“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Genre: Adult Fiction, Classic
Source: Gift
Summary from Goodreads:
Vanity, not love, has been my folly
When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited, while he struggles to remain indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.
I’ve held off on reading this book for a long time. Mainly because classic books are still a bit difficult for me to read and I’m not a romance fan. So a classic romance shouldn’t be a fun read for me, right? Well…. kind of.
I’m surprised that I had fun with the romantic twists and turns in the story. I guess it’s because it’s not like the romance that pops up in the modern books I read today? There’s no one sleeping around behind someone’s back. We just get friends and family meddling in each other’s love lives. It always baffled me at how fast the romance moved sometimes. I’d turn the page and suddenly someone was engaged!
The language was a bit rough for me at times. I’m never going to be a fan of flowery language. It’s a nice change from the normal stuff I read but it’s still too much. I’d much rather get down to the meat of the story. I did appreciate the humor in the story though. It’s a great change from the “stuffy” classics out there.
The characters were interesting. I was surprised at how easily I was able to relate to Elizabeth. Lydia was crazy (and hilarious). I liked Mr. Bennet and his humor. Mrs. Bennet was pretty ridiculous but I enjoyed her.
The bottom line? I liked the basics of the story but the language and execution of the story made it a bit difficult to devour sometimes.
This book was read for BHA.
The Cheap Reader 
I love Jane Austen and this was my favourite of her books.
I can understand what you mean about flowery language. I love how this one is written, though. It usually takes me a chapter or two to get into the flow, but then I’m there and it is amazing.
I related to Elizabeth so easily. I especially love that she has dark hair and dark eyes (like me!!!) although I am certainly not as witty as she is.
I think the quickness of engagements in P&P is a sign of the times. I think that might have been how things were done back then (which is seriously scary, right??).
And I love the humor. The first time I read this book I couldn’t stand Mr. Collins or Mrs. Bennet, but I actually love their characters now. I mean they are both a little nuts, but people are a little nuts, and it cracks me up. They both bring so much to the story.
P&P is my favorite book ever, but I’m not really into a lot of classics either.
I know the engagement thing is a sign of the times but it’s still weird. How about a bit of courtship or something?!
Do you have any other P&P recommendations? I’ve been told to get the 95 tv series of it.
Yes definitely watch the 95 BBC version. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is amazing. I also love Bride and Prejudice (Bollywood) and of course The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube. I also like the 2005 P&P with Keira Knightley. I’m not obsessed at all 🙂
Oooh thanks for the suggestions!
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