RANKING JANE AUSTEN'S NOVELS

How would you rank Jane Austen's novels? Most Jane Austen lovers have an opinion of some sort about this question, and I have been repeatedly asked on my channel in what order I would rank Jane Austen's 6 major novels (not including the novella Lady Susan or the unfished novel, Sanditon.)

Well, here is the order of ranking that I have finally concluded upon after a great deal of thinking. In this video, I try to share the ideas and feelings that I have behind these excellent works, rather than simply state my proffered order.

So grab yourself a coffee and prepare to shout at the screen as you disagree with me ardently over my conclusions of these great classic books. Please make sure to share your own ranking of the books in the comment section.

0:00 - Intro
03:35 - Sense and Sensibility
08:20 - Northanger Abbey
12:48 - Important Notice
13:46 - Persuasion
20:59 - Pride and Prejudice
27:43 - 2nd Place
34:06 - 1st Place
If you would like to support my channel and get access to exclusive content and a reading community, please visit my PATREON through the link below.

[ekelambers]

Ranking Jane Austen’s novels? My dear Tristan, impossible!

[manuelahrasky]

With regard to men and Jane Austen‘s novels, I have heard that in World War I men at the front were given her novels to read and apparently found them incredibly consoling and uplifting in that time of unspeakable horror. Thank you Tristan for another brilliant video that has me champing at the bit to reread all of Austen!

[alidabaxter]

When I first read Pride and Prejudice I was totally captivated by the character analysis, by the insights into the flaws in her parents' marriage which Elizabeth does not want to repeat, whilst she must always show respect for them both, despite knowing all the time that her mother is an idiot whom her father should never have married. Her horror that her friend should marry the appalling Mr. Collins, and the pragmatic response her friend makes - basically that she has to marry and there might be difficulties with any husband. On and on. Jane Austen is so clever. Whilst they're all good I don't love any of the others as much.

[johnjabez]

1. Mansfield park
2. Emma
3. Pride and prejudice
4. Northanger abbey
5. Persuasion
6. Sense and sensibility

[applejade]

I used to have a ranking order for all the Jane Austen novels and I still love Persuasion best. But over time, all the other 5 are tied at #2. 😂😂😂

[starlasell]

I just love Jane Austen! 📚❤️
Also love your reviews!!

[andreluissoriano]

You’re making it hard for me! I’m still halfway through Monte Cristo so I cannot read any other book soon but I wanna read more Jane Austen novels after the very funny and pleasant P&P reading!

[Sarahac]

My ranking is:
6. Sense and Sensibility
5. Emma
4. Northanger Abbey
3. Mansfield Park
2. Persuasion
1. Pride and Prejudice

But I love them all!!

[michaeleenchalut]

FINALLY! This video is spectacular!!! Would you consider doing a talk on Jane Austin’s lesser known or accomplished works - Sandition, Lady Susan and The Watsons?

[deannalovesbooks]

Emma is my favorite, too. Her character growth is fascinating. I also enjoy the transition in the relationship between Emma and Mr. Knightley.

[lindahoover]

Thank you! I agree: Emma. I’ve been smitten since first read about a thousand years ago. It hasn’t gone away.

[andreakeane]

Thanks for another super video Tristan.
I have to confess having a soft spot for Sense and Sensibility. The brilliance of the small section at the start where Fanny dissuades her husband from giving his sisters financial support is breath-taking.

Im so glad i found your channel and your patreon. I tell all my friends I am in a "literary book club"lol!. I really appreciate how accessible and informative your videos are. I work quite long hours and I struggled to keep up with a "live" book club, but even if I am a few weeks behind your group I have all the videos to watch in my own time and I'm loving the connections you make.. Thanks again.

[christybeardenladygatorsti]

I couldn’t agree with you more.. it’s a very hard task to rank these! While I love them all, Persuasion has always been my favorite… though I understand and agree with the reasoning behind your rankings of each. Excellent insights!

[YaelDavid-nj]

My first place is without a doubt Persuasion.

[staygoldponyboy]

😂😂 I'm one those blokes you describe if the opening part of the video! It's weird because I know I'd enjoy them like I do all classics. This could be the the final push I need to dive in, thanks Tristan.

[kathleensmith]

Embarrassed to admit, I have never read a Jane Austen novel, but I have 4 or 5 on my TBR book shelf. I just did not know where to start. I appreciate your ranking and will use it as a guide during my journey through Austin. Thank you, I really appreciate all the work you put in to your videos.

[Joannewithane]

My first ever Jane Austen book is being read right now and it I am in LOVE! I'm so glad that I'm reading it and that you rated it number 1. Thanks for sharing your opinions!

[kathleencraine]

This is a very brave video😉 My favorite Austen novel last one I just finished! Thank you for taking so much time with Mansfield Park, which is so underappreciated. And I'd recommend it's time for you to re-read Northanger Abbey--every time I read it, it goes up higher in my estimation of Austen's works.

[tahlia__nerds_out]

Sorry for all the comments. I tend to respond as I watch, and I like to feed the algorithm.

Favorite Austen books in order… This is so hard, and will probably change with each read-through.

6) Northanger Abbey
5) Sense & Sensibility
4) Persuasion
3) Emma
2) Pride and Prejudice
1) Mansfield Park

I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if my next reread of Emma moves Emma up to 2nd place. I get so much more out of it (and each Austen book) each time I read. I think that poor Fanny Price gets overshadowed by more vibrant heroines, which is a shame, because she is a great character in her own right, with a quiet strength. She’s kind of like my other favorite heroines, Anne Elliot and Elinor Dashwood, in that way.

[adhegi]

Wonderful video, Tristan! Thank you. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read all of her books multiple times over many years. I’m a middle-aged man and the father of three daughters, so I’ve seen her perceptiveness first-hand about the world of relationships, character, and social mores. At this stage of my life, I would rank them differently than I would have when I was younger, so here goes: (6) Northanger Abbey [enjoyable and funny but not as well-constructed as her others]; (5) Mansfield Park [deep, but I can’t get past the squeamishness of a romance between two first cousins who were practically raised as siblings — I know this is my own modern sensibility intruding — but Mrs. Norris the meddlesome aunt is one of the great detestable characters of literature]; (4) Emma [such a great cast of characters and I agree that the development of Emma’s maturity over the course of the novel is masterfully handled by Austen]; (3) Sense and Sensibility [I greatly admire the character of Elinor who takes on the responsibility of caring for her family after her father’s death and loves them despite their emotional drama. I also think that Edward Farrars is a well-matched leading man.]; (2) Pride and Prejudice [I re-read this book regularly, and I always discover something new to enjoy. I so enjoy the Bennet family and the cast of characters she created. Austen’s layering of the plot in this book is unparalleled. The quadruple story line of the romances of Elizabeth, Jane, and Lydia Bennet, and of Charlotte Lucas shows a nuanced exploration of the very serious business of marriage for young women at this time. Plus, after recently seeing my own three daughters married off, I have new respect for Mr. And Mrs. Bennet!]; (1) Persuasion [My clear favorite at this stage of life as I am able to look back and see the importance of making choices based on one’s own prospects of happiness and fulfillment rather than choosing only to please others. Anne Elliot is a great character who also learns from her mistakes, and is able to think independently despite the well-intentioned advice of friends and family.] Wow, this comment was way too long, but I agree that all 6 of Austin’s major books are great. I would (and will) read them all again!