Four Classic Novels

by Jane Austen

The complete novels of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Emma and Persuasion in one large, brand new and giftable hardcover with perfect dj.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Literature, Historical Fiction, Drama

798 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1996

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

[Lauren]

I've always wanted to read Jane Austen, but I when it came between buying a classic story and a new release while wandering the bookstore, the new release always won. However, as I was moping around Borders, trying not to feel the hollow ache as I passed each Going Out of Business sign, I noticed this gigantic book nearly crushing the table under its weight. Not one, but four Jane Austen novels all for the price of $7.99!! Just 7.99!!!

Yeah, so I lugged it around and bought it. Now onto the actual reading of it.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sense and Sensibility

Oh, the dramatics! Marianne and Elinor are both lovely for their own reasons, as is the plot. I adore this charming melodrama.

Content: profanity, expletives

Pride and Prejudice

This is one of my favorite classics. Dancing, romance, dreamy characters… but also depth, family, complexity, and the good sort of melodrama. It’s scrumptious.

Content: profanity, alcohol

Emma

A more charming matchmaker story than this is tough to find. My emotions always seem to get involved. I like how Mr. Knightley challenges Emma to become her best self. That is romance indeed.

Content: alcohol, profanity

Persuasion

Such a bittersweet romance! To reach the hoped-for happiness for Anne is to first wade through the heartbreak she has thrust upon her from various directions. I wish she had a family who deserves her, yet there is such hope in her journey toward love and joy.

Content: profanity

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Persuasion : 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Pride & Prejudice : 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Emma : 1 out of 5 Stars
Sense & Sensibility : 2.5 out of 5 Stars

[Kevin Dufresne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi,
​
I hope all is progressing well.
​
Reading Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion is enjoyable and exhausting. I bought Jane Austen: Four Classic Novels to ensure I read the stories in the collection though I did not re-read Pride and Prejudice (I'm sure I read it). I find Jane Austen's writing to be exquisite in its choice genre: I like the way her writing engages particulars of social realms (of her stories) and the routes of her descriptions are as entertaining as gripping (at least to me). I'm glad to be done with reading these particular stories and am ready to engage other texts now.
​
Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
IG: @Dufreshest

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure entirely how I feel about Jane Austen. I've wanted to read more classics and Austens are fairly popular but maybe I went in with too high expectations. Just didn't love these like I thought I would.
I do want to give them another try to see if maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace to enjoy them.

[Rayanny Cordeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

[Rudenotginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always gladly return to the pages of Jane Austen novels. They've been favourites for many years and that is not likely to change.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastical literary Masterpieces. I have them on my bookshelf and hope to pass it down to my grandkids one day.

[Abbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well written, just not my kind of books, thought they were boring.

[lou :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

obsessed with jane austen😻😻😻

[Austin Janeur · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite author. No one describes society like JA! You will find your vocabulary immediately improved—should you care. Why read crap when you can read Jane? 😂

[Elyse]

Actually decided not to read this now

[Erinn]

2-28-11 Trying to finish Emma was about as interesting as going to the dentist. Less actually since something good usually comes from a dental visit. All Emma left me with was a sense of disappointment and a vast amount of boredom.

5-13-10 I finally got through Pride and Prejudice. I think my mistake was trying to read other books at the same time.

2-23-10 Starting Pride and Prejudice, well actually I read the first 4 chapters a couple weeks ago but I think I'll reread them just to refresh my memory now that my reading buddy (my mom) has caught up to me.

1-20-10 I'm on page 48 of The Works of Jane Austen. I'm a bit surprised how readable it is for being written so long ago.

[Sam Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Click on the title of each book in order to see my full review. Moral of the story: I love Jane Austen's books!

Sense and Sensibility : 5 stars

Pride and Prejudice : 5 stars

Emma : 5 stars

Persuasion : 5 stars

[Jewels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the four novels included in this omnibus, I prefer Persuasion. Jane Austen has a knack for creating disagreeable characters. I understand that she was merely writing from the age of the society that she lived in, but the shallowness and vanity of some of the characters was appalling. Even some of the heroines were wishy-washy and timid, although at least Anne Elliott held her own due to principles. I cannot say that I am a fan of Jane Austen, but I am happy that I at least got through four of her more well known novels.

[RumBelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books by her and, by far, Sense and Sensibility was my favorite. I loved the relationship between the two sisters, and how they learned to overcome trials. Col. Brandon was my favorite character his stoic, yet steadfastly loyal personality was so well portrayed. Emma I found to be, for me, rather annoying. She really got on my nerves after awhile, and the book just seemed silly. Pride and Prejudice I liked, not the least because of Elizabeth. Her fiery headstrong nature made her such a fun character.

[Lau-sanne Pepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the Jane Austen books now and although everyone seems to love either Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. My favorite is still Persuasion. I love the way that Wentworth is portrayed. And of all Austen's books it is the least pretty one. There is more of a realness to it. The obvious damsel in distress, the hero, the villain and the loss of money is still the story, that is so classically Jane. But the characters are less rosy. And I love that about the book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sense and Sensibility:

I had already seen both movies when I read the book, so there weren't as many surprises as possible. However, when I got into the book, I truly did. It is written in the spirit as to how women were treated during the Regency, but by no means does it leave out the undying courage, heart, connection, emotions, joy, melancholy, and over all spirit which females also shared. Jane Austen remains my favorite author! 🥀

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

All together a great book. Some of her stories are better then others. It was fun reading the books I'd already seen the movie to. It was interesting to see what was left out in the movies and what was changed. It was also interesting to get more of an in depth look at the characters. This book contains all of her works.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read all the books contained here except Persuasion. I waited much too long to read this book. Eight and a half years of unrequited love is a good read. It might be one of her most approachable books as well. The lead male is an captain. He actually works for a living. It also seems what keeps them apart was not only external forces but the impatience of youth.

[Brittany Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find her writing a bit lengthy and difficult to navigate through but on the whole for classical works it is a fantastic example. However I must say Pride and Prejudice is a favorite of mine but the other three are less so. I did not enjoy Emma at all however I think this is just due to my personal taste and not because the text was lacking in any way.

[Veronica Salreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since English language was a bit different in this time period I found the stories a lite difficult to follow at times. People were more wordy, they used a lot of words and descriptive speech to form an idea. That being said the stories were all very romantic and everyone finds happiness in the end. I did enjoy this book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore reading Jane Austen. She paints such a complete picture and I always feel like I am right there watching in person. I can read her books over and over again and enjoy it even more as I pick up more each time.

[Paige Hookway · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my eyes nothing can beat Jane Austen, she defines the definition of Classic Romance. Whether your reading for the first time or re reading again, always do we long for a Mr Darcy to come along and sweep us off our feet!

[Alexandra]

Before reading: I already read Pride and Prejudice and loved it! I did give it 4 stars! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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[Rosa Ramôa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frases de Jane Austen:

"Não quero que as pessoas sejam muito gentis; pois tal poupa-me o trabalho de gostar muito delas".

"Metade do mundo não consegue compreender os prazeres da outra metade".

"O negócio pode trazer dinheiro, mas a amizade raramente o faz".

[Taralyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Of course. I bought it for my Jane Austen author's class at BYU-I.

[Micah]

I've read some, but I figured I'd read all of them. I saw someone I know reading the Collection, and I was like "what a great idea!" So here I am.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept trying to find a listing for just "Emma", but was unable to find one. I finally chose this because it has some of my favorite Jane Austen books in the collection.

[Sophia]

Just for clarification, I haven't hit P&P or Emma yet . . .