Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

This is a great thread, thank you. I’m committed to doing more reading this year and Miss Austen is on my list. Thanks for the list of her works, there are more than I realized.
I have Northanger Abbey and Sanditon in group reads, plus there is a new Emma movie coming out so I’ve that on my list in the spring.
I’d like to get through them all in the year though.
I read them as a child, but lately only know them from the movies. I am enjoying the current run of Sanditon on PBS. I’m glad I haven’t read the book yet. It won’t ruin the broadcast.
I love Jane Austen so this should prove to be a great group!

Welcome Brenda!

We are reading Northanger Abbey next month as a group read!

I so love Austen's writing. You can tell her young spirit in her early writings and her maturity in others, She loves her family and you can see that in her writing as well.

We have a thread about Classics in Movies and I was chatting with Brian about watching Sandition on PBS. Enjoying it too! I have not read it either.

Thank you Lesle!
I presented myself at the holidays with the gift of an Austen book set, because they are so reread-able.
And yes, I’m looking forward to the Northanger group read. It’s one of her least known works for me, so I’ll be glad to experience that with the group as I love to take in other’s observations, it makes a book more enriching Im finding.
I did not know about Classics in Movies, I will check that out!

There is no better gift than the one you get yourself! It is always exactly what you wished for :)

Lesle wrote: "Thats wonderful Piyangie! Will be happy to have your comments!

By the way: I love reading your reviews!!"

I'm very happy to hear you enjoy my reviews, Lesle. Thank you very much. I'm glad to join in with the discussion on Northanger Abbey. Its been a while since I read Jane Austen with a group. Looking forward to the read.

I have read
Pride and Prejudice,
Persuasion..

My reading list for 2020 includes
Northanger Abbey (just finished reading yesterday),
Emma,
Sense and Sensibility

Oh wonderful Prachi
I hope you check in when the thread is opened for NA for February and chat with us about it!

Do you enjoy reading her novels?

We are reading
Northanger Abbey this month:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Austen: In revising Susan, she renamed the protagonist "Catherine," and ultimately changed the title of the novel Northanger Abbey.

Come join us in Austen's read of Northanger Abbey with Catherine and the patronizing Henry!

My first read of this one. Excited.

I’ve just started Northanger today. I’m excited for it, and for dousing my constitution with some Jane Austen !

Hope you enjoy it Brenda!

Her most popular books and a couple words to describe:

6. Northanger Abbey Witty and Fun
5. Sense and Sensibility Most Well Rounded
4. Pride and Prejudice Most Charming
3. Mansfield Park Most Psychologically Complex
2. Emma Most Clever
1. Persuasion Most Beautiful

Those are apt descriptions, Lesle. Sounds like a good order in which to re-read the books for me!

I would love to squeeze in a couple along with you!

That'd be great, Lesle! I'm open to reading any of the books.

Literary scholars, in particular, point to Austen’s subtle, innovative use of free indirect discourse as a style of third-person narrative. This style, in which a character’s perspective and thoughts intertwine with the narrator of the story, is now widespread in modern fiction, but was just taking shape in the late 18th and early 19th century.

I found this statement about Jane's narrative use.
Do you like the 3rd person narrative or do you prefer another type, as in...?

I read Northanger Abbey for the group reading discussion and just finished Sense and Sensibility. I have tried to read Jane Austen for years and just could never get into her books. I found a couple of BBC movies and mini-series based on her books and after watching those, I found it a lot easier to understand and enjoy her writing style. I am about to start Mansfield Park

I finished Northanger Abbey and liked it very much. The book took me to the world of Jane Austen back again, so I've decided to change my reading schedule for the year and accomodate her more. I'll be reading Mansfield Park in March and will proceed to reread Sense and Sensibility and Emma during the course of the year.

I will try to fit in a read or two this year as well.

Not sure about March with it being the Presidential Election month (17th) for me. Unfortunately it is not a done deal when the day comes. Still have 2 weeks of work afterwards.

"No man is offended by another man’s admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.” —Northanger Abbey (1817)

"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” —Northanger Abbey (1817)

Lesle wrote: ""No man is offended by another man’s admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.” —Northanger Abbey (1817) ..."

Love this quote. :)

Game Time!
Unscramble the letters to form nouns from Janes Austen's February Group Read:

1. obnnaageyhertrb
2. tnegeearinlyl
3. tonerllfu
4, behltspeoalira
5. ahablndtneg

You do not have to answer all of them. That is why they are numbered! Have fun!

How are we doing with the Scrambled words!

I have a couple. Will come back to finish!

(view spoiler)[
1. Northanger Abbey
2.
3. Fullerton
4.
5. Bath, England
(hide spoiler)]

So far Kathy, so good!

What a wonderful thread this is.
I've read Pride and Prejudicein high school oh so many years ago but unfortunately it was the only Jane Austen book I've read. I've vowed to read more this year.
So, at the moment I'm reading & listening to Emma before seeing the movie on Sunday with a book club group.
Also a friend has let me borrow Northanger Abbey for the Feb read which I'll start tonight.

Not sure how it'll be to read Austen back to back.

Actually Mikiko it might be an interesting comparison to read Austen back to back.

Reading Northanger first was good this time around as I had forgotten it was her first novel. Her youth comes out in this read.

Lesle wrote: "Game Time!
Unscramble the letters to form nouns from Janes Austen's February Group Read:

1. obnnaageyhertrb
2. tnegeearinlyl
3. tonerllfu
4, behltspeoalira
5. ahablndtneg

You do not have to answ..."

Msg 72: Any luck yet?

I got one more!

I just finished Northanger Abbey. I was a little disappointed. I wanted to love it more because it’s Austen, but it felt a little flat. It seemed like there was a nice lead up to a lot of the events, the big reveal and then just moved on. The ending felt flat. I was happy, but it seemed a means to an end.
There were a lot of great Austen witticisms, which I loved. It will not be one of her favorites for me however.
Sanditon and P & P are March book reads so I have those on my “next” list.
Just watched Sanditon on PBS, loved it all except the last episode. No closure. I was shocked and mad! Lol

Kathy wrote: "I got one more!"

Yes you did!

Brenda just remember Northanger was her first novel.

Sanditon has rumors from PBS that was not the last season for it....so maybe.

Austen's novels are considered classic literature, but they're also great romance novels. Sure, there's no bodice-ripping and Colonel Brandon and Marianne never steal a kiss behind the manor, but there's plenty of drama, forbidden love, and, of course, happily ever afters. So don't let the fact that Austen popped up on your high school syllabus keep you from reading the books through the eyes of a romance novel fan. There are romance novels, and every romance fan should read them: You can enjoy Austen as a teenager, but you understand her as an adult.

Lesle wrote: "You can enjoy Austen as a teenager, but you understand her as an adult..."

True indeed, Lesle. I have first-hand experience of that. When I reread Pride and Prejudice as an adult, I wondered whether it was the same story that I read as a teen. Of course, it was the same story that I've read, but somehow quite different.

I've started rereading Sense and Sensibility. Already I've begun to see it in a different light. And I only read it three years ago! There are many shades in Austen's novels and each read uncovers something new. It is amazing.

Jane Austen fans

Which of these books have you read? Which is your favorite?

Sense and Sensibility (1811)
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Mansfield Park (1814)
Emma (1815)
Northanger Abbey (1818, posthumous)
Persuasion (1818, posthumous)
Lady Susan (1871, posthumous)
The Watsons (1804)
Sanditon (1817)
The Beautifull Cassandra (Short)
Love and Freindship (1790)
The History of England (1791)

I've read all six novels - Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion - plus Lady Susan. I have couple of favorites, but the favorite would be Persuasion.

I've read the six novels also along with the Sanditon partial. I generally say Persuasion is my favorite but that may be because I don't want to have the popular Pride and Prejudice as a favorite. Too common. However, although I've seen movies of it so many times, P & P doesn't get old - it is really well plotted, better plotted than Persuasion. It's just that Anne Elliot from Persuasion is such a good and sympathetic heroine, as is Wentworth as a hero, and the romance just feels so real and fulfilling - because they are older and have lived life more.
So my rank:

Persuasion
Pride & Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey

I've read the six novels, plus Lady Susan, Love and Friendship and The History of England.

My favorite is also Persuasion.

I've also read the six, along with Lady Susan, which is a hoot.

My least favorites are Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. I love the other four and can't pick between them - my favorite changes by the day.

I have multiple copies of each of them. My daughter absconded with my Barnes and Noble classics collection when she went off to college and she's never returned them, and I also own all of David Shapard's annotated editions, (example: The Annotated Pride and Prejudice). These annotated editions are really excellently done, if you are interested in more background information about the historical period, etc.

Thanks, Moonlight Reader. I just bought the ebook for 99 cents from Amazon.

Kathy wrote: "Thanks, Moonlight Reader. I just bought the ebook for 99 cents from Amazon."

Goodreads/Amazon has a tendency to combine editions of classics since they are out of copyright. I'm pretty sure that the annotated editions by David Shapard are only available as print editions.

Edit: No, I'm wrong - they are available as kindle editions, but not for that price. Here is a link to the amazon page.

I'm not sure how viable these are as kindle editions, though, since the annotations are on the facing page.

You're right about the 99 cent ebook not being the annotated edition even though it says it is. I guess they count the Forward as an annotation. I don't mind having P&P on ebook anyway but I'll have to watch for the annotated print editions.

Moonlight Reader I am so happy to meet someone like me when it comes to the Austen reads!

Everytime I read one it is my favorite. Read another it is my favorite! I love the her writing style, giggles are good.

Northanger Abbey was her first book so you can see her inexperience in it.

I've only started with Austen this year. I've read Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. I plan on reading Sense and Sensibility before the year ends lol

I hope your enjoying Austen, Gabriella.
She is a favorite of mine. Every few years I try to reread a book or two. I always find something I really loved or laugh a little!

I'm rereading Austen, alternating with the Bronte sisters. Should be fun.
Just finished Jane Eyre, will start Sense and Sensibility in few days,

Gilbert wrote: "I'm rereading Austen, alternating with the Bronte sisters. Should be fun!..."

Always fun reads! Relish in Austen!!!