Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice - 7

Post by **StefanY** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:52 pm

Pride and Prejudice

When we started this one in class, I thought that Jane Austen books were just a bunch of romantic chick fluff. (No offense intended to the romance fans out there!) As a manly man, I didn't think that there was any way in the world that I would even remotely enjoy it. I'm pleased to report that I was mistaken.

Yes, the main theme of the book is what is commonly referred to as a courtship plot. However, Jane Austen's style is so much more than that. The writing is engaging and very full of social commentary that makes the 1800's literally come alive on the page. The story is filled with very well developed and quirky characters and the story is so much more than just two people going ga-ga over one another and falling head-over-heels in love.

If you haven't read any Jane Austen and enjoy classic literature, I would recommend giving Pride and Prejudice a try. Also, for both new readers and old fans alike, I think that all would highly benefit by reading the fully annotated version published by Anchor Books. It has wonderful insight and illustrations that really fill the reader in on the book itself, Austen and the time in which the book was written. There are a few spoilers in the annotations for the first time reader, but they were few and the rest of the information really added to the quality of my reading experience.

Have you read this book? Click here to rate it!

tollbaby · Post by **tollbaby** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:46 am

Pride and Prejudice remains my favorite of the Austen novels

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Mary Russell · Post by **Mary Russell** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:38 am

No kidding! I love P&P! It's definitely one of my all time favourites! A good movie version is the BBC production with Colin Firth (sigh), but the book is definitely better, since it adds the last few chapters.

Post by **StefanY** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:41 pm

we also watched the miniseries for extra credit. It was very well done.

Post by **laurie** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:32 am

Yeah, Colin Firth is definitely "well done".

P&P is my absolute favorite romance novel, precisely for the aspects StefanY cited: a love story in the context of its time, place and social class, all of which hold equal importance in Austen's story.

And it's got the BEST opening line of anything I've ever read!

Post by **PolarisDiB** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:58 pm

When I read Pride and Prejudice, I was a little annoyed that every description of it I could find said that it was, and I quote, "witty".

Then I finished reading it, and all I could say was, "Well! That was quite witty!"

Whimsical works too.

--DiB

Mary Russell · Post by **Mary Russell** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:25 pm

I must say I'm a complete fan of "witty"!!!!