Download Jane Austen's Classic Romance Novels
Jane Austen's 19th century contemporary romance novels are today most often called the first regencies. I don't agree that her books are regencies (in other words historicals).
How can I when she wrote books set in the present (her present, that is)?
It's a simple fact that Jane Austen wrote contemporary romances.
Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen book. 
I read it in high school, then discovered it again after watching A&E's miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. No doubt Colin Firth helped me make my decision! :)
These e-texts are offered for download through Project Gutenburg. They are free, having been converted to electronic format by volunteers. You can download either the text version or the ZIP version, with the ZIP version being a smaller file size which will download faster. In either case, the e-text is in text format with minimal formatting to allow the greatest number of people to have access to the books.
Download and enjoy!
If you'd like an html formatted version of either Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, or Persuasion, go here.
Austen, Jane, 1775-1817
Emma
Emma was published in 1815. The heroine is the charming and sometimes too clever Emma Woodhouse, who manages to deceive herself about lots of things, such as: who does she really love?
Download: text version--877 KB ZIP version--363 KB
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Emma (Modern Library Classics).
See A&E's Emma - Kate Beckinsale stars in this delightfully wicked tale of love and matchmaking that has delighted readers for over 200 years!
Lady Susan
This novella is written in the form of an exchange of letters. The recently-widowed Lady Susan Vernon is determined (through whatever means) to make financially attractive marriages for herself and her daughter Frederica. Not very similar to what I would call Jane Austen's typical style of book.
Download: text version--137 KB ZIP version--51 KB
Mansfield Park
This novel was originally published in 1814. Fanny Price is brought up at Mansfield Park with her rich uncle and aunt, where only her cousin Edmund helps her with the difficulties she suffers from the rest of the family. When Henry and Mary Crawford visit the Mansfield neighbourhood, the morals of the Mansfield family are tested. Of course, everything turns out right in the end!
Download: text version--877 KB ZIP version--367 KB
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Mansfield Park (Modern Library Classics).
Northanger Abbey
This is the story of the unsophisticated Catherine Morland on her first trip away from home. In Bath she meets Henry Tilney. Later, on a visit to Northanger Abbey (Henry Tilney's family's house) she learns to distinguish between Gothic fiction and the realities of ordinary life.
Download: text version--441 KB ZIP version--184 KB
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Northanger Abbey (Modern Library Classics).
Persuasion
Persuasion was Jane Austen's last novel, published after her death in 1817, and its length is fairly short. Eight years ago, twenty-seven year old Anne Elliot let a family friend persuade her to give up her engagement to the then-poor Captain Wentworth. When Captain Wentworth and Anne meet again, she has a second chance at love. Jane Austen keeps up the suspense, leaving you to wonder if it will turn out right, but of course it does.
Download: text version--486.82 KB ZIP version--197.33 KB
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Persuasion (Modern Library Classics).
Pride and Prejudice
First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth can't stand Darcy after she overhears him slander her, her family, and her community. The haughty Mr. Darcy finds himself drawn to Elizabeth despite her "shady" connections. The title says it all. Her prejudice meets his pride, and boom, you just know they're meant for each other! A romance like no other, Pride and Prejudice is my absolute favorite Jane Austen. I believe this is the book that gave me such a love of today's genuine regency romances. (You know, the ones without the sex.)
Download: text version--254 KB no zip version
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Pride and Prejudice (Modern Library Series).
See the version that Colin Firth starred in, A&E's Pride and Prejudice, the definitive version (in my opinion ;-). Or get this version of Pride and Prejudice from Amazon.com.
There's also the version of Pride and Prejudice that starred Keira Knightley.
Sense and Sensibility
This novel centers around two sisters: Marianne, who represents "sensibility"; and Elinor, who has much more "sense", but is still not immune from disappointments. Yes, there is romance in this one too. Haven't you seen the movie with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant?
Download: text version--683.77 KB ZIP version--280.83 KB
Or buy the book for your keeper shelf: Sense and Sensibility (Modern Library Classics).
See the Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson film version of Sense and Sensibility.
