Jane Austen's 6 Novels
The 6 finest novels written in the English language
Jane Austen, the writer I most admire above all, and the woman who literally changed my life, was born in 1775 – 250 years ago this year.
Austen’s cool judgment, ironic detachment, and genius gave her books depth and charm and made them some of the most popular novels ever. Today, Jane Austen is the third most written about woman of all time.
Few authors can rival the precision and timeless appeal of Jane Austen. Although composed over two centuries ago, her novels remain brilliant examples of literary mastery.
Austen’s genius lies in her ability to weave compelling narratives that explore universal themes—love, ambition, social mobility, and personal growth—while also capturing the subtleties of everyday life. Her books sparkle with wit and irony, yet beneath their polished surface lies a profound understanding of human nature. Plots unfold intentionally, with every step purposeful, and every turn revealing new layers of character and meaning. She exposes absurdities in social expectations and celebrates the complexities of relationships. Whether charting Lizzie Bennet’s journey to self-awareness or Anne Elliot’s poignant story of love lost and rediscovered, Jane Austen’s narratives resonate deeply with readers.
Austen’s heroines, endowed with intelligence, resilience, and moral fortitude, continue to inspire readers generations after being written. Her novels endure because of their relevance to modern readers. Social conventions may have changed, but the emotional truths she captures are universal. The tension between personal desire and society’s expectations, the search for genuine connection, and the quest for self-knowledge remain as pressing today as they were in Austen’s time.
In a world of rapid change and fleeting trends, Jane Austen’s novels offer a sense of permanence and perspective. They remind us of the richness to be found in human connection, the value of integrity, and the enduring power of storytelling.
Sense and Sensibility is the first novel written by Jane Austen. It began as a story called Elinor and Marianne in about 1795 as a novel-in-letters. About two years later, the title was changed to Sense and Sensibility before the manuscript was put aside. Over a decade later, in 1809, Jane Austen, now settled at Chawton Cottage, revisited her early work, reshaping it into the form we know today. The novel follows the Dashwood family—three sisters and their widowed mother—who are forced to leave their family estate. It was accepted for publication in 1810 and released in 1811 as a three-volume set. Continue reading
Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. It has been voted the ‘most romantic novel ever written’ and the ‘favourite book of all time’. It is the most sparkling and happy of Jane Austen’s books and has always been the most popular, with film versions, translations, sequels, and adaptations innumerable. Jane Austen began writing First Impressions, as she named it then, in 1796 at the age of 20. She completed it just 10 months later. The opening sentence has justly become one of the most famous of all opening lines, and the novel’s title is now a well-known catchphrase. Continue reading
Mansfield Park is the third published novel by Jane Austen. Written at Chawton Cottage between 1811 and 1813, it first appeared three volumes in in 1814. Like Austen’s other works, Mansfield Park was initially published anonymously and is considered to be her first mature work. Although it was initially ignored by reviewers, Mansfield Park was a great success with the public. The first printing in 1814 sold out within six months. The second in 1816 also sold out. The novel is set mostly in Northamptonshire at Mansfield Park, an estate owned by Sir Thomas Bertram. Continue reading
Emma was published in late 1815. The title character, Emma Woodhouse, is a pretty and intelligent 20-year-old woman who is spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied. She greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities, is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people’s lives, and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray. Written after Austen’s move to Chawton, Emma was her last novel to be published before her death in 1817. Continue reading
Northanger Abbey was published at the same time as Persuasion in a four-volume set in December 1817. It is a coming-of-age novel and a satire of the popular Gothic novels of her day. Although the novel spans about ten years, the main action takes place when Catherine Morland is 17, in 1798. Jane Austen wrote Northanger Abbey between 1798–99, with the original title of Susan. In 1802, she sold it to a publisher for £10, but they failed to publish it. Over 10 years later, her brother, Henry, repurchased it. But the book was not published until after her death. Continue reading
Persuasion was Jane Austen’s last completed novel, and was completed in August 1816. Jane Austen died in July 1817, and it was published in December 1817 by John Murray (in a four-volume set which included Northanger Abbey), though the publication date printed in the book was actually 1818. Persuasion is usually considered to be Austen’s most romantic novel. The novel covers nine months from 1814 to 1815, but also refers to a time eight years before when the heroine Anne Elliot was engaged to Captain Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer. Continue reading
Here is where to buy Jane Austen’s books in print, ebook or audio. Find books about her that I can recommend, watch a movie version, enjoy related videos, websites and much more. Some of these links lead to protected content on this website, learn more about that here.
BOOKS BY JANE AUSTEN
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s books box set
Jane Austen’s books, audio versions narrated by Juliet Stevenson
Juvenilia titles by Jane Austen
BOOKS BY JANE AUSTEN – FREE DOWNLOAD
Some free versions are better than others, please feel free to try these, but I cannot guarantee the quality.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
Emma by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
Persuasion by Jane Austen Free downloadable version in kindle or epub format. (Select from the available versions.)
If you are unsure of how to add these files to your ereader, look here.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, narrated by Elizabeth Klett
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, narrated by Elizabeth Klett
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, narrated by Karen Savage
Emma by Jane Austen, narrated by Elizabeth Klett
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, narrated by Elizabeth Klett
Persuasion by Jane Austen, narrated by Elizabeth Klett