Penguin Readers Level 4: Emma

Jane Austen

Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 at Steventon, near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She lived with her family at Steventon until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. After his death in 1805, she moved around with her mother; in 1809, they settled in Chawton, near Alton, Hampshire. Here she remained, except for a few visits to London, until in May 1817 she moved to Winchester to be near her doctor. There she died on 18 July 1817.

Jane Austen was extremely modest about her own genius, describing her work to her nephew, Edward, as 'the little bit (two Inches wide) of Ivory, on which I work with so fine a Brush, as produces little effect after much labour'.

As a girl she wrote stories, including burlesques of popular romances. Her works were published only after much revision, four novels being published in her lifetime.

These are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815). Two other novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in 1817 with a biographical notice by her brother, Henry Austen, the first formal announcement of her authorship. Persuasion was written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. She also left two earlier compositions, a short epistolary novel, Lady Susan, and an unfinished novel, The Watsons. At the time of her death, she was working on a new novel, Sanditon, a fragmentary draft of which survives.

What are Jane Austen's major novels?

Her major published novels are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815). Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published posthumously in 1817. She also left shorter works and juvenilia such as Lady Susan, The Watsons and the fragment Sanditon.

In what order were her novels published and is there a recommended reading order?

Chronological publication order is Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), then Northanger Abbey and Persuasion (both 1817). Good starting points for new readers are Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility; thereafter you can read in publication order or pick any standalone novel.

Are Jane Austen's novels part of a series or are they standalone works?

They are standalone novels. Each tells its own story with distinct characters and settings rather than forming a continuous series.

Did Jane Austen leave any unfinished or posthumous works?

Yes. Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published after her death. She left unfinished or fragmentary pieces including The Watsons and Sanditon, and earlier short works such as Lady Susan and various juvenilia.

What kinds of themes and styles appear in her writing?

Her writing focuses on relationships, courtship and social interactions, often with keen observation, wit and occasional burlesque of popular romances. Many works examine manners and the social world of her characters.