Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Penguin Classics, 9780143105428, 2009, 352pp.
The Short of It:
This beloved classic has finally been read by me. Any surprises? No, but I am glad to finally mark this one off my list.
The Rest of It:
If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, then you know that the Bennet sisters, all five of them are in some stage of being married off to suitable gentleman. Well, Mrs. Bennet HOPES for them to find suitable matches, men who will provide for them and allow them to live a respectable, if not wealthy life. Men of means.
I think perhaps this aspect of the story is what’s kept me from the book all these years. I’ve tried to read it a handful of times and always put it down a few chapters in. It seemed too frivolous and a tad too pleasant. All this “finding a man” business. However, this made for a VERY enjoyable story to read during a pandemic.
Plus, Mr. Darcy. The disagreeable Mr. Darcy if you ask Elizabeth Bennet. Anyone reading the book knows within two mentions of his name that he won’t be disagreeable for long. What made this book even more fun is that my daughter and I watched the movie as soon as I finished the book. I did not have access to the miniseries with Colin Firth so we opted for the Kiera Knightly movie which we both enjoyed quite a bit.
There are no surprises with the story. It’s pretty much what I imagined but timing is everything and reading it now was so much more enjoyable than all my previous attempts. I dare say, that I may attempt another Austen. If so, which?
Source: Purchased
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I’m glad you finished it, even if it took you far too long. 🙂 My recommendation for your next read might be Northanger Abbey since it’s a bit Gothic. I really love Persuasion too.
You should go for Persuasion next – it s an absolute delight with Austen ‘ s most mature heroine at a very ripe old age of 28 . Great post as usual!!
I’m not good at reading classics, but I do love the BBC and PBS versions of Jane Austen’s books. I’m glad you finally get to cross this one off your TBR list.
Sense and Sensibility so you can admire Emma Thompson and her acting/screen-writing abilities!
I did not like Pride and Prejudice when I Read it the first time. So boring. I do not generally reread books I do not like, but this one I gave another try–and now it is on of my favorites. Timing really is everything. I’ve really enjoyed the other Austen books I have read. I still need to read Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.
Timing really is everything. All the other times I tried to read it it just seemed silly.