Our connections to books are similar to our connections to people. There is an element of mystery as to why we prefer some people to others. Certainly factors like shared childhoods, backgrounds, interests and circumstances come into play; but it can be hard to explain why we like person A over B. And, to further complicate matters, sometimes we like person A and person C the same amount, but in different ways. Does this make our connection to them truly equal?
It is not the object of this writer to answer such lofty questions. But, they shall be pondered over in relation to Jane Austen's novels, hopefully providing some substance to what could descend into a very personal list of my love of each text.
It feels rather ridiculous to expose my preferences: all of her novels are wonderful, and if I had a clearly defined Top 10 list of favourite books, they would all be included. But even a Top 10 list is preferential. So, which novel comes first?
Pride and Prejudice
This is, has been, and hopefully shall remain my most beloved novel of all those that I have read. It is not the most perfect (that belongs to Emma), but it is the one I receive the most joy from. It still makes me laugh aloud, and perhaps strangely, I still experience Elizabeth's embarrassment when she is surprised by Darcy at Pemberley. As I have grown my enjoyment of it has deepened. While as a teenager the romantic relationship was what I noticed the most, I now equally appreciate Elizabeth and Jane's relationship, and Elizabeth and her Aunt's relationship. Above all I love Elizabeth as a character: witty, very intelligent, with a satirical eye, whilst also being a caring, compassionate person. And of course, like any well-written heroine, recognisably human.
So what comes next? The answer may surprise.
Emma; Mansfield Park
I cannot separate my affection for these two, though I love them for different reasons. Emma was not always so high on my list; in fact it is in the last two years that she has ascended to equal second. Again, it comes down to the heroine herself. I used to find Emma and her snobbishness frustrating, but now I see her many good points as well, and that she is a slightly different version of the person she projects to the rest of the world. I also understand her perspective, and see that she is even right sometimes (even Knightly admits it to be so). The novel itself is so well constructed, and reads in a similar way to a detective novel; there are clues aplenty for those who pay attention, though the mystery is around human behaviour and love, not murder. Such a quality invites re-reading, the mark of a great novel.
Mansfield Park seems to be the least loved of Austen's texts, which is a pity because it is a terrific novel that takes a dark approach to a patriarchal family. It is also the answer to claims that Austen only wrote about the wealthy (though, this is true for all her novels). The novel's heroine, Fanny Price, has divided readers since her conception. To many she appears judgemental and prim, which is true, but the accusation of judgemental could be leveled at all of Austen's heroines, especially Elizabeth Bennet. I happen to like Fanny; there are parts of her that remind me of myself, and her arc is a subtle but significant one. She grows to learn that Edmund, whom she rather worships at the beginning, is human, and that her own judgement about people is quite trustworthy. The novel is not a romance, but an examination of poor parenting and selfish behaviour, which again is true for all of Austen's novels.
What of the next three?
Persuasion; Northanger Abbey; Sense and Sensibility
Do not think of these three as the least, for they are not. Persuasion is arguably the most romantic of all of novels, and Wentworth's letter to Anne is one the most sigh-inducing, heart-poundingly beautiful love letters ever written. There is a strong erotic charge throughout the novel, no more present than in the scene where Wentworth removes a pesky nephew from Anne's body. My only issue with the novel is that you can tell it wasn't quite finished. The subplot of Mr Elliot and Mrs Clay is not well developed, and you feel Austen would have wanted to edit it some more before she sent it for publication. But this is its only fault, and a very minor one. And, considering Austen's declining health as she was writing it, it is a wonder we have what we do.
Northanger Abbey belongs to the late eighteenth century for its wit and literary companions; a period I like to frequent (literary-wise). It makes many references to contemporary fiction, and is a parody of the Gothic novels. It is also Austen's version of a Quixotic novel, with Catherine putting too much stock in the events and characters she reads in novels. Though not as sophisticated as the other books, I love this one for its witty Henry Tilney, its guileless heroine and its author's sarcasm.
My sister is actually named after the heroine of Sense and Sensibility: Elinor. One of the great things about her (not my sister, though she is lovely) is that she is one of Austen's witty heroines, with such wonderful lines as 'It is not everyone...who has your passion for dead leaves.' Her complex but close relationship with Marianne is one of the novel's great strengths, and a significant story arc is Marianne's coming to understand and value Elinor. While this novel does have comedy throughout, it feels like there is less than the others, which is why is it is in combined 'third place.'
As for the juvenilia and Lady Susan, I must confess to not have read them enough to form a judgement. But they were a wonderful insight into her writing process, and all made me laugh. I shall certainly discuss them at a later date.
But what are your favourites, and why? Of course, no reason other than the name 'Austen' need be offered as a reason to read these books. Nonetheless, we all have favourites, and discussing the ins and outs of why something is a great read is one of the joys of reading.
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