I was introduced to Jane Austen in school when we read Pride and Prejudice. It’s only been within the last few years that I finally read all of her finished novels. (Her novela, Lady Susan is still waiting for me – although I love the film adaptation called Love & Friendship from several years ago – as is her unfinished work, Sanditon.) I know there are a million Austen-related lists, but I wanted to make my own, sharing my ranking of her novels.

6) Northanger Abbey. This is easily my least favorite Austen. It’s a bit too absurdist for my liking, with a thoroughly exaggerated storyline and main character. I understand that it was satire of the popular gothic novel genre of the time. But it seemed to lack the kind of conflict that usually makes Austen so interesting.

5) Sense and Sensibility. After Northanger Abbey, which I straight up didn’t enjoy, it gets much harder to rank the novels because I really like them all. Sense and Sensibility was the second Austen I ever read, and while I loved it at the time, I think most of her other work is objectively better. It’s still a great book, but it’s not among my favorite Austens.

4) Persuasion. Madness to put Persuasion so far down the list, I know. I relate to Anne’s quiet nature and appreciate her as a heroine. I do really love the gorgeous tension between her and Captain Wentworth. I think perhaps the main reason this is so far down the list is because while I love what relates directly to their relationship, I don’t really care as much about the side characters and side plots as I do in my top Austen novels. That said, it is a really fascinating story, and quite different in many ways, from the others.

3) Mansfield Park. I absolutely love Mansfield Park and it feels unfair to place it third, but needs must. I think it’s absolutely fascinating, and I love Fanny as a character. She has a quiet dignity that I love, and it is incredible seeing her come into her own. I’m not drawn to Austen for the romance (that’s actually the least interesting thing to me about her novels), but I should note that Mansfield Park probably has my favorite romantic storyline of Austen’s. 

2) Emma. I didn’t realize until recently how much I loved Emma. When I was reading it prior to the release of the new film adaptation, it occurred to me that in many ways, Emma is the Austen heroine that I relate to the most. For more on Emma, you can take a look at my recent blog post all about her.

1) Pride and Prejudice. Yes, I know. It’s thoroughly unoriginal, but I think it holds up. There is no character, no side plot, and no exchange that is uninteresting in this book. From an artistic perspective, it’s close to flawless. And as a reader, it’s infinitely entertaining. To me, Elizabeth Bennett feels like a BFF from the very beginning and the whole novel is just delicious and warm and delightful.