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8.27.2012

A Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen



(I found this really pretty copy at a book shop in Alabama.)

So. I read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice. But what do you say about a book so well known that hasn't been expressed (more eloquently for sure) so many times? Let's look at the film adaptations alone. Really. Too bad Netflix streaming only offers the one from 1987. I was seriously anticipating seeing Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy because he's kind of awesome. Anyway. Let's get on about the book and forget the films.

The five Bennet sisters reside in a country town outside of London (I suppose anyway) with their calculating mother and rather aloof father. When a Mr. Bingley arrives at his country estate nearby, with a pretty handsome party, the girls' lives are thrown into a flurry. Elizabeth Bennet, our heroine, makes an unfortunate acquaintance with an unfriendly Mr. Darcy, while Jane becomes smitten with that certain Mr. Bingley. Oh, and don't let me forget Mr. Wickham, whose character graces the group and is sure to delight the most prudent individual in the room. Or Mr. Collins... that guy. What a joke. Throw in some letter exchanging, ball attending and relative visiting and you've got a story.

I'll admit that not reading a classic novel for a while (ok, one from or around this period of time, so late 1700s/early 1800s) did not help me in understanding each sentence completely. Yes, I just admitted that some of those five-line long sentences with about a zillion superfluous notes of tenderness were really tough to get through, let alone UNDERSTAND completely. (Note: Sometimes I contemplate emulating the whole letter writing process and sending it to J just to see what he'll say. I'll let you know how that works out.) For the most part, however, I understood enough to know when someone was word slapping another character in the face or kissing another character's butt or whatever. And I did appreciate it. I certainly don't want someone thinking I'm criticizing Ms. Austen and her beautiful language, because I'm definitely not. It was just different. The realization that many of my contemporary reads (think new releases) are pretty much easy peasy and don't require me to struggle with the language, so much as the meaning of it all, hit me about halfway through. I liked it.

Take heed! SPOILERS from here on out...

I understood just from taking history classes and feminism courses that Elizabeth Bennet is a force to reckon with considering the period. She definitely (in the most polite terms) expresses her frustration with her sister, Jane, who fails to see the defects in any individual's character, and has no problem outright refusing (in the most disgraceful manner) a man that can spend more in a year than all of the families she knows combined. A woman like Elizabeth, a female whose father hasn't planned to support all of his lovely daughters after his demise, would hardly be in a position to reject such a suitor. But she does and deep down we all know that she loved ever minute of that heated exchange.

It's her character that makes this work so wildly popular (that's what I like to believe anyway). Ok, so maybe the romance aided its standing as well. While I haven't delved too much into how the general public responded to it when it was initially published (I know that Austen wasn't admired until many years after her death), I can't imagine that reactions were anything but shock at the impertinence (to borrow one from Austen) of Ms. Lizzy. She enforces marrying for happiness and not for money, and while this probably wasn't the most sound advice for many single ladies, we know that Austen herself turned down marriage proposals because she just didn't "feel it" with those offering. Furthermore, Elizabeth is smart and quick-witted, which we assume is an attractive quality because Mr. Darcy just can't resist. Let's not forget that she maintains her amusing and intelligent demeanor through and through because that's who she IS, and not because some guy thinks it's kind of cute, or whatever. So, Elizabeth Bennet is kind of awesome too. I chuckled while reading and that is way better than crying. Sure, there may be several situations that just happen to work out so perfectly that you have to check yourself before rolling your eyes, you'll end up loving the characters all the same.

My one complaint, aside from deciphering the language, was the fact that she alluded to moments, rather than outright including the conversation, when individuals expressed themselves in a vulgar manner. Naturally I was interested as to what was said that was considered so vulgar.


The completion of Pride and Prejudice was my first step towards finishing 50 titles in five years. Note: This title may or may not have been selected based on the fact that I recently got a copy of Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James.






15 comments:

  1. YES YES YES. It's all about Lizzy! That is what makes P+P so great! I'm reading Mansfield Park right now (also my first read for the Classics Club!) and the main character is so unpleasant and obnoxious that I just can't enjoy the book. The same was true of Emma for me. In general, since reading P+P, every other Austen novel has been disappointing because Lizzy isn't there!

    As for the whole trouble deciphering the language, the BBC 6 hour rendition is actually really great for that. It's pretty much taken line-for-line from the book but seeing and hearing the characters helps a lot. Before seeing it, I never understood why people thought that P+P is so funny. It turns out they were right. And I'm pretty sure that's the one that's on Netflix streaming.

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  2. Jennifer,
    I looked on Netflix and the only one available was one from 1987 and it was terrible. I'd like to find the BBC version, which I've found on youtube. But that was a pain. Hopefully I'll find it. I agree that Lizzy is a great character. I'm reading Death Comes to Pemberley and feel that Lizzy's character is lacking BIG TIME.

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    1. Yeah, Death Comes to Pemberley was pretty underwhelming and SO PREDICTABLE. It wasn't really about Lizzy at all.

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    2. I'm not that far along and I can already tell. Ugh.

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  3. First off, I love that cover! I need a nice copy of P&P, hope the book depository stocks this one. And I completely agree that Lizzy is the reason everyone loves this book. I have a weakness for Lydia, but only because she's so clueless of everyone around her!

    I always find the language a bit of a shock when I've not read a classic for a while. It just takes a while to get used to it again.

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    1. Sam,
      I just happened to stumble upon this one and had to have it. The Penguin special covers are pretty nice too, if not a little darker, but definitely cute. Hopefully you'll find it.
      Lydia kind of annoyed me just because I couldn't understand how she could be so incredibly clueless that her life was probably going to end up being quite miserable because they didn't have any money. But then again I have this outsiders perspective of Wickham and his deplorable character. Still. It seems like his nastiness would shine through all those fake smiles. Ok, so I didn't like the two of them!
      Hopefully I'll get used to it by adding more to my diet.

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  4. Glad you liked it. Cos seriously, who can resist the awesomeness of Lizzy? I agree the language takes a little while to get into, although I think this one is easier than some other works of the time.

    I haven't seen the Colin Firth P&P so I can't say how it is although everyone seems to be head over heels in love with it. I don't find Firth especially attractive, so I'm guessing he either does an AMAZING job or I have different taste than everyone else. I liked the one with Keira Knightly, though everyone else seems to be out for her blood for that one.

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    1. Yes, she is pretty awesome. And the language is easier than some but definitely more taxing that others. I'll live.
      I'm a big fan of the acting and less so the dream quality. I think I'll pass on the latest version as I feel like she's always the same character in every film. So yeah. But as it currently stands I can't find any on netflix streaming and I'm not paying for it so we shall see.

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  5. I almost bought Death Comes to Pemberley at Half Price Books this weekend but opted out because I hadn't read any reviews yet and didn't want to buy something that could be a let down. I look forward to your thoughts on that one! Also, nice review of P&P! I haven't read it in about seven years so it was nice to have a little refresher!

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    1. Yeah, I'm on page 80 or so and I'd say skip it. I'm going to finish, but it isn't something that will blow me away. Actually it's sort of slow and not at all a good representation of the characters. I'm really disappointed
      :(
      And isn't the edition awesome?! I couldn't resist. I wish publishers would do a wider variety of classics though. You can generally only find really cool cover art on the same titles AGAIN and AGAIN.

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  6. Oh I forgot to mention, I love that edition you have. So pretty!

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  7. That edition is gorgeous! I love it! And yes, I would have LOVED to know what exactly was vulgar back then. I decided to make some things up in my mind, you know - like showing her knee or elbow by accident or something! -Sarah

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    1. Sarah,
      Thanks! And yes we should definitely should have gotten a little more insight but I guess it would have been really inappropriate. I still want to know! Haha. I just thought it was her mother essentially grovelling or something similar occurring too often. :)

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  8. So glad you enjoyed it! You must watch the Colin Firth DVD - it's so faithful to the mood and the plot of the book. Judy.

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  9. Judith,
    Yes, I have to find a way to get it. I keep hearing good things. I'll make sure to update once I do!

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