Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice
Series: n/a
Author: Jane Austen
Source/Format: Purchased; Paperback
More Details: Classics
Publisher/Publication Date: Originally published

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Spirited Elizabeth Bennet is one of a family of five daughters, and with no male heir, the Bennet estate must someday pass to their priggish cousin William Collins. Therefore, the girls must marry well—and thus is launched the story of Elizabeth and the arrogant bachelor Mr. Darcy, in a novel renowned as the epitome of romance and wit. Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s masterwork, an entertaining portrait of matrimonial rites and rivalries, timeless in its hilarity and its honesty.

Although I have no formal goals for this year (as far as the blog is concerned), the backlist and classic titles that I’ve wanted to read for years, have been on my mind lately. So far, I’ve read The Shinning, and now I can cross Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice, off my TBR list as well.

I knew of the basics premise of the story, thanks to having seen various adaptations of it (that was years ago, but I’m hoping to rewatch the 2005 one soon), but as is true for most adaptations there was bound to be differences. And I find there is usually value with going back to the source material. All that to say: Pride and Prejudice was a delight to read. Darcy and Elizabeth both, at times, let their preconceived notions, bad impressions, and assumptions about the other guide their actions into misunderstandings. Bingley and Jane had a story of similar circumstances, but from the beginning they had a better impression of each other and were slightly more open about their intentions, but their side of the novel wasn’t without conflict. After all, the relationships and potential marriages—the complicated interpersonal ties between the characters—are what propel the story forward and was a standout when it came to why I found Pride and Prejudice so entertaining.

The story was further supported by a cast of minor characters as well, which made the everyday ordinariness (for the time period) as interesting as the relationships central to the plot. That included (but wasn’t limited to) the other Bennets (Lydia was just messy), Bingley’s sisters, the Collins’, the Lucas’, as well as others.

 
There are a couple more Austen novels that I definitely want to read (Persuasion and Mansfield Park are at the top of my list), regardless, Pride and Prejudice is a new favorite.