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A review by sacp
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
5.0
I have read P&P a couple of times many years ago and remember loving it. This re-read reminded me why it was that I loved it.
Austen's writing is just so clever. I took an English literature class where we read a letter by Austen's brother-in-law, written after her death. In the letter, he extols her many virtues and claims that she never had an unkind thought about anyone. And it's true that Austen doesn't ever state outright that she thinks someone is stupid or wrong. But her witty descriptions of her contemporaries, their lives, and their attitudes show that she certainly was very aware of flaws and shortcomings and she does a wonderful job of putting them on display. The result is that many of her people are a little one-sided and as a character their lack of complexity leaves them feeling flat and somewhat unrealistic. On the other hand, they're splendid caricatures of humanity and clearly show all the flaws Austen is mocking. I mean, the repulsive, self-important Mr. Collins, the empty-headed selfish Mrs. Bennet, the vain and silly Lydia, etc. We've all known people who have annoyed us in all these ways, and the characters brilliant at making the reader angry, disgusted, upset, and at making the reader think.
Austen also succeeds at putting social issues on display. She does it in a much more subtle way than some of her contemporaries, but she nevertheless gives an excellent commentary on issues that feel relevant to this day. It might be because of where I am in life, but especially her portrayal of the extreme concern with Lydia's loss of virtue felt very poignant as it relates to religious purity culture and all the damage that can cause. (Not to mention how the woman is ruined and the man merely a bit disgraced - such a great picture of not only sexual hypocrisy but also the discrepancy between expectations/ regulations for men and women.)
If anything, I wish perhaps that Lizzie who is for the most part so clever and snarky would have used her snark on a few very deserving characters, and that maybe Jane was a little less good and perfect. Additionally, the ending feels a bit abrupt. But these are small things and once again I finished the book having felt angry, annoyed, frustrated, and happy. In other words, just how a good book should make you feel. :)
Austen's writing is just so clever. I took an English literature class where we read a letter by Austen's brother-in-law, written after her death. In the letter, he extols her many virtues and claims that she never had an unkind thought about anyone. And it's true that Austen doesn't ever state outright that she thinks someone is stupid or wrong. But her witty descriptions of her contemporaries, their lives, and their attitudes show that she certainly was very aware of flaws and shortcomings and she does a wonderful job of putting them on display. The result is that many of her people are a little one-sided and as a character their lack of complexity leaves them feeling flat and somewhat unrealistic. On the other hand, they're splendid caricatures of humanity and clearly show all the flaws Austen is mocking. I mean, the repulsive, self-important Mr. Collins, the empty-headed selfish Mrs. Bennet, the vain and silly Lydia, etc. We've all known people who have annoyed us in all these ways, and the characters brilliant at making the reader angry, disgusted, upset, and at making the reader think.
Austen also succeeds at putting social issues on display. She does it in a much more subtle way than some of her contemporaries, but she nevertheless gives an excellent commentary on issues that feel relevant to this day. It might be because of where I am in life, but especially her portrayal of the extreme concern with Lydia's loss of virtue felt very poignant as it relates to religious purity culture and all the damage that can cause. (Not to mention how the woman is ruined and the man merely a bit disgraced - such a great picture of not only sexual hypocrisy but also the discrepancy between expectations/ regulations for men and women.)
If anything, I wish perhaps that Lizzie who is for the most part so clever and snarky would have used her snark on a few very deserving characters, and that maybe Jane was a little less good and perfect. Additionally, the ending feels a bit abrupt. But these are small things and once again I finished the book having felt angry, annoyed, frustrated, and happy. In other words, just how a good book should make you feel. :)