Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Review: Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen

The Back Cover: Since its immediate success in 1813 Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work "her darling child" and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print." The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy. is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.

I found this book to be immensely entertaining, but a little slow going at some parts. I was intrigued by the very first sentence, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in posession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Because my thought was, are you serious???? Because I would think it the opposite, stay away from my money bizaaatch. :) But that might just be me.

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy do NOT start out on the right foot, when she overhears him pretty much calling her ugly. However, they find that they are each others equal in terms of wit and humor. However, a lot of pride and a whole lot of prejudice keep them from understanding each other and acknowledging their true feelings for a good too many pages, where as the reader, I just wanted them to smell the roses already.

I did find parts of the book very predictable and found it very unbelievable how COMPLETELY crazy the two Bennet daughters were and how sensible and mature the other two were. Also not understanding how the father could even stand the mother.

Basically, Elizabeth and Darcy spend a lot of time dancing around each other with their words, misunderstanding others intentions and playing around with the information they are given. However, Darcy does grow up and change, mostly from Elizabeth's complete analysis of his shortcomings.

I guess it is fair to say that I liked the sparring and the one liners they would throw out at each other and at other dimwitted people, but the book went a little to slow and a little too predictable. I guess I had higher expectations.

What did you think of Pride & Prejudice? Have you seen the movie? What other Jane Austen book should I next tackle?

4 comments:

Anais said...

I'm STILL not done with the book, because, you're right, it can get a bit slow at times. But Ireally want to finish it soon so I can read "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" or w/e it's called :P It looks quite entertaining ;)

Lisa's Yarns said...

I think it was a bit slow in spots, too. I find that to be the case with alot of the classics. They kind of ramble on and on about things at times and I just want them to hurry the heck up and get to the point!

But I did enjoy it in general.

I love your comment about 'staying away from my money bizatch!'

I just got the book you sent me in the mail yesterday - totally made my day to see something besides a bill for a change!!!

Kelly said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I actually did try really hard to get it and it just wasn't available in my area :( At first I was a little hesitant about it because I know it hasn't been tested etc, but I've been getting the seasonal flu shot for years (though not this year because like the other, I can't find it anywhere). The town I work in was just now giving it to 4 and 5 year olds themselves, not thinking at all about the teachers. Oh boy! Oh well, now I don't need it anymore.

PS. Did you guys decide on a Dec book yet? I'm not a big classics girl but I'm hoping to eventually read something with you guys :)

Anonymous said...

I liked it, but like you thought it did get boring in parts. I've only read P & P and Sense & Sensibility and of the 2, P & P is better.