I read all of Jane Austen's novels

A whirlwind tour of all six of Jane Austen's novels!

Ukraine Links:

Here are my editions:
-Sense and Sensibility: Penguin Deluxe Classics
-Pride and Prejudice: Penguin English Library (paperback)
-Northanger Abbey: The Modern Library
-Emma: Barnes & Noble Classics
-Mansfield Park: Barnes & Noble Classics
-Persuasion: Penguin Deluxe Classics

[Note: These are affiliate links. No pressure at all to buy from these sources (or to buy books in the first place), but if you do choose to buy through these links, I'll receive a small portion of the sale with no further cost to you.]

This is not a sponsored video, and unless otherwise stated, I bought any books in this video myself.

00:00 Introduction
02:42 Sense and Sensibility
12:52 Pride and Prejudice
22:41 Northanger Abbey
33:55 Emma
45:26 Mansfield Park
55:54 Persuasion
1:05:46 Final Thoughts & Recommendations!

[TimeTravelReads]

I'm not sure that Northanger Abbey is my favorite Austen novel, but it's the one in which I feel most represented. Baby girl who is left out of every joke, takes things literally, and is so sheltered and naive, reminds me of my younger self. Except, I was never into sensationalist romances and I took learning seriously. I'm still not quick witted like Austen's other heroines.

[irenesax]

Fantastic. I, too, love Persuasion, but there's nothing in this list that I wouldn't enjoy rereading. I'm glad to see you back and glad that you've decided to spend some time with English lit.

[joaannaa]

This is one of my favorite videos of all time! You did a fantastic job speaking about these books-- I'd read them all before, but still gained insights from your discussions. I'm also inspired to re-read them all over again. :)

[gaildoughty]

This is just wonderful, Jen. I’m so glad you’re back.

[danielleptc]

What an absolutely delightful video, Jennifer - thank you! My favourite is Persuasion, for much the same reasons you gave.
I'm currently bingeing "The Thing About Austen" podcast, all about the material world of her novels; as well as providing valuable context, it's extremely entertaining.

[xgrayvision]

Wow. So appreciate the effort you put into this, although I suspect you enjoyed doing it.

[esmeraldadelrio]

I love Northanger Abbey because she understands how to speak about the patriarchy.😊

[jennisrandom]

Loved the video. I just read my last Austen novel (Sense and Sensibility) twenty-four years after my first (Pride and Prejudice) so I get to watch this without spoiling anything for myself.

[carolhelinek]

Belated heartfelt welcome back from your number one fan (and probably the only consumer of contrived detective novels among your subscribers).

[electraandbooks]

so glad you're back ! I love Jane Austen and it's so cool to go through all her books again ! So much fun, and it's always a pleasure to read her again. As for Northanger Abbey, Catherine is so naive and loves these silly books and I loved the movie adaptation because it really showed how innocent and naive the two protagonists are ! I think it's her funniest one. As for me, I think it's P&P because it's the first one I read and loved it immediately.

[NightOwls]

I re-read Emma every Christmas, so this is just perfect

[MatthewSciarappa]

2nd watch in, and I think it’s time I finally read Sense and Sensibility 👀

[GaggingLit]

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favourite novels. Mrs Bennet is hilarious to me and I love that Austen included dick-crazy Kitty and Lydia, and then Mary to balance everything out. It's so satisfying how all the character-arcs are tied together at the end. I had the privilege of going to the Austen museum in Bath because it's less than an hour from my parents' house near Bristol.I found out Austen had a severely disabled sibling that they sent away to be cared for in some other house... and I also bought Lady Susan which is meant to be one of her more scandalous novellas...

Northanger Abbey is my least fave novel from what I've read by her so far. I didn't like that we get people reaching into cabinets expecting a dead hand or something, only for there to be nothing there... It felt like such a cheap way to critique gothic clichés. I also didn't like that everything gets tied up with a marriage again, which is what has put me off reading other Austen novels, as you can always tell that they have the same narrative conclusion... oh they kind of half like each other at the moment but you know they'll fall out over something and then get married at the end....

Anyway, thank you for the fabulous return to youtube!

[IvyCliffwater]

Watching this feels like revisiting Austen's books with a like-minded friend. Persuasion is also my favorite and is to blame for me becoming a voracious romance reader and eventually a writer. I'm always chasing the feeling I had reading Frederick Wentworth's letter to Anne for the first time.

[andreahull]

so fun, a nice chunky video --- glad you're back!

[hollyseppala]

I read all of Austen’s work this year. This video was a walk down memory lane. I need to ponder a bit more before I pick a favorite.

[mame-musing]

Love Persuasion - The Letter, the letter, the letter!
I’ve always wondered why such a big deal was made about Anne being “on the shelf” and there seems to be no concern about Anne’s older sister Elizabeth also being similarly unattached.

[ejazhusseini]

Ive only read Emma and here's what I wrote about it: matrimony and the histrionics of match making. But this is an excellent (like Elinor's heart) introduction and comprehension of Austen. Loved it. Also, the video production is duely appreciated 👍

Ps: eager for a Middlemarch video

[GypsyRoSesx]

Ooh I’m doing this next year. So I have to save your video to watch until then. Merry Christmas, Jennifer 🎄

[Nastya-ujbg]

haven't finished this yet but the quality of the wrinig and editing of this video is superb! P.S. Persuasion is the only Austen I love