My husband was out of town and I was eager for the comfortable companionship of a really, really good book. Having none on hand, I decided to try a novel that my mother had picked up for me from the various and sundry items left unwanted upon the division of my great aunt’s belongings after her death. It was a book copyrighted in 1936, with a price stamped on the inside cover of nineteen cents.
The book was Pride and Prejudice, and I read it in a day, nearly in one sitting. I loved it, so much so that upon finishing it I immediately made a beeline for my local Blockbuster and rented the A&E miniseries, which only made me love the novel more.
Since that evening many years ago, I have re-read Pride and Prejudice many times, too many to count, and upon each reading find something new to love and enjoy. I have often wondered what makes each reading equally enjoyable (if not more so) and I’ve come up with three reasons:
1. Mr. Darcy
2. Mr. Darcy
3. Mr. Darcy
Oh, I’m kidding.
Okay, not really.
Despite masquerading as one here, I’m no book reviewer. Not really. I can’t wax eloquent on voice, theme or character development; I just know what I like and I like Pride and Prejudice. I like the wit and the smart dialogue. I like the humor, both the understated and the absurd (Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins, for example). I like despising Wickham and hating Caroline. I like Elizabeth and I like Darcy and I like the story of the pride and the prejudice they are each guilty of. And yeah, I like the romance (“In vain I have struggled…you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you…”).
For all these reasons, and more, I’m quite certain I have yet to read Pride and Prejudice for the last time.
So, what about you? How did you like Pride and Prejudice? Post your thoughts over on your blog and link them up here. If you’re unsure how to proceed, we’ve got a few questions here to get you started. Or, if you don’t have a blog, let us know your thoughts in the comments. I look forward to reading your impressions of my favorite novel!
And, if you can’t get enough, check out the following resources:
- Pride and Prejudice, the A&E miniseries* with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy
- Pride and Prejudice, the film starring Keira Knightley* as Elizabeth Bennet (I absolutely loved both movies for different reasons, but the book is ALWAYS better than the movie!)
- Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series of novels by Pamela Aidan (the first and third are great; be warned that Lizzie is not in book 2, FYI)
- Just Jane, a novelization of Jane Austen’s life by Nancy Moser
Stay tuned for our next Classics Bookclub as we read Jane Eyre. We’ll be meeting up here on October 7.
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….
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Lisa, I am so impressed that you read the book in one sitting. Since having children, I don’t think I have enough brain cells left for that!
Like you, I just love this book. Your “In vain…” quote is from my favorite passage from the entire book. I love that scene!
Thanks for hosting!
Great review Lisa! I really enjoyed this book. I, too, loved reacting to the characters and the understated yet overblown humor that many of them inspired.
Great work coordinating this. Thanks!
Great first choice! I’ve read this so many times (as well as just about every spin-off book and movie adaptation) that it’s a little embarrassing.
I have only read Jane Eyre once or twice, so I will try to participate in the next one!
When I read that you were doing P&P, I had just finished reading it that week. I read Jane Eyre in January. How convenient!
I love this review.
(from a fellow Mr. Darcy fan)
Great job, Lisa! WITH children I managed the book in 2 settings. It’s doable but I think it also helped tremendously that I had seen the A&E version so many times.
I agree with you — I love Austen’s wit! Subtle and otherwise!
Looking forward to reading Jane Eyre!
I love this book–it’s one of my favorites–and I adore Miss Jane! I went on an Austen reading kick this winter while PBS was running The Complete Jane Austen on Masterpiece. Cassandra’s Sister is a biography-based YA novel about Jane’s early years, and Miss Austen Regrets is a movie covering her later years. I think Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen mysteries are a lot of fun as well.
I love Jane Austen so much that one of my twin sons’ names is Austen. (And, yes, it’s spelled with an “e”!) “Pride and Prejudice” is my absolute favorite. And Colin Firth in the movie version…yum!
It took me a while to finish, but I enjoyed it!! Looking forward to the next one!!!
Great review! This whole book club idea is fabulous – I enjoyed the first book a lot and I’m really looking forward to reading Jane Eyre now. 🙂
I love Jane Austen, and Pride & Prejudice. I just recently reviewed Just Jane by Nancy Moser on my blog :), definitely worth reading for any Austen liver.
LOL! Lover, any Austen lover. LOL! Not erm…liver!
I was excited to “have” to read this because I’ve always wanted to. Now I wonder why I never have before. And your review is great btw.
How funny, I have been meaning to read P&P for ages and a few days ago finally decided that I was going to do it. I’m only on chapter seven so I can’t really tell you much about it yet except I’ve enjoyed what I read so far. 🙂
Great review, I really love the A&E miniseries for Pride & Prejudice too. I just picked up a copy of Jane Eyre today to participate in next months bookclub!
Hi!
I hope you don’t mind my adding a post. I cheated because I just found this website today! I’m excited to re-read Jane Eyre and hear what everyone thinks about it. I think this BookClub is such a great idea.
Like nearly everyone else, I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading Jane Eyre this month. I think I started it once but life got in the way and I never got around to finishing it.
Sorry I’m late to the party, but my review is finally up!
I enjoyed your take…so similar to my own feelings.
It’s been ages since I read Jane Eyre, but I’m going to give it a whirl.
Just finished blogging my P&P experience… I am so glad this Bookclub came along!!
I loved reading this book again. Can’t wait to read my favorite book of all, Jane Eyre!
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about Pride and Prejudice. What a great book!
Other great Austen resources are The film starring Anne Hathaway called ‘Becoming Jane’ (cute romance) and the book it’s based on by John Spence (much more realistic). A new P&P program started on ITV last night called Lost in Austen.
I love reading classical literature and will enjoy participating beyond anything by Jane Austen. This has been fun to participate in!
I am just curious, but does this edition have a green cover?
I have this same book but it has a navy blue cover