“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” – Thus begins Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen’s witty comedy of manners. If you notice, the very first sentence itself is a masterpiece of tongue-in-cheek social commentary, and instantly paints a picture of the socio-cultural situation of the era.
You would think that it is representative of what is to follow; and to an extent, I would agree, but not really. It is just a very tiny glimpse of the mastery that Austen has over her craft. I could rave endlessly about the excellent plotting, or characterization, or even about how Austen’s wit and the wisdom reflects in the narrative. But I realize that anything that has to be said about this book, has already been said, in much fancier language than I can ever hope to express.
Nonetheless, I am not going to let that stop me from gushing over it, because this has been more than just a book for me – it has been an experience – a very special one.
And it is special for many reasons – for one, the language is delightful beyond comparison. I used to be intimidated by old texts as they are often dry and difficult to read, but I truly loved the way some words are used in this book, and wished language would still be dealt with in the same manner. But I also wonder – is it really the language of the era, or a superior skill of presentation that Austen possessed?
And secondly, I am amazed at how relatable and relevant this book is (even after 200 years of it being written!). The characters are interesting, the family dynamic is amusing, and kind of all over the place (but that is really how it is with all of us) – there’s love, loyalty, concern, annoyance, and exasperation even!
Having said that, the first half of the book was kind of a slow burner, and while it was still interesting, it was going nowhere fast. But I labored through it, and the book just got better and better! The romance between Mr. Darcy and Miss. Bennet is not one that I am going to forget anytime soon.
Here are 5 things that I LOVED about this book –
1. Let me begin with stating the obvious – I am in love with Miss. Bennet and Mr. Darcy. SHE is quirky, witty, independent, and while she prides herself in her sense of judgement, she is quick to accept her flaws. And HE is just…wonderful; I don’t know how I can really add to the mass adoration that he receives, except probably admit that, yes, he is all that and a bag of chips! I heart them both. <3
2. I love Austen’s narrative style – we learn about characters and events as much from what they say to each other as from what she narrates to us. The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth isn’t empty flirting – it’s a progression, a chart, if you will, of their ongoing misunderstanding understanding, and a way to take stock of plot and character development, as well as an enjoyable display of wit.
3. I also liked the fact that the protagonists are not one-dimensional perfect people, but complex, flawed human beings. Infact, the personality defects of the protagonists are mentioned in title of this book itself; it alludes to the Pride of Mr. Darcy & the Prejudice of Miss. Bennet. And, importantly, these flaws are not used as backhanded compliments. Instead, the reasons are explored, and one can actually see the emotional development of a character as they come to terms with these flaws, and work on overcoming them.
4. The protagonists as well as the side characters have their own distinct personalities, and are very well fleshed out. There are no cookie cutter characters. For instance – Mr. Darcy, Mr Bingley, Mr. Wickham & Mr.Collins among the men; and Miss. Elizabeth Bennet, Miss. Jane Bennet, Miss. Georgiana Darcy, and Miss. Charlotte Lucas among women – they are as unique and different from each other as they can be.
5. Finally, I loved how emphasis was placed on mannerisms and good sense, over just good looks. The author did not rely on only good looks to make the characters endearing, which is such a refreshing change from some of the contemporary novels these days.
Rating:
Since 5 stars are the maximum on the rating scale, I guess I will have to be content by just giving this book just those 5 stars. But were it up to me, I would give this one all the other stars in sky, AND the moon. 😀
*End of Gush*
This is a book, that I would recommend to anyone and everyone! So, if by some miracle, you haven’t read it yet…
GET THIS BOOK HERE:
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I would love to hear from you guys. Have you read Pride & Prejudice? Who is your favorite character? (outside of Mr. Darcy, because let’s face it, he would top everyone’s list!) As far as I am concerned, I liked Lizzy as much as I liked Mr. Darcy (okay, that is not completely true, but close).
Interestingly I also liked Jane, and that is a surprise even to me, because Jane’s naivete and innocence is not something that I can relate with, but I found it inexplicably endearing in this book.
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Alok singhal
Reading all the good reviews on various sites, I feel like going for these great books – however, time plays a spoilsport!
Alok singhal recently posted…Planning for Life’s Downs and Combating them Fearlessly
Shanaya Tales
Oh this one you must check out. This is one romance novel, that guys can enjoy equally. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Obsessivemom
I cannot tell you how happy I am that you read it. It’s like sharing a treat with a person who you know is going to like it as much as you. A more gushworthy book there never was. On a somewhat related note – have you seen Lost in Austen?
Obsessivemom recently posted…Proud, happy and grateful
Shanaya Tales
I haven’t. But then I haven’t read her other books. Does Lost In Austen touch on the other books, or just P&P? Have you read it? How did you find it?
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Beat About the Book
Lost in Austen isn’t a book at all. It is a mini series where a modern day protagonist gets swapped with Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice.
Beat About the Book recently posted…To love a bookworm
Shanaya Tales
Oh I see. But there is a book by that name too. Lost in Austen: Choose your own adventure. Anyway, how did you find the mini-series? Worth a watch?
Nikita Dudani
Wow! Wow! Wow! My fav book. Of course Mr. Darcy is my ultimate fac character! 😀
Shanaya Tales
He is! So much awesomeness, all wrapped up in one character – no fair, I say! 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Beloo Mehra
It has been ages since I read this English classic. I was just a teenager at that time, I think. But I remember enjoying it very much, could be my age 🙂 Read a few of her other works too, one after another. But that was then. Haven’t picked up any Austen for many decades, just not my cup of tea anymore.
Beloo Mehra recently posted…Why Nationalism?
Shanaya Tales
As of now, I am so much in love with Austen, that I don’t imagine I am ever going to get over her. But who knows. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Rachna
What do I even say about this book? I have read it many times but not recently and then the movies and the TV series. Just a fabulous classic!
Shanaya Tales
Truly fabulous! I re-read it, and then watched the adaptations – the BBC one is perfection!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Devika
I recently re-read P&P because it’s just such an epic, wonderful book. Love your review!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Devika. So glad you liked it. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Corinne Rodrigues
My favourite read of all times. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it and the related serials, movies and books I’ve read. I’ve read all of Austen’s works at least thrice but P&P is the best!
Shanaya Tales
I am yet to get to her other works. Can’t wait – obsessed! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Hema
Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite romance. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it and your review makes me want to read it all over again. Well done, Shantala! The way she has written Elizabeth’s character shows that Jane Austen was way ahead of her time. Colin Firth is drool-worthy as Mr. Darcy on the BBC series.
Hema recently posted…Fiction : So Near and Yet So Far
Shanaya Tales
I agree. She was way ahead of her time – very wise and witty too – delightful combination! As far as Colin Firth goes – yes, very drool worthy! I have seen the ‘accidental meeting at Pemberley’ scene over and over again. The BBC series is pure perfection! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Jenny @ Reading the End
Awww, this post made me beam. I love seeing people newly discover books that I’ve loved for a long time. Has anyone yet recommended the webseries The Lizzie Bennet Diaries? It’s a modern-day video-blog adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and it just couldn’t be more delightful. I highly recommend watching it!
Shanaya Tales
I have watched a few adaptations, though not this one. Will surely look it up. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Deepika Ramesh
Shantala, it is one of the best blogs I have ever read on ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Thank you for this passionate post. 🙂 I read the book seven years ago, and I remember enjoying it then, despite having a love-hate relationship with it. 🙂 Now, after reading your blog, I intend to revisit it. Many thanks for inspiring.
Deepika Ramesh recently posted…A Bright Ray of Sunshine
Shanaya Tales
SO glad you liked it, Deepika. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you will enjoy it just as much while re-reading it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Cathy
What a wonderful review of Pride and Prejudice! You do entice those who haven’t read it to take the plunge. I must admit I’ve tried reading it and found it slow in spots but I do love the characters as you say. And the BBC movie of it can’t be beat. Colin Firth is dreamy as Mr. Darcy. No one else can ever come close in portraying him. Just like I adore Toby Stephens (Maggie Smith’s son) as Mr. Rochester in BBC’s production of Jane Eyre. I remember reading an article describing how Jane Austen is so good about showing the little nuances of human behaviour and relationships. Not every writer is so adept at this. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for this great classic.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Cathy! I agree. Colin Firth is the perfect Mr.Darcy, and Austen does make her characters come alive by the little nuances that she includes. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Katie @ Words for Worms
Oh this is so lovely! What a wonderful way to document your first Pride and Prejudice experience! It’s one of those classics that’s classic for good reason, you know? Such a fabulous story.
Katie @ Words for Worms recently posted…In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
Shanaya Tales
Truly! I am so tempted to re-read it right away! As of now, I am satisfying the craving by watching the adaptation over and over again. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Ruchi Singh
Wonderful review Ms Shantala!! I am going to read it again. :-))
Ruchi Singh recently posted…The Good, The Bad and The Meddler
Shanaya Tales
Yes, yes, please DO! 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Lata Sunil
Its my favourite book. The only one I have read countless times. I would suggest, now you watch the BBC Series staring Colin Firth. I insist that you watch it. Colin Firth is the perfect Mr. Darcy.
BTW, the book is free on Amazon Kindle.
Shanaya Tales
Free? That is good. Thanks for letting me know. I will check if it is available for free here too. 😀
Also, I have watched, and re-watched the BBC adaptation several times. Colin Firth is SO perfect! *Swoon*
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Nidhi
Am i the only one who still hasnt read it? But its not my fault. Blame it on the crappy movies which were made based on this book like bride and prejudice. Definitely picking this one up asap.
Nidhi recently posted…Kesar-Pista Badam Doodh ‘Malai Maar ke’
Shanaya Tales
Oh, please don’t judge it based on THAT movie! I have an adaptations post coming up, which might clear the air, but really – don’t let that movie color your mind about this book. That movie is just inspired by P&P – not even the same story!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
My Era
I have read this in school and few more times and its among my all time favorite books. Each and every character with its multi-faceted personality ensures there is not a single dull moment in this beautiful book 🙂
Love the book and also your reviews 😀
My Era recently posted…In Other Words
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much! This was truly a gem! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Surabhi Brarath
Pride and prejudice is one of my favourite classics by Austen . The other being Sense and Sensibility . Austen has very well portrayed Lizzy Bennett as an independent woman . My favourite character other than Mr Darcy is The naive Mr Bennett who is tyrannised by his over ambitious wife .
Shanaya Tales
I haven’t read anything else by Austen, but I am going to pick either S&S or Emma. Also, yeah I liked Mr. Bennett too. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Kala Ravi
Aww…I am so going to read this, yet again! When you announced you were going to read this one, I knew for sure, you would swoon over the characters….esp you-know-who! How did Austen manage to pull off such a magnetic, enigmatic character, I always wonder! It is indeed a classic! And my dear your review does it the very justice it deserves!
Kala Ravi recently posted…Holiday Ahoy! – Part 2
Shanaya Tales
Thank you! Thank you! 😀 And oh yes! He is very swoon-worthy! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Rekha
I read this while in college after I read Emma. There’s something captivating about the way she writes and describes. Brilliant would be an understatement.
Rekha recently posted…Repair We Must
Shanaya Tales
Exactly! I was at such a loss for words!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Somali K Chakrabarti
One of my favourite books. The language makes the whole set up of old England come alive in front of the eyes. The starting line itself is a clincher and book keeps the reader glued to it. 🙂
Somali K Chakrabarti recently posted…Tap the Power of Social Blogging with Affimity
Shanaya Tales
True. True. I loved this one! 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature