Jane Austen | Favorite Authors
“But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.” Jane Austen
I’m excited to introduce to you my new series: Favorite Authors.
Each month I’ll select one of my favorite authors and introduce books I love and any movie adaptations I feel are worthwhile. We’ll be discussing books from numerous genres, because I am an eclectic reader. I have so many favorite authors that it’s difficult the choose The Favorite, but we’re going with Jane Austen (for fiction). I have read each of her books multiple times, own them all, own most of the movie adaptations, plus a large assortment of Jane Austen paraphernalia. Jane Austen coffee mug? You can select from three options in my cupboard. Scarf? Certainly. Socks? Absolutely. Note cards? Yep. Coloring book? But of course. Jane Austen Central right here.
I thought it would be fun to list the books in roughly least to most favorite (wow! I found it crazy hard to rank them, except for my absolute favorite). My favorite will be listed at the very end, so “read on”!
I’m also suggesting items to add if you’d like to make themed baskets for gift giving. I’m sure you know someone who would love a gift like this.
Jane Austen Books, Movies, and Gift Basket Suggestions for the Discriminating Reader
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Mansfield Park
“I have no talent for certainty.” Fanny Price
The Norton Critical Edition is my favorite for Austen’s novels, although I also own several of her books in hardback. Hardback books are always wonderful, but I like the notes in the Norton Critical Editions. They clearly explain unfamiliar phrases and archaic practices, and make the text more understandable. This edition also contains the script for Lover’s Vows and explains why the play was considered objectionable to Fanny.
While Mansfield Park is at the bottom of my Jane Austen list, I still enjoy it enough that I’ve read it at least half a dozen times. There’s that whole “cousin fancying cousin” thing that is so uncomfortable, plus the family dynamics are challenging throughout. Even the admirable family members can be thoughtless and cruel, and poor Fanny is just emotionally abused throughout. Don’t get me started on Aunt Norris! I enjoy the brief interactions between Fanny and her brothers. She is so proud of them, and I find it touching.
I don’t love any of the movie adaptations, but this Masterpiece Theater 2007 version is acceptable. Billie Piper doesn’t fit my idea of Fanny at all; she comes across as much too modern. Read the book first and then give the movie a go and tell me what you think!
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
Emma
“I may have lost my heart, but not my self control.” Emma
I’m always amused by the fact that Jane Austen feared no one but herself would like her heroine Emma. Oh, I do like Emma. She’s so confident and strong and generous…and makes such egregious errors in judgement. Such a fallible, human heroine.
I like that a heroine can be so incredibly mistaken, and yet grow and become a stronger, humble, and better person. Emma gives me hope. I own three adaptations of Emma and cannot for the life of me choose a favorite. I like one thing about one, another thing about another, and I think you should watch them all. I don’t know that any actor can be a more desirable Mr. Knightly than Jeremy Northam, so there’s that. I give you:
Jeremy Northam/Gwyneth Paltrow Emma
A&E Emma Kate Beckinsale/Mark Strong
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
Jane Austen Coffee Mug with Quotes I was given this as a gift and love it!
Emma Tee Shirt with Mr. Knightly Quote
Pride and Prejudice
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Jane Austen
If a person has read only one Jane Austen book or seen one movie, it’s likely Pride and Prejudice. Who can not enjoy reading about the lively Bennett family? So many daughters, so many opportunities for love to go awry. It’s especially fun because there are numerous entertaining adaptations. I think you should read (or re-read) the book and then work your way through each adaptation. Yes, really.
A&E Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (very well done, indeed!)
Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley and Matthew MacFayden
Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
Never has a movie gotten so much so wrong and yet still been laughably enjoyable! Pride and Prejudice meets Gone with the Wind. Southern belle costuming, Lizzie and Mr. Darcy like you’ve never seen them.
Bride and Prejudice (Bollywood version)
Singing! Dancing! Musical lovers, take note!
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
Marrying Mr. Darcy Board Game (who could say no to a board game????)
Pride and Prejudice Coloring Book
I’d Rather Be at Pemberley Mug
Jane Austen’s World Piano Music
Pride and Prejudice Unrealistic Expectations Shirt
The Making of Pride and Prejudice book
Sense and Sensibility
“If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.” Marianne
How could anyone not love this story? The sweet relationship between sisters and mother. The hope and disappointment, passionate young love and just-as-passionate-but-hidden older love. The desperation of a teenager’s broken heart. Ahhh. It’s just lovely. If you haven’t read it: what are you waiting for?
I have two film adaptations, both lovely. If you can only have one, choose the 1995 version. Because Alan Rickman reading poetry.
Sense and Sensibility Starring Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant
Sense and Sensibility BBC adapted by Andrew Davies
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
“A Girl Likes to Be Crossed in Love” Mug
Sense and Sensibility Coloring Book
Sense and Sensibility Shawl Scarf Wrap
Love and Friendship and other Youthful Writings
“Wether I ought not to punish him by dismissing him at once after this reconciliation, or by marrying him and teasing him forever.” Lady Susan
Listen closely: this is important!
If you’ve never read Jane Austen’s juvenilia, you haven’t lived. For one thing, she wrote some of these stories beginning at age eleven. Eleven! The seeds of her genius are obvious. Most importantly, some of her funniest and most ironic, sarcastic writing is here. Oh, she is wickedly funny! If you haven’t seen the movie Love and Friendship, you are missing out!
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
This Gift Basket is perfect for the devoted Jane Austen fan, since even the devoted may not have read the Juvenilia. Give the book and movie above, plus a few of these select items.
Jane Austen Book Lover Quote Mug
Jane Austen Bookmarks to Color
Jane Austen Entertains: Music from Her Own Library CD
Harney Dorchester Breakfast Tea
Northanger Abbey
“If adventures will not befall a lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.”
I do not know why this cover art is so aesthetically displeasing. Don’t allow it to dissuade you.
WHY is this book not more well known?
This book is funny. Full of irony and sarcasm. It mocks the popular gothic literature of its day while also mocking romantic literature. It begins, “No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be a heroine.”
How could one not enjoy a book begun in such a straightforward manner? Really, get this book. Read it. You’re welcome.
Masterpiece Northanger Abbey starring JJ Feild and Felicity Jones
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
Jane Austen socks (I love mine!)
Novel Tea Bags (tea bags with literary quotes!!!!)
Jane Austen tote bag (be still my heart!)
Now…the moment you’ve been waiting for: my favorite novel is….
Persuasion
“A man does not recover from such devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.” Captain Wentworth: uniform-wearing, letter-writing, swoon-worthy.
Have you ever finished a novel, given a sigh, spent a few moments in deep thought, and then turned back to the first page and started over again immediately?
That was how deeply I was moved by Persuasion.
I’m not sure exactly why. Honestly, there are so many factors. I appreciate that it’s a story of more mature love. At age twenty-seven, Anne is definitely an old maid by her societal standards. It’s a story of second chances, a story of a woman coming into her own, finding her voice, deciding what she wants. It’s the story of a weary woman becoming stronger and confident and growing in loveliness as she does so. It’s a story that values inner beauty, integrity, and steadfastness. It’s a Cinderella story: an unloved, unappreciated, unsung woman whose inner strength keeps the family steady.
And of course, I do admire a man in uniform.
Oh, I like Captain Wentworth.
I think you will, too. Please get your hands on this, my favorite novel. I want to hear all your thoughts. I want to have long conversations about it. I want to have a big Girls Night where we watch the most excellent movie together. But first, you must read the book.
Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Truly, a stunningly gorgeous movie.
BBC Persuasion I just discovered this existed. I’ll check it out and get back to you!
Additional Suggested Gift Basket Items
Jane Austen Notecards (Persuasion contains The Most Romantic Letter of All Time, thus notecards)
THE LETTER tote bag (“You pierce my soul”)
Marzipan candy (featured in book)
Irish Breakfast Tea (Captain Wentworth sailed Gibraltar, English and Irish coast during Napoleonic War)
Related Reading
Cuppa Comprehensive|Exquisite Gift Guide for the Tea Lover
The Gentleman’s Daughter: Women’s Lives in Georgian England by Amanda Vickery
Jane Austen at Home
Jane Austen’s England
Now it’s your turn! Please share your favorite novel. I’m always looking for the next great read!
