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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly boring. Nothing really happened but conversation that was all elite and seemed pointless.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
3.5
i never like when i finish a book and my reaction is more relief at it being over and less disappointment that it is. i reeeeaalllyyy tried yall i tried so hard to fall in love with this book. and perhaps i did a bit. but i think this is going to be one of those books where i look back on it in a fonder eye than i did when i was actually reading it. im already liking it more now than i did actively reading it. i guess its like i like thinking abt it more than reading it? anyway maybe i’ll reread at some point and like it more. but anywho i wish mr darcy were real and im gonna go rewatch the movie now.
i never like when i finish a book and my reaction is more relief at it being over and less disappointment that it is. i reeeeaalllyyy tried yall i tried so hard to fall in love with this book. and perhaps i did a bit. but i think this is going to be one of those books where i look back on it in a fonder eye than i did when i was actually reading it. im already liking it more now than i did actively reading it. i guess its like i like thinking abt it more than reading it? anyway maybe i’ll reread at some point and like it more. but anywho i wish mr darcy were real and im gonna go rewatch the movie now.
I know, I know. I should enjoy the classics more. Unfortunately, they just don't do it for me.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quick Recommendation
Pride and Prejudice may be well reserved for those who seek a medium-paced read with a beautiful romantic story. Other themes include social classes, reputations, gender roles, indepence and also how pride and prejudice changes one's way of living life. The characters undergo significant changes and grow to become loved by the reader. While the start might feel slow, the ending pays off.
Introduction
I wanted to read a book by Jane Austen since a while now. To be completely frank, I simply wanted to read a romance book about long dresses, the exciting balls and dances as well as the whole familiar and yet unknown atmosphere it radiates. There is a good reason why I love victorian era media a lot — it offers so many things at the same time and yet doesn't make it overwhelming. I was always a lover of the atmosphere of these films, shows, but also books.
Now, by reading Pride and Prejudice, I made myself more familiar with the Regency Era, which is quite a blessing. Unfortunately, there aren't as much to consume as the Victorian era, which might means that Jane Austen will be the only one I will ever consume works about the Regency Era. Thus being a blessing and a cruel fate at the same time, but I believe that it will be enjoyable nevertheless!
One might believe that the following review is biased 'cause I love any type of stories where women walk around with long and beautiful dresses or where men ask the same women for a dance, but I shall say that this is prejudice. For, you haven't read the following review yet. So make yourself comfortable and only judge after you finished it.
Pacing
I want to start discussing the pacing first as it's one of the first things that the reader notices while reading.
Pride and Prejudice may be well reserved for those who seek a medium-paced read with a beautiful romantic story. Other themes include social classes, reputations, gender roles, indepence and also how pride and prejudice changes one's way of living life. The characters undergo significant changes and grow to become loved by the reader. While the start might feel slow, the ending pays off.
Introduction
I wanted to read a book by Jane Austen since a while now. To be completely frank, I simply wanted to read a romance book about long dresses, the exciting balls and dances as well as the whole familiar and yet unknown atmosphere it radiates. There is a good reason why I love victorian era media a lot — it offers so many things at the same time and yet doesn't make it overwhelming. I was always a lover of the atmosphere of these films, shows, but also books.
Now, by reading Pride and Prejudice, I made myself more familiar with the Regency Era, which is quite a blessing. Unfortunately, there aren't as much to consume as the Victorian era, which might means that Jane Austen will be the only one I will ever consume works about the Regency Era. Thus being a blessing and a cruel fate at the same time, but I believe that it will be enjoyable nevertheless!
One might believe that the following review is biased 'cause I love any type of stories where women walk around with long and beautiful dresses or where men ask the same women for a dance, but I shall say that this is prejudice. For, you haven't read the following review yet. So make yourself comfortable and only judge after you finished it.
Pacing
I want to start discussing the pacing first as it's one of the first things that the reader notices while reading.
- The Beginning
The start feels like one is a bystander, not yet to be seen and not yet to be called for action. Some might say that the starting lacks, that it's a good reason to not finish this book. ‘Just lay it aside, it isn't worth it anyway’, but is that true? It depends on what one expects from this novel. I personally liked the slow start as it made me able to get to know the characters before the plot followed. It gave the author the opportunity to make the characters complex later on without it appearing rushed, too sudden. I also believe that the slow start makes one immersed in the story as just like the average everyday life, it's not always fast and rich of action, it's slow and might be boring. But not every day is boring or slow, just like the novel showed. There might be peaceful days, but then there are also once full of hope and gleeful encounters. One doesn't know what to expect when one wakes up every day. If you don't like slow starts though, this novel might not be for you as it takes a while for the story to actually get interesting. I believe the wait pays off though.
- The Middle/The Ending
For all the other parts that aren't still part of the start (so, the first 47%), they were medium-paced. Not too slow but also not really fast either. There were moments when barely anything happened; there were chapters that were dedicated to just one long letter and there were also moments when family dynamics were discussed by minor characters (sorry, Phillips family). But there were also scenes that were significant not just to advance the plot but also to make the reader feel something — big emotions. Since I came prepared, knowing that this novel won't be fast-paced I was able to enjoy the smaller moments too. For instance when the two leads locked eyes for the first time and I started giggling just by the description of it.
- The Ending: Film vs Book
If you watched the film before reading this book (like me) you might be a bit surprised by the difference from the ending in the film compared to the book. It wasn't a big chance, but it was still great enough for me to mention it here. The film cuts off way sooner than the book does and the characters also behaved a bit differently to the last big event. When I was at chapter 58 I noticed that the end from the film isn't the end from the book. There was, first of all, much more detail of what happened, which evoke more feelings in me than the film did and there was also a backstory as to why one character developed the way he did. While I still prefer the way Mr. Bennet reacts in the film than in the book, I liked everything else more in the book.
Writing Style
From what I heard, it's supposedly hard to read and to follow. Since I'm familiar with a similar writing style it wasn't hard to follow the story along unlike some others. If one hasn't read any older book yet I wouldn't recommend to read Pride and Prejudice first as it's not beginner friendly. It's probably easier to watch the film first, as it gives one a visual help.
I very much liked the writing style as it made me laugh, smile but also angry and frustrated. Yes, the writing style is complex but that makes a reader truly emphasis, than a simple short way of describing or explaining something.
Themes & Symbolism
Writing Style
From what I heard, it's supposedly hard to read and to follow. Since I'm familiar with a similar writing style it wasn't hard to follow the story along unlike some others. If one hasn't read any older book yet I wouldn't recommend to read Pride and Prejudice first as it's not beginner friendly. It's probably easier to watch the film first, as it gives one a visual help.
I very much liked the writing style as it made me laugh, smile but also angry and frustrated. Yes, the writing style is complex but that makes a reader truly emphasis, than a simple short way of describing or explaining something.
Themes & Symbolism
- Main themes
Pride and Prejudice covers many themes such as love, family, social classes, reputations, gender roles and personal growth. The key themes are pride and prejudice as the two protagonists — Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy try to overcome them.
- Main symbols
It was hard for me to find any symbols.
I think that the traveling from point A to B was a symbol to the development of the characters as they 'move' to a different direction, thus making them change and develop. Especially Elizabeth and her sisters changed over the course of time as they visited many different places.
The only other symbol I perhaps found were the houses of each character. They all looked so different from one another and I started to believe that it was based on something I once heard somebody say to me that one gets to know somebody better by visiting their house than them visiting yours. The description of the houses made me want to believe that this is a symbol for the true personalities of each character even more.
I think that the traveling from point A to B was a symbol to the development of the characters as they 'move' to a different direction, thus making them change and develop. Especially Elizabeth and her sisters changed over the course of time as they visited many different places.
The only other symbol I perhaps found were the houses of each character. They all looked so different from one another and I started to believe that it was based on something I once heard somebody say to me that one gets to know somebody better by visiting their house than them visiting yours. The description of the houses made me want to believe that this is a symbol for the true personalities of each character even more.
- How it impacted me
• Romance (love)
It was refreshing to read a book with love as a central theme without it becoming overly dark or lusty. It just felt like a pleasant breeze. I don't need to read or watch somebody make-out to realise that they are in love and if I have to, then it was badly executed. The lingering sensation was so strong throughout the story that I could tell by the smallest glimpses and thoughts about the other that they started to fall. The descriptions and mentions of the other character became more frequent and longer as the story proceeded. I was watching (or rather reading) two people fall in love slowly. Just like in the film I could tell when each one started to fall for the other, though it's still pretty much vague as one's feelings are so complex that it's hard to say if it started just with curiosity or if it was already love.
Most romance stories leave me unfaced, not even touched, but this one made me feel all nervous and felicity. I was happy for them as if I was part of their family or a close friend. It was really beautiful. I also liked how it wasn't just one romance blossoming but multiple different ones with different motives, this made the romance aspect more exciting to read. Some married for security and wealth while others married for affection and mutual respect.
(Only complain: The romance was kinda stronger represented in the film, especially with the dramatic rain scene).
• Family (dynamics)
It was both tiresome but still interesting to get to know all the families in this novel. Some where more important than others, but they all had one thing in common: They either supported eachother or brought eachother to fall. The Bennet family was supporting eachother, which is fortunate for Elizabeth since she is longing for independence which she has a better chance at getting in her current family than anywhere else. Books that discuss family history and/or dynamics are a hit or miss for me as they can make me feel both bored and curious to get to know more. For the most part I was curious and happy to get to know the important families for the story. The minor family mentions weren't really interesting to me, but at least they weren't mentioned for long.
• Social classes and reputations
I think with the pride and prejudice themes these were the most central ones from them all. The love was often times in the background and felt a bit monotonous sometimes while the social classes and the reputations of individuals but also their families was a huger part in the novel. One might think the novel is dry and boring if one doesn't like to read a lot about social classes and reputations. I personally wasn't bothered by it as I know that the social classes and especially the reputations of one's own was very important in the past. These themes also connected to the pride and prejudice themes as they somewhat originated from it. With a high social status comes pride and with a strong reputation comes prejudice against others. I was amazed that Jane Austen criticised the social classes and the importance of a reputation above someone's own freedom. As somebody who also sees reputation not as important as the free will and just generally doing what one wants without being afraid to be judged by it, I agree with the criticism. I mean, what you mean one has to marry without their say? What you mean one can't befriend somebody 'cause they are part of a higher social class? That's just outright unfair and depressing.
It was refreshing to read a book with love as a central theme without it becoming overly dark or lusty. It just felt like a pleasant breeze. I don't need to read or watch somebody make-out to realise that they are in love and if I have to, then it was badly executed. The lingering sensation was so strong throughout the story that I could tell by the smallest glimpses and thoughts about the other that they started to fall. The descriptions and mentions of the other character became more frequent and longer as the story proceeded. I was watching (or rather reading) two people fall in love slowly. Just like in the film I could tell when each one started to fall for the other, though it's still pretty much vague as one's feelings are so complex that it's hard to say if it started just with curiosity or if it was already love.
Most romance stories leave me unfaced, not even touched, but this one made me feel all nervous and felicity. I was happy for them as if I was part of their family or a close friend. It was really beautiful. I also liked how it wasn't just one romance blossoming but multiple different ones with different motives, this made the romance aspect more exciting to read. Some married for security and wealth while others married for affection and mutual respect.
(Only complain: The romance was kinda stronger represented in the film, especially with the dramatic rain scene).
• Family (dynamics)
It was both tiresome but still interesting to get to know all the families in this novel. Some where more important than others, but they all had one thing in common: They either supported eachother or brought eachother to fall. The Bennet family was supporting eachother, which is fortunate for Elizabeth since she is longing for independence which she has a better chance at getting in her current family than anywhere else. Books that discuss family history and/or dynamics are a hit or miss for me as they can make me feel both bored and curious to get to know more. For the most part I was curious and happy to get to know the important families for the story. The minor family mentions weren't really interesting to me, but at least they weren't mentioned for long.
• Social classes and reputations
I think with the pride and prejudice themes these were the most central ones from them all. The love was often times in the background and felt a bit monotonous sometimes while the social classes and the reputations of individuals but also their families was a huger part in the novel. One might think the novel is dry and boring if one doesn't like to read a lot about social classes and reputations. I personally wasn't bothered by it as I know that the social classes and especially the reputations of one's own was very important in the past. These themes also connected to the pride and prejudice themes as they somewhat originated from it. With a high social status comes pride and with a strong reputation comes prejudice against others. I was amazed that Jane Austen criticised the social classes and the importance of a reputation above someone's own freedom. As somebody who also sees reputation not as important as the free will and just generally doing what one wants without being afraid to be judged by it, I agree with the criticism. I mean, what you mean one has to marry without their say? What you mean one can't befriend somebody 'cause they are part of a higher social class? That's just outright unfair and depressing.
Characters
- Elizabeth Bennet
She is seeking independence and is a woman who speaks what's she thinks with no filter. This may lead to misunderstandings and conflicts but it was nice to read about a character who is protesting against the social classes but not in a violent way. She is also very intelligent and has a strong will, I really liked seeing her using both to her advantage. 'cause of her different way of thinking and behaving she is a magnet to hateful opinions, especially from Mrs. Bingley and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. From their view, she isn't behaving like a lady should do. Elizabeth might be described by others as cunning, fiercely, impertinence, wild and more, but she is also beautiful, intelligent and caring. I really liked her a lot as she is the type of girl to get what she wants and she definitely knew what she wanted to have in life.
She is by no means perfect. After Elizabeth realised what awful things she has done she decided to change her way of thinking towards others for the better.
- Fitzwilliam Darcy
He was a distanced man who only gave cold remarks, not showing his true emotions, feelings or intentions. It was quite a puzzle to understand him, but over time that puzzle got a shape that I was able to solve. Immediately when his sister Georginia was mentioned I knew that he has a soft side on him, even if he doesn't want to show it. He was not only caring but also thoughtful, considerate towards others and generous. While initially being the most disagreeable man in the novel as well as being ill-tempered, haughty and frightening, he had a significant development that changed the outcome of the story a lot.
Outroduction
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who seeks a slow-burn romance with other themes like social classes, reputations and family dynamics centering around it. The characters undergo a significant change, which makes them more loveable as the story proceeds. It takes a while for the novel to get interesting but it pays off at the end with a lovely ending.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes