Classics discussion

What do you think of Jane Austen? I think that Jane Austen is a witty writer and I really admire her work.

My favourite book of hers is 'Pride and Prejudice'. What about you?

It's P an P, and Persuasion. I think Mansfield Park is her 'greatest' book but not the most enjoyable. I find Emma embarrassing (the character of Emma). Sense and Sensibility is sad, though I'm glad Elinor gets her happy ending. Marianne I don't find very engaging, and rather tiresome.

I just wish Austen had lived much longer to write many many more books! (Imagine if she'd written as many as Dickens!!!!)

I wish that she had written more books too; it is a shame that she had such a short life.
I have not actually read 'Persuasion' yet, but hope to buy it, once all of the book shops reopen.

Jumping in here -
Of course, Austen left fragments - The Watsons (not really complete) and Sanditon - and there are the works that she did before her famous novels were published, called her "juvenilia." Some of them show a lot of promise. "Lady Susan" is actually pretty lively, with good characterizations, and spawned 5 or 6 adaptations.

I find Emma absolutely brilliant. The narrator forces you to look through Emma's eyes for 95% of the book, then lets you see Emma as others see her.

I like the seriousness of Persuasion - you have silly and vain characters in Anne's sister and father, but you don't have the over the top ridiculousness of a Mr. Collins.
I just heard that they are making - or finished making - a new version of Persuasion with the actress who starred in 50 Shades of Gray.

It's great news about Persuasion Barbara, but the exaggeration of the characters in Pride and Prejudice is partly what I love about the book. I do not think that the absurdity of Mr Collins is unrealistic in any way, just hugely entertaining.