My month-long Austen Marathon has turned into a 4-month literary journey. In those four months, I didn’t devour Austen’s works the way I imagined I would. Instead, I went through every novel meticulously, reading and rereading specific pages. I wasn’t merely enjoying Austen’s novels, I was studying them. I was in awe of Jane Austen’s tremendous talent. I was green with envy and lily yellow with despair.

 I tried to look at each work as if I were seeing it for the first time—and I succeeded, mainly because of Austen’s terrific storytelling. Whether it’s a first-time or an nth-time read, Austen’s novels always offers something new to the reader. I suppose, that’s why I’m making some changes to my Austen list of favorites.

The following shows the results of my 2012/2013 Austen Marathon.

Top Three Works:

1. 1.       Persuasion. I find this the most realistic and ‘mature’ of all of Austen’s novels.
2. 2.       Sense and Sensibility. Because I will always look up to Elinor Dashwood and her tremendous strength.
3. 3.       Pride and Prejudice. How could one not root for Lizzie and Mr. Darcy?

Top Three Heroines:

1. 1.       Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)
2. 2.       Anne Elliott (Persuasion)
3. 3.       Lizzie Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Top Three Male Characters:

1. 1.       Captain James Benwick (Persuasion)
2. 2.       Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey)
3. 3.       Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

Top Three Villains:

1. 1.       Isabella Thorpe (Northanger Abbey)
2. 2.       John Thorpe (Northanger Abbey)
3. 3.       Lucy Steele (Sense and Sensibility)

Least Favorite Characters: Lydia Bennett (Pride and Prejudice)

Runner-Up: Philip Elton (Emma)

Funniest Characters: Charlotte and Mr. Palmer (Sense and Sensibility)

Runner-Up: Sir Walter Elliott (Persuasion)

Least Favorite Work: Mansfield Park. It’s no longer as bad as I used to think it was, but it’s still not as good as Austen’s other works. At least, in my opinion.