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Thursday, September 29

Which is your favorite Jane Austen novel?

Riah on Goodreads asked the question. I thought it was an excellent one. I have a hard time choosing between Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, but Persuasion wins by a hair. Which is your favorite book and why?


37 comments:

Kristin said...

My favorite is Pride and Prejudice, even though it sounds cliche. It's the first one I read and I've always been attached to it. I especially love all of the great characters. :)

Persuasion and Emma tie for my second favorite.

~Kristin

M said...

It has to be Sense and Sensibility. The relationship between the sisters seems to be more positive, although the contrast between Elinor and Maryanne is brilliant.
But I also love Lady Susan! The literary gossip is devine.

Unknown said...

Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are tied for me. I like the story of Persuasion just a tiny bit more, an the characters of P & P just a little bit better...it evens out and I love them both. :)

After that, the others are all fairly equal in my eyes, with Mansfield Park in last place but not by much.

Felicia said...

Pride and Prejudice with Persuasion right on the heels.

Dana Huff said...

Persuasion, but like you, only by a hair. Really, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility are all so close that it's hard to really say that one novel is a definite favorite.

Hungarican Chick said...

Persuasion. Then P&P. Then S&S.

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

While I dearly love all of Jane Austen's novels my favorite for many years has been 'Northanger Abbey'. I adore all of the characters especially Henry Tilney, Eleanor Tilney and Catherine Morland! The story is so different from the others, always captures my attention and showcases The Authoress' amazing wit.
My second and third favorite would be 'Persuasion' and 'Mansfield Park' (followed very closely by 'Lady Susan').

Phoebe's Sisters said...

But they are so different? How can you actually choose? I don't know...my favourite is always the one I'm reading at the moment... but I do have a soft spot for Mansfield Park.

Audrey said...

Persuasion. I just re-read it, and I was surprised by how romantic it is.

Esther Romaine said...

Most definitely "Persuasion".

Kleidung um 1800 said...

Persuasion!

Deborah said...

My favorite is Sense and Sensibility! I just love the realism of it all, and yet the ending is still so satisfying, much like life. A very touching story!

Nonna said...

P & P is my favorite because of it's plot, it's delightful humor, the endearing, absurd, annoying, pompous, wicked and arrogant characters, their struggles, joys and heartaches and it was the first of Jane's books that I read. Then I was hooked on her works forever !

Cheryl Dixon B said...

First Persuasion, because of the maturity of Anne's perspective and her search for love. Second is Mansfield Park, because I am entertained by seeing these bored, rich, young adults get themselves in so much trouble!

Kelli said...

It is a tie between Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. As I get older, I appreciate Persuasion more and more.

Celestial Charms said...

Oh dear, I couldn't possibly pick. It is like trying to choose a favorite child. :)
Maureen

Donna said...

My favorite is Persuasion... can't decide if I love it because it's such a wonderful tale of enduring love, even when you fear it's unrequited or because it's a version of Cinderella, complete with ugly sisters and Prince Charming aka Captain Wentworth! Yes, PLZ!

Rachel said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. It was the first one I read, and it got me hooked on Jane. Elizabeth is such a brilliant, revolutionary heroine, and the relationships between her and Darcy, her and Jane, and all the other characters in the novel are beautiful. And it has such a dry, yet sparkling wit. It's like an old friend.

My order is P&P, Emma, S&S, NA, Persuasion, and MP.

Anonymous said...

persuasion for sure. not sure what it is about it, but from the first time i read it, it was the one that stood out most to me.

i'd probably say P&P is second, just because it's such a classic, but northanger abbey is right up there too. tilney is great, and i love the tone of the book.

Beautiful Writer said...

Mine is definitely Persuasion. It is a beautiful tale of love and second chances with just the right touch of melancholy and regret. I cry whenever I read Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne. P&P and S&S would be my second and third favorites.

Red Shoe Artist said...

Persuasion is number one. Northanger Abbey is 1.5 because Mr. Tilney makes me giddy like a schoolgirl. Don't ask me to choose, I am a Gemini

Karen K. said...

First of all, my thanks to Red Shoe Artist for pointing out that as a Gemini, it is impossible for us to choose! It all makes sense now! It's a struggle to choose between P&P and Persuasion. I think I have to go with Persuasion though -- Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot are my favorites, even more than Lizzie and Darcy. I was listening to the audio in the car the other day and I got all teary when she read the letter. He pierces my soul.

MaraB said...

Hello, I'm a brand new reader of this beautiful blog. The question is really important, and I think that my favourite novel is Mansfield Park. It's so grand, and opens my mind every time I start reading it again.

Raquel Sallaberry said...

Oh, I can't decide. I never can...

I need desperately the P&P good humour and the Persuasion's accurate observations about life...

Jana said...

My favourite is Sense & Sensibility for many reasons, but mainly because it was my introduction to the genius of Miss Austen.

Maddy said...

Northanger Abbey, definatly. I just love Henry Tilney and I have a great fondness for Catherine and her naïveté, and the Authoresses endearing satirical wit:) S&S is a favorite too though.

ChaChaneen said...

Persuasion.... every time! Hugs

Anonymous said...

The fragment of Sanditon has all the initial elements of a fabulous read.
It might have been my favorite if only Jane had been able to finish it. Persuasion is sensitive and romantic with well rounded characters and a perfect ending. It wins!

Enid Wilson said...

Easy. P&P. Humour, devotion and bravery.

Every Savage Can Reproduce

Maria Grazia said...

I've never had doubts anymore after reading Persuasion :-) That is "my Austen", I can totally sympathize with Anne Elliot and deeply love Captain Wentworth. I still wonder whether it is a "question of age" : I read it as an adult and it touched me differently from the other ones.

Miss Dashwood said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite beyond all doubt. Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion tie for second place, but P&P is something special. I'm not sure how to describe it, but the characters are so real. That book touched me in a way that not many books do (haha, I know that sounds cliched, but it's true!) Really, I think the only way to pick your fav Jane Austen is to ask yourself, "Which one could I read over and over again without getting tired of it?" :P For me, that's Pride and Prejudice.

cec said...

Oh, I agree with you! We all deserve a second chance, don't we?

Ingmarie We said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. And Persuasion takes the second place and Emma the third.

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...

I have read them all, yet... I still love Pride and Prejudice the absolute most! Emma is a very close, delightfully witty, second, for me.

I remember, when I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time ... I never wanted it to end! It's absolutely wonderful!

Net Movie Blogger
www.itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com

Anastasia said...

If I had to choose, I would say Sense & Sensibility. I love the relationship between the sisters and Elinor and Marianne remind me of my sister and myself. But I have a favorite book for every mood. When I feel old and cynical I read Persuasion. When I feel young and clueless I take up Northanger Abbey. In a self-indulgent mood I pick up Emma and for my shrinking violet moments I turn to Mansfield Park. When my mind wants to wonder high and low - P&P time. Jane's Juvenilia for when I'm down.

Alice said...

Persuasion! Because it pierces my soul!

Anonymous said...

My favorite, oddly enough, is Emma. The one I read first and most frequently is Pride & Prejudice. Closest to my heart is definitely Persuasion. While Sense & Sensibility, Nothanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park still hold a very special place in my heart of hearts reserved for my good friend Jane.