Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Known for her cheerful, modest, and witty character, Jane Austen had a busy family and social life, but as far as we know very little direct romantic experience. There were early flirtations, a quickly retracted agreement to marry the wealthy brother of a friend, and a rumored short-lived attachment -- while she was traveling -- that has not been verified. Her last years were quiet and devoted to family, friends, and writing her final novels. In 1817 she had to interrupt work on her last and unfinished novel, Sanditon, because she fell ill. She died on July 18, 1817, in Winchester, where she had been taken for medical treatment. After her death, her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published, together with a biographical notice, due to the efforts of her brother Henry. Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral.
Author biography courtesy of Barnes & Noble Books.
Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2008
This edition of Jane Austen¿s seven novels is an example of book design of the highest order. The multiple color, embossed foil, leather cover is quite simply a work of art. It is very representative of the style of the Regency period, while still being unmistakably original. The detail and craftsmanship are stunning. The text of the book, while small, is generously leaded and is still highly and comfortably readable. The paper, while necessarily thin to accommodate seven novels without the book becoming bulky and unwieldy, still has a nice feel. I would have liked to have seen elements of the cover design carried through onto the title page in a more elegant way and also incorporated into the title page of each novel. But these are minor quibbles. This edition deserves a place in the library of anybody who admires the work of Jane Austen and/or is a fan of great book design.
27 out of 28 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.firebrite
Posted August 30, 2009
If you have never read a Jane Austen novel I thouroughly recomend it. Her romance is top notch weither it be comedic or dramatic. She has mastered the art of wit. Her characters are real and completly believable. You will be able to relate to the characters in one way or another. She uses the twists and turns of fate that pull people apart and then brings them back together. I truly love Jane Austen. The only thing bad I have found about this edition is that it is big. I find it harder to read hard back books of this size and weight, it becomes uncomfortable to hold. The price for it was fantastic and the binding is sure to endure the passing of time and the wear of being read. Plus it will look very pretty in your permanent library or as a gift. All around I give it an A+.
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 9, 2008
I love this volume! It called to me from the moment I saw the gleam of gold in B&N's leatherbound classics collection. To the reviewer who disapproved of the size and paper quality of this lovely volume: I have had this gorgeous book brightening my living room, standing on edge, for over four months. Except for the dust 'blame my housekeeping' on the bright gilt page edges, it has remained completely stable. In regard to the paper, I find the smooth paper to have a lovely feel, reminiscent of older, beautifully illustrated books I own. The fine, thin grade of the paper is naturally necessary in order to include all seven works in a single volume. This book is a tremendous value for the money. I was recently thrilled to find that my local B&N had been able to restock the book, as it had been sold out for a couple of months, even online. I've bought four more as gifts! The store clerk told me the book is flying off the shelves. I expect it will sell out again soon.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 15, 2008
Amazing meanings to the story, beautiful conditions, a read at home book. I may only be going into junior high, but it is a beautiful story, I am going to get it for my b-day, and can't wait to read it! I advice you to get it.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 14, 2009
I love that all of the Jane Austen novels are in included in this beautifully bound book. The cover is so elegant and the gold-edged pages just add to it! I am so happy I bought this book for my library. I do have to say that it is a bit inconvenient to try to read out of it because the book itself is so big. The font size is definitely small which does not bother me but may be bothersome for some. Great book to add to your library especially if you love antique/old-looking books!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 14, 2010
This has got to be the very best compilation of Jane Austen books. It has all seven starting with Sense and Sensibility. It is made out of leather and has a wonderful artistic design of flowers and patterns and lovely colors to add. This is definitely a coffee table book and or permanent library book to keep as well. Its visually stunning and would add to the decor of any room, but most importantly its the kind of book you'll always cherish and keep. As i mentioned, it has ALL the Jane Austen books, which is great for traveling; you only take one book :) Plus it has a neat gold ribbon for bookmarking your pages and the edge of the pages are gold. Its just amazingly wonderful and Im really glad i purchased it because i plan to keep it as a collectors item for future generations. BUY IT!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The only thing I hate about this book is the fact that the print is so very tiny. I have perfect vision, and it's still hard for me to focus on the words or keep my place.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Many critics tell us that Austen's first novel, Sense and Sensibility, is not her best. So what? I don't compare Austen's books. I relish the gems they each contain in their own right.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 28, 2009
Jane Austin is strongly recommended for all readers. This book has all of her famous works which include the most popular one Pride and Prejudice. I believe that this is great book for her big fans to have it collected in our bookcase for years. (However, I did not like the texture of the paper that much. It wasn't luxurious as the cover.)
Her book is too addictive to let it go and forget about like other fiction. You'll feel differently every time you read her novel and see how charming her story characters are. Then later, you'll be able to understand why she had to write these books.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 14, 2009
I absolutely love Jane Austen's novels, so I'll not attempt to review each of the classic works included in this collection. I bought this book several months ago was excited to have so many of Austen's works in one volume. It's a beautiful book, and I love the gold trimming on on the pages and on the book mark. However, the book is too large and cumbersome to be practical.
I think this book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys Austen's books, and who wants to have some nice-looking books to line their shelves. It looks great on my book shelf and I'm glad I own it, but I think I'll stick with reading my smaller paperback versions.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sonfollower
Posted June 9, 2009
All Austen's wonderful, timeless characters and stories bound into one beautiful book. It makes you feel elegant just holding it. The rhythm and cadence of her writing is timeless and transports you into another world. A book to keep forever to be read over and over, again. A wonderful gift for any avid reader.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I got this book as a gift from my daughter and granddaughter for my birthday, and it is a beautiful book! I am a collector of Leatherbound books, and this book gives the higher priced book companies a run for their money quality wise. Order it today at a very reasonable price.
You won't be disappointed!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 22, 2008
Absolutely gorgeous! A must for any avid book collector.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 23, 2008
When I came across this volume I was immediately tempted to buy it, but after handling and closely examining it, I found some serious drawbacks: it has very thin pages that would wear too soon if you read it often although the cover exquisitely made, it would not last at the joints because the volume is very thick, which besides makes it extremely uncomfortable to handle. Perhaps the price is very affordable, still I would rather pay more for each novel bound separately, printed on decent paper and read and admire many years ahead. Beautiful - yes, practical - absolutely not. However, I would recommend it for those who will only read it occasionally and perhaps have a book stand, or for those who will not read it and only admire the beautiful binding warning, though - it shouldn't be kept in standing position.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.surrealblue
Posted April 7, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This is a wonderful collection of Jane Austen's works. The leather bound book with gilt pages and the floral cover is as beautiful as the works inside. Yes, having seven of Austen's novels in one book can be a bit unwieldy to hold while you're reading... I found it heavy and awkward at times, but perhaps that's because I couldn't put it down! Jane Austen's heroines are beautiful and diverse. Each has a unique yet likeable persona from the demure, ever scrupulous Fanny Price, the prudent realist Elinor Dashwood, the dramatic daydreamer Catherine Morland, the charming matchmaker Emma Woodhouse to the strong-willed Elizabeth Bennett, each of Austen stories is different yet they all capture a strong sense of the daily life of an English woman in The Regency Period with themes that still remain universal today.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 30, 2010
This is a great collection for Jane Austen readers! It is a wonderful collection book and very attractive. My only complaint has not to do with the writing but the font of the book ( which is why I did not give it 5 stars). The print is very small and I had to buy reading glasses for the first time. I wear contacts so that works out fine using the reading glasses but when I put my prescription glasses on at night I am out of luck. I am in my early 30's and not at all ready for prescription bifocals yet. The font size aside, highly recommended and would make a great gift.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a must have for all Jane Austen Collectors.
This edition looks great alongside the other B&N leather bound editions.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am not finished reading this book. One can only have so much Jane Austen. I read Pride and Predjudice before and started reading Sense and Sensibility. My aunt Dodie wanted to borrow it, promising to read it quickly, but it has not yet been returned to my hands. I suppose I'll just have to wait. Do I really need to tell you anything about what a collection of wonderful books it is, when you know it's author is Jane Austen? I think not.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A beautiful cover encapsulates all of Jane Austen's greatest literary works where they can be appreciated as one volume and read in a continual manner.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 16, 2009
I love this book. Any true Austen fan would appreciate this novel in more ways than one. This book is the collector's item. What first drew me to the book, other than the fact that it has all her novels, but that its leather bound. Austen is in one of the most profound, scandalous writers, I have ever come to reader. For her time, she gave the public a true insight of what women over come in relationships, and how they are intended for survival. The way Austen writes is captivating. She dissects her characters to the core, so the reader feels like they actually know them. Overall, this is a must have.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview