January Group Read - Going Classic > Likes and Comments

Starting this year off with something from Jane sounds just the thing. Perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to read all her completed novels or you want to dive into her minor works or letters. Maybe you want a re-read...or enjoy in a new format like audio. All are welcome.

Make your pick from among her fiction and non-fiction writings then leave a comment here with your choice. Spend the month of January immersed in Jane Austen's writing.

Feel free to choose an incomplete novel or one of the completed versions by Austen and another author.

I caught an audiobook sale and scored a copy of each of the novels from all new-to-me narrators so I will start delving into these with Pride and Prejudice (Dreamscape Media, Rosalind Landor, narrating).

I've done P&P, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.
I think I'll go with Sense and Sensibility this time. Will find a good version to listen to.

I've done this challenge as a language immersion before, listening to audiobooks in a language I'm not fluent in. I thought I'll go back to last year's Russian P&P and see if I understand any more of it now. I have finished the Russian lessons on Duolingo which does not give you much of a language competency, tbh.

I like this narrator and I have listened to this part several times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss1Np...
this video starts at the chapter with Lady Catherine coming to Longborn and it's pretty easy to figure out who's talking, just listening to what they sound like. Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth and Lady C all sound different.

One of the youthful works in
the wee hours of 1/1/26(good grief!).

Katja wrote: "I've done this challenge as a language immersion before, listening to audiobooks in a language I'm not fluent in. I thought I'll go back to last year's Russian P&P and see if I understand any more ..."

That is so amazing, Katja!

I feel like I really ought to read Sanditon .... but I am also tempted by the new multi-cast reading of P&P on Audible. decisions, decisions ....

you can do both!

Katja wrote: "you can do both!"

so I can (*does happy dance*)

The Beautifull Cassandra!

I’ll be participating in a Sense and Sensibility group read in another Goodreads group (The Readers Review, for anyone who wants to join).

Kirk wrote: "One of the youthful works in
the wee hours of 1/1/26(good grief!)."

What an excellent way to handle insomnia! I do sudoku puzzles when I can’t sleep, and JA shorts would be much better.

Abigail wrote: "I’ll be participating in a Sense and Sensibility group read in another Goodreads group (The Readers Review, for anyone who wants to join)."

Enjoy!

Abigail wrote: "Kirk wrote: "One of the youthful works in
the wee hours of 1/1/26(good grief!)."

What an excellent way to handle insomnia! I do sudoku puzzles when I can’t sleep, and JA shorts eould be much better."

Thx!

The Annotated Pride and Prejudice!!!

Kirk wrote: "The Annotated Pride and Prejudice!!!"

You're off to a great start, Kirk!

Sam wrote: "Kirk wrote: "The Annotated Pride and Prejudice!!!"

You're off to a great start, Kirk!"

Thx! The 2026 JA slowdown will kick in...at some point...or not!

I think it's time I read Northanger Abbey.

Group read of Sense and Sensibility, my January Classic read, starts in The Readers Review Goodreads group on January 15.

I have two Classics this month:


Henry and Eliza from a youthful Jane Austen
and
Pride and Prejudice a recent Audible with some familiar names in the cast.
Bill Nighy as Mr. Bennet, and Glenn Close as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

wosedwew wrote: "I have two Classics this month:


Henry and Eliza from a youthful Jane Austen
and
Pride and Prejudice a recent Audible with some familiar names in the cast.
Bill Ni..."

That audio version is my next "listen" after I have finished the crime one I am currently listening to.

I thought Glenn Close seemed to be imitating Barbara Leigh-Hunt or Judi Dench. I couldn't hear Glenn Close, but it has been a while since I have watched any of her movies.

The actor who voiced Mr. Collins sounded much too normal, not at all a clown in this version.

I have finished my choice, the new dramatisation of Pride on Prejudice on Audible, Pride and Prejudice.

I really enjoyed it - it is a dramatisation rather than a narration but it was fresh and light, as it should be. Bill Nighy was a delight as Mr Bennet.

I am still intending to get to Sanditon before the nd of the month - is there an annotated version which anyone would recommend?

Craftyhj wrote: "I have finished my choice, the new dramatisation of Pride on Prejudice on Audible, Pride and Prejudice.

I really enjoyed it - it is a dramatisation rather than a narration but it ..."

I'll have to add that P&P edition to my wish list.

I have not seen an annotated Sanditon though that would be neat to see Austen's unfinished works, Juvenilia, and Lady Susan get an annotated version, too.

I finished my pick. I went with Emma: An Audible Original Drama which is also a dramatized audio version.

This was delightful. I loved Emma Thompson as narrator and I enjoyed all the voice actors for the other parts, the sound effects, and music interludes. I can't wait to try the Northanger Abbey one this team has also done.

Craftyhj wrote: "I have finished my choice, the new dramatisation of Pride on Prejudice on Audible, Pride and Prejudice.

I really enjoyed it - it is a dramatisation rather than a narration but it ..."

I don’t know of a thoroughly annotated edition, but Margaret Drabble has an edition with introduction and notes of Lady Susan / The Watsons / Sanditon (my copy, with a different cover, is dated 2003 (orig. 1974, Penguin). It seems to have fairly extensive notes for Sanditon, though I don’t love what she has to say about The Watsons. It should be affordable, at least.

Abigail wrote: "Craftyhj wrote: "I have finished my choice, the new dramatisation of Pride on Prejudice on Audible, Pride and Prejudice.

I really enjoyed it - it is a dramatisation rather than a ..."

thanks for the suggestion Abigail - I shall look it up

I listened to Sense and Sensibility read by Kate winslet (Youtube)

It was good. Still not a fan of Marianne, and the mother was nearly as bad as Mrs. Bennet. Eleanor is lovely and deserves her happiness with Edward.