Pride and Prejudice is my absolute favorite of Jane Austen's novels. The first chapter is one of my favorite openings in all of literature, introducing several characters to perfection so you see their foibles and their goals. I'm happy every time I open it up and revisit Elizabeth Bennet and family, Mr. Darcy, and the rest. 5 stars.

Mansfield Park focuses on a much different heroine than Elizabeth Bennett. Fanny Price is the poor cousin of the family who raised her, a decidedly ridiculous family in many ways, with only one good apple in the bunch - and it's not Mrs. Norris. To be completely honest, I first picked it up to see what relationship Aunt Norris had with her namesake, the cat in Harry Potter. I'm probably due for a reread of this one. 4 stars.

Persuasion was the last of Jane Austen's completed novels, published posthumously, and the last that I read. Anne Elliot is rather older than the heroines of Austen's other works. She gave up an attachment to a suitor on the advice of an old friend. Now, her father and sister go away to Bath since they can no longer afford the family estate. The old suitor, Captain Wentworth, returns, but does not appear to still have affection for Anne. I probably would not have enjoyed this novel half as much if I had read it as a teen, but it's already become my second-favorite (give it a few more rereads and I might put it on a level playing field with Pride and Prejudice. 4.5 stars. ( )

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I liked all but Emma and Northanger Abby. ( )