The Complete Novels of Jane Austen, Vol 1: Sense & Sensibility/Pride & Prejudice/Mansfield Park

by Jane Austen

The first volume in the Complete Novels of Jane Austen, this volume contains the classics Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park.

Genres: Classics, Literature, Fiction, Romance, Own

898 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 1992

About the author

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are an implicit critique of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her deft use of social commentary, realism and biting irony have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.

The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.

Reviews

[Cynthia Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very long book. But it got me acquainted with Austen's writing so I am very happy I finally did it. While she's no Bronte, her books are still pretty decent.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I especially like about each of these is Austen's incredible skill at creating scenes chuck full of double entendre. She skillfully weaves layer upon layer of social situations that intertwine between her characters. Amazing writing that challenges one to develop and guard a good character, even when it costs you, because it just might turn out right in the end.

[Shelly Lao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice - most romantic story of all time!

[Lauren Onak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was just reading the third section, Mansfield Park. My last unread Austen novel! So funny and so dark.

[Fnaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm coming back to the first volume of Sense and Sensibility, and really it's an incredibly effective novel when you already know what's coming up. Lucy Steele is a fantastic villain, and the irritating evasiveness of Willoughby makes it perfectly clear why Marianne could be so obsessed with him by partitioning all his nonsense to the side. Who, in all honesty, is a better psychologist than Jane?

I really liked the violent bit with Lady Middleton's horrible children punching and kicking one another, and then the little girl exorcising her screams to win some approval. Few retain the memory of childhood enough to understand how methodical kids can be.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read Jane Austen for a few years now, partly because I want to have some knowledge of her books when I finally get around to watching The Jane Austen Book Club, and partly out of curiosity. The only movie adaptation that I've ever seen is Emma (which I LOVE!).

It took me a good third to half of the first novel (Sense and Sensibility) to get into the book. The language is so quaint that it slowed me down quite a bit at first. Quaintness aside, I did - once I acclimated to the flow of the language - enjoy the stories immensely. It's obvious that Austen had a keen eye for the absurdity of Victorian society and an even keener wit, and - despite the language and the settings being dated - the plots themselves are not. Yes, they're all love stories at heart. Will the bright, misfit girl get the rich, handsome man (or the moral, reserved one)? Of course she will! But even more than being your typical boy meets girl story, these novels are about families and the many ways that they can either lift us up or hold us back - often at the same time!

Out of these first three novels, I have to admit that Mansfield Park was my favorite. Maybe it's only because I read it last and, therefore, it is freshest in my mind, but I really felt for Fanny and despaired of things ever turning out well for her and Edmund. I also enjoyed Pride and Prejudice more than Sense and Sensibility, partly because I struggled through most of the first novel, perhaps, but I doubt it. While I liked the Miss Dashwoods well enough, I really couldn't have cared less about the romance aspect of that one.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like "Pride and Prejudice" by the other two were very difficult to get into and stick with for very long. I read the first two books in this volume a few years back and finally finished the last book "Mansfield Park" this year. While I tried to read it quickly, I found it difficult to keep my interest and focus on it. So overall I give the entire volume a three.

[Cally Cronic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice is a witty and romantic novel that explores the themes of love, social class, and personal growth.

[Zak Kukoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Austen masterfully balances romance, wit, and social commentary in this classic tale of love and self-awareness.

[Laith Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

With sparkling wit and an unforgettable romance, Austen delivers a story that’s as delightful as it is insightful about social class and human folly.

[Rayan Kablan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant commentary on societal norms and romance with unforgettable characters.

[Steven Pandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and witty, this classic intertwines romance with sharp social commentary.

[Hethar Termz]

A witty and insightful exploration of love, class, and social expectations in Regency England. However, some readers find the language and societal focus dated, making it harder to relate to.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've avoided reading Mansfield Park for years because I've never heard anyone say they liked it. Even Jane Austen's mother didn't like Fanny Price. It was my loss! I loved this book. Not because of the love story, but because the characters are filled with profound truth. In much of literature there are authors who manipulate characters and dialogue to fit their agenda and it never rings true for the reader. Austen's characters in Mansfield Park could be set in any time period,family, or social setting. I think I learned the most from Mary and Henry Crawford. They were so oblivious to their own corruption. I actually liked Fanny a great deal. Did she cry a lot? Yes. But her emotion was warranted, and did not diminish the strength of her character. She was a person of great integrity in a powerless position, and she was challenged and tested by the people she loved and feared the most. Edmund epitomized blind love, and while I wanted him to be stronger than he was, I loved to see his character grow and learn. There was a strong theme of acting and pretending throughout. Eventually an in-home theater and play reveal who the actors in the story are. Only Fanny, who never plays a role, can clearly see who is real and who is acting.

Of course, there were many lovely and memorable lines. Here are some of my favorites:

"We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be."

"There were emotions of tenderness that could not be clothed in words"

"Varnish and gilding hide many stains."

"There is nothing like employment, active indispensable employment, for relieving sorrow."

Wonderful.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Pride & Prejudice first. Good sleeping fodder! It picked up nearer the end. Mr. Darcy's character is intriguing.

Then I read Mansfield Park. REALLY good sleeping fodder! Again, it got better near the end. I liked this slightly better than P & P. I felt for poor Fanny.

Lastly I read Sense & Sensibility, the Austen novel I'm most familiar with. I liked this one best, probably because I had the most familiarity with it through the movies. This one didn't really have boring parts that put me to sleep. Either that or I became so familiar with the language structure that I didn't have as hard a time reading it. I like Marianne's character best, probably because she didn't always subscribe to the rules of gentility and all that in her behavior.

Jane Austen's take on love and marriage is interesting, especially considering she never married (smart lady). I think even now, people often marry more for comfort then out of affection. Then it was merely standard to do that. I think marriage laws need to change drastically and this book although from the past, still resonates today in some ways and gives more conviction to my feeling . . . but that's my two cents.

At any rate, someone still needs to show me how to get the sand out of the book! X^D

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I returned to this novel with a sense of wanting to visit an old friend. With Vladimir Nabokov's wonderful guidance on how to read this novel from his Lectures on Literature, I enjoyed the complete delight of Austen's wit and form. Fanny is so true to her heart and her scruples. That this "Cinderella" triumphs in the end makes this fairy tale so satisfying. I love despising Austen's Mrs. Norris and being led into some admiration and a little hope for the Crawfords, which, of course, cannot last!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love Jane Austen? I think I'd read both S&S and P&P twice before deciding to tackle her novels in their entirety, and loved them both even more the 3rd time. Mansfield Park is one of my least favorites, but in Austen terms, that means I was still fully engaged and entertained. My personal verdict is that Elizabeth Bennet is the most wonderful Austen heroine, not to mention one of my favorite protagonists of literature generally, and the sparkle of the dialogue in P&P is unparalleled.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is my belief that either you love Jane Austin or you hate her. At least that has been my experience with everyone I have met. I love this story! It is of course incredibly romantic, funny and clever. I felt like I could relate to each character at one time or another in my life. It is a good read and not to mention a wonderful movie.

[Tasneem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Austen as a really young girl. Austen was instrumental in the formulation of what I thought a hero should be - Mr Darcy for example, and also, my understand of how a woman should act and think. From Lizzie to Emma, from Fanny to Jane, I learned what was good, what was true and what was acceptable behaviour.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Audibles and the pandemic, was able to re-read and newly read one of my favorite author's collection. This is Jane Austen at her finest and glad for the opportunity to visit with her again.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sense and Sensibility is my favorite out of these 3 classics.

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finshed reading all of Jane Austen. Now I know what all the hype is about. Her books are amazing.

[Ellen Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Jane Austen's works.

[Grace Tjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read Mansfield Park.

[Drew]

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1961)

[Luisa]

Excellent! Jane Austen is my favorite author. I'm laready on the second reading of the novels and I've seen several of the pictures and series based on them.

[Cecile Saldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Jane Austin addict. I've read these books over and over again, and never seem to get tired of them!

[James Korsmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Now I know why Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels in English. It is phenomenally well written, with great characters.

[Cathleen]

jane austen is one of my favorite authors.

[Cynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am grateful to have found an inexpensive 2- volume Modern Library set of Jane Austen 6 completed plays. I appreciate the real or perceived scholarly work thsee volumes are.