Published in 1813, and dare I say still utterly relevant and compelling today in 2020. I live in a world where almost everything is built on first contact, on first impressions - social media imagery, brash headlines. political soundbites, even book covers! Austin delivers one of the most delightfully appealing and self-aware narrators in Elizabeth Bennett - she of the prejudice, with her often acerbic relationship with - him with the wealth and the good bearing, Fitzwilliam, AKA, Mr Darcy, he of the pride.

A story of first impressions, and in particular first impressions influenced by others and the environment we live in (sound familiar?) What could at first glance be deemed to be a cutting satire of the upper classes merry-go-round of marriage seeking, balls and gossip, is much much more in the hands of Austen. From critical looks at gender inequality, through to the fragility of the male ego (told you it was still relevant) Austen holds court.

But is it a great story? It is indeed, I found my self squealing in glee when good things happened and completely swept up in this drama in a bubble, going on, supposedly whilst Napoleon was tearing Europe apart.

A wonderful, if not the best, example of Austen's trademark mix of realism and humour with dollops of biting irony and social commentary, on top of a compelling and engulfing story, which on paper shouldn't take us away, but does. 9.5 out of 12

Special shout-out to all those that stand by the BBC Pride and Prejudice drama in the GIFs above :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_a...

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that it had begun."

This was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy's reply when Ms. Elizabeth Bennet asked him when he fell in love with her.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen had put my left out dictionary into good use. I have to admit, I was very slow in the first pages, however, nearing the end, I was like a driver going at 100mph, eager to reach the finish line.

At the first pages, I have to admit I was frustrated, for Jane Austen had called her characters Miss Bennet, and I must duly mention that there are five Miss Bennets. And the use of various nicknames, confused me more. I thought Elizabeth and Eliza and Lizzy are different persons. So, I put a book guide into good use as well.

I must also mention my despise of Mrs. Bennet. I hated her more than anyone in this novel. She has no talent in being a mother whatsoever and have no notions of leading her daughters in the right path. The only thing that matters to her is the marrying of her five daughters. After the misfortune of Lydia running away with Wickham, she was frivolous as to forget the elopement as soon as news of marriage were ensued. She considered the hunting for a wedding gown, the most of her problems. I've never seen a woman as fickle-minded as her and no one as blinded to riches than her. Nor do I have a desire to meet one.

Lydia Bennet, is another matter. She is selfish and insensitive as anyone can get. I have to mention this, to unload the hatred in my chest.

How Jane and Elizabeth turned out to be well bred is a wonder, considering the type of mother they are born with.

But enough of what I hate of the book, because it will soon be forgotten, and all but the love of Mr Darcy for Elizabeth would remain.

This is a genuine love story. I've fallen in love with Mr Darcy. He wanted to change his ways for his beloved Elizabeth. He helped her in so many ways and he needed no credit for it. For him, it was enough that he knew he helped her. He also hid his love for her for so long, its endearing.

No part of the book was useless. All were vital for the fruition of Mr Darcy and Ms Bennett's love story. As you go deeper in the book, all pieces come together, like a puzzle, slowly making meaning.

Indeed, Ms. Elizabeth Bennet is lucky, to have loved and to be loved in return. Despite the troubles their love had to endure, it was victor in the end. ♥

➸ 4 stars

n  n    “i cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. it is too long ago. i was in the middle before i knew that i had begun.”n  n

— pride and prejudice by jane austen stands as a pinnacle of english literature, enchanting readers for over two centuries with its timeless tale of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. set in the genteel world of regency-era england, the story follows the spirited elizabeth bennet as she navigates the complexities of courtship, marriage, and social hierarchy. central to the story is elizabeth’s tempestuous relationship with the brooding and enigmatic mr. darcy, whose initial aloofness belies a depth of character and integrity that gradually wins elizabeth’s heart.

one of my resolutions this year was to step out of my comfort zone and explore classic literature, and since i absolutely adore pride and prejudice (2005), i decided to start with this book. after reading this story, i can now comprehend why “pride and prejudice” has captured the hearts of so many over the years with its wit, social insight and timeless romance makes it a captivating read. i’m not sure why it wasn’t a 5 star read for me, but i think that the slow start made it a bit challenging, it was until volume three where i started to really enjoy the story.

➷ austen’s language was, at first, bit of a challenge. while her prose is beautiful and rich, sometimes i would have to go back to reread a chapter to understand what was happening. but that’s just a me issue since i’m not really used to reading classics and i had to keep reminding myself this book was written over 200 years ago. but as the story progresses you can see how the writing is eloquently beautiful. watching the 2005 movie so many times definitely helped me understand everything better.

n  n    “a lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”n  n

➳ elizabeth bennett:
elizabeth is such a strong fmc. she takes no nonsense from anyone and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. what makes elizabeth captivating is her unwavering sense of integrity and her refusal to compromise her principles, even in the face of pressure from her family and society. she is not willing to settle for a loveless marriage or a life of luxury if it means sacrificing her own happiness and autonomy. throughout the story, elizabeth faces numerous challenges and obstacles, from her family’s financial struggles to the pressures of societal expectations. yet, she navigates these difficulties with grace and resilience, never compromising her principles or sacrificing her sense of self. she had a tendency to be judgemental throughout the book. she quickly forms opinions about people based on limited information or first impressions. for example, she initially perceives mr. darcy as proud and arrogant, partly influenced by negative rumours that mr. wickham told her. but as the story goes on, she learns that maybe she shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

— i absolutely adored her relationship with her sister, jane. they both share a special sisterly bond that is central to the story. throughout the book, they confide in each other, offer advice, and provide emotional comfort during times of joy and distress. their tight-knit bond stands as a testament to the enduring power of family, providing unwavering support and understanding. together, they navigate the complexities of society and matters of the heart, offering each other comfort and guidance along the way.

➳ fitzwilliam darcy:
「 ”dearest and loveliest elizabeth” 」
opposite elizabeth bennet stands the brooding and enigmatic mr. darcy, a wealthy and reserved gentleman hailing from a noble lineage. initially shrouded in arrogance and reserve, darcy’s facade belies a depth of character and integrity that gradually unfolds throughout the narrative. at the beginning of the story, he is seen as arrogant and dismissive, particularly in his interactions with the bennet family. his reluctance to engage in social situations and his propensity to make quick judgments about others contribute to his unfavorable reputation. while undeniably flawed, darcy’s journey is marked by a profound transformation—one of the most compelling arcs in the story. despite his pride and acute awareness of social status, darcy emerges as a fundamentally good man, grappling with his own prejudices and ultimately learning to open his heart to love. through his struggles and growth, darcy embodies the novel’s central themes of self-discovery, redemption, and the transformative power of genuine connection.

꒰ mr. darcy + elizabeth: ꒱
they are the true heart of this story. the romance between mr. darcy and elizabeth bennet is a slow-burn journey that unfolds gradually throughout this book. at the outset, elizabeth is put off by darcy’s perceived arrogance and social status, while darcy is equally dismissive of elizabeth’s lower social standing and outspokenness. darcy’s letter to lizzy is a pivotal moment that shifts the dynamics of their relationship. it’s a sincere attempt by darcy to address the misunderstandings between them and explain his actions. through the letter, darcy opens up about his past and motivations, revealing a more complex and vulnerable side of himself. for lizzy, it’s a moment of reckoning, as she grapples with the new insights into darcy’s character and her own feelings towards him.

darcy: i love you even though you’re poor, your family have no etiquette and they suck, but idc will you marry me??
lizzy: no
like this will never not be funny!! she left that man flabbergasted, like what did he expect her to say after just insulting her and her family

Jane Austen mi patrona jajaj

En esta relectura vuelvo a ponerle 5 estrellas al libro, porque simplemente me parece brillante.
Desde el romance siendo la trama superficial, hasta las partes satíricas sobre la sociedad de la época.

Disfruté mucho reencontrarme con Lizzie, reírme con ella y sobretodo, darle un nuevo significado al título. Ahora tengo muchas ganas de ver de nuevo la película para hacer comparaciones y enamorarme otra vez del Soundtrack.

Contento de releerlo y mi plena admiración a la autora.
Recomendado

Here is another awesome edition I’ve added to my collection

If somebody had told me that I'd love a romance before I read this book, I would have laughed derisively.

In my late teens, romance was just not my cup of tea: it was meant for (yechch!) - girls. I was happily reading about those brave and hardy men who blew up German castles (during World War II) and evil Communist strongholds (after the war). The only women in those books were beautiful spies or dangerous adventuresses.

A few years later, my aunt pointed me to this book, after I had rather enjoyed an adaptation of it on Doordarshan (the Indian TV channel). I opened the book, read the first couple of sentences, and was hooked.

n  It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.n

By God! You can't be more true to life than this...

[personal interlude]

Scene: Myself at a marriage reception, strutting about rather proudly having recently landed a job.

Mother calls: "Nandu! Come here for a moment."

I go rather reluctantly, because I know what is about to transpire. It is like I dreaded: there is another female with mother. My mother presents me to her proudly.

The lady looks me over with an appraising eye, and my knees are already weak.

She says in a wondering tone: "My! How tall your son has grown!" (I'm all of five-feet-six-and-a-half inches.) "When I last saw you (this to me) you were only so tall..."(and she holds her hand the appropriate height from the floor. This is not surprising, because when she last saw me, I was only five years old.)

She turns to my mother, and says the dreaded words: "He's employed now. Isn't it time he settled down?"

Uh...oh. I sidle away, because I know what's coming next: she knows of a "nice girl" who would be the perfect match for me...

[end of interlude]

Oh, Mr. Bingley and Darcy, I sympathise with you from the bottom of my heart!

***

Elizabeth Bennet was the first girl I hopelessly fell in love with. Unfortunately for me, she existed only on the pages of a book, so my love was doomed from the start.

***

n  "...Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." - Charlotte Lucas.n

Being married to the same wonderful woman for more than twenty-three years, whom I did not know at all before our marriage was arranged, I can vouch for the veracity of the above statement.

***

Wonderful book. Read it!

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.
tt
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.

This book has been billed as one of the greatest love stories in all of literature. I have no idea why. When the story begins, Elizabeth Bennett is smart, independent, and not overly concerned with bagging a husband, which, by the standards of Victorian England, makes her a feminist trailblazer. Then she meets Mr. Darcy, who acts like an insufferable prick (this in a society obsessed with grace and good manners), and Elizabeth has the good sense to identify Mr. Darcy as the insufferable prick he is. And so she spends the first part of the book rightly loathing this asshole. Fast forward: by chance, Elizabeth finds herself touring Darcy's palatial estate, meeting his hundreds of servants, using his solid gold bidet, and suddenly she starts thinking that maybe Mr. Darcy isn't such an asshole after all. The moral of the story seems to be that enough money can make even the most abrasive and obnoxious jerk seem like prince charming. And what's really frustrating is when you realize that it's 200 years later, and while the world has changed immensely, the people are still the same. Go society! So if you want to read a real love story, read Anna Karenina. If you want to read the biggest piece of anti-feminist drivel in the literary canon, then by all means, read Pride and Prejudice.

sir, that's my emotional support classic

Revived review to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen. Go Jane - like a cute little tortoise you have outlasted all of those bustling hares.

****


It is a truth which I would like to see universally acknowledged, that no one voluntarily reads any 19th century novels unless they are by Jane Austen. I fear that modern readers think all these Radcliffes, Disraelis, Eliots, Gissings and so forth tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt them, or even, that they are most disagreeable, horrid books, not at all worth reading. They look at them without admiration at the library. They tell me they are all too long, but for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short. But it is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first, lest it be considered prejudice. Such perseverance in wilful self-deception! In vain I have struggled to tell them about Thackeray, Dickens and Bennett. It will not do. Somewhere they have formed the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I firmly believe that Moby Dick is the last book in the world that they could ever be prevailed on to read. The modern reader is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who is either a vampire, or a zombie, is sure of being kindly spoken of. Well, well. One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other. My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed dead people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company. Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.

I am so unqualified to write about this book.

I am physically unqualified, because I could write infinite words about how much I love this book, and I type in a weird way that makes my wrists hurt so infinity is simply not going to happen.

I am emotionally unqualified, because I lack emotional intelligence when it comes to my own feelings and the idea of trying to explain how I feel about this book is overwhelming.

I am spiritually unqualified, because of the aforementioned overwhelmed-ness.

I am also unqualified generally, in the grand scheme of things, because so many people have written so intelligently about the wonderfulness of this book and I have nothing better to add.

Just more rambling like this.

I read a lot of romance, and if you want to venture a theory as to why, I’d love to hear it. I very seldom like it, so maybe it’s a masochist tendency. Maybe I’m a glutton for the attention that writing negative reviews of popular books gives me. (Definitely not that one, since the few mean comments always outweigh the far more numerous nice ones in my stupid brain.) Whatever.

I read a lot of romance, but I almost never feel anything about it.

I LOVE this book. It gives me...uh…(everyone stop reading this to save me the embarrassment and allow me to preserve my rough and tumble reputation)...butterflies.

I know. I’m cringing forever. But it’s true.

This is a lovely book. It’s beautifully written, it’s funny, it’s filled with characters who feel full and real and different from one another (even though half of them have the same name), and it truly is the best love story ever told.

What more could you ask for?! Spoiled rotten, the lot of you.

Bottom line: A dream.

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rereading updates

i am currently being paid to reread this book. highly recommend that everyone works in publishing

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pre-review

starting a fundraiser to raise money for a monument in honor of Jane Austen's brain

review to come / 5 stars obviously

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currently-reading updates

my heart has space for exactly 435 pages. the entirety of my heart is made up of Pride & Prejudice. nothing else.

Pulls me in every time, regardless of how wordy it is. I need to read more Austen now, and obvs watch every adaptation of every of her novels.
______
Finished my post-election therapeutic P&P binge.

I re-watched this:


and this:


and even this:


and then listened to this:


And yet, I am still not sufficiently comforted. What to do?