OK, y'all, I have a question. When I was twelve, I think, I read "Sense and Sensibility." As a sixth-grader, I didn't exactly appreciate or even understand it. I want to know: are these books worth reading? I've been inclined to think no, but as you can see my opinion wasn't necessarily the greatest because of my age. So--any guys that have read these and enjoyed them? (Jay, you don't count--I know you've read them) Girls, any good reasons I should read these books?

eruheran

I love your comment with your title, eruheran! XD

About the books now! I tried reading Sense and Sensibility this past spring and found I couldn't get past chapter one since Miss Austen's style was something I was unfamiliar with.

Pride and Prejudice is the easiest book to begin with. (I'm reading it now, and am almost half-way through it.) It's a very good book, and I find all the wit very amusing. ^^

I have seen several movies (BBC versions) of Jane Austen's works, but haven't ventured to reading any besides Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Now most of the books have romance in them, as far as I'm concerned, but the best part of the story, for me, are Miss Austen's complex and vivid characters. I really admire the realistic qualities they posses.

All in all, if you have trouble reading the books, the movies are worth it.

That's my bit. Hope it helps.

Oh Yes!! They are well worth reading. Pride and Prejudice was not my favourite. I found it quite difficult to read, my favourites were Emma and Mansfield Park. Since Calen found P&P the easiest I would imagine it's different for people. I loved to watch the films and then read the books after as well! I love her wit and she uses so many different characters there is never a dull moment in her books! I believe Emma would have to be my favourite of her books, it's well worth reading

Maybe I should read both on my Christmas break Thanks, y'all--that actually is helpful to me =D (Not implying that other questions I ask about on HW aren't answered helpfully, but....)

eruheran

I have never read Emma, but my mom and I watched it on TV last night and loved it! (It's the second version we've seen of it.)

@eruheran: Glad we were able to help! ^^ Happy reading!

Was that the one with Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller? That is the best one I think, it follows the book very closely!

Very good holiday read eruheran, I'm sure you'll enjoy them!

Yes, it was the Masterpiece Classic "Emma."

I've also seen the Hollywood version with Gweneth Paltrow as "Emma" and Jeremy Northam as "Mr. Knightley."

That is my favourite Emma, I haven't seen the one with Gweneth Paltrow. I saw one with Kate Beckinsale but I prefer the new one

I'm not a huge fan of romance but I don't generally lump Jane Austen in with the rest. I read Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice for the heady conversations and a good old-fashioned, decent story line. As a kid they annoyed me because mom was constantly watching every version of every book that was made into a movie. I appreciate the wit and wisdom of the writing now that I understand those things better.

Wow, I think you're very brave being a guy and willing to try reading Jane Austen! I wouldn't recommend all of hers. I slogged through Pride and Prejudice, and it was ok. But I am halfway through Emma and I really enjoyed it. Out of them all, I think you would like it best. After all, Jane Austen herself said, "Here is a heroine only I will like." It was fun to read about a flawed character, and there are a few comical places in it that made me laugh! So yes to Emma, no to the rest, except if you're feeling extra brave, try Pride and Prejudice.

It's really interesting to see how different people have an easier time reading her books. XD

I guess you'll have to flip through some of the stories recommended and figure which ones you think you'll have an easier time of reading, eruheran.

Yeah, I think I'm going to start with Emma and then Pride and Prejudice. And I'll see if I like those before I read any more. =P

eruheran

Tell us what you think when you're finished them!

Exciting times! Enjoy them Eru!

I'll be sure to post some sort of review. =)

eruheran

Just thought I'd update - I'm reading 'Emma' on my phone; actually really liking it.

eruheran

Good I like Emma.

Yea great!! Emma is my favourite out of them all.

Awesome! Emma is the best of all of them I think.

Y'all convinced me Emma was the best before, which is why I'm reading it first. Although I'm feeling bad for Harriet and Mr. Knightley is to be commended.

eruheran

Mr. Knightley lives up to his name.

Yes, definitely.

eruheran

How's the reading going, eruheran?

Pretty slow. I'm simultaneously reading three books right now, plus I have seven more on my reading list. I just don't have the time (either that or I don't want to) to read as voraciously as I used to. I'm only about 1/4 of the way through it =/

eruheran

Hey, I know the feeling. That's why I don't like reading more than one book at a time. (Yet sometimes I do it.) It took me a while to finish Pride and Prejudice, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. ^^

Pride and Prejudice is next on my Jane Austen list (but pretty low on my actual reading list )...

eruheran

Hahaha! I know how that goes!

I find Austen very... humorous. Her books, or the BBC adaption of her books that Mom always watches normally give me several good laughs. Especially some of the guys she writes about. Like the little reverend guy from "Pride and Prejudice". What a character.

Collins makes me roll my eyes. He's funny, but such a... yeah. He's funny in an irritating way

I thought Collins was a little creepy. I did think it was pretty funny when he didn't take Lizzie seriously the first time she said no!

I wouldn't have handled that scene as well as she did...

Nor me. I'd have been looking around for a frying pan pretty quick...

Haha! He is hilarious! Never fails to make me laugh when I watch the BBC adaption.

I have read P&P once but not again as I found it quite hard going.

I have started reading some of the books, and read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice (condensed children's versions years ago). They are harder to read and understand just because of the writing style back then, especially Jane's, and they have a lot of content, but they are good books to read on a rainy day, when you need a good cry, or just want to read a great love story.

A week ago I was just sick for a couple days so I watched the BBC version on Youtube. So good! I love the BBC versions of Austen's books! I have yet to watch Sense & Sensibility, for some reason that was one of her stories I could never finish.. and the (comparatively short) movie didn't stand out to me that much. I think I would get more if I watched the longer version... But P&P is still, of course, my favorite. I still remember reading the book (before I had seen the movies) and thinking it pretty normal, until I got to the very end and closed the book. Then it hit me - this is a really good book! I love that moment.

I think that is the moment all readers live for.

Some of the guys seem clueless to a ridiculous degree in her books though... like Darcy, and some of the scrapes and mistakes he gets into.

Yes, you're right. I think that's why I liked "Emma" best, because Knightley has a good head on his shoulders and isn't blinded by pride or his admiration for someone the whole way through the book. But I do like "Pride and Prejudice".

Mr. Knightly is my hero! He is a very realistic character. I love Mr. Darcy too. I think the reason he seems so dense is because he was raised in the sheltered rich life and didn't really understand nor really like the lifestyle of the "lesser" people like the Bennett's. I think that it was a hard reality for him to come to when he realized that he could love some one that wasn't born into money and class.

Haha! He is pretty awesome, isn't he? The thing I liked most about Mr. Knightley was that he stood up for and spoke out what was right because it was right, not because he was trying to win someone's affection. He said what he knew was right, no matter how it would be received.

I love Knightly's character as well. However, I still love Darcy. I did an in depth study into the social order of the Ausitinian times (and the surrounding era) and learned a lot about the culture. Darcy is deep, if you understand the position he was placed in. He was a conflicted character, but you have to look past the black and white print.

I love the way Darcy stood beside his advice for his friend not to marry the Bennet girl, yet didn't take it himself.

I know

However, he had a reason. Bingly didn't have the backbone to stand up to Mrs. Bennet and not let her run his life. Darcy knew this. He also knew that Mrs. Bennet had no hold over him, and he could stand against her forceful tactics. So he really was protecting Bingly.

I know.

For some reason I always take Darcy's side...

I love Jane Austen, and have read all the books. For people who think that story is a little slow and think Jane Austen needs some monsters look at that.

http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibility ... 1594744424

Personally, I don't like Jane Austen, but my sister has read almost all of her books. So I guess it's a matter of opinion.

They're good books to read if you're one for the mushy 1800's romantic drama, but they are terrible if you are not. In fact, I am very inclined to say it was torture when I sat down to read "Pride and Prejudice" or was forced to watch every single movie ever made about any of her books.

Anyways, that's my two cents! *skips out of thread happily*

Haha Bethany! If you're not for the mushy ones, you should read/watch "Emma". It's the least mushy one, and it's actually quite funny in places! I've made it no secret that it's my favourite.

*quivers in fear* Oh...I've watched five different versions of Emma, Busheh. I know every Jane Austen book cover to cover...*quivers*

*laughing* Ohh, so you are definitely Jane Austen adverse then?

By the way, Eruheran, have you finished "Emma" yet?