Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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Web ID: 4130795Gripping, enjoyable read
I’ve been meaning to read through all of Jane Austen’s books ever since I first started collecting them, and I finally decided that this year is the year to do it. Well, I got rather behind in my goals, but I did manage to pick up Pride and Prejudice this past month, and ended up reading it pretty quickly. Since this is the story I’m most familiar with of all of Austen’s books (thanks to the many movies and TV adaptations of the story!), I think that made it easier to read the book, but I also got completely sucked into Elizabeth’s world, and reveled in all the little details that adaptations don’t have time or scope to portray. This book…it grows on you, I think. I first listened to the audiobook, but because of things going on around me, I didn’t connect very well with the story or characters. I reread it in school, but unfortunately, I read an annotated version of the book and felt like I had to read every single annotation, which meant I ended up being a very distracted reader who couldn’t keep all the threads of the story together in my mind. Bad idea. This time, I was able to read just the story, and oh, I fell in love with Jane, Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley all over again. I delighted in hating a few characters—or laughing, along with Mr. Bennet, at their foolishness! And I was also struck by how several characters are more caricatures than real characters—that was interesting! Of my three times reading this book, this time was definitely my favorite. I’m looking forward to rereading it sometime, but I’m also eager to get into some of Austen’s other works in the near future!
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Amazing piece of literature!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is an absolute gem of a novel that I wholeheartedly adore. It's a captivating story set in 19th-century England that beautifully explores themes of love, class, and societal expectations. The characters in Pride and Prejudice are incredibly well-developed and relatable. Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist, is a strong, independent woman ahead of her time. Her dynamic with Mr. Darcy, who is initially portrayed as arrogant but later reveals his true honorable nature, is both intriguing and heartwarming. What I love most about this book is its ability to transport me to a different era. Austen's vivid descriptions of the English countryside and her sharp wit in depicting societal norms and expectations make the story come alive. Pride and Prejudice is not just a love story; it's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It teaches valuable lessons about overcoming prejudices and finding true happiness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance with depth and substance. The novel's enduring popularity can be attributed to its timeless themes and well-crafted narrative. Austen's writing style is elegant and engaging, drawing readers into the world of 19th-century England with its intricate social rules and customs. One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the complexities of human relationships. The romantic tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is palpable, and their eventual realization of their love for each other is both satisfying and heartwarming. Beyond the central love story, Pride and Prejudice also offers a keen commentary on the societal expectations placed on women during that era. Elizabeth's refusal to conform to these expectations and her determination to marry for love rather than social status make her a compelling and relatable character for modern readers. In conclusion, Pride and Prejudice is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its rich characters, engaging plot, and profound themes. It is a book that can be read and reread, each time revealing new insights and truths about love, society, and the human condition. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to transcend time and culture, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.
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Pride and Prejudice: A Literary Masterpiece
Wow, Pride and Prejudice truly was one of a kind, and Jane Austen’s ability to add amazing dialogue, awesome characters, and insight into her world made me see why this book is considered a masterpiece. Just in the title itself, we are given insight into the ideas presented in this book: how the main character, Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice toward her lover, Darcy and how he must be less prideful. The concepts present in the book were relevant in the 1790’s, and in some cases even now, making this a timeless classic. The language that Austen implemented was also delectable. She added lots of humor and satire in the dialogue as the characters had different views of each situation, leading to many misunderstandings causing awkward and humorous moments. Just by reading her literature, it is obvious that she bases her writing off of the dialogue that she uses, rather than the thoughts of the characters or the setting. One of Austen’s most innate skills was her ability to add figurative language throughout the pages of her works. Her use of irony is used to create the characters like Miss Catherine and events like Darcy’s proposals for marriage. She uses many metaphors and similes as means of comparison for her main character’s lives. The detail provided for the main characters are amazing. Austen provides lots of insight into human nature with her characters. This clash with the expectations of her society and each character’s pursuit of love enthralled me. Her ability to give such quality detail to her characters truly set this book apart from the rest. I could feel how the characters were feeling and visualize each moment in the book, an effect that very few authors had on me. I don’t use these words lightly, but I was unable to set the book down. Further research into the book made me enjoy the plot and ideas presented even more. Looking into the ideas of this book and how they impacted society at this time, I was once again shocked by Jane Austen. Austen portrayed each character the way she did for a specific reason. Jane Perfectly showed that Darcy and Elizabeth were on the same level in terms of power. This deferred from the ideas of the world at this time, giving everyone at the time a new idea of how the world could look. Pride and Prejudice was truly one of a kind. Jane Austen’s use of figurative language, dialogue, and overall, her legendary writing has struck a nerve in me and millions of readers since the book was published. Her writing style and use of drama and humor has left me in awe and ready to search for more of her literature.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Pride and Prejudice: a Literary Masterpiece
Wow, Pride and Prejudice truly was one of a kind, and Jane Austen’s ability to add amazing dialogue, awesome characters, and insight into her world made me see why this book is considered a masterpiece. Just in the title itself, we are given insight into the ideas presented in this book: how the main character, Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice toward her lover, Darcy and how he must be less prideful. The concepts present in the book were relevant in the 1790’s, and in some cases even now, making this a timeless classic. The language that Austen implemented was also delectable. She added lots of humor and satire in the dialogue as the characters had different views of each situation, leading to many misunderstandings causing awkward and humorous moments. Just by reading her literature, it is obvious that she bases her writing off of the dialogue that she uses, rather than the thoughts of the characters or the setting. One of Austen’s most innate skills was her ability to add figurative language throughout the pages of her works. Her use of irony is used to create the characters like Miss Catherine and events like Darcy’s proposals for marriage. She uses many metaphors and similes as means of comparison for her main character’s lives. The detail provided for the main characters are amazing. Austen provides lots of insight into human nature with her characters. This clash with the expectations of her society and each character’s pursuit of love enthralled me. Her ability to give such quality detail to her characters truly set this book apart from the rest. I could feel how the characters were feeling and visualize each moment in the book, an effect that very few authors had on me. I don’t use these words lightly, but I was unable to set the book down. Further research into the book made me enjoy the plot and ideas presented even more. Looking into the ideas of this book and how they impacted society at this time, I was once again shocked by Jane Austen. Austen portrayed each character the way she did for a specific reason. Jane Perfectly showed that Darcy and Elizabeth were on the same level in terms of power. This deferred from the ideas of the world at this time, giving everyone at the time a new idea of how the world could look. Pride and Prejudice was truly one of a kind. Jane Austen’s use of figurative language, dialogue, and overall, her legendary writing has struck a nerve in me and millions of readers since the book was published. Her writing style and use of drama and humor has left me in awe and ready to search for more of her literature.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great!
Loved it!
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Themes and quotes
Here are five major themes of the book with illustrative quotes: Social class and wealth: The theme of social class and wealth is prominent throughout the book. The characters in the novel are defined by their social status and wealth. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Marriage: The theme of marriage is also important in "Pride and Prejudice." The novel explores the motivations behind why people get married, and the importance of wealth, social status, and love in the decision to marry. "Marriage is a matter of more worth than to be dealt with in such a commonplace way." Prejudice and discrimination: The theme of prejudice and discrimination is also present in the book. The characters are often guilty of judging others based on their social status, wealth, or personal characteristics, and these prejudices often prevent them from forming meaningful relationships. "It is better to be without sense, than without the appearance of it." Love and relationships: The theme of love and relationships is central to the book. The novel explores the different types of love that exist and the challenges that individuals face in forming meaningful relationships. "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." Society and etiquette: The theme of society and etiquette is also important in "Pride and Prejudice." The novel explores the societal norms and expectations that exist in Georgian England, and the importance of following the rules of etiquette. "In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing."
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The Original Rom-Com
After many years of somehow evading this canonical text throughout my life as a reader, English major, high school English teacher, and lifelong culture vulture, I finally read the thing. And though the novel is more than 200 years old, its plot and characters have maintained their appeal, especially among fans of happy-ending romances. No need to recap the plot or the wit and development of its heroine, the prototypical “spunky gal” Elizabeth Bennett, or its dashing hero, the inscrutable but ultimately gallant Fitzwilliam Darcy. It’s easy to understand why this novel’s charm continues to enchant generations of hopeless romantics. Austen’s writing is masterful. The story is a delight.
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Brilliant!
I have adored this book ever since I read it in high school. I enjoy the language and the gentle pace, so different from books today that have to end each chapter on a cliff-hanger. Plus, I love the rich character development. I have read this book so many times, I have even memorized bits of it! Of all Jane Austen's books, this is probably the best known and the easiest to read too.
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