A review by jbriaz
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

 In the words of our unesteemed, insane, and idiotic former US President and future US Dictator, Jane Austen is “an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more.” I figured a snarky yet realistic comment would be a great way to start this review given the satirical and snarky nature of Austen’s most famous novel. This is my first Austen novel at age 38, which has left me with only one question, “What the f*** took me so long?” 

This novel is the dog’s bollocks. To call it a Regency Era period piece or chick lit is to entirely miss the point of Austen’s genius, exhibited by her ability to inhabit the world of lower gentry 19th Century England while also comically and intelligently making fun of it. All of the characters are well-drawn with multiple dimensions, even the secondary and tertiary characters. The dialogue is fantastic, interwoven with realistic commentary and hysterical one-liners. The plotting and pace is terrific moving along at just the right speed, nailing everything that needs to be said before the reader loses interest. Even with some predictable plot, Austen still managed to surprise me at points, which is amazing given how many things Austen pioneered with her works (e.g. free indirect discourse), which have been copied by other authors to present day, leading them to become tropes and obvious upcoming plot points to modern readers. But here, Austen still managed to surprise me at points. 

I’ll add that the similarities between Regency Era England and modern-day South Asian courting/society in the diaspora and in the homeland was too much to ignore. As a Pakistani-American, I reveled in all the similarities between what these characters faced and what I have seen my entire life. Everything comes down to “log kya kahenge” in Austen’s world and in the modern Desi world. 

I could add more, but what is the point with a novel so widely read and appreciated? Especially since I probably don’t have much to add that someone else or hundreds of others haven’t already said. Simply put, this is the best novel I have ever read. Whether it is my favorite novel ever will take me some time to consider. But regardless, I’ll definitely be reading more Austen in the future. 5 stars.