Pen&Quill Read
asked
Natalie Jenner:
Hi Natalie. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me find my next Jane Austen novel to read? I've watched the 2005 pride and prejudice movie and LOVED IT! and I'm currently reading sense and sensibility and finding it highly enjoyable! What might be a good next pick. Do you ever get tired of this type of question or since your a bookseller so you enjoy recommending people books? Thank you for your time
Natalie Jenner
Hi there, I am going to be lazy this blustery Sunday morning and copy parts of a response I've made here before (which does not mean I get tired of this question, as I really don't, only that I am tired!!)
After "Pride and Prejudice," I always recommend "Persuasion," especially during the fall. So elegiac and full of possibility. And if you are enjoying "Sense and Sensibility," I suspect you will also enjoy "Persuasion" because the two books are very similar in terms of tone and theme, and provide a lot of similar "feels." And if you haven't done so yet, after you finish "Sense and Sensibility," you must promise me that you will watch the 1995 Ang Lee film - it is one of my all-time favourite films! I've also had a lot of former non-Austen readers recently tell me that they decided to try "Northanger Abbey" first, and were pleasantly surprised by how fresh the humour was. "Emma" and "Mansfield Park" are, I think, her masterpieces, but many people don't warm up to them right away, so it may work well to keep building up to them with the other works. Finally, I am currently working on a project involving "Lady Susan," and it is such a hilarious tale done in letters - with an excellent film adaption too, called "Love & Friendship" and starring Kate Beckinsale. I hope that all helps!
Thanks so much for reaching out, and keep safe and well, Natalie
After "Pride and Prejudice," I always recommend "Persuasion," especially during the fall. So elegiac and full of possibility. And if you are enjoying "Sense and Sensibility," I suspect you will also enjoy "Persuasion" because the two books are very similar in terms of tone and theme, and provide a lot of similar "feels." And if you haven't done so yet, after you finish "Sense and Sensibility," you must promise me that you will watch the 1995 Ang Lee film - it is one of my all-time favourite films! I've also had a lot of former non-Austen readers recently tell me that they decided to try "Northanger Abbey" first, and were pleasantly surprised by how fresh the humour was. "Emma" and "Mansfield Park" are, I think, her masterpieces, but many people don't warm up to them right away, so it may work well to keep building up to them with the other works. Finally, I am currently working on a project involving "Lady Susan," and it is such a hilarious tale done in letters - with an excellent film adaption too, called "Love & Friendship" and starring Kate Beckinsale. I hope that all helps!
Thanks so much for reaching out, and keep safe and well, Natalie
More Answered Questions
E Stanton
asked
Natalie Jenner:
Just wanted to tell you, Ms. Jenner, that I just finished "The Jane Austen Society". I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recalled how, after I read Pride and Prejudice I asked you on here what I should read next you answered "Emma". I read "Emma" and enjoyed it as well. I loved in the opening chapters how Mimi tells Adam he needs to start with Pride and Prejudice and then Emma. Thank you for the same good advice? Next please?
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