# 26: Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” begins what is arguably Jane Austen’s masterpiece. Originally entitled First Impressions, Austen explores love, prejudice, class relations, gossip, morality and a number of issues through the various adventures of the Bennett sisters. Under the guidance of their mother the Bennett sisters are sent to navigate the upper-middle class and upper class British society, where everything is a game and the winners are rewarded with rich husbands and good fortunes. In the case of the Bennett family this is particularly important, as the family funds are not enough to finance the marriages and lives of all five sisters. This is a society where women cannot stand easily on their own and earn a good living, but Elizabeth Bennett is remarkable in managing to marry Darcy for whom she has a great deal of affection, but is also able to maintain her own independence and earn her husband’s appreciation and respect. I absolutely love this novel and highly recommend it. 
# 18: Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Even though this is not one of Austen’s famous works, I believe that this is Austen at her best. This is a gothic/mock-gothic novel. Austen knows the gothic genre quite well, and she manipulates the conventions in a way that makes the reader aware that she is mocking the style by practicing it. The novel is very entertaining and funny at times, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.