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Lusy's Reviews > The Complete Novels
The Complete Novels
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When it comes to classics, Jane Austen is one of my favourite authors for reasons too long to share here. Although, on the contrary to the popular opinions, Pride and Prejudice is not my most favourite among all of the seven novels of hers.
Since this is a review of The Complete Novels of Jane Austen with all of her seven books in it, instead of writing my reviews for each of those novels, I'm doing so for my review of the condition of this book as a whole. I'll review each book separately in the future.
First, let me start with the ratings I gave to each novel in this collection as well as my ranks from my most to least favourite one:
1. Sense and Sensibility with ★★★★★
2. Mansfield Park with ★★★★★
3. Pride and Prejudice with ★★★★☆
4. Persuasion with ★★★½
5. Emma with ★★★☆☆
6. Lady Susan with ★★★☆☆
7. Northanger Abbey with ★★☆☆☆
What do I think about this book as a whole?
Size
At the risk of stating the obvious, considering how some people complained about the size of this book upon receiving it, a collection of seven novels is not meant to be the kind of book to carry around. As a book to enjoy within the comfort of one's home? It's perfect!
Leather-bound
It's nice to have seven novels all together in a leather-bound edition. However, the binding is not that strong so if you're not careful, chances are big that you'll break it.
The structure
The biggest flaw to me is the absence of table of content for the chapters of each novel in this book which makes it rather difficult to navigate. There might come a time when one runs out of Post-It notes in the middle of a winter night.
All in all, story wise, it's a collection of Jane Austen's works so of course it's a gem! I highly recommend it!
Picture credit: unsplash.com
by
When it comes to classics, Jane Austen is one of my favourite authors for reasons too long to share here. Although, on the contrary to the popular opinions, Pride and Prejudice is not my most favourite among all of the seven novels of hers.
Since this is a review of The Complete Novels of Jane Austen with all of her seven books in it, instead of writing my reviews for each of those novels, I'm doing so for my review of the condition of this book as a whole. I'll review each book separately in the future.
First, let me start with the ratings I gave to each novel in this collection as well as my ranks from my most to least favourite one:
1. Sense and Sensibility with ★★★★★
2. Mansfield Park with ★★★★★
3. Pride and Prejudice with ★★★★☆
4. Persuasion with ★★★½
5. Emma with ★★★☆☆
6. Lady Susan with ★★★☆☆
7. Northanger Abbey with ★★☆☆☆
What do I think about this book as a whole?
Size
At the risk of stating the obvious, considering how some people complained about the size of this book upon receiving it, a collection of seven novels is not meant to be the kind of book to carry around. As a book to enjoy within the comfort of one's home? It's perfect!
Leather-bound
It's nice to have seven novels all together in a leather-bound edition. However, the binding is not that strong so if you're not careful, chances are big that you'll break it.
The structure
The biggest flaw to me is the absence of table of content for the chapters of each novel in this book which makes it rather difficult to navigate. There might come a time when one runs out of Post-It notes in the middle of a winter night.
All in all, story wise, it's a collection of Jane Austen's works so of course it's a gem! I highly recommend it!
Picture credit: unsplash.com
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Reading Progress
October 8, 2021
– Shelved
October 12, 2021
–
Started Reading
October 13, 2021
–
33.26%
"Started re-reading the third book ‘Mansfield Park’ in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen."
page
425
October 13, 2021
–
34.98%
"Finished Volume One Chapter I-IV of this book today, right after the introduction of Henry Crawford and his sister Mary. 🙂"
page
447
October 14, 2021
–
36.78%
"Finished Volume 1 Chapter V-VIII of Mansfield Park today. Hope to finish re-reading the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen this month. 🤞🏻😊"
page
470
October 15, 2021
–
38.42%
"Finished re-reading Mansfield Park Vol I Chapter IX-XII, the 3rd book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. Even though it’s not a perfect moment, it’s nice to know Fanny has the chance to visit Sotherton with the rest of the group. How she embraces the journey and every single part of it no matter what is pretty refreshing. Best thing to do when the travel companions are less admirable indeed! 👍🏻❤️"
page
491
October 17, 2021
–
39.98%
"Finished re-reading Volume I Chapter XIII-XVI of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. It’s interesting to read how the plan for the play evolves, the entire scheme of it - both in general and in specific - as well as the way Fanny gets in the middle of everything. 👍🏻😊"
page
511
October 18, 2021
–
41.55%
"Finished re-reading Vol I Chapter XVII-XVIII and Vol II Chapter I-II of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. It’s amazing to see how Fanny conducts herself during the practices of this play at Mansfield. 💔 The best part is when Sir Thomas suddenly arrives home before anybody gets the chance to tell him about the play. They break the ‘domestic tranquility.’ 😅"
page
531
October 19, 2021
–
43.35%
"Finished re-reading Volume II Chapter III-VI of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. It’s nice to see how Fanny’s life at Mansfield changed after the departure of the Miss Bertrams as well as facing the emerging challenge from Mr. Crawford. Best part for me is when Fanny described ‘memory’ in Chapter IV page 538. I can’t agree more with her! 👍🏻❤️😊"
page
554
October 19, 2021
–
45.7%
"Finished re-reading Volume II Chapter VII-XI of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. On the one hand, it’s nice that William Price visits Fanny at Mansfield. 👍🏻 On the other hand, the determination of Henry Crawford to win Fanny’s heart is pretty annoying! 🙄 I do love the dance ball they have in Mansfield and it’s nice that Fanny has the chance to open it. ❤️"
page
584
October 19, 2021
–
47.18%
"Finished re-reading Volume II Chapter XII-XIII and Volume III Chapter I of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. Mr Crawford is convinced to marry Fanny Price! 😱 For everybody to be sure of it is ridiculous! I love it when Fanny says ‘NO!’ because she can see he’s not a good nor an honourable man. In fact, he’s a TRUE manipulator who doesn’t deserve her! 😤"
page
603
October 19, 2021
–
48.98%
"Finished re-reading Volume III Chapter II-V of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. How Henry Crawford is determined to have the glory as well as the felicity of forcing Fanny to love him in manipulative ways? A perfect example of toxic entitlement! 🙄 I love Fanny’s integrity! It’s amazing that a young author, wrote a relevant story as this more than 200 years ago. ❤️"
page
626
October 20, 2021
–
50.47%
"Finished re-reading Vol III Chapter VI-IX of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. It’s nice to read about Fanny’s visit to her parents’ house that unfortunately doesn’t feel like home. With so many children, the house is full of noise, disorder and impropriety. No respect whatsoever!! ‘Though Mansfield Park might have some pain, Portsmouth could have no pleasures.’ 🙁"
page
645
October 20, 2021
–
51.72%
"Finished re-reading Vol III Chapter X-XIII of Mansfield Park, the third book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. Mr Crawford shows up in Portsmouth and met Fanny’s parents! 😒 Though he seems nicer, which is a surprise, he still doesn’t seem trustworthy. Among that, Edmund’s letter about his love for Ms Crawford and Lady Bertram’s letter about Tom’s illness? Quite a rollercoaster! 😮💨"
page
661
October 20, 2021
–
53.68%
"Finished re-reading Vol III Chapter XIV-XVII of Mansfield Park.
Happy to know:
1) Fanny sticks to her NO for Mr Crawford since he’s indeed a liar who has an affair with her cousin, Maria, a married woman. Gross indeed! 🤢
2) Fanny is back at Mansfield Park, the home where she belongs, with Susan, her closest sister. 😊
3) Fanny is happily married. 💕
Glad to FINISH MANSFIELD PARK in 1 week."
page
686
Happy to know:
1) Fanny sticks to her NO for Mr Crawford since he’s indeed a liar who has an affair with her cousin, Maria, a married woman. Gross indeed! 🤢
2) Fanny is back at Mansfield Park, the home where she belongs, with Susan, her closest sister. 😊
3) Fanny is happily married. 💕
Glad to FINISH MANSFIELD PARK in 1 week."
October 20, 2021
–
55.24%
"Started re-reading Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen, and finished Volume I Chapter I-IV today. It’s nice to once again enter the world of Emma Woodhouse, a main character of Jane Austen’s story who is different than the ones in the previous ones. Unlike them, Emma is a well-to-do young lady. Loved the introductions of the people in her life! Can’t wait to finish this one too! 😊"
page
706
October 21, 2021
–
57.98%
"Finished Volume I Chapter V-XI of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
Emma’s love of match-making done with a mixture of her love for art and literature is amusing indeed. I love the way things were done in proper manners back then. It’s also pretty entertaining to read how Emma creates ripples around the people in her little circle in Highbury with this ‘hobby’ of hers. ☺️"
page
741
Emma’s love of match-making done with a mixture of her love for art and literature is amusing indeed. I love the way things were done in proper manners back then. It’s also pretty entertaining to read how Emma creates ripples around the people in her little circle in Highbury with this ‘hobby’ of hers. ☺️"
October 22, 2021
–
60.33%
"Finished Volume I Chapter XII-XVIII of of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. I laughed at Emma realising how wrong she’s been about Mr. Elton and Harriet Smith. 😂 ‘If she had so misinterpreted his feelings, she had little right to wonder that he, with self-interest to blind him, should’ve mistake her.’ The joy and challenges of being misunderstood. Look forward to next parts!"
page
771
October 26, 2021
–
62.13%
"Finished Volume II Chapter I-V of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. Loving the mix of old and new relationships in this part of the book! ❤️ It’s interesting to see where they’ll go after this. It’s also amazing to see how fast some people move on from an unrequited love back then, more than two hundred years ago. I can’t help but wonder, is it love or trauma bonding? 🤔"
page
794
October 27, 2021
–
65.18%
"Finished Volume II Chapter VI-XII of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
The introduction of Frank Churchill is nicely welcomed and again, as the result, Emma gets herself caught in the middle of more matchmaking schemes. 😆 This should be interesting!"
page
833
The introduction of Frank Churchill is nicely welcomed and again, as the result, Emma gets herself caught in the middle of more matchmaking schemes. 😆 This should be interesting!"
October 27, 2021
–
67.37%
"Finished Volume II Chapter XIII-XVIII of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
I remember thinking all the dramas and misunderstandings in this part of the book were a bit much when I first read this book. Now, I found them pretty entertaining. 👍🏻 Can’t wait to finish this book! 😊"
page
861
I remember thinking all the dramas and misunderstandings in this part of the book were a bit much when I first read this book. Now, I found them pretty entertaining. 👍🏻 Can’t wait to finish this book! 😊"
October 29, 2021
–
69.72%
"Finished Volume III Chapter I-VI of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
It’s amazing to see how much Emma cares about her friend, Harriet. She does that without expecting anything in return. Such a true friend. One of my favourite parts in this story. 👍🏻❤️"
page
891
It’s amazing to see how much Emma cares about her friend, Harriet. She does that without expecting anything in return. Such a true friend. One of my favourite parts in this story. 👍🏻❤️"
October 29, 2021
–
71.28%
"Finished Volume III Chapter VII-X of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
The developments in the lives of the characters make the story move pretty smoothly, from winter to summer. 😊 I found Emma’s selfless manner towards people she cares about very admirable. 👍🏻"
page
911
The developments in the lives of the characters make the story move pretty smoothly, from winter to summer. 😊 I found Emma’s selfless manner towards people she cares about very admirable. 👍🏻"
October 29, 2021
–
73.0%
"Finished Volume III Chapter XI-XIII of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
After spending so much of her time trying to arrange everybody’s destiny, finally it’s time for Emma to face some of the toughest choices in her life. it’s interesting to see how she has to choose between being selfless or selfish."
page
933
After spending so much of her time trying to arrange everybody’s destiny, finally it’s time for Emma to face some of the toughest choices in her life. it’s interesting to see how she has to choose between being selfless or selfish."
October 30, 2021
–
74.88%
"Finished Volume III Chapter XIV-XIX of Emma, the fourth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
Happy to know all ends well with everybody. A nice lesson to learn that when we mean well, in the end, all we care about will surely be okay. ❤️
I’m glad that I finally finished re-reading EMMA even though it’s a couple of days behind plans. Can’t wait to start the fifth book in this collection! 😊"
page
957
Happy to know all ends well with everybody. A nice lesson to learn that when we mean well, in the end, all we care about will surely be okay. ❤️
I’m glad that I finally finished re-reading EMMA even though it’s a couple of days behind plans. Can’t wait to start the fifth book in this collection! 😊"
October 30, 2021
–
76.84%
"Started re-reading Northanger Abbey, the fifth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen, and finished Volume I Chapter I-VII today. Another day, another book of Jane Austen to finish reading. I’m grateful for the chance to start another journey into her world. 👍🏻😊"
page
982
October 30, 2021
–
80.05%
"Finished Volume I Chapter VIII-XV of Northanger Abbey, the fifth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
Catherine Morland is quite different than the other heroines in the previous Jane Austen’s novels. She’s too young to know the differences between good and deceitful people. Poor girl! I love reading about all the little adventures during her visit to Bath! Pretty amusing indeed. 👍🏻❤️"
page
1023
Catherine Morland is quite different than the other heroines in the previous Jane Austen’s novels. She’s too young to know the differences between good and deceitful people. Poor girl! I love reading about all the little adventures during her visit to Bath! Pretty amusing indeed. 👍🏻❤️"
October 31, 2021
–
82.71%
"Finished Volume II Chapter I-VIII of Northanger Abbey, the fifth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
It’s nice that Catherine can visit Eleanor Tilney at Northanger Abbey straight from Bath. All the dramas among the people she loves make for exciting reading as well! The fact that all these adventures in a story of a seventeen years old girl was written more than 200 years ago makes me smile. Loved it!"
page
1057
It’s nice that Catherine can visit Eleanor Tilney at Northanger Abbey straight from Bath. All the dramas among the people she loves make for exciting reading as well! The fact that all these adventures in a story of a seventeen years old girl was written more than 200 years ago makes me smile. Loved it!"
October 31, 2021
–
85.29%
"Finished Volume II Chapter IX-XVI of Northanger Abbey, the fifth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
The dramas in this story caused by one single despicable person is outrageous! To not easily trust someone is a great lesson to learn from this indeed!
I’m glad to finish re-reading NORTHANGER ABBEY in more than a day. 😛 One more book to go before I finish re-reading all in this collection!"
page
1090
The dramas in this story caused by one single despicable person is outrageous! To not easily trust someone is a great lesson to learn from this indeed!
I’m glad to finish re-reading NORTHANGER ABBEY in more than a day. 😛 One more book to go before I finish re-reading all in this collection!"
October 31, 2021
–
86.46%
"Started re-reading Persuasion, the sixth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen, and just finished Volume I Chapter I-III. This last completed novel of hers clearly shows more mature writing.
I’m glad that the main character, Anne Elliot, is 27 years old. Since the frontal lobes of the brains are fully developed at the age of 25, I hope I can count on the good judgment of the heroine this time. 😉"
page
1105
I’m glad that the main character, Anne Elliot, is 27 years old. Since the frontal lobes of the brains are fully developed at the age of 25, I hope I can count on the good judgment of the heroine this time. 😉"
November 1, 2021
–
87.64%
"Finished Volume I Chapter IV-VI of Persuasion, the sixth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
It’s nice to learn more about Anne’s past in this part of the story. Can’t wait to read what happens next. 😊"
page
1120
It’s nice to learn more about Anne’s past in this part of the story. Can’t wait to read what happens next. 😊"
November 1, 2021
–
90.45%
"Finished Volume I Chapter VII-XII of Persuasion, the sixth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
It’s interesting to see how one event happens after another in Anne’s life make it a bit impossible for her to avoid what must be avoided. Or do they? 😉"
page
1156
It’s interesting to see how one event happens after another in Anne’s life make it a bit impossible for her to avoid what must be avoided. Or do they? 😉"
November 1, 2021
–
91.86%
"Finished Volume II Chapter I-IV of Persuasion, the sixth book in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
A trip to Lyme, an accident and an appearance of a charming forgiven-yet-not-forgotten character from the past. The plot thickens indeed! 😊"
page
1174
A trip to Lyme, an accident and an appearance of a charming forgiven-yet-not-forgotten character from the past. The plot thickens indeed! 😊"
November 2, 2021
–
96.32%
"Finished Volume II Chapter V-XII of Persuasion, the sixth novels in this Complete Novels of Jane Austen. I’m glad to finish re-reading PERSUASION in more than two days. 👍🏻😊 Finally I’m done with all six novels of Jane Austen in this collection. Another journey into her stories with new learned lessons. Always a pleasure! ❤️"
page
1231
November 3, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-8 of 8 (8 new)
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message 1:
by
Ollie
(new)
Nov 09, 2021 02:03AM
I love the status you posted while reading this book! It’s interesting to follow them on my Home page. 👍🏻 Is there a page where you can check them all at once?
reply
|
flag
Thank you!! 😊 I already read the first two books in this big collection of her novels last year. So I only read and updated the status of the rest here: 'Mansfield Park', 'Emma', 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion'. There is a page where I go to read all of them: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I'm not sure if you can open it though.
I can open it and actually see both of our previous replies here! Pretty cool!! Learning more about how things work here. Thanks for everything!!
I'm trying to learn how things work around here as well so don't mention it. 😊 xx
😆 You’re being too kind… You should’ve written: Don’t forget to wear your glasses before placing your order online… 😛 Just kidding!!
Lucia wrote: "😆 You’re being too kind… You should’ve written: Don’t forget to wear your glasses before placing your order online… 😛 Just kidding!!"I accidentally deleted my previous reply. 🤦🏼♀️ Anyway, thanks for checking it! xx
I saw this on my homepage. I didn’t know you give a 1/2 star rating! Nice!!
Nona wrote: "I saw this on my homepage. I didn’t know you give a 1/2 star rating! Nice!!"I didn’t know that either! I saw she put the info about her rating system on her profile here so I checked it again just now. She just added that every 1/2 star rating is rounded down which is nice, I think. Like one of the books in this collection, I’d feel bad a bit to give a classic book a 2 stars only. Giving it a 2,5 stars rating is definitely better. 👍🏻
