It's hard to believe this was written when Jane Austen was only 14. I see it as a hilarious satire of popular books of the time. Although I have not rIt's hard to believe this was written when Jane Austen was only 14. I see it as a hilarious satire of popular books of the time. Although I have not read The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe or anything by Maria Edgeworth, I did catch overtones of an earlier work called Pamela by Samuel Richardson, which I have read. This is a short read but well worth it if you don't take it seriously....more
What a pity this was never finished when it gets off to such a great start. In a short wrap-up, my version states where Jane Austen had intended this What a pity this was never finished when it gets off to such a great start. In a short wrap-up, my version states where Jane Austen had intended this book to go as told to her sister. Surely someone could finish it? I was certainly happy to know how it was supposed to end....more
In a series of letters, Jane Austen manages to convey much about the character, or lack thereof, of Lady Susan. Firsthand and from different points ofIn a series of letters, Jane Austen manages to convey much about the character, or lack thereof, of Lady Susan. Firsthand and from different points of view, the reader sees how Lady Susan manipulates and twists men to her way of thinking. By the end of this short book, one cannot help but wonder if all men are idiots, but there are a few who seem to be immune to her charms, or at least one, in the person of Mr. Johnson. Not her usual style but well worth reading....more
My personal favorite among all the Jane Austen books, Persuasion is the only one in which I become fully involved with the characters. I love Pride anMy personal favorite among all the Jane Austen books, Persuasion is the only one in which I become fully involved with the characters. I love Pride and Prejudice for its humor and its priceless dialogue and Sense and Sensibility for its handling of Marianne and Elinor's different reactions to the other characters in the book, but Anne Elliot is my favorite Austen heroine. She grows and changes. She observes and listens. She understands. She yearns. She is rewarded for her years of patience and unswerving devotion. Anne could have as easily lived today as two hundred years ago and still have been the same woman (assuming modern mores didn't ruin her, which I am convinced they would not). When re-reading Jane, I always save Persuasion, the best, for last....more
This is the fourth time I've "read" this book and it is still one of my favorite Jane Austens (It has moved from my favorite on its first reading to mThis is the fourth time I've "read" this book and it is still one of my favorite Jane Austens (It has moved from my favorite on its first reading to my third favorite -- Persuasion leads the list and Pride and Prejudice is next in line, although I have long suspected that if she had finished The Watsons, it might have ranked right up there with Pride and Prejudice and pushed Sense and Sensibility further down the line). This time I downloaded the librivox audiobook read by Elizabeth Clett (sp?) who does a fantastic job. Just by the intonations and emphasis another reader puts on words and sentences, you get a different meaning, so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this version. Each time I walk away with a different view anyway. In my teens I really liked Colonel Brandon and Edward and thought Sir John was pitiful. Forty years later, I find I don't like the male characters much at all, but I do like Sir John more and have a bit more sympathy for Willoughby than I did in the first three readings. Not in his treatment of Eliza but in his choice to marry a woman with money to get out of debt. Teenagers don't understand debt, but once you've worked for 30 plus years, you gain a whole different take on it. I also had less patience with Marianne, who nearly drove me crazy this time. The one constant in all four readings has been John Dashwood, for whom I still have an unremitting dislike and contempt. If Ms. Austen used someone she knew as a model, she has had her revenge many times over. ...more
My second favorite Jane Austen, P&P is a wonderful blend of humor, social commentary, and the idiosyncrasies of its characters, so that I can read it My second favorite Jane Austen, P&P is a wonderful blend of humor, social commentary, and the idiosyncrasies of its characters, so that I can read it over and over and still find something new to enjoy. I believe Ms. Austen was the first author to recognize the almost universal appeal of the haughty male protagonist who is humbled by love. I call it the Spock complex, since so many female viewers were wild about Spock in the original Star Trek because they secretly wanted to be the one woman in the universe who could make him human. There's the same sort of appeal to Mr. Darcy....more
The only reason this book doesn't get five stars is because the heroine, Fanny Price, is somewhat insipid and frequently got on my nerves, but that isThe only reason this book doesn't get five stars is because the heroine, Fanny Price, is somewhat insipid and frequently got on my nerves, but that is a comment of a 21st century woman on what was probably fairly typical of the early 19th century woman, so it has to be taken with that in account. For the rest, the book is filled with characters that are well-drawn, and it is fascinating to watch Austen grow her characters. Henry Crawford, a vain man only interested in what gives him pleasure in the moment, grows steadier and truer under Fanny's influence, only to fall back into his own self-serving ways as soon as she is not there. Sir Thomas Bertram begins as a severe unapproachable uncle and grows to be a sensible and appreciative, although reserved, man over the years. Tom Bertram grows from a pleasure loving irresponsible young man to a man who takes life more seriously after a severe illness. Edmund Bertram has a period when his sober and righteous approach to life takes a beating when he sinks his principles in order to act a scene with his beloved Mary Crawford, although he feels the play and play-acting to be in bad taste. Susan Price appears in a bad light and soon changes for the better under Fanny's influence. It is fun to watch all these characters change and grow and frequently slip up. This book is all about surface character versus true character, and it reminds me that getting to know people is well worth the effort, because, after all, one should not judge a book by its cover....more
Although not one of my favorite Austen's, the book is so well-written, it is impossible not to give it five stars. The "heroine" is somewhat silly (atAlthough not one of my favorite Austen's, the book is so well-written, it is impossible not to give it five stars. The "heroine" is somewhat silly (at the youthful age of 17, there may be some excuse for it) but warm and willing to please and be pleased, which goes a long way in any day and age. Ms. Austen does a particularly fine job of showing how difficult it is to discern the difference between sincerity and hypocrisy. With Catherine Morland, everything must be sincere. With Henry Tilney, much must be hypocrisy. As each explains to the other how they view the actions of Isabella Thorpe, Frederick Tilney, John Thorpe, and the General, the reader gets a two-sided view that is rich in social commentary....more
Emma is not one of my favorite characters of Jane Austen's. In fact at one point she has Emma mentally give an opinion of Mrs. Elton that perfectly deEmma is not one of my favorite characters of Jane Austen's. In fact at one point she has Emma mentally give an opinion of Mrs. Elton that perfectly describes Emma herself, which I found funny and ironic. In the last five chapters, Emma finally grows and becomes a more likable young lady, but it certainly takes long enough. The writing is superb, especially the dialogue of Mr. Woodhouse, Miss Bates, and Mrs. Elton. The dialogue alone gives such a word-perfect picture of each of them that it is worth reading just for that....more
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