The Best Jane Austen Books - Five Books Expert Recommendations

Ranked: The Novels of Jane Austen - The Reader

6 of Jane Austen's Books Ranked in Order | Book Analysis

Best Jane Austen books, ranked: From ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to ‘Emma’ | The Independent

The Best Jane Austen, According to Goodreads Members

Rumors about a wealthy bachelor, Charles Bingley, moving into Netherfield Park creates a buzz within the Bennet household, a family with five unmarried daughters. The eldest, Jane, wins Bingley's affections at a local ball, while his friend, Mr. Darcy, comes across as arrogant, particularly towards Elizabeth, the second eldest. Over time, however, Darcy finds himself captivated by Elizabeth's wit and charm. A series of social events, misunderstandings, and a rejected marriage proposal from a foolish clergyman, Mr. Collins, who is set to inherit the Bennet's estate, further complicate the relationships between the characters.

As the seasons change, the Bingleys and Darcy leave for London. Jane is heartbroken, Elizabeth's best friend Charlotte marries Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth learns of Darcy's role in discouraging Bingley's affections towards Jane from Wickham, a charming soldier who claims Darcy deprived him of his inheritance. A visit to Charlotte's new home in the spring results in a surprising marriage proposal from Darcy, which Elizabeth rejects, criticizing him for his arrogance and his interference with Jane and Bingley's relationship. A subsequent letter from Darcy explaining his actions prompts Elizabeth to reassess her feelings for him. 

As summer arrives, Elizabeth learns that her youngest sister Lydia has eloped with Wickham. This scandalous event threatens to ruin the family's reputation until news comes that Wickham has agreed to marry Lydia. The source of this resolution turns out to be Darcy. After Bingley and Jane rekindle their relationship and get engaged, Darcy finally confesses his unchanged feelings for Elizabeth, leading to a second proposal, which she accepts. By the end of the narrative, both Jane and Elizabeth are happily married.

Pride and Prejudice

Orgullo y Prejuicio

Certain in her decision to remain single, a quick-witted young woman from the town of Highbury, fancied herself as a successful matchmaker after orchestrating the union of her tutor and a local widower, Mr. Weston. Encouraged by her seeming triumph, she endeavours to find a suitable partner for her new associate, Harriet Smith, an affable lady of uncertain lineage. Ignoring Harriet's evident affection for a prosperous farmer, Robert Martin, she sets her sights on pairing Harriet with the town's clergyman, Mr. Elton. However, her plans falter when Mr. Elton reveals his attraction towards her, not Harriet, causing a rift with her trusted friend and brother-in-law, Mr. Knightley, who had advocated for Martin as a suitable match for Harriet. Disgruntled and slighted, Mr. Elton promptly departs to Bath and hastily marries another woman.

Left to console Harriet, she also grows curious about a newcomer to Highbury, Frank Churchill, the son of Mr. Weston. Brought up by his aunt and uncle in London, Frank's arrival has long been delayed due to family obligations. While Mr. Knightley remains suspicious of Frank's motives, she finds herself beguiled by his charm. However, she remains less enthusiastic about another arrival, Jane Fairfax, a skilled and attractive woman whose reserved nature and potential competition irk her. A web of suspicion, hidden motives, and misconceptions unfold, further complicated by increasing speculation about Frank and Emma's growing closeness, which Emma brushes off, seeing Frank as a more suitable match for Harriet.

Unforeseen circumstances bring secrets to light when Frank's aunt passes away, revealing his secret engagement with Jane Fairfax. His flirtations with Emma were merely a smokescreen to conceal his true affections. Although she feared Harriet would be shattered by this revelation, she instead confesses her feelings for Mr. Knightley. This admission sparks a realization within Emma that she, too, is in love with Mr. Knightley. Much to her surprise and relief, Mr. Knightley professes his love for her, not Harriet. Harriet eventually finds solace in a second proposal from Robert Martin, which she accepts. The story concludes with a double wedding, Harriet and Mr. Martin, and Emma and Mr. Knightley, resolving the tangled web of affections.

Emma

Upon Mr. Dashwood's passing, his estate is left to his son from his first marriage, John Dashwood. This leaves his second wife and three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, homeless and with little financial stability. The family is invited to stay with their distant relatives, the Middletons, at Barton Park. Upon leaving their home, Elinor is heartbroken as she has grown fond of Edward Ferrars, who is related to her through John. In Barton Park, Elinor and Marianne come across several new faces, including Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby. Willoughby courtships Marianne openly, only to abruptly leave for London, leaving Marianne in distraught. Concurrently, Elinor learns of a secret engagement between Lucy Steele, a relative of Lady Middleton's mother, and Mr. Ferrars.

In the next part of the story, Elinor and Marianne accompany Mrs. Jennings to London. Here, Elinor learns that there is talk of an engagement between Marianne and Willoughby, but Marianne has not mentioned anything to her family. Marianne is eager to see Willoughby again, but he spurns her at a party and later writes to her, denying any feelings for her. Colonel Brandon reveals Willoughby's past of recklessness and Mrs. Jennings confirms that Willoughby is engaged to Miss Grey, a wealthy heiress. 

In the final part, Lucy's secret engagement to Edward Ferrars is exposed by her sister. Edward's mother is disgusted and disinherits Edward, giving his wealth to his younger brother Robert. The Dashwood sisters spend time with family friends at Cleveland on their trip back from London. Here, Marianne contracts a severe cold and falls seriously ill. Willoughby pays her a visit to apologize for his actions. Upon hearing his story, Marianne realizes that she was rash in her behavior and that she could not have been happy with Willoughby anyway. When the Dashwoods return home, they are informed that Lucy Steele and Mr. Ferrars are engaged. They presume it to be Edward, only to be corrected by Edward himself that Lucy is engaged to his brother Robert. Edward then proposes to Elinor, and Marianne gets engaged to Colonel Brandon. The story concludes with both couples residing at Delaford, while maintaining a close relationship with their mother and younger sister back at Barton cottage.


Sense and Sensibility

Sentido y Sensibilidad

The narrative begins with a brief overview of the Elliot family, a prestigious and wealthy dynasty, led by Sir Walter Elliot following the death of his wife 14 years prior. Sir Walter has three daughters, Elizabeth and Anne who are both unmarried, and Mary who is married to Charles Musgrove. The family, due to Sir Walter's extravagant spending habits, is in significant debt. Upon the advice of Lady Russell, a close family confidante, the family begrudgingly decide to reduce their expenses by moving to Bath and leasing their family estate, Kellynch Hall. A suitable couple, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, are found to rent their home. The middle daughter, Anne, is particularly thrilled by this development as Mrs. Croft is the sister of Captain Frederick Wentworth, a man she was once betrothed to but broke off the engagement under the advice of Lady Russell. 

While Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and a family friend Mrs. Clay set off for Bath, Anne spends two months with Mary and her family at Uppercross Cottage. Anne enjoys the warmth and liveliness of the Musgrove family, who consist of Mary's husband Charles, and their two other children, Henrietta and Louisa. News travels to them that Captain Wentworth has returned from his naval duties and Anne is filled with anticipation. However, his interactions with her are merely polite and he seems more taken with Henrietta and Louisa. During a group trip to Lyme, Louisa is injured and Anne dutifully helps to care for her. This incident brings Anne closer to Mr. Elliot, her cousin and the next in line for the Elliot estate. 

Finally, Anne and her chaperone Lady Russell join the rest of the Elliots in Bath. There, she formally meets Mr. Elliot who has become a more prominent figure in the family due to his reconciliation with Sir Walter. Despite initial suspicions about his motives, Anne accepts his politeness and is soon aware that he wishes to marry her. Anne also reconnects with an old friend, Mrs. Smith, who reveals Mr. Elliot's deceptive past. Amidst this, news arrives that Louisa and Henrietta are both engaged, leaving Captain Wentworth available. Now a wealthy man, Captain Wentworth is begrudgingly accepted into the Elliot's social circle. He writes a love letter to Anne confessing his enduring love for her, and they become engaged. Mr. Elliot's plot to secure his inheritance through marriage to Anne is thwarted and he departs Bath. The marriage between Anne and Captain Wentworth is approved, bringing the narrative to a satisfying close.

Persuasion

Persuasión

The narrative begins with Catherine Morland, an innocent seventeen-year-old, embarking on a journey to Bath, a popular retreat for the affluent, escorted by the Allens, who are family friends. Her sheltered life undergoes a dramatic shift as she becomes acquainted with the captivating Henry Tilney. However, she also befriends Isabella Thorpe, a superficial gossip enthusiast who immerses Catherine in the complex social scene of Bath. Yet, the plot thickens when Isabella's brother, John, and Catherine's brother, James, arrive at Bath. Isabella and James' budding romance leaves Catherine unsure of her feelings for Henry and John. Despite John's efforts, Catherine remains uninterested owing to his arrogance, instead growing closer to Henry's sister, Eleanor. The first section culminates with Catherine discovering James' engagement to Isabella and John's misguided assumption that Catherine is enamored with him.

The second part of the story takes a dramatic turn with the introduction of the flirtatious Captain Frederick Tilney, Henry's older brother. His arrival stirs Isabella's interest, leading to a complicated love triangle given her engagement to James. While this unfolds, Catherine is invited to the Tilney residence, Northanger Abbey, where she lets her imagination run wild, fueled by her love for Gothic novels. Despite her initial fears, Catherine realizes that Northanger Abbey is not as frightening or mysterious as she had imagined. However, the mysterious death of Eleanor and Henry's mother intrigues Catherine, leading her to suspect General Tilney of foul play. This suspicion is quickly dismissed by Henry, causing Catherine great shame.

Lastly, Catherine receives distressing news about the collapse of James and Isabella's engagement, leading her to condemn Isabella's manipulative tactics. Catherine is then unjustly expelled from Northanger Abbey by General Tilney, based on false information about her financial status provided by the disgruntled John Thorpe. Despite this upheaval, Henry proposes to Catherine, revealing the misunderstanding regarding her wealth. The narrative concludes on a happy note with Eleanor's marriage to a wealthy suitor mollifying General Tilney. Once the true state of Catherine's financial situation is clarified, Henry and Catherine are granted permission to marry, marking the end of Catherine's journey of growth, self-discovery, and love.

Northanger Abbey

Abadía de Northanger

A young lass named Fanny Price relocates to her wealthy relatives' home, under the care of her uncle Sir Thomas and aunt Lady Bertram. Fanny's parents are impoverished; her mother married below her class, and her father, a sailor, is physically challenged and a heavy drinker. Fanny often faces maltreatment from her other aunt, Mrs. Norris, who oversees matters at the Bertram estate, Mansfield Park. The Bertram daughters, Maria and Julia, prioritize worldly wealth and fashion over character, while their elder brother Tom is a reckless alcoholic. Fanny finds comfort in her friendship with Edmund, the younger son who intends to join the clergy. Amidst the Bertram family, she grows into a timid and compliant woman.

In the absence of Sir Thomas, who leaves for Antigua, the Mansfield family welcomes two new guests: Henry and Mary Crawford. They are lively and appealing, quickly becoming integral parts of the Mansfield circle. Fanny secretly develops feelings for Edmund, but keeps them to herself. Meanwhile, a theatrical performance is proposed, which is embraced by all except Fanny and Edmund, who are opposed to the idea of acting. The play proceeds nevertheless, leading to some indecorous scenes. The play is eventually halted by Sir Thomas, who returns unexpectedly from Antigua. Maria, in the absence of a declaration of love from Henry, ends up marrying Rushworth. 

The arrival of Sir Thomas disrupts the play and brings an end to the inappropriate behaviour. Despite multiple close calls, Edmund is unable to propose to Mary due to her arrogant and immoral tendencies. Meanwhile, Henry begins courting Fanny and is shocked to genuinely fall for her. Despite his efforts, Fanny rejects Henry's marriage proposal which disappoints her uncle. Subsequently, she is sent to live with her parents. A series of incidents occur, including Tom's severe illness due to his partying lifestyle, Henry's elopement with Maria, and Julia's secret marriage to Yates, Tom's friend. Edmund finally realizes Mary's true character, leading to their breakup. Fanny and Edmund eventually marry, and they, along with the rest of the Bertrams, live happily, while Henry, Mary, and Maria are ostracized.

6 Best Jane Austen Books of All Time

Pride and Prejudice

Emma

Sense and Sensibility

Persuasion

Northanger Abbey

Mansfield Park

Sources

What To Read Next

6 Best Jane Austen Books of All Time

Pride and Prejudice

Emma

Sense and Sensibility

Persuasion

Northanger Abbey

Mansfield Park

Sources

What To Read Next

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