December 16, 2025 marks that 250th birthday of Jane Austena novelist whose work, although brief, transcended the Regency era and resonated with readers around the world. Her six full-length novels are pillars of literature, celebrated for their wit, social acumen, and multidimensional heroines who navigate the rigid norms of their time with intelligence and humor. Below we present a selection of his best works:
Austen’s canon and her six complete works
Austen completed six full-length novels, although only four were published during her lifetime. The universality of themes such as inequality, power dynamics, economic dependence on women and of course love ensure their validity even 250 years later:
pride and Prejudice (pride and Prejudice1813)
Considered Austen’s most famous, beloved and adapted novel. It’s the perfect introduction with an accessible plot and fast pace, focusing on the “perfect love story” between the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet and the aristocratic Mr. Darcy. The novel is a brilliant examination of the social rules of the timeExploring the tension between “generally accepted truth” and authentic feeling.
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Emma (1815)
It was the last novel published during Austen’s lifetime. It is considered the most openly funny and accessible. Her heroine, Emma Woodhouse, is “beautiful, smart and rich” and is committed to it interfere in other people’s love livesoften with disastrous and comical consequences. Interestingly, Austen claimed she would take a heroine whom “no one would love but myself,” an opinion with which readers throughout the centuries have disagreed.
conviction (conviction1817)
It was published posthumously and is that Austen’s last completed novel and it is often considered his most mature, contemplative and emotional work. It stars 27-year-old Anne Elliot (considered “old” by Regency standards) reuniting with Frederick Wentworth, the man she was persuaded to break off her engagement to eight years earlier. It is a novel full of longing and wisdom, praised for its emotional depth.
meaning and feelings (Sense and sensuality1811)
Austen’s first published novel. It shows a stark contrast between sisters Elinor (reason/sense) and Marianne Dashwood (emotion/sensibility) in their respective lives is looking for love and financial security after a family accident. It offers a vision of brotherly love and is praised for its emotional depth.
Northanger Abbey (Northanger Abbey1817)
Written long before most of his works, this posthumously published novel is a hilarious satire of gothic novels. Follow Catherine Morland, a young woman with too much imaginationwho believes he has encountered a real crime, light in tone and different from the others.
Mansfield Park (1814)
Often considered Austen’s most controversial, complex and morally dense work. Tells the story of Fanny Price, brought out of poverty to live with their rich relativesin a story with a “friends becoming lovers” motif and a love triangle, with a more serious tone.
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What is the best reading order?
Since Austen’s novels are independent works, there is no “binding order”. However, there are two main routes that can enrich the experience:
Recommended order for accessibility
In this order, lighter and more serious tones alternate to maintain freshness, starting with the most famous and popular:
1. pride and Prejudice: The ideal introduction. Its popularity and numerous adaptations make it easy to follow the plot and enjoy Austen’s trademark wit.
2. Emma: On with the social comedy. Just like pride and Prejudiceis a “comedy of errors” with an intelligent, if flawed, heroine.
3. meaning and feelings: A move towards emotional depth and clear structure, ideal for understanding his early works.
4. Northanger Abbey: A light and quick read that will allow you to enjoy the youthful satirical side.
5. Mansfield Park: Go into this after familiarizing yourself with Austen’s style. It is his most controversial and complex novel.
6. conviction: Save it for last. Many Janeites They consider it the crown jewel, a work of emotional maturity that is best appreciated by knowing the evolution of their work.
Chronological order of publication
However, this route is excellent for readers interested in Austen’s development as a writer Northanger Abbey And conviction were published posthumously:
1. Common Sense and Feelings (1811)
2. Pride and Prejudice (1813)
3. Mansfield Park (1814)
4. Emma (1815)
5. Northanger Abbey (1817)
6. Conviction (1817)
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