Jane Austen Books in Order: Publication vs. Writing Order
By Jane Austen Page Editors · Updated July 5, 2026
Jane Austen's six novels were published between 1811 and 1817: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, then Northanger Abbey and Persuasion together, posthumously. The order she drafted them in the 1790s differs from this publication sequence.
“In order” can mean two different things with Austen, and they don’t match.
Publication order
| # | Novel | Published |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sense and Sensibility | 1811 |
| 2 | Pride and Prejudice | 1813 |
| 3 | Mansfield Park | 1814 |
| 4 | Emma | 1815 |
| 5 | Northanger Abbey | 1817 (posthumous) |
| 6 | Persuasion | 1817 (posthumous) |
Order of original composition
| # | Working title | Later became | First drafted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elinor and Marianne | Sense and Sensibility | c. 1795 |
| 2 | First Impressions | Pride and Prejudice | 1796–97 |
| 3 | Susan | Northanger Abbey | 1798–99 |
| 4 | — | Mansfield Park | 1811–13 |
| 5 | — | Emma | 1814–15 |
| 6 | — | Persuasion | 1815–16 |
Austen substantially revised the three early drafts before publication, so “written first” does not mean “published as first written” — Northanger Abbey, her earliest completed novel, was the last to reach readers.
Recommended reading order
New readers do best starting with Pride and Prejudice (the most accessible plot and her sharpest comedy), then Persuasion or Emma, saving Mansfield Park — her most demanding novel — for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What order did Jane Austen write her books in?
Early drafts of Northanger Abbey ("Susan"), Sense and Sensibility ("Elinor and Marianne"), and Pride and Prejudice ("First Impressions") all date from 1795–1799. Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion were written and published later, 1811–1816, during her mature Chawton period.
What order should I read Jane Austen's novels in?
Publication order works well for most readers — Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion. First-time readers often prefer to start with Pride and Prejudice regardless of order.