Jane Austen 101
For those of you
who are, shall we say “Austen virgins”, it is not too late to start. The question although always seems to be
“where to start”.
First, here are
some basic facts: Jane Austen was born in 1775 in England. She was the seventh of a family of eight children,
comprising 6 brothers and one sister, Cassandra who was Austen’s closest friend
and confidante throughout her life.
In the course of
her life, Austen wrote 6 novels. She
also published one short story (Lady
Susan) and 2 of her unfinished work (The
Watsons and Sandition) were also
published. Since I have read only her
novels, I will concentrate myself on those exclusively.
Although she
wrote 6 novels in the course of her life, Jane Austen only lived to see 4 of
those novels published: Sense and Sensiblity,
Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park
and Emma. Her last two novels (her first and last
written) Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were released after her
death in 1817. Here is a little resume
of every novel she wrote, my own rating and “flash” review of them as well as
pieces of advice concerning each.
Sense and Sensibility (1811)
Rating: ««««
Advice: The most romantic
of all Austen’s novels.
Available in French as: Raison
et Sentiments
The first of her
published novels, Sense and Sensibility
tells the story of Dashwood sister’s Elinor and Marianne who although basically
penniless, are determined to move towards what they believe to be the
perfect love. Marianne being thoroughly
romantic and ardent in her vision is ready to die for love, but Elinor is more thoughtful
and self-controlled and puts much more sense into it. They will each have to overcome grief and
despair to achieve what they hope will be marital bliss.
In my opinion,
this first novel of Austen is by far her most romantic and depicts sisterly
love in a beautiful way. Each time I read
it, I can help but feeling for either of the sisters as they grow apart or
closer in their quest for Edward Ferrars or John Willoughby. The whole novel is well plotted, not matter what
some people have said about the unraveling of the love triangle that is Lucy
Steele, Elinor and Edward. And even
though every deadly romantic individual will hope for a happy ending in between
Marianne and Willoughby, I find that her marrying sensible Colonel Brandon,
although almost twice her senior, is much more suitable than her ending with
Willoughby for here Austen puts forward a theme that will be recurrent in all
her novels : BEWARE OF THE “PLAYER” J
As to those of you who would wish to take a
shortcut with a movie, I have to say that Ang Lee’s version starring Emma
Thompson and Kate Winslet is rather a good compromise.
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Rating: «««««
Advice: A witty woman, a
display of stupidity and a parade of bizarre marriages
Also available in French as: Orgueil et Préjugés
In her second
novel, Jane Austen tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a bright 21 year-old
woman, who is determined to marry only if she has the deepest love and respect
for her future husband. Those are not
her feelings when she first encounters Mr Darcy, who at first seems like a
pride and cold gentleman. In fact she prefers
Mr Wickham, AKA THE PLAYER, an old acquaintance of Mr Darcy who considers
himself as having been wrongfully treated by him. But is this truly the case or will Mr Darcy, upon further acquaintance, reveal himself to be more than the personification of pride itself?
Of all Jane
Austen’s novels, this one remains my absolute favorite for here she depicts
with wit and humor all that she sees of human stupidity in Mr Collins , silliness
in Mrs Bennet and her 3 younger daughters, as well as cynicism in Mr
Bennet. This romantic novel is also a parade
of the most bizarre of marriages: from loveless to senseless, without
forgetting a catastrophic elopement, Pride
and Prejudice has it all. But all
this would be nothing without the presence of the spirited Elizabeth
Bennet and Mr Darcy who’s many encounters and witty/intellectual matches makes
me love them and consider them as one of Jane Austen’s most powerful
couple. This is simply a
masterpiece.
Again, to those whose wish
to take a shortcut, I highly recommend the 6 episode-series starring Jennifer Ehle
and Colin Firth which is great, accompanied in the pure English tradition, by an afternoon tea J
Mansfield Park (1814)
Rating: «««½
Advice: Gets better upon further
acquaintance!
Also available in French as: same title
One of the 2
longest novels by Jane Austen, this one depicts the life of poor Fanny Price
who, upon the generosity on her uncle and aunt, is welcome to their home of Mansfield
Park as a sort of “charity project”.
Here she will grow among here snobbish cousins Maria and Julia, but also
through her relationship with her cousin Edmund who will forge her character
and give her firm principles of which she will never relinquish, even when a
certain Henry Crawford comes into the picture and tries to seduce her.
Of all the 6
novels, this used to be the one I most dreaded for one simple reason: I use to
hate Fanny Price. Why? Because she made me think of a certain
heroine of the Bronte sisters I still struggle with, for I saw them as a lot
alike in character and behavior. But I
must admit that Mansfield Park was
better the second time around. I actually
enjoyed Fanny and her grounded and highly reflected behavior, especially when
it comes to Henry Crawford, AKA THE PLAYER.
I also liked how the author developed the relationship of Edmund and
Mary Crawford and all the struggles surrounding it on his side. So all in all, this novel grows on you as you
reread it.
Emma (1815)
Rating: «««
Advice: Written in a
lighter way, it should be taken lightly!
Also available in French as: same title
The last of her
novels published when she was alive, Jane Austen’s Emma depicts the life of this 21 year-old woman, who lives with her
father assuming the role of mistress of the house. As one of the “belles” of Highbury she believes
herself entitle to every of her fantasies, including matchmaking just about
everyone. The long-time family friend Mr
Knightley does not approve of all this, especially when it concerns the projects she has for the future of Harriet Smith or the fancy she takes to Mr
Frank Churchill, AKA THE PLAYER. But it
seems that nothing is to stop her, except maybe love...
I used to think
this longest novel, the less of 2 evils when compared to Mansfield Park but I must admit that on the second reading, I like
it less that I thought I originally did.
Probably because of all the 6 novels, this one is the lightest of all
in terms of its characters psyche. You
do not need to as dig deep to understand the essence of Emma Woodhouse's character, as you would have with others.
Everything is written on the surface, which is why I recommend you read
it in a very light mood, a vacation mood.
Although I have to say that the last 50-100 pages go a little deeper into
Emma’s psyche as her character changes and becomes more sensible when she falls
in love. As for the other characters,
well let’s just say that many of them are as silly and as senseless as can be,
which also adds to the lightness of the story.
Persuasion (1817)
Rating: ««« ½
Advice: As the last one
written, you should also read it last.
Also available in French as: same title
Last of the
novels to be completed during her lifetime, Jane Austen’s Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot who almost ten years
after breaking her engagement to then penniless Captain Wentworth, sees their
acquaintance revive as his sister and her husband take hold of the ancestral
Elliot manor now in need of tenants.
Though Anne, who at first believed she had forgotten him, is still in
love with him, it does not seem that his feelings remained the same for he is
cold and unforgiving. That is up until a
certain accident in Lyme and an encounter with a distant cousin of Anne, will
change irrevocably the faith of many.
I particularly
enjoyed this novel as it is quite different from all of Austen’s other novel. Where originally unpardonable mistakes are
usually punished through the showcasing of others good morality, here the
novels puts forward the concept of mistakes and second chances as Anne Elliot,
who suffers silently on the account of her proud father and elder sister who do
not think highly of her, and Captain Wentworth, now rich and respectable in the
eyes of many, rekindle their feelings for one another and persuade themselves
to give love another try. Throughout the
novel, you can't help but suffer with Anne and hope for the best and wish for
Captain Wentworth to warm up to her again.
This goes without saying that, in some cases, people need to believe
that second chances in love may be worth it, if they are convinced of it.
Northanger Abbey (1818)
Rating: «««
Advice: To read apart from
the others!
Also available in French as: same title
Even though,
this novel was the last to be published, this is actually the first complete
novel that Jane Austen ever wrote. Here
she depicts the life of Catherine Morland, the daughter of a clergyman and who comes from a large family, who is neither immensely rich nor highly intelligent
and her stay in Bath with some family friends, where she encounters love in the
person of Henry Tilney. But although his
father seems at first to approve the match, a misunderstanding comes to change
his mind, misunderstanding that must be clarified in order for Catherine to achieve
marital bliss.
Of all her
heroines, I find that Jane Austen draws more of her own family situation to
depict Catherine that she actually did for the others: daughter of a clergyman,
numerous family, tight family relationships... As it was her first novel, I also find it to be the weakest
of her work, as you can almost feel the author questioning herself as to what
makes a great novel: what subjects, what character traits, what heroine or
gentleman? The story in itself is also
pretty simple as it is imitates a little bit the structure of Vaudeville
theater, with the misunderstandings regarding Catherine’s financial status, her
acquaintance with John Thorpe or her brother’s engagement to Isabella. The author also pays tribute to her
admiration for Ann Radcliffe by making one of her novels Catherine’s favorite books
and putting a little Gothic spin to the story when it comes to the description of
Northanger Abbey. All in all, this first
novel remains a well-plotted hodgepodge as well as an entertaining light story.
Now as many of
you may know, Jane Austen still lives in the work of many an author and has
grown to become a frequent source of inspiration. But more on the subject will be revealed in another post.
As
always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there. Let
me know what you’re reading or how you found it. Who knows, you might
inspire me my next great read.
Until
next time
Ladybug
