If you landed here searching for Cassandra Austen books in order, you’re not alone. Every year thousands of readers type that exact phrase, hoping to dive into a hidden collection of Regency-era novels. The truth is gentle but firm: Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773–1845), Jane Austen’s beloved older sister, never published any books of her own.
She was, however, the most important person in Jane Austen’s literary life — confidante, editor, illustrator, and fierce protector of Jane’s reputation. Without Cassandra, we would know far less (and perhaps far too much) about the woman who gave us Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.
So think of this post as the helpful redirect you needed: a celebration of Cassandra’s quiet legacy + the complete, reader-friendly guide to Jane Austen’s books in publication order (the order most Austen experts recommend for first-time readers).
Who Was Cassandra Austen, Really?
- Born two years before Jane, Cassandra was her sister’s closest friend and emotional anchor.
- An accomplished amateur watercolorist — she illustrated Jane’s hilarious teenage spoof The History of England.
- After Jane’s death in 1817, Cassandra burned many of Jane’s private letters (literary arson or loving curation? Scholars still argue) and carefully edited the rest.
- She outlived Jane by almost 30 years and never married after her fiancé died tragically young.
In short: Cassandra was the original Austen super-fan, gatekeeper, and literary executor.
List Of Cassandra Austen Books In Order By Year
Discover the complete list of Cassandra Austen books in order by year, organized for easy reading and research. Explore her published works, historical context, and chronological timeline to better understand her literary contributions. Perfect for readers, researchers, and fans wanting a clear, accurate guide to Cassandra Austen’s writing journey and publication history.
| Series / Category | # | Book Title | Publication Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Austen’s Major Novels (Completed & Published) | 1 | Sense and Sensibility | 1811 | Originally titled Elinor and Marianne; first published anonymously as “By a Lady”. |
| 2 | Pride and Prejudice | 1813 | Originally First Impressions; revised and published. | |
| 3 | Mansfield Park | 1814 | Austen’s most socially complex novel. | |
| 4 | Emma | 1815 | Dedicated to the Prince Regent (future George IV). | |
| 5 | Northanger Abbey | 1817 (posthumous) | Satire of Gothic fiction; written ~1798–99. | |
| 6 | Persuasion | 1817 (posthumous) | Austen’s final completed novel; written 1815–16. | |
| Epistolary Novella | – | Lady Susan | ~1794; published 1871 | Wicked anti-heroine; written in letter format. |
| Unfinished Novels | – | The Watsons | ~1803–1805; unfinished | Fragment; family financial struggles at core. |
| – | Sanditon | 1817; unfinished | 11 chapters; modern adaptations exist (e.g., ITV series). | |
| Juvenile Works (Written as a teenager, 1787–1793) | 1 | The Beautifull Cassandra | ~1788 | Dedication: “To Miss Austen”; short, comedic. |
| 2 | Love and Freindship [sic] | 1790 | Parody of sentimental novels; full of fainting and drama. | |
| 3 | Lesley Castle | 1792 | Epistolary; absurd family correspondence. | |
| 4 | The History of England | 1791 | Illustrated by Cassandra Austen; satirical “history” by a “partial, prejudiced & ignorant Historian”. | |
| 5 | Catharine, or the Bower | 1792 | Early version of themes in Pride and Prejudice. | |
| – | The Three Sisters, A Collection of Letters, Evelyn, etc. | 1787–1793 | Part of Juvenilia – Volume the First, Second, and Third. Available free via Project Gutenberg. | |
| Letters & Prayers | – | Jane Austen’s Letters | Collected 1932, 1952, 1995 | Edited by Deirdre Le Faye; 161 surviving letters, many to Cassandra. |
| – | Prayers | ~1790s–1800s | Three short prayers; published in minor works collections. | |
| Modern Author Using “Cassandra Austen” Pen Name | 1 | The Portrait | 2019 | By Maya Rushing Walker; Regency historical fiction. |
| 2 | Coming Home to Greenleigh | 2019 | Contemporary women’s fiction; same author. |
Jane Austen’s Six Completed Novels in Publication Order
(This is the order Jane herself saw them released and the sequence that lets her style evolve beautifully in your mind.)
- Sense and Sensibility (1811) The Dashwood sisters — sensible Elinor and sensitive Marianne — navigate love, loss, and lousy men. Jane’s first published novel is witty, heartbreaking, and surprisingly modern.
- Pride and Prejudice (1813) Yes, that one. Elizabeth Bennet + Mr Darcy = peak enemies-to-lovers. If you only read one Austen, make it this (but why stop at one?).
- Mansfield Park (1814) Often called her “problem novel” because Fanny Price is quieter than Lizzy Bennet, but the social satire is razor-sharp and the moral questions still sting.
- Emma (1815) “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” Jane was wrong — we adore meddling, privileged, utterly charming Emma Woodhouse.
- Northanger Abbey (1817, published posthumously) A delicious spoof of Gothic novels. Catherine Morland imagines horrors around every corner — and learns real life can be scarier (and funnier).
- Persuasion (1817, published posthumously) Jane’s final completed novel and many readers’ favourite. Anne Elliot gets a second chance at love at the “old” age of 27. Quietly devastating and deeply romantic.
Bonus: Shorter Works & Unfinished Novels (Perfect for Super-Fans)
- Lady Susan (c. 1794, published 1871) – A deliciously wicked epistolary novella about a manipulative anti-heroine.
- The Watsons (c. 1804, unfinished) – A fragment that feels like an early sketch of Emma.
- Sanditon (1817, unfinished) – Jane’s last work, set in a seaside resort. Modern adaptations (including the ITV series) have completed it in wildly different ways.
- Juvenile works (Love and Freindship, The Beautifull Cassandra, etc.) – Teen Jane was hilarious and unhinged; these are short, free online, and worth a giggle.
Recommended Reading Order for Beginners
- Pride and Prejudice (everyone’s gateway drug)
- Sense and Sensibility or Emma
- Persuasion (save the best wine for last)
- Then the rest in any order you like!
A Quick Note on the Modern “Cassandra Austen”
There is a contemporary author who published two lovely novels under the pen name Cassandra Austen (real name Maya Rushing Walker):
- The Portrait (2019) – Regency-era historical fiction
- Coming Home to Greenleigh (2019) – contemporary women’s fiction
She has since published under her own name. If that’s what you were looking for, happy reading! But 99 % of searches for “Cassandra Austen books” are really quests for Jane.
Final Thought
Cassandra Austen may not have a single novel, but she gave us something priceless: she preserved her sister’s voice for the world. Next time you laugh out loud at one of Jane’s letters or swoon over Captain Wentworth’s letter (“I am half agony, half hope”), raise a cup of tea to Cassandra — the woman who made sure we could still have them.
Happy reading, and may your next Austen hero be even better than Mr Darcy.
(He won’t be. But we can dream.) 💕
Which Austen novel is your favourite? Drop it in the comments — I’m always ready to talk Regency romance!
