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250 (& More) Reasons We Love Jane Austen

Austen at 250 logo with fireworks in background



Born on December 16, 1775, Jane Austen turns 250 this year. Help us celebrate! 

Everyone has their own reason for adoring Jane Austen, and we would all love to hear yours. Whether it's as simple as "Mrs. Bennet's nerves," a favorite witty line, or a heartfelt toast, we're gathering a joyful collection of 250—and more!—reasons you, her readers and fans, appreciate her. Join us in celebrating the incomparable Jane!

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Comments

  • Kendall Brown Nov 16, 2025, 12:46 PM (18 days ago)

    I love Jane Austen for many reasons. However, in particular I love how she challenged both male and female gender norms. I feel that especially during that during that time period it was not common for a human let alone a women to challenge gender roles. I loved how she portrayed that in her writing, and included the complexity behind it.

  • Adam Quinan Nov 16, 2025, 8:56 AM (18 days ago)

    As a young male, I tried reading Jane Austen, but I just could not get interested. Many years later in my 50s, I watched the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film out of some sense of duty because a friend had lent it to me and found myself laughing out loud at some of the scenes. I decided to read the book and found that the humour was Jane Austen's not the screenwriter's and so followed up by reading and falling in love with all of her novels.

  • Penelope M. Nov 16, 2025, 8:31 AM (18 days ago)

    I have always adored Jane Austen's work as a little girl, but moreso recently. Her work has captured the attention of my 12 year old son and it has allowed us to bond in ways other literature have not. He has become a fan of her work, looking forward to us discussing Pride & Prejudice, and it has blown me away. Thank you Jane!

  • Nicole Odwazny Nov 16, 2025, 8:31 AM (18 days ago)

    Jane Austen developed the novel as it today. She inspired other authoress to express their imaginations on paper when it was not proper for a woman to do so. She continues to inspire others 250 years later to tell enriching and inspiring stories.

  • AJP Nov 15, 2025, 9:37 AM (19 days ago)

    I love Jane because her characters know well the rules of their society, but hardly ever let it get to them. I love Lizzy Bennet's sparkle and wit, Elinor Dashwood's strength and steadiness, Anne Elliot gaining the courage to go after what her heart truly desires, and even mousy little Fanny Price clinging stubbornly to her own values, completely on her own, despite painful opposition from her adopted family. Catherine Norland creeping around trying to see if Northanger Abbey REALLY contains a mystery makes me laugh; Mr. Knightley affectionately scolding Emma makes me smile and I even enjoy the magnificent Lady Susan, heartless schemer though she is! Thank you Jane!

  • Glaucia Buzato Nov 15, 2025, 2:07 AM (19 days ago)

    I value Jane Austen's writings for the acuity of her observations and for the profound gender discussions they presented for her era. I consider her a heroine.

  • Adella Nov 13, 2025, 1:21 PM (21 days ago)

    I appreciate Jane Austen’s genius in creating strong female characters. Lizzie Bennet’s conviction in living her own life and refusing to settle for anything less than she deserves has stuck with me since I was a child. Above all else, I have learned from Austen’s characters how to follow my passions and remain true to myself, rather than bending to the wills of others around me.

  • Suzanne Martini Nov 9, 2025, 2:37 PM (25 days ago)

    I love Jane Austen for being an inspiration for forming a family book club with my three sisters, mom, and late mother-in-law, which has been a fun way to strengthen family ties. We have had an Austen book for each of the last 4 years, discussed it over several months while sharing tea and Constantia wine, watching the television adaptations, playing card games or trivia, and recently attending an event at Sharon Woods in Cincinnati.

  • Dieter de Lange Oct 30, 2025, 12:51 AM (36 days ago)

    The beginning of Volume III, Chapter 1, of Sense and Sensibility, is one of the few passages from a book that genuinely made me scream with laughter (particularly the part where Mrs Jennings relates to Eleanor the chaos that erupted when it was revealed that Lucy and Edward were engaged).

  • Celia Storey Oct 21, 2025, 1:51 PM (44 days ago)

    I believe that Jane’s prose speaks to me because she grew up surrounded by the boys in her father’s boarding school and knew what there was to know about “boys.” She was no romantic idealist. The death of her admired cousin, in childbirth, persuaded her that she did not want to become some wealthy man’s broodmare. Wealth was not merely money to her.
    For the richness of her life, the clarity of her storytelling and the severity of her judgment, I admire Jane Austen. Also, because she got things done. She wrote novels rapidly while caring for her beloved family.
    In my dreams, Jane and her sister and I and any other girls who feel with us are friends, and laughing and laughing together.

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