Complete Jane Austen

by Anna Milbourne

From teenage girls waiting to dance at their very first ball, to mothers hunting for rich husbands for their daughters, Jane Austen's love stories are famous throughout the world. This collection of adaptations of all six novels — and one shorter tale — with beautiful illustrations and summaries of the characters, is the perfect introduction to Jane Austen. Novels included Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Lady Susan.

Genres: Classics, Romance, Fiction, Love, Childrens, Middle Grade, English Literature

368 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1900

About the author

Growing up in North West England and in Germany, Anna wrote plays about talking animals, and stories about naughty children, and drew on every available surface. After school, she did an Art Foundation course, then a degree in German Literature & Philosophy at Oxford University. In 1998 she found her perfect job at Usborne in London, writing about everything from curious penguins to trips to the Moon. Usborne.com

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming adaptation of all of Austen's novels (including Lady Susan) for younger readers. I believe it's aiming at middle school age, though precocious 5th graders or high schoolers and adults in need of a boost will appreciate it.

Milbourne adapts Austen's text faithfully, maintaining as much of the original feel as possible--no small challenge! I was pleased to see how many minor characters Milbourne included, and that she reproduced the letters in an easily readable way. As with The Complete Shakespeare, each adapted novel begins with an illustrated cast of characters, which also communicate the different moods of the novels. Since there are only 7 novels adapted here, each one has a few full-page illustrations of crucial moments in the stories. Simona Bursi, the illustrator, has also illustrated individual adaptations of the novels by Susanna Davidson.



I would have loved this book as a middle schooler, when I was too young for Austen's full novels but old enough to enjoy TV/film adaptations of Austen's work. It would make a great resource for young readers to get acquainted with Austen's style and the classic storylines, some of which have been retold as YA novels (such as Pride by Ibi Zoboi). While there's no substitute for the real thing, a book like this can go a long way in making readers comfortable in the world of Austen. The texts are taken seriously here, unlike humorous retellings such as A Guinea Pig Pride and Prejudice, which gives them a leg up in literary value and nuance. It's kind of like Austen with training wheels, and entrancing illustrations.

[umrah : castiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a delightful read! And, I am very much willing to read the actual novels of Austen's.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this retelling of all the major Jane Austen novels! This abridged collection beautifully maintains the soul of the stories, and would be a wonderful way to introduce a young reader to these classics.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way of reading Jane Austen's story without having to read the whole books.

I read Pride and Prejudice once but found it boring and it took me forever to get through (normally I read a book with that many pages within a day, 2 days if I don’t have much time). Which saddened me because I love the adaptions. But this one is perfect. I really liked it. I really recommend it, to read with your child or if you're like me and can't get through the full novels but want to read the stories.

[Lesley Barklay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this with my nine-year-old daughter, and it is an excellent introduction to Austen. Each story begins with an illustrated guide to the main characters in the story, and contains several illustrations throughout to orient young readers. The stories are around 60 pages long (with the exception of Lady Susan, which is half the length), and are written using a combination of Austen's original writing and summaries in order to convey the essence of the story without getting bogged down by detail.

I read it over a month, completing each story in about three sittings, and following up by watching a film adaptation with my daughter. Now that she knows the stories, and is familiar with the language and the customs of the time, we intend to begin the full versions.

I highly recommend this to all young readers, wanting an introduction to Austen's works.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations! They are beautiful, as well as helpful for keeping all the characters straight.

I didn't love the text. The book appears to be for younger readers than the originals, advertising "all the novels retold." However, it's much more of an abridgement than an adaptation. It leaves in words like "decamp" and sentences such as, "Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.” I understand how we don't want to "dumb down" rich texts for kids, but some of these sentences are legit awkward and should be fixed.

Review of Pride and Prejudice in this book:
I attempted to read the original years ago, but didn't finish because it was too long-winded. I figured I would be able to finish an abridgment! Alas, cutting all the excess words didn't make it better. I honestly can't see what makes this novel popular. I like nothing about it. :\

I looked up the original Pride and Prejudice to see if I had previously left a review, and I laughed out loud when I read it. Wow. I guess if I didn't feel any shame for my dislike of the book nine years ago, I won't try too hard to like it now.

[Dea Lavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I am not a person who love reading kinda anything "romantic" stories. But, after I just finished read this, I change my perception that "Not all Romance stories always clingy or anything.." but, It's all about how human to accept, desire, sincerely, pain etc love someone..how elegant the woman/man those Era to find their partner. I could imagined people in England/Georgian Era's life with experiences in passion, society, money, heir, living, perceptions, and other Jane Austen succeed to win my heart within her completed her stories from: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Manfield's Park, Sense and Sensibilty, Persuasion, and Lady Susan.

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! These shortened novels of Austen's are well done. They remain true to the stories and themes. Masterfully edited. I did note two errors in Pride and Prejudice, which is the novel I am chiefly familiar with (though I have read them all). They were simple things, though. Truly a great collection for introducing the younger ladies (and gents) in your life to the mistress of the English Novel, Jane Austen.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific condensed versions of Austen's novels. Pretty illustrations and an introduction to all the main characters at the beginning of each story. Great way to introduce Austen to a young reader.

[Nette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this compilation.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book for my daughter, and we really enjoy reading it together. It's great to develop her vocabulary as well as engage her in some great classics. :)

[Lara Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic is always a classic. I enjoyed every story in here.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful quick look at all of Jane Austen’s novels. Well written. Thank you!

[keialhamid T____T · Rating 5 out of 5]

all time favorite

[Isla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremly cheesy book and I'm not sure I looked it but it hooked me.

[DENISA HOWE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing... so awesome.. Loved the journey back through the book from years ago.. The book is so nicely illustrated and easy to read and a book that will forever remain in my library..

[JKR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will probably never read Jane Austen’s complete works but am happy I bought this book with its thoughtfully condensed versions of all her novels.

[Steph]

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
~ Only remember the pieces of the past that give you pleasure.
EMMA
~ A cheerful nature soon flies over a disappointment and begins to hope again.

[The Bookbutterfly's Quotage · Rating 4 out of 5]

- 4.25 ★'s

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

💘💌💒💌💘 love love love this book 📖💗 drawings are so pretty and i think younger readers might find them helpful ( i know i did even though i knew the stories and characters already) i wish this book had been around when i was a little girl 👧👩

[Rebecca Pruss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never read any of Jane Austen's books, but I have seen some movies. This was a good intro to who the characters are and the main plot, and I think I'll dive into a full version of one soon. My favorite was Northanger Abbey, which I hadn't heard of before.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, especially for younger girls to get a glimpse of all of Austen's writings.