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davidnc445's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
rebecca_kurian's review against another edition
2.0
This book was simply not for me. And I assure you, no one’s more disappointed about this turn of events than I am.
inessova's review against another edition
3.0
Before stating the reasons why I gave this book three stars and not five like 99% of my friends, I want to say that I love the story. I think I've watched the movie at least 5 times, and I've seen the mini series as well. And I liked them very much.
My problem was that I didn't enjoy the book more. The writing took me a bit to get used to, but halfway through I got used to it and loved it really.
I had a big problem with the narrative/ dialogue in the book. It frustrated me at times, that when I needed to know what was exactly being said, was just narrated, and when I really didn't care about the dialogue, I had to go through a whole page of speeches. That was a big part of the reason I preferred the movies..
Moreover, I didn't like the secondary characters, they were all one dimensional. They were either too good (Jane), too haughty (Catherine De Bough), too flighty..
Every character was just one thing. They didn't have layers to them. It was like cartoon. and I hated how they treated each other. Everyone of them even Elizabeth thought they were superior either because they were rich, so they're better than the poor, or they were educated and read books so they were better than those who didn't read.
While reading I didn't wish I was with them in that period of time. They were all fake, sometimes hurting people with unnecessary incivility.
Let's talk about Elizabeth. She is pictured as this this lively, well-educated young woman, but I didn't see that in her actions, she was like any other woman, gossiping and talking about people all the time.
I LOVED that she wasn't in a search of a husband just for the sake to be married. It takes courage to to take a stand when everything women think about is marriage at that time. But her only contender was not such a hard person to say no to. Mr Collins made me cringe at times, so much he was so ill-bred.
And Darcy! He was the best thing in the book, I connected to him, he had character, he made mistake and learnt from them. Sure Elizabeth was the one who opened his eyes but he accepted criticism and became a better person. Even though I did like him from the beginning, because I'm shy too, don't talk when have nothing to say (small talk is so not my thing) and it's more easy for me to connect with people I'm already acquainted with. Nowadays, it's called being an introvert. then, it was called being proud.
So in conclusion, it was an average love story. A harlequin novel really, certainly, it was beautifully written in the 19th century but a harlequin nonetheless.
My problem was that I didn't enjoy the book more. The writing took me a bit to get used to, but halfway through I got used to it and loved it really.
I had a big problem with the narrative/ dialogue in the book. It frustrated me at times, that when I needed to know what was exactly being said, was just narrated, and when I really didn't care about the dialogue, I had to go through a whole page of speeches. That was a big part of the reason I preferred the movies..
Moreover, I didn't like the secondary characters, they were all one dimensional. They were either too good (Jane), too haughty (Catherine De Bough), too flighty..
Every character was just one thing. They didn't have layers to them. It was like cartoon. and I hated how they treated each other. Everyone of them even Elizabeth thought they were superior either because they were rich, so they're better than the poor, or they were educated and read books so they were better than those who didn't read.
While reading I didn't wish I was with them in that period of time. They were all fake, sometimes hurting people with unnecessary incivility.
Let's talk about Elizabeth. She is pictured as this this lively, well-educated young woman, but I didn't see that in her actions, she was like any other woman, gossiping and talking about people all the time.
I LOVED that she wasn't in a search of a husband just for the sake to be married. It takes courage to to take a stand when everything women think about is marriage at that time. But her only contender was not such a hard person to say no to. Mr Collins made me cringe at times, so much he was so ill-bred.
And Darcy! He was the best thing in the book, I connected to him, he had character, he made mistake and learnt from them. Sure Elizabeth was the one who opened his eyes but he accepted criticism and became a better person. Even though I did like him from the beginning, because I'm shy too, don't talk when have nothing to say (small talk is so not my thing) and it's more easy for me to connect with people I'm already acquainted with. Nowadays, it's called being an introvert. then, it was called being proud.
So in conclusion, it was an average love story. A harlequin novel really, certainly, it was beautifully written in the 19th century but a harlequin nonetheless.
cristamajo's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly delightful read! I definitely felt its length during the time crunch to read this for my class, but I really did love the characters I was following, and appreciated an omniscient narrator being the choice of narrative style; you get to know Elizabeth and other characters, while simultaneously knowing nothing at all about what's going on in their heads. You have to read their body language and their dialogue, as that is the way Austen intends for you to get to know her characters (at least for the majority of the time).
Didn't have nearly as much romance as the movie adaptation, but I consider that to be a virtue respective of its own secular property-- A.K.A., this book is enjoyable to read for Elizabeth and Darcy's independent (and yet intersectional) character development, and does not rely on the modern day romance tropes in order to be a worthwhile read. It could use a little more fluff, but that's my contemporary standpoint, so take that into consideration. Probably would reread it in the future, just because I liked analyzing the characters' thoughts through their exterior personas. #MATTHEWMACFAYDENEMMYSWEEP
Didn't have nearly as much romance as the movie adaptation, but I consider that to be a virtue respective of its own secular property-- A.K.A., this book is enjoyable to read for Elizabeth and Darcy's independent (and yet intersectional) character development, and does not rely on the modern day romance tropes in order to be a worthwhile read. It could use a little more fluff, but that's my contemporary standpoint, so take that into consideration. Probably would reread it in the future, just because I liked analyzing the characters' thoughts through their exterior personas. #MATTHEWMACFAYDENEMMYSWEEP
broken_shady's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
4.75
linneak2002's review against another edition
5.0
June 2023: I listened to this with my sister for the "Read a Book with someone" on the Literary Life Podcast reading challenge. This time I had Kate Kellgren as the narrator, and she did an excellent job.
The second time I read this was when Jennifer Ehle decided to read it outloud during the Shelter-at-home order during the spring of 2020, it was so fun listening to her read It on YouTube! I have watched the 5 hour version of the movie so many times that I have most of it memorized, and so this was like visiting an old friend.
Now as to the book itself: the way the characters grow and learn is neat to watch. There have some people I have heard talk about this book mention that you have to be careful about letting your teenage daughter read this book because it could give her unrealistic expectations about relationships and men. However, the book does not portray that the men, especially Mr. Darcy, or their relationships being perfect. Mr. Darcy makes mistakes, he learns from them, and he changes. Elizabeth makes mistakes regarding some of the characters, she learns from them, and she changes because of that. Even at the end of the book after things get resolved, it mentions that Mr. Darcy's wife has to go slowly in helping him laugh at himself. I do not think it portrays anyone as perfect, and there is a lot more to get out of this book than just that two people got married after some misunderstanding. This book shows people who make mistakes about other's character, as well as about other things, and there is always a consequence for that; it shows a lot about human nature. There is so much more that I can't put into this review, but I highly recommend this book.
The second time I read this was when Jennifer Ehle decided to read it outloud during the Shelter-at-home order during the spring of 2020, it was so fun listening to her read It on YouTube! I have watched the 5 hour version of the movie so many times that I have most of it memorized, and so this was like visiting an old friend.
Now as to the book itself: the way the characters grow and learn is neat to watch. There have some people I have heard talk about this book mention that you have to be careful about letting your teenage daughter read this book because it could give her unrealistic expectations about relationships and men. However, the book does not portray that the men, especially Mr. Darcy, or their relationships being perfect. Mr. Darcy makes mistakes, he learns from them, and he changes. Elizabeth makes mistakes regarding some of the characters, she learns from them, and she changes because of that. Even at the end of the book after things get resolved, it mentions that Mr. Darcy's wife has to go slowly in helping him laugh at himself. I do not think it portrays anyone as perfect, and there is a lot more to get out of this book than just that two people got married after some misunderstanding. This book shows people who make mistakes about other's character, as well as about other things, and there is always a consequence for that; it shows a lot about human nature. There is so much more that I can't put into this review, but I highly recommend this book.
mycriminalmind's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
dayana007's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
eenaah's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
5.0