Another month means another meme question for The Classics Club. This is a simple question for me; I love Jane Austen! Even if I didn’t though not sure why you would have the urge to dig anyone up and beat them over the head with their own shin-bone…that’s a pretty extreme/weird thing to do?! Oh well each to their own. Here are the questions that come within the bigger question:
- Why? (for either answer)?
- Favourite and/or least favourite Austen novel?
What I love most about Austen’s work is the in-depth and personal look you get into the mind and life of the young female protagonists of her novels. The stories themselves are usually pretty simple and they’re isn’t a great deal of physical action which is maybe something that puts some people off. While I am happy to read a purely character driven story, a bit of people watching is fascinating to me. And even though Austen’s novels are set in the Regency period I still feel there is so much in her novels that I can relate to. Human nature really hasn’t changed that much at all. I like to ponder what I would have done in Elizabeth’s , or Emma’s, or one of the other young women’s positions.
I think picking a least favourite is just too hard I have enjoyed all the novels I have thus far read of Austen’s; which is Emma, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. I could possibly say though that my favourite so far is Sense and Sensibility mainly because I really relate to Elinor. It is heartbreaking to see how she keeps her head held high and still only acts for other’s benefit when inside her own heart is broken. I think we could learn a lot from Elinor’s sort of courage. I won’t say anymore though because I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t yet read it.
I have Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey on my Classics Club list, and I am really looking forward to reading them.
Do you love Jane Austen? Do you have a favourite Austen novel?
Well, I’ve read all of Jane Austen’s books and enjoyed them all. As to a favourite I’m not sure. For all the people who don’t like her – step away from the shinbone! LOL
Lynn
‘step away from the shinbone’ HAHA yes Lynn you tell them
I don’t love Austen like others do, but I don’t want to beat her! I have read a few of her novels and I think Sense & Sensibility is my favorite so far. I haven’t ever been able to finish Emma or Mansfield Park.
Anbolyn I am sorry to hear it isn’t love for you and Austen, but am very happy to hear you don’t want to beat her either!! I have yet to read Mansfield Park so can’t comment on that one. I did love Emma though it may be a harder one to get into because quite a few don’t like the character of Emma at first. I think it is worth perservering with as Emma is a character that has a whole lot to learn.
I do love Jane Austen, especially because of the way her characters talk! My, how far we have fallen in our modern culture, using “sure thing”, “Yup”, and “I dunno” to communicate with one another.
Austen’s character’s do have a beautiful way of speaking. Not sure it is a completely fair comparison though as Austen’s characters are from the higher classes. I’m sure the working class would have used a lot of slang back then too
I love Austen!
Thank you Lindy. I definitely think the lovers of Austen are winning out
I enjoyed Sense & Sensibility, too, and I saw a lot of myself in Elinor (even though I’m a guy!). It’s not my favorite, though – another one definitely holds that coveted spot. You should join us for Austen in August and finish up your final reads then! I’m saving my last two (Emma and Persuasion) for the event.
Hello Adam, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Always lovely to hear from a new face especially when they’re an Austen fan
I’ve been shying away from challenges recently so I can concentrate on my own personal goals but as one of my personal goals is to read more Austen…I will have to seriously consider joining you for Austen in August!
Yes, you definitely have to be okay with there being no actual action in her work, it could be tedious if you’re not keen. Characters are everything, though reading about the society is sometimes just as fascinating. Pride and Prejudice here, I need to re-read it.
Charlie I think Pride and Prejudice is probably the most beloved novel of Austen’s. It is the most recent Austen I have read, I loved it, but not quite enough to knock Sense and Sensibility off the top spot! I hope you have a chance for a re-read of it soon
I agree with you: I love Austen. Favorite novel is Persuasion (so much to learn from Anne), least favorite is Mansfield Park (broke my heart).
Hello Julie, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Always lovely to hear from a new face especially an Austen fan
I have read Persuasion and thought it was heartachingly beautiful but maybe slightly too sad to become my favourite. I haven’t read Mansfield Park yet, hope it doesn’t break my heart too much!