Pride and Prejudice in Crazy Challenge Connection

Oct 25, 2015 Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-of-the-feels, favorites-five-stars-and-beyond, 6-stars, great-side-characters, comfort-read, favorite-couple, fantastic-hero, swoon-worthy, for-a-challenge, 2021

Read: October 27, 2015
Original rating: ★★★★★
Re-read: October 10, 2021
Rating after re-read: ★★★★★★

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

5 stars. Still my favorite classic of all time and genuinely one of the best romances ever. I just adore this story so much. Mr. Darcy is perfection and Elizabeth is one of ...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Chaitra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classic, 1001-books, british-literature, romance, made-into-a-movie, jane-austen, manners, reread

There's nothing more I can say that hasn't already been said about P&P. Well, possibly that it's my favorite novel ever. It's also that rarity - a typical love story that sucks me in every single time I read it. Typical, because the man is convinced he's right and the woman is judgmental, and they say too much without saying anything at all. That's pretty much the story of every love story, and I've hated too many books for the exact same reason.

What saves it and elevates it is the fact that Au There's nothing more I can say that hasn't already been said about P&P. Well, possibly that it's my favorite novel ever. It's also that rarity - a typical love story that sucks me in every single time I read it. Typical, because the man is convinced he's right and the woman is judgmental, and they say too much without saying anything at all. That's pretty much the story of every love story, and I've hated too many books for the exact same reason.

What saves it and elevates it is the fact that Austen writes beautifully. She's highly perceptive, sharp of wit and her characters are unforgettable. She's also way ahead of her time with Liz Bennett. I mean, considering in today's liberal feminist world we have Bella Swan for a role model, I love the turn of 19th century Liz's audacity in turning down not one, but two marriage proposals both of which would be advantageous to her, one with a dream boat no less. Yep, this role model I can get behind. I also love Darcy, which is obvious. He is everything a man should be, and although he's also quite pompous, he is so so earnestly that it's hard to hold it against him. His redemption is highly satisfying.

It's not that I don't think that there's nothing wrong with the book. There are two people that I feel get the short end of the stick, every single time I read the book. I find Mrs. Bennet a highly tragic character - she has five daughters and not much money for a dowry. If she comes across as desperate, I don't blame her for it. Better her than Mr. Bennet, who I think is an amusing but weak man (which is a view supported by Austen). It's horrible that there's a refuge in Pemberley for everyone except for Mrs. Bennet. The other character I can't help but feel sorry for is Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is made fun of relentlessly for presuming too much, and for being righteous. He's Darcy, but with no money and no looks. He also has no redemption - but he doesn't fall in love with a Liz, and I think he treats Charlotte well. I don't think the hate for him is warranted.

There's the odd ending with the Gardiners instead of Darcy and Liz. There's the implausible reactions as far as Lydia is concerned - why do her parents suffer her even after the stigma she's brought to the family? Yes, there are a few brow-raising plot points. But, ultimately they don't matter much. P&P is highly readable, even after a million rereads, even after 200 years after its first publication. It's still charming, it's still witty, and it's as romantic as it ever was. As a social commentary, it's excellent. Her characters are timeless. Their quirks, their follies and failings are recognizable to this day. How many books can make that claim?

Edit: Mark Twain said: Everytime I read 'Pride and Prejudice' I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin bone. I would have loved to hear his opinion on the likes of Stephenie Meyer and E.L. James. Ah Mark Twain! you don't know how lucky you were that the worst author in your opinion was Jane Austen. ...more

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