I am trying to save time by posting all of Jane Austen's books in one place. I have read most of them, however, so I will try to give a short synopsis of each.
RATING FOR ALL: PG for reading level mostly
Pride and Prejudice
SYNOPSIS: Elizabeth Bennett is one of five unmarried girls in her family. Her mom is obsessed with making them a good match, although her family is not wealthy. Elizabeth, however, is determined to marry for love, or not at all.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: This was my favorite book in high school, and I think it still is. It's romantic without being physical, and is about a girl who stands up for herself despite what everyone else thinks. What more could you want in a book? As for Jane Austen as an author, she is witty and descriptive. My favorite thing about her books is the way she describes people, pointing out their flaws without actually seeming to do so. I have a feeling she would be a lot of fun to gossip with.
AUDIENCE: Teens, Young Adults, Adults
STARS: 5
Sense and Sensibility:
SYNOPSIS: Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne move to a cottage in the country after their father dies, and his son and heir moves into their old home. They have opposite dispositions, Elinor possessing all the sense, and Marianne all the sensibility (a.k.a. emotion). Over the course of their struggles, they are thrown into the company of some eligible bachelors.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: I liked this book almost as much as Pride and Prejudice. It is dramatic and romantic. It also points out the need for balance and moderation.
AUDIENCE: Teens, Young Adults, Adults
STARS: 4 1/2
Emma
SYNOPSIS: Emma Woodhouse thinks she has all she will ever need. She is well off, she has a doting father, as well as many friends and acquaintances who adore her. However, learns over the course of many matchmaking misadventures that she doesn't actually know everything about everything.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: This is a fun story, especially for teens and young adults. The heroine is a real girl making real mistakes, which is very relatable in a young woman.
STARS: 4 1/2
Persuasion
SYNOPSIS: Anne Elliot is brought into the company of Frederick Wentworth, whom she still loves. They had planned to be married in their youth, but Anne allowed herself to be persuaded against it, and has regretted it ever since. Frederick, who is still bitter over their separation, has made a good life for himself in the navy, and is openly looking for a wife. Through the course of the novel, they try to discover if their love is ever meant to be.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: This is another wonderful book by Jane Austen, but has an older heroine, who has more mature problems. I would recommend this for young adults.
AUDIENCE: Young Adults, Adults
STARS: 4
Northanger Abbey
SYNOPSIS: Catherine Morland is a teenager who loves to read Gothic Novels. She goes to Bath with some neighbors, and meets friends and gentlemen while there. Over the course of the novel, she learns that life is not like a book, and everything is not as sinister as it appears.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: This is a little-known but worthwhile Austen novel, and one that perfectly captures the drama of being a young woman. I would recommend this book, even more than the others, to a teen, because I think they will find themselves sympathizing with Catherine, and discovering that she is amazingly similar to girls today.
AUDIENCE: Pre-teens, Teens
STARS: 4
Mansfield Park
SYNOPSIS: Fanny Price comes to live with her wealthy cousins, after her aunts decide to take her on out of charity. Although she gradually comes to love one cousin in particular, and does her best to serve them in what little ways she can. Gradually, they realize how much they depend on her.
AUNT SHARON'S TAKE: I think this is the least popular Austen book, and it was my least favorite as well. I don't know if it is because it lacks the strong plot and drama of the other books, or if it is simply that today we can't get past the fact that Fanny's primary love interest is her first cousin. However, it is still a good story, and is remarkably similar to An Old Fashioned Girl, which is one of my favorites.
AUDIENCE: Teens, Young Adults
STARS 3 1/2
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