Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed for publication, though she had previously made a start on Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. According to Cassandra Austen's Memorandum, Susan (as it was first called) was written circa 1798-99. Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland is one of ten children of a country clergyman. Although a tomboy in her childhood, by the age of 17 she is "in training for a heroine" and is excessively fond of reading Gothic novels, among which Ann Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho is a favourite. Catherine is invited by the...

Austen's "most wicked tale," Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel by Jane Austen, possibly written in 1794 but not published until 1871. Lady Susan is a selfish, attractive woman, who tries to trap the best possible husband while maintaining a relationship with a married man. She subverts all the standards of the romantic novel; she has an active role, she's not only beautiful but intelligent and witty, and her suitors are significantly younger than she is.

Jane Austen's letters afford a unique insight into the daily life of the novelist: intimate and gossipy, observant and informative--they read much like the novels themselves. They bring alive her family and friends, her surroundings and contemporary events with a freshness unparalleled in modern biographies. Above all we recognize the unmistakable voice of the author of such novels as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. We see the shift in her writing from witty and amusing descriptions of the social life of town and country, to a thoughtful and constructive tone while writing...

The main character, Emma Woodhouse, is described in the opening paragraph as ''handsome, clever, and rich'' but is also rather spoiled. As a result of the recent marriage of her former governess, Emma prides herself on her ability to matchmake, and proceeds to take under her wing an illegitimate orphan, Harriet Smith, whom she hopes to marry off to the vicar, Mr Elton. So confident is she that she persuades Harriet to reject a proposal from a young farmer who is a much more suitable partner for the girl. Show Excerpt sly." "Only one more, papa; only for Mr. Elton. Poor Mr. Elton You like Mr....

Emma Woodhouse est une jeune femme de 21 ans, orpheline de mere et vivant avec son pere dans le village de Highbury. Son occupation favorite est de jouer les entremetteuses pour ses proches. C'est dans ce but qu'elle prend sous son aile Harriet SmithMalgre qu'elle veut marier au vicaire Mr Elton. Mais Emma est une bien jeune femme qui ne connait que peu de choses au sentiment amoureux. Elle apprendra a ses depens que son jugement en la matiere est des plus deplorable. Emma est le chef d' uvre juge le plus abouti de Jane Austen."

The terror of Northanger Abbey had no name, no shape -- yet it menaced Catherine Morland in the dead of night Published posthumously. Show Excerpt s but the high feathers of some of the ladies. Still they moved on -- something better was yet in view; and by a continued exertion of strength and ingenuity they found themselves at last in the passage behind the highest bench. Here there was something less of crowd than below; and hence Miss Morland had a comprehensive view of all the company beneath her, and of all the dangers of her late passage through them. It was a splendid sight, and she...

Persuasion was Jane Austen's last work. Its mellow character and autumnal tone have long made it a favorite with Austen readers. Set in Somersetshire and Bath, the novel revolves around the lives and love affair of Sir Walter Elliot, his daughters Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary, and various in-laws, friends, suitors, and other characters, In Anne Elliot, the author created perhaps her sweetest, most appealing heroine.

This story revolves around the Dashwood sisters: where Elinor is a sensible, rational creature, her younger sister Marianne is wildly romantic--a characteristic that offers Austen plenty of scope for both satire and compassion. (With an introduction by Austin Dobson.} Show Excerpt And what possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half blood, which she considered as no relationship at all, have on his generosity to so large an amount. It was very well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages; and...

Thought Catalog Books is bringing back the classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The story takes place in 18th century Britain and follows the Bennet girls as they traverse love, marriage, and high society. The book has transfixed generations of readers and kindled a desire in many a young lady to search for her Mr. Darcy. Pride and Prejudice has inspired numerous literary and film adaptations and appears here in its original form with a new cover.