I have been waiting for so long to do this. Here, dear readers, I give you my official review of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Even though this book has been a star of this blog and been in numerous posts over the years, I have never done an official review; until now. Without further adieu, here we go!
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a tale of romance, cynicism, satire, and human vanity. It will continue to be read over and over throughout history by high school English classes, book clubs, and thesis writing graduate students. Why? Because of its relevance in any time period and obvious message that can be applied to each and every reader's life.
Summary
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have their Longbourn House full in Georgian, England. With five daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, Mrs. Bennet has her hands full getting them all suitable husbands (but if you ask me, she just wants to get them all married off so that she can look superior to Lady Lucas, their neighbor). Traveling to balls all over the country side, the Bennets stumble into a class higher than them at a party thrown by Mr. Bingley, the most eligible bachelor and among the richest people second only brooding, rude, prideful Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley is quite taken with Jane, the eldest Bennet girl. It seems Darcy would be taken by Elizabeth, but he denies it immediately to Bingley and describes Lizzy as only tolerable.
Join the dancing, prideful, society-bound, class driven, satirical world of Elizabeth Bennet.
Enjoy Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship ups and downs.
Laugh at Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's spats and hilarious fights.
Hate Lady Catherine de Bourg, Mr. Darcy's controlling aunt who thinks the world must fall at her adorned feet, and Caroline Bingley, Mr. Bingley's equally spiteful sister, along with me.
Question Charlotte Lucas' ease in marrying Mr. Collins, the most boring man alive.
Review
Like I have said before, I do not like reviewing classics because who is a mid-teen to judge a world renowned, time tested, beloved work? That said, I will because what purpose would this blog serve if I did not give my opinion. It's a book review blog for heaven's sake! Give your opinion Hal! You're an amateur critic.
Ok. This was my favorite book from the first time I read it in the summer before seventh grade. I loved it. I would have read it 5 more times over if I hadn't had other books to read for school. I have just read it for a second time (this time for school), and I like it (who doesn't love Mr. Darcy? If you have read it, comment thoughts down below FOR SURE!), but it isn't my favorite anymore. Jane Austen is a great writer of vanity, satire, and romance. I think Austen deserves recognition for her satire among the best of comedy writers. I think she earned a spot next to Oscar Wilde with Pride and Prejudice. BUT, I feel like I've graduated. I feel like I've read better. I think this book is a PERFECT starter classic. In fact, it was the first classic I ever read. I, honestly, liked The Great Gatsby and All the King's Men better. Maybe my thing is with American writers. Maybe. I don't know yet.
This book is the perfect classic to start with if you want to begin your classic journey. I love the romantic and satirical nature. I love how Jane Austen proves societal, stickler, and just genuinely mean people wrong.
Solid 5 stars for sure, as it is a true classic. I did like other things better, though. I'm not on the Pride and Prejudice is the only classic forever band wagon.
Happy reading!! Comment thoughts below. By the way, it feels awesome to have finally written a review of this novel. I have mentioned it on this blog so much without doing a formal review.
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