Goodreads | Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (B&N Classics Hardcover)

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The ultimate obscene book.	22	12/29/2007 07:49AM
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The Only Jane Austen Book I Actually Enjoy.	14	3 days ago, 01:40PM

☀ Zoey☮ rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

02/28/08

bookshelves: romantic-drama

Read in November, 2005

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I really thought this was a moving book. It is a moving story of romance, hurt, and hope. It is written by Jane Austen, I got this syponosis from GOOD READS:
When Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the Netherfield estate, the neighborhood residents are thrilled, especially Mrs. Bennet, who hopes to marry one of her five daughters to him. When the Bennet daughters meet him at a local ball, they are impressed by his outgoing personality and friendly disposition. They are less impressed, ...more I really thought this was a moving book. It is a moving story of romance, hurt, and hope. It is written by Jane Austen, I got this syponosis from GOOD READS:
When Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the Netherfield estate, the neighborhood residents are thrilled, especially Mrs. Bennet, who hopes to marry one of her five daughters to him. When the Bennet daughters meet him at a local ball, they are impressed by his outgoing personality and friendly disposition. They are less impressed, however, by Bingley’s friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, a landowning aristocrat who is too proud to speak to any of the locals and whom Elizabeth Bennet overhears refusing to dance with her.

Bingley and the oldest Bennet daughter, Jane, soon form an attachment. Any serious relationship between the two, however, is opposed by Bingley’s sisters (who do not approve of Jane as a wife for Bingley because of her mother’s lower status) and by Darcy (who believes that Jane is indifferent to Bingley). Meanwhile, Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth despite his objections to her family. He is drawn to her spirited wit and expressive eyes, and Caroline Bingley’s jealous criticisms of Elizabeth can do nothing to lessen Darcy’s admiration.

As Darcy grows more interested in Elizabeth, Elizabeth continues to despise him and is instead attracted to George Wickham, a handsome and personable militia officer. Wickham tells Elizabeth that his father worked for Darcy’s father and that he and Darcy grew up together. Stating that he was favored by Darcy’s father, Wickham claims that Darcy disobeyed his father’s bequest of a clergyman’s revenue to Wickham out of selfish resentment. Wickham’s tale makes Darcy appear not only proud but cruel, and Elizabeth accepts Wickham’s account without question, disliking Darcy even more because of it.

In the midst of Jane and Elizabeth’s developing relationships, the Bennet family is visited by Mr. Bennet’s cousin, William Collins, a clergyman who will inherit Mr. Bennet’s estate when he dies because of a legal stricture known as an entail. Full of apologies for the entail and praises for his patroness, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Mr. Collins informs the Mrs. Bennet that Lady Catherine has instructed him to marry and that he plans to choose a wife from the Bennet daughters. He settles on Elizabeth, but is stunned and offended when she refuses him. He quickly turns his attention to Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, who wants to marry for security rather than love, and the two are soon engaged and married.

At the same time, Jane is dismayed to find out that Bingley and the entire Netherfield party have unexpectedly left for London. Caroline Bingley writes to Jane that they do not intend to return, and she predicts a match between Bingley and Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, who is also in London. Although Jane quietly resigns herself to a life without Bingley, Elizabeth is angry for her sister and suspects that Bingley’s sisters and Darcy are trying to keep him from Jane.

Elizabeth visits Charlotte at her new home in Hunsford, Kent, and meets Mr. Collins’ patroness and Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, an overbearing woman who thrives on meddling in other people’s lives. Soon after Elizabeth’s arrival in Kent, Darcy visits his aunt with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy puzzles Elizabeth with his behavior; he seems to seek out her company, but he never says much. One day, he surprises Elizabeth by proposing to her. Still repelled by his pride and believing Darcy is responsible for Bingley’s separation from Jane and for Wickham’s misfortune, Elizabeth refuses him. The next day, Darcy gives her a letter explaining his role in influencing Bingley away from Jane and details the facts of Wickham’s situation. A careful examination of the facts reveals that Darcy, while proud, is innocent of wrongdoing, leaving Elizabeth mortified at her discovery of how her own pride prejudiced her against Darcy.

After returning home for a month, Elizabeth goes on a trip with her aunt and uncle Gardiner to Derbyshire county, where they visit Darcy’s estate of Pemberley. There they meet Darcy unexpectedly and are all surprised at how graciously he treats them. He calls on Elizabeth at her inn, introduces her to his sister, and invites her to Pemberley for dinner. Darcy is still in love with Elizabeth, and Elizabeth begins to have similar feelings for him.

In the midst of this promising situation, Elizabeth receives two letters from Jane telling her that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, causing Elizabeth and the Gardiners to leave for home immediately. Elizabeth fears that Lydia and the Bennet family are permanently disgraced and that her newly-discovered love for Darcy is hopeless. When Lydia is found, however, she and Wickham marry. After the wedding, Elizabeth discovers that Darcy was instrumental in orchestrating the marriage, thereby saving the reputation and marriageability of the other Bennet daughters.

Bingley returns to Netherfield and soon asks Jane to marry him. Jane, of course, accepts, and Mrs. Bennet’s exultation is only lessened by her irritation at Darcy’s occasional presence. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s happiness for her sister is interrupted by a visit from Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who has heard a rumor that Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, which they are not. She lectures Elizabeth on the imprudence of such a match, and then demands that Elizabeth promise not to accept any proposal from Darcy. Elizabeth refuses, causing Lady Catherine to tell Darcy about Elizabeth’s impertinence and to scold him about the folly of an engagement between them. Lady Catherine’s description of Elizabeth’s response to her demands gives Darcy hope that Elizabeth has had a change of heart. He proposes again and Elizabeth happily accepts.
and I am certian that if you like romantic moving love stories you will enjoy this book:)!...less

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Kristen rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

08/30/07

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: girls who like nothing more than admiring their own bravery

I have a friend who I dearly love who reveres this book. I say that first to apologizee to her and the other intelligent, worthy, funny, expressive women who love this book and who I already know I am going to insult and offend. I apologize in advance. I had never read P&P until this summer, but my whole life I have met women who thought they should be congratualted for every small thing they did, saying things like "I'm just like Lizzie Bennett." I wanted to meet this Liz...more I have a friend who I dearly love who reveres this book. I say that first to apologizee to her and the other intelligent, worthy, funny, expressive women who love this book and who I already know I am going to insult and offend. I apologize in advance. I had never read P&P until this summer, but my whole life I have met women who thought they should be congratualted for every small thing they did, saying things like "I'm just like Lizzie Bennett." I wanted to meet this Lizzie Bennett. Every time a man has been diagreeable, my friends say things like "He's just pulling a Mr. Darcy. He'll come around." I had to meet this Mr. Darcy who apparently resembled so many of the men I dated, except that he came back in the end. So, this summer, I sat down to read "Pride and Prejudice."
Ugh. This was not the book for me, but I wanted it to be. The first few pages between the Bennett parents was charming and funny, and I knew that I had found someone interesting in Mr. Bennett. But it all went downhill when Lizzie entered. Why so many smart, independent women relate to this snippy, shallow, and wholly uninteresting character is beyond me. The other females in the book, stupid, slutty Lydia (or was it Kitty?); educated and endearingly akward Mary; gentle and kind Jane; calcualted and sensible Charlotte, even overlooked and annoying Kitty (or maybe Lydia? Ah, who cares) were all so much more interesting to me than self righteous, clever, Lizzie. Her story held nothing for me, and her character was not enough to keep me tied to her uninspiring tale.
It is hard to really get involed with a girl who's biggest problem is that, even though she's pretty, isn't rich enough to marry the stuffy rich guy who she doesn't even like until the last 30 pages of the book. People complain about the preditability of rom com's, but I say, blame not the rom-com, blame the inspiration for the genre: Pride and Prejudice and other Austen tripe. Halfway through P&P, I began to long for "Jane Eyre" and I wanted Lizzie to meet Jane Eyre. The unattractive, orphaned girl so poor she becomes a governess for a stuffy, mean, older man who himself doesn't have all that much money but does have a terrible secret and a burning love far more passionate than anything Mr. Darcy could muster up. Now Jane Eyre, there's a girl with problems. And a delightful book....less

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Kirstie rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

12/23/07

Read in April, 1999

recommends it for: people interested in frivolity

I've been thinking about this one now and then since I read it, First, I thought back to it while reading Nafisi's novel Reading Lolita in Tehran as it is one of the Western books put on trial by the class. Most recently, I considered it while reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own in which she speaks of early female writers.

I had a Major British Writers teacher at university who was easy for me to like immensely. He lived in a world where television was an anathema and where he watc...more I've been thinking about this one now and then since I read it, First, I thought back to it while reading Nafisi's novel Reading Lolita in Tehran as it is one of the Western books put on trial by the class. Most recently, I considered it while reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own in which she speaks of early female writers.

I had a Major British Writers teacher at university who was easy for me to like immensely. He lived in a world where television was an anathema and where he watched films like Naked and read everything from Coleridge to Irvine Welsh. His one true flaw? He also loved Jane Austen. Over the course of our class, he tried in earnest to get me to realize that Austen was a feminist writer. I disagree wholeheartedly and the only reason why this gets two stars from me is because it was written during a time when it was difficult for women to write especially publicly. I also think that Jane was a fairly keen observer of the high society that was taking place and if I enjoyed frivolous poetry that tends to go nowhere, I'd have a much higher appreciation for the writing of Marcel Proust. Really, it's such a shame Marcel Proust was born a century later and wasn't interested in women anyhow. He and Jane could have made the most boring couple in human history.

One thing I want to be considered here and this is where my main justification lies has to do with women in relation to men. Women have always been seen in terms of this alone. That's why the idea of feminism is still considered rather radical today. The idea of woman as a separate identity existing in a way which she has no consideration for men in terms of how it affects her actions and thoughts is rare. John Berger explores this in (I think) his novel G about the poet Goethe and Woolf explores the idea in A Room of One's Own. In Virginia Woolf, we have some examples of the female entity as separate from the male. None can be found in any Austen I am familiar with. Instead, every function of the female is intended to ensnare a male. While it's true that the female protagonist shows some evidence early in the book of being able to function independently, it all predictably falls apart at the end, doesn't it? And what is the true goal of it all? Well, class rank, fortune, and incredibly shallow views of others. I think Jane Austen is somewhat evil actually because she's perpetuated the subconsciousness of thousands of women that these things (and men) matter more than their own identities. I'd even go so far as to say that they perpetuate the idea that these exact things are what identity is instead of the thought processes, actions, and personal history that may be separate from all of this.

True, Austen was a feminist by being a writer in her time period but I would not describe any of her writing as feminist and would instead label them harmful to humanity in subtle ways of course. If you want to read a better example of early female literature that had more of a feminist tone, I'd suggest Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

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Anne rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

04/10/08

Read in January, 1994

recommends it for: mainly women

Critics who consider Austen's works trivial because of their rigid, upper-class setting, wealthy characters, domestic, mannered plots and happy endings are almost totally disconnected from reality, as far as I can tell. What can they possibly expect an upper-middle class English woman to write about in 1813 but what she knows or can imagine? Sci-fi? A history of the American Revolution? A real-life exposé of underage exploitation in the garment district of London? Come on. What other setting ca...more Critics who consider Austen's works trivial because of their rigid, upper-class setting, wealthy characters, domestic, mannered plots and happy endings are almost totally disconnected from reality, as far as I can tell. What can they possibly expect an upper-middle class English woman to write about in 1813 but what she knows or can imagine? Sci-fi? A history of the American Revolution? A real-life exposé of underage exploitation in the garment district of London? Come on. What other setting can she be expected to tackle with authority? Austen's value lies in her portraiture: her characters are believably human in their concerns, vanities, failings and quirks. The plots serve largely to showcase their interaction and thus, her observations of human nature, which are pointed, accurate, and hysterical.

Here, in her best work (my opinion), her technical skill as a writer also shows in Pride and Prejudice's tight plotting and economical casting; there are no superfluous characters or wasted chapters here. My college lit professor used to go on and on about this novel as a revolution of literary form in that dialogue drives the plot as much as exposition; I'll buy that but it doesn't thrill me for its own sake as much as it did her. It does mean, though, that Pride and Prejudice is a relatively smooth and lively read, that we learn about events and characters as much from what they say to each other as from what Austen narrates to us. The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth isn't empty flirting, it's a progression, a chart of their ongoing understanding/misunderstanding and a way to take stock of plot developments as well as an enjoyable display of wit.

Austen's heroines are famously caught between love and money are famously criticized for always getting both in the end. I've got no problem with this wish fulfillment. Keep in mind that being married is basically the only possible 'job' available to a woman of her position--marrying a rich dude is the only viable escape from the life of poor-relation dependency Austen herself lived, there's nothing reactionary or anti-feminist about it. The other option--becoming a governess--is barely respectable, putting a woman into an ambiguous class limbo of social invisibility that translates directly into a loss of safety and self-governance. Expecting Elizabeth to, what, become a doctor? is silly and anachronistic, and perhaps if that's your preference you'd be better off reading Clan of the Cave Bear, with Ayla and her bearskin bra, or what have you.

Pride and Prejudice is simply a joy to read, a dance of manners and affection between the leads and a parade of human silliness in the supporting cast.

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Maggie rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

12/11/07

Read in November, 2007

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition".
-Alexander Smith
In Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, proof is given to those who seek it that love can be found in unlikely places, with unlikely people, and in unlikely circumstances. Although Miss Austen has written many great works, such as Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey, Pride & Prejudice is by far her most acknowledged novel. In the rural Longburn, England, in the late...more "Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition".
-Alexander Smith
In Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, proof is given to those who seek it that love can be found in unlikely places, with unlikely people, and in unlikely circumstances. Although Miss Austen has written many great works, such as Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey, Pride & Prejudice is by far her most acknowledged novel. In the rural Longburn, England, in the late 18th or early 19th century, the Bennet family lives with five daughters. Jane and Elizabeth, the two oldest, are about at the age to marry, and the story is that of Miss Elizabeth, and her finding an unexpected love in Mr. Darcy. Although the book is beautifully written and captivating, every novel has its flaws.
Although Miss Austen has an original and exquisite way of telling Elizabeth Bennet's story, her way of writing can occasionally be too wordy and become confusing. This quote, for instance, cannot be understood right away: "'You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection. A regard for the requester would often make one readily yield to a request, without waiting for arguments to reason one into it.'" (50) One would not immediately realize that this means that Miss Bennet thinks of Mr. Darcy as cold and unaffectionate. The book would be more of a joy to read if the wording in some places could be easier to comprehend. This being said, Pride & Prejudice has more high points in it than low.
Although occasionally wordy, this novel can be read almost like poetry. However, it still tells an elaborate and inspiring story, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. Also, the characters have depth that is hard to find in most books, even those with large amounts of dialogue. It is rare that a reader can feel emotions such as these. Usually it is only when the reader can truly relate to the characters and find a deeper meaning behind their actions that these emotions become evident. On top of this, the way the story twists, turns, rises, and dips makes it that much more interesting to read. For instance, the fact that Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth twice and that she refuses the first time makes the point in the story where they do become engaged more touching than it would be otherwise. Jane Austen's story is not quite like any other in existence.
As a whole, this was an amazing book to read, and it is easy to see why it is considered a classic. It is written beautifully, and it incorporates great use of literary devices that draw the reader in. Though it has its faults, they are so prominently overpowered by the charming plotline and characters that the reader's attention is immediately turned away from them. It is a wonderful novel to read, and those who enjoy a romantic story with a light air to it would enjoy this book immensely.
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Sarah rated it:

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10/20/07

Read in January, 1990

recommends it for: Everyone

I can't say anything fascinating about Pride and Prejudice that hasn't already been said a thousand times. It is one of the best books I've ever read, if not the best. It is like a textbook on how to pace a story, which is a hard thing to do, for me at least. It is a perfect social comedy. The dialogue is both believable, natural-seeming, and yet ten million times more interesting, witty and articulate than anything real people say. The characters are so well-drawn, interesting, and deep ...more I can't say anything fascinating about Pride and Prejudice that hasn't already been said a thousand times. It is one of the best books I've ever read, if not the best. It is like a textbook on how to pace a story, which is a hard thing to do, for me at least. It is a perfect social comedy. The dialogue is both believable, natural-seeming, and yet ten million times more interesting, witty and articulate than anything real people say. The characters are so well-drawn, interesting, and deep that you get drawn into the story from the first page. Elizabeth Bennet is such a charming, funny, wonderful character - Jane Austen wrote, in a letter, about Elizabeth: "I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know..".
The first sentence is a masterpiece of tongue-in-cheek social commentary: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in posession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
One thing I love about Jane Austen is that she never takes herself seriously, yet she clearly loves her characters, even when they are behaving idiotically. She seems to have had a great eye for the ridiculous in people and society, but not a bitter, hateful one. I've read many essays about the feminism of Jane Austen's writing; she clearly saw the desperation and despair of the social position of women: Unable to work, or even to inherit, they had to marry, and marry well, or live in poverty. And Jane Austen clearly saw women as intellectually equal to men. It must have been a frustrating, demeaning experience. Women probably were very lucky if they even liked the men they had to marry - Elizabeth came very close to being married off to the dorky, unbearably pompous Mr. Collilns - yet she ends up married very well, to Mr. Darcy, who she not only deeply loves, but appreciates very much for his fortune: She says, to her sister Jane, when Jane asks her how long Elizabeth has loved Mr. Darcy: "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley." ...less

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Anna rated it:

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03/02/08

Read in February, 2008

recommends it for: girls, mainly

For my A.P. Literature free read, I read the novel PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE, by Jane Austen. I totally and completely loved the book. After reading, I watched the movie along with the movie "Becoming Jane" which was about instances in Jane Austen's life that influenced her novel. I definitely recommend both movies, as well as the book itself. One reason why I enjoyed the book so much was due to the fact that I just love the 1800's with the dances and big dresses and everything. Jane Austen...more For my A.P. Literature free read, I read the novel PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE, by Jane Austen. I totally and completely loved the book. After reading, I watched the movie along with the movie "Becoming Jane" which was about instances in Jane Austen's life that influenced her novel. I definitely recommend both movies, as well as the book itself. One reason why I enjoyed the book so much was due to the fact that I just love the 1800's with the dances and big dresses and everything. Jane Austen made that time period come to life by making the characters very humanlike with humor and sarcasm to boot.

As far as theme goes for the novel, it is pretty obvious with the title. Pride and predjucs are the two major themes displayed throughout the book. Lets start with pride. Pride is shown and mentioned a lot through the characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy is labeled as a proud man when he goes to the first ball. He really does not dance with anyone, even though many girls are left without partners. The middle-class townpeople view him as too proud and conceited to mingle with classes lower than himself and label him as "very disagreeable." Elizabeth, on the other hand is proud of her middle-class stature. She is too proud and believes she is always right that, at first, she does not give Mr. Darcy the time of day and step back to see him for who he really is. Predjudice is also a prevelent theme throughout the book. Mr. Darcy is prejudiced against by a lot of people. Because he is shy, he is labeled as too proud to mingle with civilians of minor social status. Most specifically, he is prejudiced against by Elizabeth in the situations regarding Jane and Mr. Wickham; she believes him to be entirely selfish. She readily believes him to be the mastermind to keep Mr. Bingley and Jane apart, and she takes Mr. Wickham's side against Mr. Darcy when she is told that Darcy essentially cheated Wickham out of his money. She doesn't ask Mr. Darcy about his side of the stories, yet automatically jumps to the worst interpretations about him. She finds out that she is entirely wrong in the end and that he is rather kind, thoughtful, and selfless. Elizabeth and her entire family are labeled to be annoying and poor by Miss Bingley and her married sister. When they visit, they are visibly rude to all, save Jane. When Elizabeth visits sickly Jane at Netherfield, Miss Bingley gossips about her appearance to Mr. Darcy. Miss Bingley never took the chance to know Jane, yet prejudices against her and her family.

This book was an excellent read and I highly recommend it!...less

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Kara rated it:

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02/28/08

Read in January, 1993

I have hesitated giving a review of this book because, as they say in Wayne's World, "I'm not worthy!" Since I don't really feel I can do the novel justice in a review, here are some random thoughts. This is my favorite book, mainly because the character of Elizabeth Bennet is such a great creation. I even named my dog Bennet, in homage. I was always impressed by how ahead of her time Lizzie is, and although she has great qualities, she is not without fault--hence the title of the ...more I have hesitated giving a review of this book because, as they say in Wayne's World, "I'm not worthy!" Since I don't really feel I can do the novel justice in a review, here are some random thoughts. This is my favorite book, mainly because the character of Elizabeth Bennet is such a great creation. I even named my dog Bennet, in homage. I was always impressed by how ahead of her time Lizzie is, and although she has great qualities, she is not without fault--hence the title of the book. I see alot of myself in her, including her faults of perhaps judging people a bit too quickly, and holding a grudge for longer than necessary! There are certain characters that have always irritated me--like the younger Bennet sisters, Mrs. Bennet, and the Bingley sisters to name a few. But they are all important players in a commentary on the social structure of the time. If one understands that Jane Austen is making a comment on that, then the behavior of some of those characters makes a little more sense.(Although I do think Lydia Bennet is totally unexcusable) I always liked Austen's strong women, and I think Lizzie is the best representative of this. It's interesting to me that the men are not portrayed as being so strong--Bingley follows along with what his friends and family tell him, with regard to Jane Bennet; Mr. Bennet, by his own admission, is partly responsible for the horrid behavior of his younger daughters by not doing anything to stop them; Mr. Collins is just a dreadful brown-noser; Wickham is a "player" with no sense of morals. But Darcy redeems himself from his first meeting with the Bennet sisters by his actions later in the story, thus prompting women everywhere to fall madly in love with him. (Watching the BBC version with Colin Firth helps with this too) Each time I read the novel I seem to understand it more, and am utterly amazed at how a woman who did not know much of the world and much about love could create such wonderful characters, and make such accurate statements about society and relationships, statements that are relevant even today. Her plot is tightly woven and the characterization is outstanding. Typical Austen--fabulous!...less

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Rolls rated it:

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03/12/07

Read in February, 2007

recommends it for: Anyone who is unafraid to be seen reading this on the subway

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen started off annoying me and ended up enchanting me. Up until about page one hundred I found this book vexing, frivolous and down right tedious. I now count myself as a new convert to the Austen cult.

I must confess I have been known to express an antipathy for anything written or set before 1900. I just cannot get down with corsets, outdoor plumbing and buggy rides. Whenever someone dips a quill into an inkwell my eyes glaze over. This is a shor...more

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Anjiebringhurst rated it:

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04/11/08

Read in January, 2004

Can't go wrong with Darcy. I loved this book. The plot is as follows: Bennets have 5 unmarried daughters and Charles Bingley moves into town; Bennetts all go to party at Bingley's house and daughter Elizabeth dances with Mr. Darcy (Bingley's friend) all night; Jane, her sister, is liking Bingley but Bingley's sister is being stuck up to the two sisters; Bennett father going to lose his house b/c he doesn't have sons to leave it to according to Mr. Collins; Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth but ...more Can't go wrong with Darcy. I loved this book. The plot is as follows: Bennets have 5 unmarried daughters and Charles Bingley moves into town; Bennetts all go to party at Bingley's house and daughter Elizabeth dances with Mr. Darcy (Bingley's friend) all night; Jane, her sister, is liking Bingley but Bingley's sister is being stuck up to the two sisters; Bennett father going to lose his house b/c he doesn't have sons to leave it to according to Mr. Collins; Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth but she turns him down hurting his pride; meanwhile the girls meet some military men and one of them tell Elizabeth that Darcy cruelly cheated him out of an inheritance; Bingley and Darcy move to London and Elizabeth's friend, Charlotte Lucas, married Mr. Collins for financial reasons; Jane visits London hoping to see Bingley but his sister the snob visits her instead and is not nice; Elizabeth visits Charlotte who lives near Darcy's aunt; Darcy goes to see his aunt and Elizabeth is there and keeps visiting her at the Collins' home and eventually proposes but she quickly refuses because she thinks he's arrogant and she scolds him from steering Bingley away from Jane, her sister; Darcy leaves but then sends a letter to her and admits he told Bingley to stay away from Jane b/c he thought their romance wasn't serious; he tells Elizabeth the military guy (Wickham) lied to her about him cheating him and the real cause of their fight was because Wickham tried to elope with Darcy's little sister; Elizabeth travels to the north by Darcy's estate, Pemberly, she goes over there b/c Darcy is gone and his servants speak highly of him, Darcy shows up and is cordial with her; a letter arrives for Elizabeth and her little sister, Lydia, has eloped with Wickham and nowhere to be found which suggests they may be living together out of wedlock; they are found and Wickham agrees to marry Lydia for an annual income; Bennetts have no money and Elizabeth finds out later Darcy paid Wickham saving her family; Bingley then returns to Netherfield and courts Jane, Elizabeth joins them and Darcy returns; Bingley proposes to Jane; Darcy's rich aunt shows up and tells Elizabeth Darcy wants to marry her but asks her to refuse because she's not a match (in name to him); Darcy proposes and she and Jane marry him and Bingley.
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Mrs. Fujiwara rated it:

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05/04/08

bookshelves: english-literature

Read in October, 2007

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And so, after three entire months, I was finally able to finish reading "Pride & Prejudice" in English. Unfortunately, studying for my master’s degree is consuming most of my time lately, so reading novels are only allowed before bed when I am too tired to read more then a few pages. Also, I have already read Jane Austen's masterpiece in Portuguese so it wasn’t like I would stay awake through the night enjoying Miss Elisabeth’s adventures for the first time. But I have a conf...more And so, after three entire months, I was finally able to finish reading "Pride & Prejudice" in English. Unfortunately, studying for my master’s degree is consuming most of my time lately, so reading novels are only allowed before bed when I am too tired to read more then a few pages. Also, I have already read Jane Austen's masterpiece in Portuguese so it wasn’t like I would stay awake through the night enjoying Miss Elisabeth’s adventures for the first time. But I have a confessed crush on English classical writing, so I thought it would be great to read it again in the original - and I wasn’t mistaken. Since the beginning I thought that here the author was able to avoid a little bit of that boring quotidian descriptions she did in "Sense & Sensibility"; also, I enjoy very much the way she mixed in the right amount funny and sad moments. How I adore Mrs. Bennet drama! She reminds me my beloved mother very much, always trying to get me married and chatting non-stop with everybody about everything. And I just love Mr. Bennet's intelligent sarcasm. My favorite quote of him is in the last pages, when his most adored daughter tells him she is engaged with Mr. Darcy and after blessing her choice he says: "If any young man come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure". Although I believe it was meant to be comical I always get a little bit teary reading this. It’s such a delicate moment; I can clearly feel that bittersweet pain of a father that knows he will soon lose his favorite child for another man… Oh, and my favorite character is actually Jane. Yes, yes, I adore Elisabeth's strong personality in a time women were not supposed to have it but I adore Jane's sweetness the most. I think the way she try hard to always see beauty and kindness in everything is very charming; and the way her shyness locks away her own feelings even from herself is very innocent. All in all, it is really a good book. As I always say, not my favorite kind of literature; I think I grew up in too much contact with the Japanese style, thus it is difficult for me to really enjoy something not focused on psychological matters. But it served its purpose and I was able to forget work while daydreaming with romanticism and picturing the charming English countryside....less

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Kelly rated it:

(review of isbn 0553213105)

05/24/07

bookshelves: brit-lit, favorites, fiction

Read in July, 1997

recommends it for: everyone. Yes, even you, boys.

Okay. I feel the need to defend myself for loving this book, because it has become so enormously popular to do so. I think so many women say this is their favorite book when they haven't even read it, which is annoying. I think it just has the fortune to be one of those geniunely good classics that happens to be massively popular- mostly because of the wet shirt of Colin Firth, these days. I can only say that I read this book twice before I even knew that existed. And if Colin Firth's fine self ...more Okay. I feel the need to defend myself for loving this book, because it has become so enormously popular to do so. I think so many women say this is their favorite book when they haven't even read it, which is annoying. I think it just has the fortune to be one of those geniunely good classics that happens to be massively popular- mostly because of the wet shirt of Colin Firth, these days. I can only say that I read this book twice before I even knew that existed. And if Colin Firth's fine self can popularize even the ditziest girls I know into reading good literature, then more power to him. But it /can't/ be just that. I know men who love this book. Now, mind you, these are extremely literary men, secure in their masculinity, several of them english majors- but they're all straight. And will read it in public.

This book is well written functionally, to start. The wordplay is fantastic. Word choice is such a huge part of this novel, as is syntax. The laugh comes because of a surprise twist in language, at least for me. There is also her wise, wry voice that you can almost hear speaking to you in several cases. I think this is perhaps more prominent in "Northanger Abbey", but it's still present here to a more subtle degree.

It also boasts a male hero of an essentially romantic novel that even men can connect to and feel for. There are truly two sides of this romance. It is not designed exclusively to appease feminine ideals about what a man should be. How could it, if men can see themselves in this deeply flawed Darcy? I think this novel is extremely unique in being able to accomplish that, especially for the time period of Mrs. Radcliffe and gothic exaggeration of Byronic charm that was going on in that era.

I love character studies where nothing happens, at least outwardly. This book was one of the first to lead me down that path. Jane Austen makes sitting around with tea with the dull vicar and his tittering, frippery laden wife interesting. She makes taking a walk and seeing your next door neighbour with the gout interesting. And yes, her heroine is among the most interesting in English literature, hands down.

So, there, I rest my case. ...less

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Mary_Ann rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

02/26/08

I can’t say what it is about this book that I enjoy so much. Perhaps it is simply the genius of Jane Austen’s crafting of words. The dialogue is so witty, punchy, perfect, eloquent… the characters so strong and so passionate. And I love that she is a feminist -- that through her subtle writing, she is criticizing the time, culture and society of her time.

At different times, different things strike me about the book.

For example, in 2004, I wrote, "I am struck by the “fals...more I can’t say what it is about this book that I enjoy so much. Perhaps it is simply the genius of Jane Austen’s crafting of words. The dialogue is so witty, punchy, perfect, eloquent… the characters so strong and so passionate. And I love that she is a feminist -- that through her subtle writing, she is criticizing the time, culture and society of her time.

At different times, different things strike me about the book.

For example, in 2004, I wrote, "I am struck by the “false hero” in the story. If you’ve read Jane Austen, then you are aware that all of her major works contain a “false hero” character – the man who sweeps in really sweet and charming, has all the right words to say, is rich, youthful and lively. He wins everyone’s hearts by his charm. But at the end of the book, he always turns out to be so far less of a “catch” than a cad!

"I think we all have false heroes in our lives. Those guys (or gals) who come along all suave; they seem to be so perfect, they do all the right things… but I guess it is to say that so long as they are not really the one made for us, then they too are the “false hero.” The real hero will be that unexpected one who – maybe or maybe not – was there all along.

"No matter what we say, all guys and girls go for the good-looking, cute and charming ones – the ones who make an extraordinary entrance, the ones who are noticed by all. It’s so utterly superficial, and yet, we fall for it (er…them) every time. Hopefully, we can learn from Jane Austen to not be drawn by such superficial things.

"I love (the protagonist) Elizabeth Bennet’s character. She is beautiful, confident and strong. Hardly anything derails her from her purpose and opinions – no one, not even the most superior or rich. She is hardly ever daunted. (That is, until Darcy gets under her skin, but even then, she’s only flustered for a moment and then regains composure.) I want to be confident, beautiful, strong, and so solely set on God's purpose for my life that nothing could derail me – not the most beautiful, confident or arrogant ones… and certainly not by any man..."...less

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Angelina rated it:

(review of isbn 0553213105)

12/04/07

Read in October, 2007

Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813 by Jane Austin, tells the story of the five Bennet sisters and their mother’s quest to find them husbands. At the start of the book, the wealthy Charles Bingley moves to Longbourn village and brings with him his arrogant friend Mr. Darcy. After an unfortunate misunderstanding at a ball, Elizabeth Bennet declares him the most obnoxious man she has ever met. This impression is further helped along by the dishonest Mr. Wickham, until a series of strang...more Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813 by Jane Austin, tells the story of the five Bennet sisters and their mother’s quest to find them husbands. At the start of the book, the wealthy Charles Bingley moves to Longbourn village and brings with him his arrogant friend Mr. Darcy. After an unfortunate misunderstanding at a ball, Elizabeth Bennet declares him the most obnoxious man she has ever met. This impression is further helped along by the dishonest Mr. Wickham, until a series of strange events and impossible coincidences make her realize that not everyone is who they first appear to be.

Generally speaking, Pride and Prejudice had few faults, although at some points in the book the plot became somewhat hard to follow. Past events ate explained in a slightly confusing manner, and the meaning doesn’t always come across as clear as it could. In addition, some details don’t make sense today, but were perfectly normal in the 1800’s, when Pride and Prejudice was originally published. Explanatory notes helped a lot with this problem. Even so, some of the dialogue, especially metaphors, required some interpretation.

Pride and Prejudice, though considered a great classic, is also an extremely comical book, which made it interesting to read. Serious events in the plot are almost always broken up by humorous scenes. Every character has at least one amusing quote to their name; though the humor never overtakes the plot. Also, the book is written in descriptive, intelligent language that can be understood by all readers. It makes for a happy medium between a lighter read and a classic. Characters were another excellent part of Pride and Prejudice, as all characters were realistic yet unpredictable, and seemed natural in all situations.

Overall, Pride and Prejudice was an enjoyable book to read. I would recommend it to almost anyone, although people who like historical fiction would find it especially good. It would appeal to anyone who reads “real life” stories, or who enjoys the classics. In some ways, it resembles Shakespeare only with a happy ending, and so fans of his plays would also appreciate it.
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Hager rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

12/19/07

recommends it for: everyone

when pride means obscenity in actions (lucy's husband whom she eloped with),the inability to speak of the beauties of one's nature of loving to those whom they love according to whom they wish to be with,but could not due to the sense of reason in society towards love (darcy),the vulgar attitude of loving for the sexual sake and the beauty of that stupidity of the nurturers (lucy,and her mother(mrs. bennett)),the marginality of those who have no opinion or who speak of love intellectaully and ar...more when pride means obscenity in actions (lucy's husband whom she eloped with),the inability to speak of the beauties of one's nature of loving to those whom they love according to whom they wish to be with,but could not due to the sense of reason in society towards love (darcy),the vulgar attitude of loving for the sexual sake and the beauty of that stupidity of the nurturers (lucy,and her mother(mrs. bennett)),the marginality of those who have no opinion or who speak of love intellectaully and are not in the picture of those who love the art of speech in convincing manners and could not convince outside their own intellect(mary) and the arts of loving behavior and self-reliance out of self-respect which brings up and down modes and flings of moods which propagate according to what they mean in their own "selflessness" of what love means when love is about caring for others but only through prayers and fate guiding them to make their ideas of what love means true and helpful according to their positioned place in fate (elizabeth) and the confidante of the heroine who speaks of love as being "that which is for the proud beautiful in soul,intellect and accomplishments and thus wittiness (charlotte) and the effect of that which is on the sister who loves blindly out of beauty of features matching that of hers (jane) and the love of the one who loves liekwise the last for the same superficiality (bingley) and that who is the silent knower but is also unknowing to a greater extent (mr. benett)-being himself the victim of a bad marriage;prejudice is the only experimental grounds upon which discussions have no cutting edge theories to cut through each's point of view of love and what marriage is.thus,experiencing one another's theories practically by seeing them performed shows each their miror of love as that which grows up and through what they see to be befitting their own lifestyle of thoroughness of what loving is and what it means to be married to 'decency and respectfulness and respectful respectability of the oneness of the whole unity of the marital system'.
pride,is,prejudice undiscovered in the broken heart.
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Amy rated it:

(review of isbn 0679783261)

01/31/08

bookshelves: lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

A lot of people go on and on these days about what a romantic Jane Austen was, coupling people up here and there - I've read all of her books, she's one of my favorite writers, but I have to strongly disagree with this idea. Sure, people get together in these books, but Austen doesn't burble on about how their eyes lock across a crowded room. Austen's emphasis is usually on the funny side, and her humor is drier than dry - if you blink, you might miss it. But if you pay attention, you might find...more

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Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (B&N Classics Hardcover)

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