Ever found yourself staring at a bookstore shelf wondering where to start with Jane Austen? You're not alone. As a literature student who stumbled through Austen's works backwards (I began with Persuasion before discovering Pride and Prejudice), I've learned the hard way that order matters. Let's untangle the proper sequence of books written by Jane Austen in order – both chronologically and by publication date.
Why Jane Austen's Book Order Matters
Reading Austen chronologically reveals her evolution. Her early works like Lady Susan show raw talent, while later novels like Persuasion demonstrate masterful subtlety. Publishers didn't release them sequentially during her lifetime, creating confusion we'll clarify.
Complete List of Books Written by Jane Austen in Order
Below are all Austen's completed novels plus significant fragments, ordered by writing date based on scholarly consensus. Publication dates often lagged years behind:
| Title | Writing Period | Publication Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Susan | 1794-1795 | 1871 (posthumous) | Epistolary format; morally ambiguous protagonist |
| Elinor and Marianne (early Sense and Sensibility) | 1795 | Revised & published 1811 | Originally written as letters; explores emotional restraint vs passion |
| First Impressions (early Pride and Prejudice) | 1796-1797 | Revised & published 1813 | Rejected by publisher unread; original draft reportedly longer |
| Susan (early Northanger Abbey) | 1798-1799 | Revised & published 1817 | Sold for £10 in 1803 but never printed; Austen repurchased rights |
| The Watsons (unfinished) | 1804 | 1871 (posthumous) | Abandoned after father's death; darker social commentary |
| Mansfield Park | 1811-1813 | 1814 | Only Austen novel to achieve profit during her lifetime |
| Emma | 1814-1815 | 1815 | Dedicated to Prince Regent; features Austen's most flawed heroine |
| Persuasion | 1815-1816 | 1817 (posthumous) | Final completed novel; autographed chapters exist |
| Sanditon (unfinished) | 1817 | 1871 (posthumous) | Written while fatally ill; introduces Austen's first Black character |
Publication Order vs Writing Order: Key Differences
Here's where things get messy. Austen's publishing sequence doesn't match her writing timeline due to rejections, revisions, and business decisions:
Official Publication Order
- Sense and Sensibility (1811)
- Pride and Prejudice (1813)
- Mansfield Park (1814)
- Emma (1815)
- Northanger Abbey (written 1798-99, published 1817)
- Persuasion (written 1815-16, published 1817)
Notice how her first published novel (Sense and Sensibility) was actually her second written work? And how her earliest completed novel (Northanger Abbey) appeared last? Publishers favored certain manuscripts while others languished.
Deep Dive: Each Jane Austen Book in Order
Lady Susan (1794-95)
Often overlooked in reading lists, this epistolary novella features literature's most delightfully wicked widow. Susan Vernon manipulates lovers and relatives with chilling efficiency. Though technically her earliest surviving complete work, I find its tone surprisingly modern. The 2016 film adaptation Love & Friendship captures its sharp humor perfectly.
Sense and Sensibility (1795/1811)
Originally titled Elinor and Marianne, this explores the clash between rationality (Elinor) and emotion (Marianne). Fun fact: Austen paid publication costs herself, netting £140 profit – huge for 1811. Modern readers often struggle with passive Elinor, but her quiet strength grows on you. The 1995 film adaptation remains my personal favorite.
Pride and Prejudice (1796-97/1813)
Initially rejected as "rather too light", this became Austen's most famous work. Elizabeth Bennet's wit and Mr. Darcy's evolution created the romantic blueprint for centuries. Interestingly, Austen sold copyright for £110 – just 1/10th of what she'd later earn from Emma. For newcomers to books written by Jane Austen in order, this is typically the sweet spot.
Northanger Abbey (1798-99/1817)
Austin's hilarious parody of gothic novels follows naive Catherine Morland. It contains Austen's fiercest defense of novels as art. The scene where Catherine imagines finding a manuscript... only to discover laundry lists? Still makes me chuckle. Sadly, Austen never saw it published.
Mansfield Park (1811-13/1814)
Her most controversial novel. Timid Fanny Price observes wealthy relatives' moral compromises. Modern readers often find Fanny frustratingly passive. I struggled with it until noticing how Austen uses silence as criticism. The 1999 film adaptation controversially implies an incestuous subtext never in the book.
Emma (1814-15/1815)
Austen called Emma Woodhouse "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like" – but she was wrong. Emma's misguided matchmaking reveals Austen's maturing insight into self-deception. The clueless Mr. Elton remains one of literature's greatest comic creations. Financially, this was Austen's wisest deal – she retained copyright.
Persuasion (1815-16/1817)
Written while terminally ill, this autumnal romance features Austen's most mature lovers. Anne Elliot's regret over rejecting Captain Wentworth creates exquisite tension. The famous letter scene ("You pierce my soul") still gives me chills. Personal opinion: her most emotionally powerful work.
Unfinished Works
Austen left fascinating fragments that reveal her creative process:
The Watsons (1804)
Started after a difficult relocation, this fragment explores poverty's humiliations. The heroine must marry to avoid destitution – darker than Austen's usual tone. Had she finished it, Austen's trajectory might have shifted dramatically.
Sanditon (1817)
Written in her final months, this seaside satire anticipates Victorian literature. Entrepreneur Mr. Parker's development mania and hypochondriac siblings show Austen experimenting with new character types. The recent TV adaptation expanded it inventively.
Recommended Reading Order for Beginners
Having taught Austen seminars, I suggest this sequence for new readers:
- Pride and Prejudice - The perfect introduction to her style
- Sense and Sensibility - Shows her thematic range
- Emma - Her most sophisticated comedy
- Persuasion - Deepest emotional resonance
- Mansfield Park - Most challenging social critique
- Northanger Abbey - Early satire, best appreciated last
Jane Austen's Writing Evolution Timeline
Observe how her themes deepened across three periods:
| Period | Works | Style Development |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental (1794-99) | Lady Susan Early versions of S&S, P&P, NA |
Epistolary format; broad satire; youthful energy |
| Middle Period (1811-15) | Mansfield Park Emma |
Complex social criticism; subtle character studies |
| Late Period (1815-17) | Persuasion Sanditon |
Psychological depth; autumnal tone; formal innovation |
Rare Austen Works Beyond Novels
Completists should explore:
- Juvenilia (1787-93) - Hilarious teenage parodies including Love and Freindship [sic]
- Letters - Only 160 survive (sister Cassandra burned most)
- Prayers - Three devotional pieces composed around 1790s
- The History of England (1791) - 15-year-old Austen's satirical "history"
Common Questions About Jane Austen Books in Order
Did Jane Austen publish anonymously?
Absolutely. Her early books simply said "By a Lady." Sense and Sensibility was credited to "A Lady," while Pride and Prejudice appeared "By the Author of Sense and Sensibility." Only after death did her brother reveal her identity in publication notices.
Why were some books published posthumously?
Two key reasons: publisher neglect (Northanger Abbey sat with a firm for 13 years!) and Austen's perfectionism. She substantially revised manuscripts between writing and publication. Persuasion underwent major restructuring shortly before her death.
Which book earned Austen the most?
Emma brought her largest lifetime profit – approximately £375 after costs (about £25,000 today). Ironically, her most famous work (Pride and Prejudice) earned least because she sold copyright outright.
Are there "lost" Austen novels?
Possibly. Letters mention Sir Charles Grandison (a play adaptation) and potentially other early works. Family lore suggests she wrote an epistolary novel about a family stranded at sea – likely destroyed with other papers.
Why Chronological Order Reveals Hidden Patterns
Reading books written by Jane Austen in actual writing sequence illuminates recurring obsessions:
- Financial anxiety intensifies from Sense and Sensibility to Persuasion
- Satire of medical fads peaks in Sanditon
- Military characters evolve from comic militia (Pride and Prejudice) to heroic navy (Persuasion)
- Father figures grow increasingly irresponsible
Most strikingly: Austen's heroines progressively challenge authority. Compare timid Fanny Price with Anne Elliot's quiet rebellion against aristocratic disdain.
Finding Authentic Editions
Beware modern adaptations when collecting Austen's works. For original texts:
- Oxford Classics - Scholarly notes; historical context
- Penguin Clothbound - Beautiful covers; reliable texts
- Cambridge Austen - Academic gold standard; pricey
Major ebook retailers often sell incomplete collections. Verify they include Juvenilia and fragmentary works if collecting digitally.
Beyond the Books: Essential Austen Context
Understanding these enriches reading:
- Entail laws - Why estates passed only to males (explains Bennet sisters' predicament)
- Naval pay grades - Captain Wentworth's wealth vs Colonel Brandon's inheritance
- Social seasons - Timing of London/Bath visits dictated marriage markets
- Commodity prices - £10,000/year (Darcy's income) = approx £500,000 today
My Personal Austen Journey
I first encountered Austen through that terrible 1940s Pride and Prejudice adaptation where Elizabeth wears hoop skirts. After college, I joined a Jane Austen Society chapter where we read the books written by Jane Austen in chronological order over a year. Discussing Lady Susan alongside Persuasion revealed astonishing artistic growth. We even recreated Regency recipes – the white soup from Pride and Prejudice is surprisingly good!
This experience convinced me that sequencing matters. Reading Mansfield Park after her early works, you feel Austen grappling with slavery implications absent from previous books. The character of Sir Thomas Bertram gains disturbing dimensions when seen as part of her developing social conscience.
Why This Order Debate Matters Today
Beyond academic interest, proper sequencing helps modern readers. Knowing Northanger Abbey parodies gothic tropes prevents misreading its tone. Understanding Austen drafted Pride and Prejudice at 21 makes Elizabeth Bennet's youthful vitality more remarkable. And approaching Persuasion as her final statement illuminates its bittersweet wisdom.
Ultimately, whether you read books written by Jane Austen in publication order, chronological order, or personal preference order, you're engaging with an author whose keen observation of human nature remains startlingly relevant two centuries later. Just promise me one thing: skip the zombie adaptations until you've read the originals!
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