One of the greatest female writers of all, Jane Austen is now on Speechify. Here’s all you need to know about her and her most famous novels.

Jane Austen books

Jane Austen is one of the greatest English authors. She is best known for her six major novels, which include Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. Her work mainly concentrates on commenting and critiquing the landed gentry social class in Britain in the 18th century.

During her life, she would publish anonymously to moderate success. Yet, her later two novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in her name in 1818. However, they weren’t her last. She started but never finished Sanditon, which was discovered alongside various manuscripts, the short novel Lady Susan, and another unfinished novel—The Watsons.

As is the unfortunate case with many authors and artists of her time, Jane Austen never witnessed widespread success during her life. The greater public would begin to honor her work years after her passing. Nowadays, her books are seldom out of print and have received many TV and movie adaptations. Austen’s books even have their audio versions, some of which are available in Speechify’s ever-growing audiobook collection.

Who is Jane Austen—An English novelist and writer

Not much is known about Jane’s early life. What is public, however, comes from a series of Austen’s letters she shared with her sister and closest friend Cassandra. Besides being born in 1775, we only know that she had two older brothers and a sister, her father was a reverend, and her mother Cassandra came from a wealthy family from Bath.

From an early age, Jane Austen was fond of writing. Her early work consists of poems and short stories about herself and her family. These works were later compiled into a collection that we know as Juvenilia that, in critics’ opinion, holds up fairly well against other, more mature pieces of Austen’s work that she would write later in life.

Some of her most important early work includes Lady Susan, an epistolary novel she wrote around age 18. She would write her first full-length book, Elinor and Marianne, which would serve as the foundation for her 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility. After that, Austen would begin her second novel, First Impressions, which would be published as Pride and Prejudice.

Books written by Jane Austen

Although her writing career is overshadowed by anonymous publishing due to the times she lived in, Jane Austen is now referred to as one of the greatest English writers of the late 18th and early 19th century. This claim is best justified in her works in the following six novels that we’ll briefly discuss and provide a summary for those willing to read them.

Sense and Sensibility (1811)

Written by “A Lady,” as it was written on the original cover instead of Austen’s real name, Sense & Sensibility is the first novel by Jane Austen that we’d like to mention. The story revolves around the Dashwood sisters—Elinor and Marianne—who are forced to move away from their estate after their father’s passing.

It is a love-and-friendship tale in which the sisters who are the personifications of sense (Elinor) and sensibility (Marianne) experience love and heartbreak. The book was Austen’s first major success, and has been adapted into film, TV, and plays numerous times in recent times. You can listen to Sense and Sensibility in four different versions on Speechify.

Pride and Prejudice (1813)

Novels of Jane Austen don’t get more popular than her 1813 book Pride & Prejudice. In the novel, we follow Elizabeth Bennet, a young, charismatic woman whose father lacks a male successor to run his estate. As such, the imperative is for Mr. Bennet’s daughters to marry a wealthy man who’ll support them and keep the family house in their possession. It is a beloved love story about learning to forego one’s pride and prejudices in the name of love.

Over the years, Pride and Prejudice has been listed as one of the favorite pieces of English literature among scholars and readers. As such, it’s no wonder why it has seen countless reprints and film, miniseries, and theater adaptations. And just like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice is available on Speechify as an audiobook in four different versions.

Mansfield Park (1814)

Jane Austen’s third published book, Mansfield Park, is the story of a young girl, Fanny Price. Due to her family’s rough state, she is sent away to her aunt and uncle. They are, however, quite wealthy, which makes for a different world in young Fanny’s eyes. Throughout the novel, her development is challenged by questions of diversity, religion, and even slavery.

Just like the previous two titles, Mansfield Park has seen numerous adaptations over the years. It is considered one of Austen’s greatest works due to the implicit messages that are scattered throughout the novel. You can listen to it on Speechify in three different versions, each narrated by different people, which include the likes of Anna Bentinck and Johanna Ward.

Emma (1815)

Emma is an 1815 novel written by Jane Austen, and it revolves around the relationships of several families in Georgian-Regency England. Emma Woodhouse is, of course, the protagonist of the book, and she is seen as a clever yet spoiled young woman. Her characteristics often lead her into uncomfortable situations with others, as she is prone to overestimating herself.

You can listen to Emma in a multicast performance right here on Speechify.

Northanger Abbey (1817)

Another classic novel by Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey is the perfect satire of Gothic novels which were popular during her life. This is a tale of Catherine Morland, a young woman who is naive and is looking to find her place under the sun. However, her way to happiness and peace is frequently disrupted by her love for Gothic literature and powerful imagination.

Although Austen’s first complete novel, the book wasn’t published until her death. Nevertheless, you can listen to it right here on Speechify in three different versions.

Persuasion (1817)

In Persuasion, Jane Austen writes about redemption and second chances. It’s a love story about the troubled relationship between Anne Elliot and Capt. Frederick Wentworth. Namely, Anne was persuaded not to marry him, but once he comes back from the war with his newly acquired social status and money, she begins to question her initial decision.

Persuasion, narrated by Rosalyn Landor, is available as an audiobook on Speechify for an amazing price of $7.99 or for free if it’s your first book.

Listen to more books by Jane Austen on Speechify’s audiobook platform

Besides the mentioned books, Speechify offers some of the best books by the great Jane Austen. You can listen to them with perfect narration provided by some of the most talented narrators out there. Nevertheless, it’s not only Jane Austen you can find on Speechify. There are over 60,000 incredible titles available, ranging from non-fiction to romance and thrillers, so you’re sure to find many titles you will absolutely love.