Persuasion (1817) is the last novel that beloved British author Jane Austen completed; it was published six months after her death. Following is a sampling of quotes from Persuasion, a touching and engaging novel.

Persuasion may well be Austen’s most romantic story, and yet, as with her other works, it’s far from frivolous, exploring themes of lost love, missed opportunity, heartbreak, and becoming one’s own person.

Anne Elliot is twenty-seven when the story begins (an older heroine than is usual for this time and place). She’s a member of a family who suffers the indignity of having to lower their status as a way to get out of debt. At her age, a woman would have been considered well past the bloom of youth and on the road to spinsterhood.

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Northanger Abbey was actually the first novel that Jane Austen completed with the hopes of publication, in 1803.The following quotes from Northanger Abbey reflect the fun Jane Austen had with her characters, though as always, it’s not just frivolous. She manages to imbue insightful commentary into every delightful line of text and dialog.

This early novel was first titled Susan. Jane’s family sold the copyright to a London publisher for a pittance. The publisher held on to it for years without printing it. It was tied up until 1816 when Jane’s brother Henry managed to buy it back.

Jane spent some time revising the original, renaming her heroine Catherine, but by the time it was published in 1817, she had died.  That year, another of her novels, Persuasion, was published as well. Northanger Abbey is considered a coming-of-age novel in which Catherine Morland, the young and rather naïve heroine, learns the ways of the world. Read More→

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (1814) is the third published novel by the esteemed British author. Here we’ll explore a selection of  quotes from Mansfield Park, her third published novel. 

Fanny Price, the novel’s main character, is sent by her impoverished family to be raised in the household of a wealthy aunt and uncle. The narrative follows her into adulthood and comments on class, family ties, marriage, the status of women, and even British colonialism.

The novel went through two editions before Austen’s death in 1817, but didn’t receive any public reviews until 1821. Critical reception for this novel, from that time forward, has been the most mixed among Austen’s works, and it’s considered her most controversial. Read More→

Jane Austen (1775 – 1817), the beloved British author, was deeply invested in her craft as a writer. Following is a selection of memorable Jane Austen quotes from her six published books and surviving letters.

Jane Austen was ambitious to see her work in print, regardless of whether or not it would gain her fame or fortune — but getting it published was important to her, contrary to the myth about her extreme modesty.

Her talent was recognized early on and valued by her family, who supported her endeavors and made sure that her work would find a readership.  Read More→