کتاب بدی نبود. من این کتاب رو در دو مرحله خوندم. یه بار خلاصه ی انگلیسیش رو خوندم. بار دوم، با علم به ماجرا و پایان داستان، متن اصلی فارسیش رو خوندم. ارزشش رو داشت به نظرم.

تمام داستان، حول شخصیت دارسی است. مثل داستان گتسبی بزرگ که شخصیت محوری در حقیقت گتسبیه، ولی راوی یک نفر دیگه است. این جا هم شخصیت محوری دارسیه ولی راوی الیزابت بنته که اول به اشتباه راجع بهش پیشداوری می کنه و توصیف نادرستی ازش به دست می ده. بعداً که بیشتر باهاش آشنا میشه، و از پشت پرده ی غرور دارسی، به دارسی حقیقی نگاه میندازه، تازه دارسی رو میشناسه و این بار توصیف درستی ازش ارائه می کنه.
با این حساب، عنوان غرور و تعصب (پیشداوری) در حقیقت ترکیبی از صفت این دو شخصیته. غرور صفت دارسی و تعصب (پیشداوری) صفت الیزابته.

ضعف بزرگ داستان، اینه که فقط همین دو نفر (الیزابت و دارسی) هستن که شخصیت واقعی و چند بعدی دارن. بقیه ی افراد، فقط شخصیت های یک بعدی دارن. یعنی فقط و فقط یه صفت دارن و همون یه صفت در طول داستان نشون داده میشه.
مثلاً مادر الیزابت، احمقه. در طول داستان، فقط و فقط رفتارهای احمقانه ازش سر میزنه. حرفی نمیزنه، مگه این که بخواد حماقتش رو نشون بده و اصولاً علت حضورش در داستان، فقط همين يه صفته. همین طور شخصیت جین (خواهر بزرگ الیزابت) خوش قلبه. در طول داستان، همه ی حرفهاش و رفتارهاش، فقط در راستای نشون دادن این خوش قلبيه. هیچ وقت حسودى نميكنه، هیچ وقت عصبانی نمیشه، هیچ وقت دلتنگ نمیشه، انگار هیچ خصوصیت دیگه ای نداره، جز این که خوش قلب باشه. همين طور دو خواهر كوچك اليزابت، همين طور خواهر وسطى (مارى)، همين طور كشيش، همين طور خواهر آقاى بينگلى و...

Welcome back to another edition of Tim has an unpopular opinion: and this is a big one, as Tim is about to state that he frankly dislikes one of the most popular books ever written.

Yes, I dislike Pride and Prejudice. I’ll be honest, the only reasons it gets two stars is because of its historic influence on literature and the fact that it made me laugh on a few occasions, all from dialogue by Mr. Bennet, who while a flawed character was a joy to read. I dare say it would have been a 5 star read had it just been about him sitting in his library, tired of his relations and trying to get out of the story by mocking all of them.

I just don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand it’s influence, and I respect the people who love it, but I was bored the entire time and don’t get the love for it.

Abridged recap of the book: let’s go to a party. Let’s visit someone’s house. Oh my, now they are visiting us! What fun! Oh no, drama and gossip. Elopement… scandalous. Oh, hooray, a visit. That visit went poorly, hopefully the next will be better. Huzzah, it was!

I guess if I was trying to compliment it further, I should note that it is a rare example of a “pure” character done right. Jane is the annoying “see the good in everyone” but is actually able to see ill, she just doesn’t want to. It hurts. It’s not stupidity but a form of self preservation. This is refreshing, as usually in 19th century literature their purity just shines seemingly from stupidity.

Sorry everyone, I know this is a loved classic, but all I can say is that at least I’ve crossed it off my list of ones to read. It is at this point that I must just assume that Austen is not for me (though I at least did not despise it like I did Northanger Abbey.) 2/5 stars

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most widely read classical romances. It is also no exaggeration to say that Pride and Prejudice is the most popular work by Jane Austen. One is amazed when one thinks how a novel which was written centuries ago have enchanted generations of readers and continues to still enchant millions of readers. But those who have read it at least once will be able to account for why it is so.
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This novel though widely loved does not escape from the criticism of being overrated. This criticism is, to me, is found on a misconception. Pride and Prejudice is merely misunderstood as being a simple romance. The reason for this misconception is its resemblance to popular romantic fiction. But if one reads it with care and attention, one will not fail to understand that there is much more into this work than being a simple romance. Since love and marriage are dominant themes of the novel, it is perhaps natural to dismiss it as simple romantic fiction. But other equally important themes such as duty, honour, domestic felicity, and class difference elevate the novel from the simple romance pedestal. However what makes this novel extraordinary are the use of diverse characters and the detailed exposition of their virtues, vices, values, and principles. Jane Austen is well known for her power of human observation. This power is well exhibited through the characters she employs in her novels. And it also accounts for her characters being felt real and close to the reader's hearts.

In Pride and Prejudice we meet an unusual heroine for the Regency period. Elizabeth Bennet is an uncommon individual. She is bold, outspoken, intelligent, and independent. Her character is quite a contrast to the passive and submissive heroines of popular romantic fiction of the Regency period. Elizabeth is far too modern and she appeals to modern readers. Her lively spirit enables readers to connect with her instantly. Darcy too is an uncommon hero. He is not bold, daring, and forward gallant type found in popular Regency romance; but rather he is steady, intelligent, strong-minded, and principled. I think the contrast of the main duo of the novel to the accepted notion of heroin and hero of the Regency period helped this beautiful novel to maintain its universal and timeless appeal.

The rest of the characters are drawn from the silly, ridiculous, vain, coquettish, wicked, proud, and indifferent lot. These various traits of the characters add variety, colour, and comic relief to the novel.

The title "Pride and Prejudice" is said to denote Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice. However, in this fourth read, I felt that both are proud and prejudiced. Elizabeth's prejudice does not awaken only from the general manner and behaviour of Darcy but also from her wounded pride. Darcy's pride prejudices him against the people below his class as unworthy of his attentions. It is fascinating to read these two governed by their pride and prejudices consciously and unconsciously fight their growing attraction.

The writing is beautiful. Though not imbued with the Victorian rich language and verbosity, the light, witty, exuberant, and passionate writing arrest the reader's heart. And her style of writing is most extraordinary. Jane Austen tells her story not in so many words but through the description of thoughts and conduct of her characters. The theme of love is expounded on the thoughts and conduct of Jane, Elizabeth, Darcy, and Bingley; domestic felicity and the consequences of its absence on the conduct of the Bennet family; the class difference is on the thoughts and conduct of Darcy, Lady Catherine, and Elizabeth; duty and honour are mainly on the thoughts and conduct of Jane, Elizabeth, and Darcy. It is nothing short of sheer brilliance.

I have written a pretty lengthy review here. My excuse is that I wanted to try my best to do justice to the one book which will always have a tender place in my heart; the one book which made me fall in love with classics as a child. I owe my love for classics to Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. And so I thank Jane Austen with a sincere warm heart.

*austened*
*lizzied*
*darcied*

I loved this book. I think its place is among my favorites. This was my grandma's favorite book. I think she read it tens of times. Maybe once a year. I tried to read it once but I abandoned it. I am so happy that I started to read it again.

this is what other enemies to lovers books wish they were.

In my opinion, this is just a book about Victorian snobs talking about snobby things, and I don't like snobs.

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"I used to hate Mr Darcy until I found out he has ten thousand a year, now I'm madly in love with him."

The unromantic linking of money and love are just too much for me. It just makes women of this time period seem pathetic.

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It's my goal to read all of the classics that appear on the greatest books of all time lists every year, so I'm glad I can cross this one off.

It's possibly the most boring book I've ever read.

this book brings me the greatest pleasure and maddest joy that could ever be derived from reading any book. my heart is so full. i swear if i could but read this again, completely ignorant of its strength in character and its characters' morality, i couldn't be more satisfied, which, having seen the text with fresh eyes, might fix me into a state of partiality to everyone, as Jane had, or to the strength of humility of character that Elizabeth, and Darcy possessed.

i love this book dearly, and will love it for many years more no matter how my heart or disposition may change. i love Elizabeth, and Jane, and Bingley and Darcy, and of course Mr Bennet, for his wit, and being exactly like Elizabeth except by being her father. i love this novel, and wish all could love it alongside me, and sing it all the praise it deserves


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The Olympus of protagonist focused classic writing

Austen owned her era
The perfection of this novel is amazing and until today it´s difficult to impossible to name another book that has the same character development, hidden social critique, and amazing characters in a classical setting dealing with the grievances of an epoch. So less action and so much suspense just created by the inner perspective of the main protagonists that it´s a pleasure to read and reread. I just can´t get behind how Austen could write like a goddess and what makes each scene, word, setting, and plot twist so smooth and easy-going, while diving so deep under the skin of this bizarre, ancient society.

Insider jokes to avoid the censors of the time
What I love about classics is the background, the society, norms and rules, and how the authors integrated, criticized, and commented on the big topics of their time and avoided censorship. Like Twain, London and a handful of other writers Austen has conserved the spirit of those days for eternity, making it a funny, intense, and unique novel.

Evolution of feminist emancipation
It shows how complex women's roles evolved during history and how the immense stupidity of male-made humanities restricted much freedom and human rights and integrated hilarious, epic monuments of facepalmgasms instead. Just irony and satire in their highest form can be used as a mirror to reflect the impressions of a not so far away past, and to be able to laugh instead of sigh about it. If it just was history everywhere.

So much better than most of the male writers of that time
At a time when great writing could just be powered by talent, perseverance, intelligence, exercise, and passion (because there was no creative writing course just around the next corner or online), avoiding conservative worldviews and dogmas of the time, Austen wrote vivid, cliffhangery, and in perfect length with an inherent instinct for the rules of how to make true art. Not like many, mostly male, others, who praised their stupid beliefs in their racist, intolerant, and bad novels, or became pseudointellectual and impossible to understand for mentally healthy readers without narcissistic tendencies to push their ego (here, gratuitously hyped author, take that Nobel prize for that. Again), she wrote literature at it´s best.

Unfounded criticism of her work
I guess that many critics don´t have the time or interest to invest more effort than just reading it without a bit of researching history and the authors' biography to get the full pleasure of all the hidden easter eggs. Without that, it may really seem much more superficial and less well constructed than with the extra knowledge that enables one to enjoy it in full fan mode.

It aged well
Just as a good wine (I don´t like wine, I´m a beer and vodka guy, it´s just about the allegory) classics need time, have to breathe, have to be consumed mindfully and consciously in certain doses, and a bit of decadent study about where the grapes were grown, what meal applies to it, etc. is never a bad idea. Otherwise, they would be indistinguishable from the mass-produced, blockbuster, media-hyped, disposable clone armies of today's literature. The same cheap booze that was already winepressed in each epoch to meet the expectations of ( then bigoted, now too uncritical) readers, that don´t care about the hangover more sophisticated consumers get from mental intoxication.
That´s of course only true for non favorite genres I´m not (cognitively) biased, and thereby subjectively and emotionally bound, on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

A wiki walk can be as refreshing to the mind as a walk through nature in this completely overrated real life outside books:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Au...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_a...

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen started off annoying me and ended up enchanting me. Up until about page one hundred I found this book vexing, frivolous and down right tedious. I now count myself as a convert to the Austen cult.

I must confess I have been known to express an antipathy for anything written or set before 1900. I just cannot get down with corsets, outdoor plumbing and buggy rides. Whenever someone dips a quill into an inkwell my eyes glaze over. This is a shortcoming I readily own up to but have no desire to correct. So I admit to not starting this book with the highest of hopes. I did really enjoy Ang Lee's "Sense and Sensibility" however and so when my friend threw the gauntlet down I dutifully picked it up.

Boy did I hate him at first. To get anywhere with this book one has to immerse oneself in the realities of life and marriage in the nineteenth century. At first all this talk of entailment and manners just left me cold. I liked the language to be sure. Austen's dialogue is delightful through out but dialogue alone (no matter how delicious) does not a great novel make.

A hundred pages or so in though I started to see what a shrewd eye for character this Austen woman had. Mr. Collins was the first person I marvelled at. His character springs forth fully formed as a total but somehow loveable ass. From that point on I found much to love about this book. I was so into it by the end that I was laughing at some characters, sympathizing with others and clucking my tongue at an unhappy few. In short I was completely absorbed.

In conclusion I must now count myself a fan of Miss Austen's novels (and not just their fim adaptations) and do so look forward to acqauinting myself with more of her work in the future. "Emma" anyone?

~ 5 stars ~

(Re-read 2021)


This is my second read of this book, and I am still shocked about how little I appreciated it the first time around. I mean, this book is a masterpiece in itself. Not all classics deserve that status, but this one surely does.

The drama? Top notch. The characters? To die for. The setting? *chefs kiss*

Jane Austen is a genius. Her writing is witty and charming. I know her writing style is not for everyone, but I personally really liked it. The way she is able to put all these characters together and produce such an atmospheric and immersive story is phenomenal. It isn't the strongest plot or high action by any means, but it is a fun time.

I adore Elizabeth Bennet. She is smart, strong, and so easy to love and root for. Plus she's definitely a feminist. I was invested in her and all the other Bennet family member's lives. Seeing Lizzie's and Mr. Darcy's character development and their journey to finding love was definitely an experience. Mr. Darcy is also just as iconic as Lizzy.

The lavish lifestyle of this story, while that is not something most people can say they relate too, made the book. Rich people drama is great. I honestly love the aesthetic of period dramas. I am due for a rewatch of the adaptation. I haven't watched the BBC version, but the 2005 version is one of my all time favorite movies.

There is not much about this book that hasn't already been said so many times, so there isn't much I feel the need to point out, but ultimately, to end this off, I want to recommend Pride and Prejudice to all that have not read it.

Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story takes place in the fictional town of Meryton, England, in the late 18th century. The novel follows the life of Elizabeth Bennet, a witty and independent-minded young woman, as she navigates the social mores of her time and falls in love with Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and proud aristocrat.

The novel begins with the arrival of Mr. Bingley, a wealthy gentleman, to Netherfield Park, a nearby estate. He is accompanied by his sisters and his best friend, Mr. Darcy. The Bennet family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters, including Elizabeth, is excited by the prospect of meeting the new neighbors. However, when Mr. Darcy snubs Elizabeth at a ball, she immediately takes a dislike to him, and he to her, due to his pride and her prejudice against him.

As the story progresses, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy encounter each other again and again, and their initial animosity gradually turns into attraction. However, their budding romance is threatened by a number of obstacles, including the interference of Mr. Darcy's haughty aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and the machinations of Mr. Wickham, a charming but untrustworthy gentleman who has a grudge against Mr. Darcy.

Throughout the novel, Austen skillfully explores the themes of class, gender, and social hierarchy in Georgian England. She depicts a society in which a woman's value is determined by her ability to marry well and secure her family's future, and in which the upper classes maintain their status through strict adherence to social norms and codes of conduct. However, Austen also shows how individuals can challenge and subvert these norms, through their intelligence, wit, and courage.

One of the novel's strengths is its vividly drawn characters, each of whom is unique and memorable. Elizabeth is a particularly appealing heroine, with her quick wit, strong opinions, and determination to live life on her own terms. Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, is a complex and intriguing hero, whose pride and sense of superiority are gradually revealed to be a cover for his vulnerability and insecurity.

Another of Austen's strengths is her prose style, which is witty, precise, and elegant. Her use of irony and satire adds depth and nuance to the novel, allowing her to critique the social norms and expectations of her time while still entertaining her readers.

The novel also offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Georgian England, with its elaborate rituals of courtship, marriage, and social etiquette. Austen's keen observations of the manners and customs of the time, and her wry commentary on them, provide a richly detailed portrait of a bygone era. But at the same time, her characters are universally recognizable and relatable, making the novel as relevant today as it was when it was first published.

Moreover, Pride and Prejudice has had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring countless adaptations, retellings, and spin-offs in various media. From film and television adaptations to stage productions, comic books, and even video games, the novel's enduring appeal has ensured its place as a cultural touchstone for generations to come.

Overall, Pride and Prejudice is a timeless masterpiece of English literature, blending insightful social commentary with engaging characters, sparkling prose, and a deep understanding of the complexities of human relationships. It remains a beloved classic, treasured by readers and scholars alike, and its influence can be seen in countless works of literature and popular culture.