The year is 1811. Napoleon's reign of glory and terror in France is at its height of glory. In the manors of the British countryside, redcoats, Empire waistlines, and dances are all the rage. Oh, and one more thing: in 1811, the first of the four books by Jane Austen published during her lifetime--Sense & Sensibility--became available to the public, thus introducing an author and style that has delighted readers and shaped writers to this day.

For what young lady has not read and dearly enjoyed the delights and sorrows of Marianne and Elinor Dashwood? Whether one is inclined to favor the elder Elinor for her common sense or the youthful and passionate Marianne for her whimsicality, no reader can walk away from this enchanting volume without prickles of pleasure tickling his or her heart.

This thread is devoted to the discussion of the era of Jane Austen: both her works, and the world that inspired them.

Answer any or all of the questions below:
What is your favorite of Jane Austen's books? Who is your favorite heroine?

What is your favorite aspect of Regency life?

Have you ever written anything in the style or era of Jane Austen?

Knew this one would come up.

What is your favorite of Jane Austen's books?

Oh… so hard. I would say… Persuasion? I mean, I love them all. Emma, S&S, P&P… but this story, this theme… it was Jane’s testament to how she wished her own love story had turned out. It was far more personal than the others, almost like a piece of her. I love that aspect.

Who is your favorite heroine?

Can I have two? I mean, I really can’t choose between Lizzie and Emma. They are my favorites, for different reasons. Emma has an excellent character arc, which makes me love her, but Lizzie has this… dry wit and vivacity I love. And she could care less what others think, which I find refreshing.



What is your favorite aspect of Regency life?

I love the social structure, actually. Not that I like the structure. I find it interesting, fascinating. Complex. If you don’t understand the structure and how things work, you miss a lot in the books. I have lots of friends that come to me for social setting explanations when they don’t understand something in the movies or book.



Have you ever written anything in the style or era of Jane Austen?

Oh my, yeah… way back when. I gave those pieces up a long time ago. They were part of my “not writing the way God wanted me to” space of time. All material was burned or erased when I gave up my “sin”.

My Mother's favourite is Persuasion, Airi. Personally I like Emma best. I love all the different characters, the secrets, and the relationship between Emma and Mr Knightley.

My favourite heroine would be Lizzy. Emma annoys me in many ways as a heroine, even though I love the book the most.

I have yes, my first book was written in that time, it is a time that I love to think about, read and write. However, it is hidden away where none but me can see it.

Persuasion and Emma are the two stories that rival my attentions.

I found Pride and Prejudice hard to read, possibly because there was very little dialogue in the book? Did anyone else find this?

*jumps into topic*

Jane Austen's books are excellent, if only because of the careful arcs she has planned out

What is your favorite of Jane Austen's books?
Probably Emma. I didn't care for P&P so much.

Who is your favorite heroine?
Again, probably Emma. I really like Lizzie though, for the reasons above. Emma just has a really good character arc, and I love her interaction with Mr. Knightley

What is your favorite aspect of Regency life?
Hrm. I like the way they talk, actually. It's just interesting, I guess, because it's different from the way we speak. *shrugs*

I'm not a young lady, but I still like these books....so sue me
Herman

I always think it's awesome when young men like Jane Austen stories! They're not just girly fluff, they're interesting and good storytelling.

That said, I myself have only read two at this point -- and one of them, being Love and Friendship, doesn't really count. I did not understand that book.

What is your favorite of Jane Austen's books? Who is your favorite heroine?

The only one I've read is Emma. I liked it pretty well, and will probably read it again, but I'm a bit disappointed to say that Jane Austen books must join the ranks of tea and shopping and all those other things that all girls except me seem to adore. I enjoyed it, but frankly, I was expecting something more spectacular after nineteen years of hearing girls talk about Jane Austen and how amazing the books were.

What is your favorite aspect of Regency life?

The complicated relationships and social classes. It's fascinating.

Have you ever written anything in the style or era of Jane Austen?

Yes, I started one story called The Sweeper from this era, but it never went anywhere.

Why didn't you like P&P as much, Andrew? *Is wondering if it's for the same reason as mine*

I don't know, actually Just something about it took a little bit longer to get into the characters. *shrugs*

Andrew

I have yet to read one of these books, but I think I might get Interweave's special magazine of Jane Austen knits. They have some lovely patterns in there, all inspired by the era and the books. If any of you Austen fans knit, you might want to check it out. You can find it at the magazine counter in craft stores and the like. I think it runs about $14 list price.

Personally, my favorite was Pride and Prejudice (I've read all except Mansfield Park & Susan). For Emma, I got a bit--sigh--bored by the lack of action. In P&P, the characters traveled and interacted with a wide range of society. Plus, Jane and Lizzy are two of my most favorite characters in literature.

That said, however, I also loved Sense & Sensibility. Marianne and Elinor are exactly like my sister and me. However, I didn't like how Marianne languished for Willoughby, and I never liked Colonel Brandon either. P&P has Bingley and Darcy, which is fine for me

I didn't like Colonel Brandon either, Sienna.

I finished reading Pride and Prejudice last night. It's the only one of her books I've read. It was good...Of course it was a romance (it was right?) Which, in my mind made it not as good as other action/adventure books. But I liked the story arc. My favorite heroine? Obviously Elizabeth. My 3 favorite characters where Elizabeth, because she's the MC, Darcy, because he's sort of similar to me, and Mr. Bennet because of his wit.

I love it that guys can enjoy her books as well. She doesn't make them overly girly, I don't think.

Yes, it was a romance.

Mr. Bennet is awesome.

What is your favorite of Jane Austen's books? Who is your favorite heroine?

Pride and Prejudice, but Northanger Abbey (I think) is also a close second. My favorite heroine would have to be either Jane, Elizabeth or Fanny Price.

Have you ever written anything in the style or era of Jane Austen?

Yes, I have tried, but I think I was failing and so I quit writing it. Plus, the storyline was too similar to a combination of two other books I read from the time period (Northanger Abbey and "The Inheritance" by Louisa May Alcott).

I think I answered this in my intro thread. I have to say my favorite thing about Jane Austen's books is the constant weighing, comparing, & contrasting of Character traits. I love that she follows the characters through the good and bad Character traits, the actions that result, and the consequences. I avoided reading these until my older girls were graduated because I thought they were just romance. But really regretted it when I finally read them and realized the lessons that could be taught. They are now favorites in our home. A good friend even gave us "A Jane Austen Devotional" by Steffany Woolsey which is a wonderful devotional book I highly suggest to all ladies.

Yes, that's my favorite thing about them – they are character studies. Much of the plots revolves around 'romance', but it's interesting to note that the names of the books never actually have a romance slant – 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Sense and Sensibility', 'Northanger Abbey', etcetera.

I know, and I like that. I think if she had made the titles more 'romantic', men probably wouldn't read then as well.