Persuasion To Pride And Prejudice: 5 Jane Austen Books That You Should Definitely Read

An oeuvre for today’s period drama and a blazing mark on the history of literature Jane Austen remains a prevalent figure for readers of English Literature. Her thrillingly alliterating plot makes us say ‘will she or will she not’ and her witty charismatic female protagonist, keep us hooked. Even if you are not a big fan of Georgian vicarages and country walks, the better news is you are going to be charmed by people saying awfully clever things in moments of minutes. . 

Jane Austen reading list: Here are Jane Austen books that you should definitely read

Sense and Sensibility

Marianne’s belief in romantic sensibility and Elinor’s more hard-headed sense will create a salient tension not just in the pages of the book, but in your head too. The feeling of sisterhood will move away a part of you, yet will leave you with more. The good thing is if you are a slow reader then the story is there only for you. Even though you will try those moments of passive aggression and psychological manipulation to stop for good but deep down you will enjoy them as much. As any other veteran, Austen knew what she was doing with her characters, the hidden vividness all along. In truth, you will resent one of them until the end moment, when everything changes for good. If you find yourself resenting their decision in the end, look around because it’s human nature!

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice

To the people who consider romance cynical and the plot of everyday life basic, it is here for you. The women in the story are created by a mind that wasn’t allowed to question society's oppression of women. Yet, here we are! The tongue-in-cheek way Austen describes some of her characters and the wholehearted wittiness with which her protagonist speaks is mesmerizing. After completing the book for the longest time, you will consider Elizabeth as the wittiest person you ever met. The plot does not deal with kings and kingdoms but just a queen who owns her choices. And yes, even queens have prejudice. During the course of the event if you feel yourself relating to the chaos in the Bennett family, believe me, you are not alone. 

Persuasion

A bit more melancholy, a bit more mature, a bit more realistic and a lot more beautiful. Above and around it is a story laced with regrets and nostalgia. Austen’s drawing room comedy is something you may perhaps be missing in this book, but rather you will see the thoughtful work of a writer at the height of her powers. If you ever find yourself in search of second chances at love, it's good to go for you. The sadness will sink in you at its very best and yet at the same time you’ll find yourself rooting for the protagonist esp. Captain Wentworth. In other and simple words, it is not Maggie which is going to serve itself in minutes, but perhaps dal chawal which takes time and patience to cook. 

Emma 

The most flat-out subversive novel of Austen in which she lets you into her character’s head so cleverly that you can giggle at her happy self-delusions and later laugh out loud at the irony. You are not alone if you do not like Emma. Everyone is not a fan of her, because she is everything a regency heroine is not meant to be, not even in a radical sense. You will release throughout the course that even if we want women to be empowered and free, we still put them into boxes of the same. Not to be put into classic slang but Austen's writing in Emma is one epitome of the Flemish school of painting (which was famous for showing ordinary individuals engaged in ordinary tasks).

Northanger Abbey 

Some called it gothic, others discussed it as satire but in true emotions, it is a fun pondering conversation one after another that you will not want to be stopped. It is a Bollywood plot that somehow was written by Austen but at the same filled with classic wittiness. Don’t be disappointed because it turns out that it perhaps deals with romance like others of Austen. Give it a read because it is an easy but engaging page-turner for those days when you just want something to make you smile.

The views expressed are the author’s own. The list is indicative and not exhaustive.

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