Reviews

I'm officially counting this as my first reading of this book because a) I'm pretty sure I didn't finish it the first time and b) I barely remember the things I did read. All I recall from my first read is that I love Elizabeth Bennet and that Jane Austen's witty humour is amazing. Both of those things are true this time as well.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if I should provide a synopsis because I felt like it would be redundant, but I'll do it just in case.

This book is set in 1811, in England. It follows the Bennet family, with Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters, but mainly their eldest two, Jane and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the protagonist and the story starts when a new family arrives in the town of Hertfordshire, consisting of a marriageable gentleman of significant wealth. And Mrs Bennet, who wants nothing more than to have her daughters married to such a gentleman, starts with the matchmaking. With Jane, not Elizabeth.

The gentleman in question is Mr Bingley. He's a very nice guy but not the love interest, For one, Elizabeth, with her witty and opinionated nature, would eat the poor guy for breakfast. He's better with Jane, who is sweet and cheerful and disgustingly optimistic. Like, her one flaw is that she's too genuinely nice. And the fact that Jane Austen named her 'Jane' says a lot about the author's sense of humour. As does the iconic first line.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Elizabeth's love interest is Mr Darcy, who is a total dick in the beginning. I seriously did not like him. But neither did Elizabeth, or anyone in the entire fucking town, so it was okay. But there's a reason this is one of the most epic romances of all time. And so perfectly named too. Because pride and prejudice are the two obstacles that Darcy and Elizabeth (respectively) must overcome. Darcy needs to be less of a snob and Elizabeth needs to judge less harshly; which happens gradually and perfectly.

And amidst the stuff going on between them, there's Jane's story and the younger sisters', there's also Elizabeth's friend Charlotte—anyone else think that Charlotte is aromantic?—as well as the very meddlesome Mrs Bennet.

Mrs Bennet was a very perplexing character to me. On one hand, I felt bad for her because she was worried what would happen to her daughters after their father died. It wasn't exactly a good time for single women with little money. On the other hand, she could be so infuriating. She constantly humiliated Jane and Elizabeth with her... eccentric behaviour. And even with all her worry over her daughters, the person she obsessed over most was herself. Strange character, but very interesting.

...And this is where I'll likely stop saying stuff. Will add that Elizabeth Bennet is one of the best characters ever written and I love her to pieces. And that I also love Mr Bennet (very entertaining). This book is so good. So far the only classic that I genuinely enjoyed reading, beyond just the appreciation of a well-written novel. And I highly recommend it.

carryanneb's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

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