What is the best Jane Austen book to start a non Jane Austen reader?

Answer 1

I dearly love all Jane Austen's novels. I think the answer to this question depends on the nature of the beginner. I would focus on which heroine the person will most enjoy, remembering that women tend to like these heroines best if they can relate to them, but men tend to like the ones best that they would fall in love with. This is probably my order of preference for a beginner:

(1) Pride and Prejudice. My favorite heroine is Lizzy, who is often right and often wrong, but is always intelligent and willing to assert her independence. She is playful and loves to observe other people.

(2) Persuasion. Anne Elliot is wonderfully competent, and the story is a great one about young woman who gains confidence and comes to understand her own worth and worthiness.

(3) Emma. Emma is such a delight because she is so wrong most of the time, even though she is so well intentioned. And, of course, she learns and grows.

(4) Sense and Sensibility. The two heroines are Elinor, who is guided by reason, and Marianne, who is guided by love of romantic sensibility. Both grow, but Marianne is hurt badly before she overcomes her problems.

(5) Northanger Abbey. Catherine is innocent, makes mistakes, and learns. In my view, she is too simple, and the book too full of allusions to other books few people have read.

(6) Mansfield Park. Fanny is perfect and never changes. I think that is the point. If someone is perfect, then they should never change. It makes some people dislike her, but nevertheless, Fanny is my second favorite heroine, after Lizzy.

Answer 2

"Pride and Prejudice" is often recommended as the best Jane Austen book for first-time readers due to its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and timeless themes of love and social class.