#64: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The original rom-com
My year with female authors is off to a great start! In the next few weeks, I’ll have the treat of reviewing two 19th century classics of the literary canon. You might think that there is nothing left to say about two books that have been read, re-read, written about, and discussed for more than a century, but you’d be wrong. There is always more to say, which is what makes them so good. New readers will continue to discover and be charmed by these stories. This week: Austen. Next week: Alcott. Here we go!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Published: 1813 | Pages: 368
What’s it about?
This feels like the original rom-com complete with miscommunications, misunderstandings, awkward situations, colorful characters, and family drama all giving birth to comedic scenes that made me chuckle. While one subtitle is “a novel of manners” a more modern take could be “how to (and how not to) play the game,” for I found myself wishing I had read this in college. The story of Darcy and Elizabeth projecting their own faults onto each other feels all too familiar.
What is my history with the material?
I always naively assumed this was a “girly book” and never felt drawn to it. I knew it was about two people who didn’t like each other at first but eventually fell in love. I knew most of the drama took place in stuffy rooms with people talking. I knew the actors who played Mr. Darcy in the two most recent screen adaptations earned dreamboat status in perpetuity for their performances. Certain folks on the internet got excited when those Mr. Darcy’s (Darcies?) showed up in the trailer for the movie Operation Mincemeat.
How did it impact me?
This wasn’t an easy read. I struggled with the language and sentence structure and found myself having to re-read sentences or paragraphs a few times. There were moments early on when it was hard to keep reading. Jane was sick for what felt like weeks. Mr. Collins kept talking and talking. The only thing keeping me going was the thought: “This is a beloved novel. Everyone loves it. It must be amazing.”
At the halfway point I was still waiting for the amazingness to dazzle me, and then a certain character declared his love for another and things suddenly got more interesting. It finishes strong and the more I think about and discuss it, the more impressed I am.
Why is it revered?
I discussed this with my friend Kina and we came up with a hearty list:
The title is perfect. Who is proud? Who is prejudiced? Discuss!
The characters are timeless. The men and women cover a wide range of human behavior and sensibility. I adored some and deplored others (but still adored how deplorable they were).
The dialogue is witty and sharp. So many moments of “Oh, he went there!” or “She said whaaat??” It’s very quotable.
Elizabeth is strong, lively, respectable, a bit saucy, but always maintains class and grace. Two of my favorite scenes are when she refuses Mr. Collins and stands up to Lady Catherine. In both cases, she is firm and polite. She wants marriage, but she doesn’t settle for the first suitor that comes along. She wants to be courteous and respectful but not at the expense of her honor and self-respect.
There are many types of marriages on display: One based on lust/infatuation, one out of desperation/convenience, one based on tolerance/self-interest, and the marriages based on love and mutual respect. Those types exist today.
A love story can be entertaining without being over-sexualized. The book is quite sexy in its restraint, exemplified by lines such as “I can admire you[r figures] much better as I sit by the fire.” See? Classy and sexy.
It has the most epic failure of a marriage proposal, allowing any chap who reads it to take heart that his own couldn’t go worse.
It has the best sister-sister relationship (take that Elsa and Anna!)
It provides razor-sharp commentary on some of the absurdities of society and culture of the time period.
Recommendation
This book doesn’t need my recommendation. I’m grateful for the experience of reading and plan to read more Austen. Sometimes I don’t appreciate books until aspects of their brilliance are pointed out to me. My respect has increased as I’ve discussed this with others.
What do you love about this book? What doesn’t work for you? Leave a comment!
Kyle
I was starting to get nervous when reading that you were finding it boring and wanted to put it down. So glad you kept going and ended up liking it!