Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen's second published novel, Pride and Prejudice, came out originally in 1813 and while it was published anonymously, many people knew that she was the author. It has been adapted several times, including a BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth, a 2005 film with Kiera Knightley that was nominated for several Academy Awards, and a 1940 version with Laurence Olivier that actually won an Oscar. The Bennet family has long been a favorite of readers and has inspired a litany of books that expand on the family after Pride and Prejudice ends, or (as in the case of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) takes the characters on a never before seen adventure. Pride and Prejudice deals with sexism and classism.

When Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Darcy for the first time, she is struck by his demeanor in a less than favorable way. He was unwilling to dance with any of the ladies who are looking for a partner at the ball that had far more female attendees, he spoke to no one who was not a member of the party he attended with, and was generally an unamiable sort of person. Her first impressions are not disputed the longer she knows him as his reputation is besmirched by acts of petty vengeance he perpetrated on a far more likeable gentleman, and then he goes so far as to keep her sister from the very pinnacle of happiness. It is not until Mr. Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth (which snuck up on him a bit) become too much for him to hide and he writes her a letter explaining the reasons that he acted the way that he did that her eyes are opened to her own faults and those of the people that she loves. Perhaps Mr. Darcy was not the only person that was too proud and too prejudiced for his own good (feel free to insert your own 2 Fast 2 Furious joke here).

God I love Jane Austen. I have long cited her as one of my favorite authors and, since it had been a number of years since I'd read one of her novels, decided to make sure that my claims still held weight. To be honest, I was a little nervous about it but my nerves were unnecessary. Jane Austen's writing is delightful. I rarely enjoy a book in which the main characters have the least main character energy as much as I did with Pride and Prejudice. Because yes, while Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are struggling with their own changing feelings, no one around them has any clue (except maybe Miss Bingley). Instead, the other characters are focused on Jane and her beau, on the entailment of Mr. Bennet's estate although he seems healthy enough, and on the whole issue of Lydia. I love the way that the development of the characters is laid out, with both of them realizing they've acted foolishly in their own ways and taking accountability for that in as much as society will allow them to. The pining from afar, the inability to speak to each other without impropriety, Catherine de Burgh being the catalyst for her own dream's demise. I loved all of it. Jane Austen delivers a tongue in cheek commentary on society's demands that is still relatable today with characters that are still so relatable.

I'm giving Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 5 stars. Even so, this is not my favorite Jane Austen novel. I'll be reading Sense and Sensibility sometime this year to see if it's still holds as my favorite - look out for that review.

Pairs well with pasta with shredded beef ragu sauce and being an accomplished young lady - so accomplished that you have time for nothing else.

My favorite quotes:

"'There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of who I think well.'"

"'If she heard me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not listen.'"

"'I am not afraid of you,' said he, smilingly." (I think this one is my very favorite)