I mean, ‘Emma’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ are untouchable. Say anything negative about those books and I’ll come around your house and fight you. Jane Austen can be proud of that; she can stop spinning in her grave about the ‘Fanny’ thing – two amazing books in such a short career ain’t bad. I’d be super chuffed with that track record. So, ‘Mansfield Park’ will irritate you slightly, yes, but it will hold your attention, and it all comes out in the wash – as my mother would say. And it’s way better than ‘Northanger Abbey’, which is rubbish. Yes, I said it, rubbish. Come around my house and fight me, if you must.

NB: Sorry, I’ve just realised I did tell you what happens at the end of ‘Mansfield Park’. This is why I don’t normally review books. But to be fair, this book is over 200 years old, so you’ve had plenty of time to avoid spoilers. Anyway, my bad.

  When Archer met Austen: A Review of Mansfield Park Before today, I have never written a book review blog. And after today, you will probably beg me never to write one again.

[westminstercollection]

** RELEASED TODAY** The brand new Silver Proof £2 Coin issued to celebrate one of the world’s best loved authors – Jane Austen. Find out more details here: www.westminstercollection.com/janeausten #janeausten #austenfan #numismatics #prideandprejudice #senseandsensibility #persuasion #mansfieldpark #northangerabbey #coins #coincollecting #twopoundcoin #janeaustenfan #janeaustenbooks #janeaustenbookclub #janeausten200 #janeaustenlovers #janeaustenday

[ohheyitsdomblr-blog]

“I was unaware that zombies possessed such acuity so as to set such traps. Before we know it, they'll be running for Parliament.”—Mr.Collins, PP&Z💀🎃🍁 . . . . . This gloomy weather is perfect for a good zombie read! Had to go out and try the Zombie Frappuccino from Starbucks! ☕️☠️ QOTD: What other zombie picks would you recommend ? . . . . . . . #bookstagramfeature #bookstagram #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookworm #booknerd #bookgeek #bookfever #reading #tbr #bookaholic #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookmark #bookphotography #ya #yalit #yabooks #yareads #youngadultbooks #whattoread #currentlyreading #bookshelf #spoopy #austentacious #austenfan #janeausten #zombie #zombies #walkers