Pride and Prejudice
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MY REVIEW
Pride and Prejudice is a story about society and the relationships of family. It focuses mainly on the Bennet's, specifically the two eldest daughters; Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Jane. Societal law demands upon the death of the supporting male, all funds and fortune are entailed to the next living 'male' relative. This puts the Bennet family at a disadvantage because they have five daughters. Mr. Bennet's fortune will pass to his estranged cousin, Mr. Collins.
Because of these circumstances it is Mrs. Bennet's direst wish to make sure her daughters are married off to stately gentlemen as soon as possible. Pride and Prejudice opens with the arrival of Mr. Bingley who brings high hopes of a possible suitor. They are all amenably introduced and attend a few parties where they had the delight of meeting the most wonderful [in his own mind] Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy leaves a cold and rude impression on Elizabeth.
Bingley and Jane hit it off immediately and everyone thinks it's a matter of time before they announce their engagement but without notice to the Bennet's or anyone else Bingley and his catty sisters, along with Darcy, pack up and head back to London leaving Jane depressed and wallowing in her loss. This is just one of the on again off again possible matrimonies in Pride & Prejudice. With so many daughters to find husbands for it is no wonder the extremes Mrs. Bennet has to go to find them mates. Including sending one off in the rain to become deathly ill and sending another off to visit with soldiers in a neighboring county.
All the semantics is quite fun despite being somewhat confusing at times. You almost need a map to keep the lineage, women and suitors straight. It took a few pages to get into the dialogue. Strangely, I find it easier to read it aloud, although, someone listening to me probably wouldn't think so. There's a formality to reading Jane Austen not present in today's writing. Even the way the characters address one another. Mrs. Bennet refers to her husband as "Mr. Bennet". I wondered if this formality carried on into private moments.
Despite having unique personalities I found it confusing to keep each "Miss Bennet" straight when more than one was involved in a scene and didn't know who was who or that the perspective had changed until the next paragraph. Austen switches back and forth between their formal and given names. I also find the point of view flips back and forth carelessly.
Pride and Prejudice has a comedic feel to it but I didn't find my self chuckling or laughing aloud from their antics and dialogue. It is really quite dramatic. I found the story to be more ironic than comedic. What I really enjoy about the novel is the look into society, culture, relationship dynamics and women in an era. It's a historical lesson hidden within a love story and once the journey was over, most enjoyable.
Because of these circumstances it is Mrs. Bennet's direst wish to make sure her daughters are married off to stately gentlemen as soon as possible. Pride and Prejudice opens with the arrival of Mr. Bingley who brings high hopes of a possible suitor. They are all amenably introduced and attend a few parties where they had the delight of meeting the most wonderful [in his own mind] Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy leaves a cold and rude impression on Elizabeth.
Bingley and Jane hit it off immediately and everyone thinks it's a matter of time before they announce their engagement but without notice to the Bennet's or anyone else Bingley and his catty sisters, along with Darcy, pack up and head back to London leaving Jane depressed and wallowing in her loss. This is just one of the on again off again possible matrimonies in Pride & Prejudice. With so many daughters to find husbands for it is no wonder the extremes Mrs. Bennet has to go to find them mates. Including sending one off in the rain to become deathly ill and sending another off to visit with soldiers in a neighboring county.
All the semantics is quite fun despite being somewhat confusing at times. You almost need a map to keep the lineage, women and suitors straight. It took a few pages to get into the dialogue. Strangely, I find it easier to read it aloud, although, someone listening to me probably wouldn't think so. There's a formality to reading Jane Austen not present in today's writing. Even the way the characters address one another. Mrs. Bennet refers to her husband as "Mr. Bennet". I wondered if this formality carried on into private moments.
Despite having unique personalities I found it confusing to keep each "Miss Bennet" straight when more than one was involved in a scene and didn't know who was who or that the perspective had changed until the next paragraph. Austen switches back and forth between their formal and given names. I also find the point of view flips back and forth carelessly.
Pride and Prejudice has a comedic feel to it but I didn't find my self chuckling or laughing aloud from their antics and dialogue. It is really quite dramatic. I found the story to be more ironic than comedic. What I really enjoy about the novel is the look into society, culture, relationship dynamics and women in an era. It's a historical lesson hidden within a love story and once the journey was over, most enjoyable.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
Pride and Prejudice
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Jane Austen's Official Works
- Download Free PDF of Pride and Prejudice
- GirlEbooks offers a number of different formats including other works.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Project Gutenberg
- Download the free eBook: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. They also have an audio version.
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Pride and Prejudice Lens Guestbook
Tell us how much you love Pride and Prejudice, its characters and Jane Austen.
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poddys
Dec 12, 2011 @ 3:53 pm | delete
- Excellent job. This is a classic novel, and both Jane Austen and Colin Firth (who played Mr. Darcy in the BBC series) are local to where we live. I added a link on my lens about Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.
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LizMac60 Dec 5, 2010 @ 9:35 am | delete
- A good account of the book and its twists and turns. Blessed by a squid angel and added to my lens, Me?!! A Squid Angel.
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JaguarJulie
Sep 13, 2010 @ 5:48 am | delete
- I am just into these types of books and movies -- very heartwarming and intellectually stimulating too.
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doris nieves
Sep 4, 2010 @ 7:05 pm | delete
- I recently published a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Thought you might be interested. It focuses on the Bennet and deBourgh families. The narrative on the book reads:
Love and marriage abound as we revisit the delightful world of Pride and Prejudice. Become enchanted once again by familiar, beloved characters brought back to life through this lighthearted version of a classic tale.
Experience an amusing read in Misconceptions: Pride and Prejudice: A Conclusion as it engages you in a fresh sequel to Jane Austen’s original novel. Fall back into the splendor and elegance of eighteenth century society as the inhabitants engross themselves in the business of securing a comfortable, stable future.
Misconceptions begins where Jane Austen left off, with the undaunted Mrs. Bennet continuing her search to find rich and refined husbands for her unmarried daughters, Kitty and Mary. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine renews her duty to find a husband for Miss Anne de Bourgh.
Will the girls cooperate with their mother’s plans or will their hearts lead them elsewhere?
It can be purchased at www.JaneAustenBooks.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.xlibris.com/bookstore, or your local bookstore.
Sincerely
Doris Nieves
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kimmanleyort
Dec 7, 2009 @ 12:20 pm | delete
- Excellent review. I will be writing about it on Crabbysbeach - SquidLit Review. Also lensrolled to gifts for Mr. Darcy lovers.
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