2017 Reading Challenge discussion

I want to read my first Jane Austen Novel but I am unsure which one i should pick. I am not a english native speaker. Normally I read english books without a problem and i would like to read this one also in english but i am unsure if maybe this one is too difficult. i read a lot of YA books and this will be the first classic i read so what do you say do you think o should pick up the english or the german edition?

The language of this time period is different than that of today. It could make you frustrated since English is not your native tongue. HOWEVER most of her works are available free, so you could try it in its original form and see if it suits. You can always change.

As to which one, I would recommend Emma. But the others are also good.

Angela, I am not a native speaker myself but would definitely recommend to try the original English version first (as mentioned by Valerie) and then switch to a translation.
Regarding which one to start with, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion are the shortest of her novels which can help to motivate you if you choose to read in English. Personally I would not suggest Mansfield Park - very drawn out with not much happening... But of course you can always start with the big 'classics' - Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensebility. Either way, enjoy!!! :)

I agree that you should pick up the original English version as well. I'm not a native English speaker too and when I first picked up Pride & Prejudice, I did struggle a little with the language at the beginning, but after a while it became easier and more confortable to me. If you struggle too much, you can always change to the translation, but I assure you you'll be accustomed with it in no time. As for my recommendations, Emma and Pride & Prejudice are my personal favorites.

Persuasion is a good bit shorter than Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. It may be an easier read.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorite books! When I was younger, I would reread it about once a year.

Persuasion is my favourite, and not as long as the others. I would agree Mansfield Park drags on a bit.
Pride and Prejudice is funny though. Hope you enjoy whichever one you chose.

I'd recommend Northanger Abbey as it's short and there are less characters than, for example, Sense & Sensibility.

I agree with other posters that it might be tricky at first as the language is harder, but as they're free on places like Project Gutenburg/ebook sites then you could always switch to a translation if you need to.

Whichever book you choose I hope you like it :)

Angela wrote: "I want to read my first Jane Austen Novel but I am unsure which one i should pick. I am not a english native speaker. Normally I read english books without a problem and i would like to read this o..."

have you read Jane Eyre? If you manage to read that, you can tackle Jane Austen. And you can always read a bilingual version, that way you'll improve your fluency and read this great author. Also, because you probably know more about Pride and Prejudice I'd say start from there, or you can watch the BBC movies before reading the books - it'll help you understand the plot.

in your original language - great novel; you should understand it so you can enjoy it. If you like it then you can read the English translation in my opinion. Second runner up would be . Both of these are BBC classics so if you have difficulty with the plot you can easily see a GOOD version of the film (lol). Hope this helps!

I would definitely recommend Pride and Prejudice first!!!

I LOVE Pride and Prejudice!!!!