At the time, I had seen and enjoyed repeatedly a few of her other books-turned-films in Emma Thompson's version of Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Gwyneth Paltrow's portrayal in Emma (1996). This new film, though, sparked a desire to know the full story. I read the book, and watched my aunt's VHS copy of the BBC's 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. And then I bought and frequently watched the new version of P&P--it became a comfort movie for when I was sick, for when I wanted to fall asleep to a movie, for when I needed something familiar on in the background.
Over the years, other movie versions of her books came across my path and I watched and enjoyed many of them. I finally read Sense and Sensibility and picked up Emma a few times to read it but had seen the movie so many times that I lost interest in the painfully long book.
Finally, as
someone with an English degree and a professed love for all things
Austen, I decided that it was high time I take to the
books and actually read them through. So for the last several months I have been chipping away at all of Austen's six main
novels.
In case you care at all about my unprofessional opinions of them, here
they are in a loose order of least favorite to most favorite:
Emma
I love the story, the characters, Mr. Knightley, etc. The movie is hilarious. I did not, however, enjoy reading this book very much. There's
a reason this novel is the only one titled after the main character:
she's so full of herself that it couldn't possibly be titled anything
else! Emma of course goes through some self-actualization
toward the end of the book when she recognizes her vanity and
selfishness. That stretch of a few chapters was my favorite
part of this painfully long book.
Again, part of the reason I think it was so difficult for me to get through is that it's so similar to the movie, only much longer and drawn out with many social interactions that are cut out of the movie for a reason: they're not necessary. Definitely worth reading once, but if I ever pick it up again, it will be to skim through it.
Again, part of the reason I think it was so difficult for me to get through is that it's so similar to the movie, only much longer and drawn out with many social interactions that are cut out of the movie for a reason: they're not necessary. Definitely worth reading once, but if I ever pick it up again, it will be to skim through it.
Mansfield
Park
I have a very love-hate relationship with this book. There are some really interesting and complex characters who do some really weird and crazy things (including the horrible Mrs. Norris, the namesake of Filch's cat in Harry Potter). However, the supposed hero and heroine are severely lacking in my
opinion. Edmund and Fanny come across as dull and flat to me. Fanny is introverted and shy, yes, but I know that with all of the crazy going on around her she must have had some more interesting inner commentary than what is relayed to the reader. She also seemed to worship Edmund in a really creepy way for
someone raised as her brother. Though they are technically cousins,
they are far too much like siblings for their relationship to be
acceptable, even in the 1800s.
Again, I'm not an expert, but I think that this book would have been better if it had just had a little more editing. It's the longest of Austen's novels, and the style is just a little choppy compared to the others. The descriptions of shrubberies and hedges outweigh the insights into Fanny's character and personality.
Again, I'm not an expert, but I think that this book would have been better if it had just had a little more editing. It's the longest of Austen's novels, and the style is just a little choppy compared to the others. The descriptions of shrubberies and hedges outweigh the insights into Fanny's character and personality.
Northanger
Abbey
This was the
only Austen novel that I read without having seen some film version
of it beforehand, and I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable! It's a quick and easy read,
with the young Catherine getting caught up in all the books she reads so
that her imagination begins to run wild with fantasies of love and
drama. It's sweet, funny, simple, and entertaining, and the 2007 film version starring Felicity Jones (which I watched after I read the book) is a great adaptation.
Pride
and Prejudice
As you already know, this story is close to my heart. This was my third time reading it, and I always gain some new
insight. It's such a lesson in human character, how quick we are to judge people based on our first impressions, and how very, very wrong we can be. My only issue with the book is that
there are sections of social gatherings and really long letters that
tend to slow the story down at times. But
the way that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are each humbled to accept their
own faults and pride, and then to forgive one another and recognize their love. . .*sigh* My first
and forever favorite.
Sense
and Sensibility
I laughed out loud so much while reading this book. To me, it's the most enjoyable to read, possibly because of how much I relate to both Elinor and
Marianne that I become truly absorbed in the story. The Emma
Thompson movie version and the more recent BBC miniseries are both
equally incredible adaptations of this book, but nothing compares to
the depth of character and emotion you find in these pages. A
favorite of mine in a different way.
Persuasion
This book was a little slow in the first
chapter or two, and then BAM it's amazing. It is a story that is
meant to be read, and as this was the last book Austen wrote before
she died, the craft and style of the writing are polished and exquisite. The
sheer emotion on these pages tugs at the heart and gives the reader
just enough to want more until it all culminates in perhaps the most
satisfying ending of any Austen book. The film versions have their moments, but the book has it all.
In conclusion...
I am really glad I finally read all of these books! Unfortunately, I know that a lot of my opinions about them are influenced heavily by the movie adaptations I watched first, but if it hadn't been for those movies, would I have picked up the books in the first place? It's hard to say.
In any case, I'm thankful for Jane, for her literary genius, her witty social commentaries, and her ability to write such strong female characters. I love that her stories and characters are still relevant today, and that I have Austenite friends who I can nerd out with about them.
In conclusion...
I am really glad I finally read all of these books! Unfortunately, I know that a lot of my opinions about them are influenced heavily by the movie adaptations I watched first, but if it hadn't been for those movies, would I have picked up the books in the first place? It's hard to say.
In any case, I'm thankful for Jane, for her literary genius, her witty social commentaries, and her ability to write such strong female characters. I love that her stories and characters are still relevant today, and that I have Austenite friends who I can nerd out with about them.
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| My friend Jane |
