For so many of us, a Jane Austen novel is much more than the epitome of a great read. It is a delight and a solace, a challenge and a reward, and perhaps, yes, an obsession. For two centuries, Austen has enthralled readers across time and oceans. Few other authors can claim as many fans or as much devotion.

So what explains our fascination with her novels? Why do we read - and love - Jane Austen?

In essays culled from the last one hundred years of criticism juxtaposed with new pieces by some of today's most popular novelists and essayists, Jane Austen's writing is examined and discussed, from her witty dialogue to the arc and sweep of her story lines. Great authors and literary critics of the past offer insights into the timelessness of her moral truths while highlighting the unique confines of the society in which she composed her novels. Modern voices celebrate Austen's amazing legacy with an equal amount of eloquence and enthusiasm.

We read, and then reread, our favorite Austen novels to connect with both her world and our own. Because, as A Truth Universally Acknowledged so eloquently demonstrates, the only thing better than reading a Jane Austen novel is finding in our own lives her humor, emotion, and love.