A charming tool for Readers Theater entertainment or classroom education. The Readers Theater passages from four of Jane Austen's novels - Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion - selected for these readings illuminate the author's mastery of form, keen observation of human nature and cultural irony, her delightful wit, sharp dialogue and vivid description. Not only will these readings engage and enchant audiences, but also will they enhance young readers' literary comprehension skills and educate them in the humanities of the times: history - during the War of 1812 and the British Regency era -, English literature, and with recommended piano accompaniment, the music of the period. Ideally, these Readings would be exercised as a part of a core course of study. Or, read them for your own amusement and quick synopses of these four novels written by Jane Austen 200 years ago yet strikingly contemporary to the culture of our times. Northanger Abbey, the spellbinding centerpiece of these Readings, is Jane Austen's parody on Gothic novels widely read in her time and still in print today.