Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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Pride & Prejudice: Who wants to join me in a read/reread?
I've never read Pride and Prejudice but picked up a copy from B&N a few years back after watching the movie You've Got Mail. The dailylit thing sounds great if you can read in short bursts. Would drive me nuts as I'd get into the story and have to wait for more. lol I also don't like reading books on the computer. I prefer to have a book in my hands.
LOL...I know what you mean. I've read P&P twice already, one when I was younger, and when I used to teach HS kids, so I'm pretty familiar with the story. I worked in front of a computer all day, and sometimes I have plenty of downtime. However, since I can't openly read a book, I, however, can open my email. So, this is my sneaky way of reading...LOL..
in that case, it sounds perfect for you. I've never read it, so I'd hate to be limited to a chapter a day.
This is one of my favorite books!!! I will definitely re-read it and join in on the discussions. Mr. Darcy is so funny.
Yz, I just signed up. I'll get my first installment tomorrow as well. I work all day in front of a computer too, so this is a great way to read some classics.
BriansGirl,It's a classic romance. As a romance reader, you need to read it..LOL..you can also check the movies made out of the book..but do it after reading..LOL
Cool, Jess. I'm looking forward to rereading it.
BriansGirl wrote: "in that case, it sounds perfect for you. I've never read it, so I'd hate to be limited to a chapter a day."BrainsGirl, I think you can select the number of chapters you would like to receive daily.
OKay, I'll see if I can work it into my reading schedule and join you. But since I stay-at-home single mom, I'll stick with my hardback edition of the book. Have to dust it off. lol My copy is a Barnes & Noble classic hardback edition they sold for $5.98 several years ago. How many chapters a day are you ladies signed up for? Just so I have an idea where you'll be at. lol
Yz wrote: "BriansGirl,It's a classic romance. As a romance reader, you need to read it..LOL..you can also check the movies made out of the book..but do it after reading..LOL
Cool, Jess. I'm looking fo..."
I still have it DVR'd from the PBS Masterpiece reruns of it last March.
Great, Nikki. It will be cool to read with somebody else. I just thought it was a cool idea. I have so many books in my TBR to read, that I feel I can't waste time rereading the classics. But if I do it in front of a computer...now that is a totally different ball game..LOL..BriansGirl,
I will let you know tomorrow when I get my first installment about how long it is. It doesn't mean you have to limit yourself with our pacing, so feel free to read ahead when you get engrossed with the book.
It's just that sometimes that is all the incentive you need to pick up a classic, if you have a couple of friends to read it with, if you know what I mean.
Yz wrote: "BriansGirl, I will let you know tomorrow when I get my first installment about how long it is. It doesn't mean you have to limit yourself with our pacing, so feel free to read ahead when you get engrossed with the book.
It's just that sometimes that is all the incentive you need to pick up a classic, if you have a couple of friends to read it with, if you know what I mean.
Yes. But if I don't jump and read ahead, I can at least try to pace it so I keep up. I wasn't sure I'd like this book but bought it after watching "You've Got Mail" because Meg Ryan reads it, it's her favorite book, and she got Tom Hanks to read it. And it's even the book with a red rose that she uses so he can identify her when he goes to the coffee shop to meet her.
I'll re-read it with you. I love that book!
I've never read it either so I guess I'd better join too *sigh*.
Jessi and Lori, happy to have you along. This will be a slow read for me, because I will be reading this while at work, coz my free time are mainly reserved for my other books..LOL...But I thought it will be cool to revisit classic romance novels and discuss it with others.
Got my first installment today...Looks like the first 2 chapters."It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Reading the first line made me smile, reminding me so much on how different the world of Jane Austen's books are. The scheming a concerned mother has to go to in order to find an eligible husband for her daughters.
The language might be difficult if you are not familiar, and this time, I want to savor this experience so I'm going to read in small chunks.
OKay, will aim for 2 chapters a day to keep up with y'all.
Yz, I know what you mean about not wanting to waste time reading classics :) I only received the first chapter, but I think that am going to set mine for 2 chapters daily. The first chapter just wasn't enough.
Nikki,Yeah, one chapter is a little short, so I set my setting to longer..not longest, since I don't how much time I will really use reading it at work. Still, I found the format easy to read, so I'm quite pleased. Plus at the end of the email, you can also request immediately for the next part if you feel like going on.
Yz, I didn't realize you can request the next part, I will have to do that.
Nikki, Is this a reread for you or are you reading this for the first time?
This is the first time I'm reading it. There are a lot of good classics on that site.
Oh, good. I've read P&P a long time ago, and I feel like I'm reading it for the first time. The prose can be a little difficult, requires a little more thought, but I think the whole book is worth it.Yes, there seem to be many good titles available on that site. I'm actually reading The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and since its a short story and very intriguing, all I do is keep requesting for the next installment, when I'm done. Slow at work, so I'm getting some reading done.
Let me know how you feel about the first two chapters of P&P.
Okay, work has been slow, so I was able to read up to Chapter 3 where we have the first introduction of Mr. Darcy. The handsome, rich but quite arrogant fellow and how snotty he was when he describes Elizabeth to Mr. Bingley.I definitely like Mr. Bennett's character and how he is a good foil to his highly excitable wife. I have to admit though, I'm glad I was not born in this period, where only a marriage to a rich man is the way out of an unpleasant life.
they introduce Mr. Darcy as such a son of abitch lol. but it's great to watch his character develop and the realization that first impressions are not always the case.I love how Elizabeth can hear everything he's saying and he is completely oblivious. But I find it interesting that she is so upset by what he said, and she admittedly doesn't like him. If she doesn't like him, why does she care what he said?
ahh the start of a great relationship lol
I don't get my first chapter till Monday, so I'll be a bit behind.
While I will not be reading it you guys, I will still try to join in the discussion. P&P is probably my all time favorite book ( well joint first with Acheron:). I have read it so many times that I feel I know it by heart, but always seem to find something else it in. Its one of those books that I buy multiple versions off, have about 5 different copies, and its my: "Don't have anything to read book, what shall I read"
"Feeling a bit blue - what can I read to cheer me up"
"Men are awful, what shall I read"
Jess, Well, we know Darcy is pride and Elizabeth is prejudice...LOL. Good point on Elizabeth's reaction to Darcy's comments, which is a clue that she is not as unaffected to him as she thought she is. After all, despite his arrogance, he is described as a handsome man.
Jessi,
No worries. YOu can catch up anytime you like. Although dailylit has a feature you can use if you want your installment to be send right now, if you want to take advantage of that.
That's okay Paula. We would love your input as we slowly savor this classic again. It's a great book, and considering that some of those who signed up will be reading it for the first time, it will be cool to share the experience with them.
YZ - I think that Elizabeth also has a bit of pride to her. I mean she hears Darcy insulting her, and she is offended. She doesn't think that he's right, and that he is just arrogant. There's definitely some hurt pride on her part, because although she admits her sister is very beautiful, she is always considered the next best in the family.
Just so you realize, lol, my only knowledge of this book, other than it's title, before I start reading it, is what I gained while watching "You've Got Mail". lol
Actually after making that comment, Jess, I think both of them have Pride and Prejudice, so the point you raise is very valid. Definitely, some hurt pride on Lizzie's part. I mean, wouldn't you be, after having some rich, handsome bloke talk to you like that?BriansGirl,
It's been a long time since I've seen You've Got Mail, so I can't even recall how the book plays in the movie. Anyway, the scene we are talking about happened in the third chapter of the book, so you can easily catch up.
In "You've Got Mail" Meg Ryan owns a children's bookstore and falls for her book store competition online but doesn't know it's him. In their email correspondence she mentions that this is her favorite book and she's read it about 50 times or something. She gets him to read it and he looks confused, lol, but reads it. At one point they argue over Mr. Darcy. When they are to meet for the first time as online friends (not yet realizing they know each other), he is to recognize her in the coffee shop as she has this book with her and a single red rose. The book keeps being mentioned every so often throughout the movie.I've read the first two chapters and so far it just seems a bit odd. lol Perhaps its just that it starts slow or the language will take some getting used to. I'm sure it gets better as you all like it and it's considered a classic, so I'll hang in there.
I have no idea if I can do this. But I'd love to try. Is there a set schedule? Dates to read the chapters by? I will skim the posts a little more thanks =)
Brian'sGirl,The language can be a challenge when it comes to reading P&P, and it might be possible you might not like it. However, plenty of romance readers love Jane Austen's, so there must be a reason. I, for one, during the first time I read it, found it slightly difficult although I love the story when I was finished. So yes, give it a chance, you might like it.
Now, I feel like savoring the language, and seeing the charm out of Austen's work.
Kenjii,
Have you read Pride and Prejudice before? We are sort of reading 2 chapters a day, although there is really no definite schedule. People can read ahead or people who have read the book can just jump in and participate.
I'm reading this at work, when I'm in front of a computer, using dailylit.com as my source.
If you feel like it, feel free to join and comment. Pride and Prejudice is a great romance classic.
Yz wrote: "Brian'sGirl,The language can be a challenge when it comes to reading P&P, and it might be possible you might not like it. However, plenty of romance readers love Jane Austen's, so there must b..."
I'm sure the story will get better based on the reviews. Just nothing grabbed me in the first two (short) chapters. The language I'll have to see if I can get used to.
BriansGirl - Her writing pretty much stays the same throughout the novel, it's more of a slowly building romance. Not the love at first sight. There's also a lot of insight into the society at the time. How women were treated differently, and how the society functioned with it's different levels (poor, rich, etc..)YZ - Oh I can definitely see how both of the characters have some issues with both pride and prejudice. I would definitely have some hurt pride if Mr. Darcy said something that terrible about me!! He's also hurt by how indifferent Elizabeth is to him as well. Well, I should say he thinks she's indifferent but everyone knows she's not really lol.
Read up to chapter 5..and Lizzie's statement here supports our theory, Jess."I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
There is also an interesting comment made by Mary about the difference between pride and vanity.
"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."
It feels like pride here is almost synonymously related to self-esteem, or how one values one self.
What's your take on it?
Jess wrote: "BriansGirl - Her writing pretty much stays the same throughout the novel, it's more of a slowly building romance. Not the love at first sight. There's also a lot of insight into the society at the ..."I've read through chapter 4. The language is hard to get around as I'm reading some passages twice. And so far, I don't like it. The man I know to become the male lead is arrogant and rude, and quite frankly, I can't tell any of the sisters apart. Heck, by the time they started giving out names to the daughters, I had trouble figuring out who is who. I think I figured out Jane is the oldest, Elisabeth (Lizzie) is second... and then there are 3 more? (or 2?) And I find it very very strange that the wife addresses her husband as Mr. Bennet. If the language stays this strange, I don't know if I can get through this book or not. Half the time they seem to be talking backwards in riddles. (And this coming from someone who used to do medieval re-enactments so I'm used to old english, etc.)
I find sentences like this confusing (from Chapter 3):
"Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced; their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister, and with a judgment too unassailed by any attention to herself, she was very little disposed to approve them."
That's a heck of a sentence! I think I had to read that one twice. lol
I agree with you. She is saying that being vain is what we want others to believe about us. So I guess in her opinion, Elizabeth is both proud and vain. She believes herself worthy of praise, and is upset that Darcy doesn't see her in that way. So interesting, how she sees that Darcy has his own pride and she knows that she herself is proud and yet she takes it out on him later. She yells at him for being so proud. Well, what about her pride? I guess it's just too hard to see our own faults but so easy to recognize it in others.
And also, they both have their own issues with their own prejudices. Darcy looks at Elizabeth and sees what he thinks he should see. Her mother is a little crazy, and so he thinks that Elizabeth will likely be the same and that she is lowly. When in fact she is intelligent and maybe the most reasonable in the family. Then she expects him to be stuffy and uptight because he is rich, so that's what she sees.
briansgirl - the language takes getting used to. I think because I've read it so many times it's easier for me to understand and decipher it lol. But in my opinion it's beautifully written. I just am fascinated with the characters and how even though this was written so long ago, the same story line seen in this book has evolved with time and can be seen in today's literature, t.v shows etc... I guess people really don't change. Judging people based on what you see, or an overheard conversation. I just find it so interesting.
Jess wrote: "briansgirl - the language takes getting used to. I think because I've read it so many times it's easier for me to understand and decipher it lol. But in my opinion it's beautifully written. I just am fascinated with the characters and how even though this was written so long ago, the same story line seen in this book has evolved with time and can be seen in today's literature, t.v shows etc... I guess people really don't change. Judging people based on what you see, or an overheard conversation. I just find it so interesting. I had someone tell me what it might be easier if I watched it first, then read it, so I don't get stuck in the language as much since I'll be familiar with the plot. A lady at church this moring offered to loan me a copy to watch so I might take her up on it. (Of course, won't see her til next sunday since I don't know her outside church, and another week before she can bring the movie in.)
OKay, I'm cheating a little. lol It was suggested to me that I might get through the language of the book better if I've seen the movie. (I normally watch the movie after I've read the book). So... I went to the library and found a DVD of it starring: Keria Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen, Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench. So I'll watch it this week while keeping up with reading 2 chapters a day. Once I know the plot better, the book might be easier to read.
There are many Pride & Prejudice movies out, and the latest I think is the Keira Knightly one. I enjoyed watching that movie, and yes, watching it will probably help you understand the book better. There is also another one, one that I haven't seen with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, and have rave reviews.I know, we would normally read the book before the movie, but in this case, a familiarity with the whole storyline, might actually help you appreciate the book. Enjoy the movie...
Yz wrote: "There are many Pride & Prejudice movies out, and the latest I think is the Keira Knightly one. I enjoyed watching that movie, and yes, watching it will probably help you understand the book better..."I reward my kids with the movie after they've finished the book but since the language is difficult on this one, I thought being familiar with the plot might help. I don't know if the library had more than one version of the movie or not. They may have had a VHS tape but when I found the DVD of this one, I got it. I like Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench, Keira Knightly wasn't bad in the Pirates of the Carribean movies but no idea who the bloke playing Mr. Darcy is.
Keira Knightley's P&P was my least favorite because the actor playing Darcy played him as so sensitive. Now I know actors are expected to interpet their characters a little loosely but anyone familiar with Darcy knows he's not exactly soulful and sensitive. He's arrogant. LOL. That's all there is to it.
new_user wrote: "Keira Knightley's P&P was my least favorite because the actor playing Darcy played him as so sensitive. Now I know actors are expected to interpet their characters a little loosely but anyone famil..."I don't know if the library has another version or not for me to get my hands on. Beggers can't be choosers. lol
Reading Chapter 6, and I found plenty of things to ponder in this portion. First is the conversation between Lizzie and her friend Charlotte about Jane's treatment of Mr. Bingley. Charlotte feels that Jane should let her interest more obvious towards Mr. Bingley and how that will work more towards her gaining his affection."We can all begin freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement."
"Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses."
I also find how Austen's can describe the slow transformation of how Darcy view Elizabeth. It's like how we sometimes see someone we didn't at first thought worth noticing, and then all of a sudden, they just simply fill our thoughts all the time.
LOL. Yeah, didn't mean to belittle your selection or anything, BG, that just peeved me in the movie.
new_user wrote: "LOL. Yeah, didn't mean to belittle your selection or anything, BG, that just peeved me in the movie."No offense taken. I figure I'm lucky to find any copy to watch.
I've read up to the end of chapter 6. I still find this confusing. In fact, at the end of Chapter 6, I had trouble even figuring out who was talking. At some point some other girl (other than Lizzie) wandered outta nowhere and entered the conversation. Or so I think. lol
I would love to join the discussion too. I got P&P on my iphone. And this is my 2nd attempt. :) The first time, I think I was too involved in PNR world that it doesn't hold my interest at all. But last weekend I watched 'Becoming Jane' and it made me want to read Jane Austen book.Sorry, if it's off topic, but I love Jame McAvoy who plays Tom LeFroy in Becoming Jane.. Oh.. He is so hot..
Ok.. Back to normal program.. :) So are we on Chapter 7-8?
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I thought it was a pretty neat site, and gives me a chance to reread some classics with minimal time investment. For my first choice, I've decided I'm going to reread Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Just wondering if anybody would like to join me with this, and we can sort of talk about it in the this thread as we progress. My first daily installment will arrive in my email tomorrow.