Pride and Prejudice - an incredible love story

I just bought the three most popular Jane Austen novels - Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion. I just finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice and it was so much better this time than the first time I read it (back in the 90's). Unfortunately, I could not get Colin Firth out of my head when Mr. Darcy was mentioned! I have to say, the book and the BBC miniseries are both good. I know! Some people might say that can't be, but the TV series were so well done, and they stayed true to the novel, that one can't help and enjoy both.

 Mr. Darcy... sigh

This time I took the time to actually notice how Austen wrote, and was more critical. It is a really great book, but there are some parts on the first third of the book, that I could have done without. To me, Austen dwelt too much on what Mr. Collins had to say and went so far as to have this huge comment made by him that takes over a couple of pages, or one page depending on the size of the book. It was a bit boring and because I knew what was coming, I got restless and almost skipped some parts but made myself read on. It was worth it!

Once one starts reading about Lizzy's feelings towards Mr. Darcy, it starts to become more enjoyable. I wonder if anybody finds Jane, Lizzy's sister, a bit too goody goody. I certainly did.  I understand that one must look for the good in everyone, but I think she was a bit too much. I really wanted her to scream, or become a bit hysterical the way a normal woman might if the love of her life just took off without a goodbye. Do you agree?

I love, and always will love, the character of Elizabeth Bennett. She is spunky and unafraid of being too outspoken. Isn't it clever how she stands up to Lady de Bourgh? The lady is aghast at such rude behavior from a young woman. When she tries to stop Lizzy from accepting a proposal from Darcy, she yells at her and calls her rude, but Elizabeth does not give in and stands her ground. I am sure that if anybody really did that back then to such a "notable" lady, they would be the talk of society for a long time. But this is fiction, and Lizzy can be as outspoken as she wants to. I think that Lizzy's bluntness and honesty is what makes this book so timeless (and obviously a most incredible love story).

As for one of my favorite characters, Mr. Darcy was just as enchanting as the first time. How can one not fall for this lovely, fictional man? At first one can say he is a total cad, and really pompous. Yet, once his feelings start changing for Lizzy, he is just très charming. I love how he becomes this attentive suitor to Lizzy and how confused she gets from his change. The best though, is the first proposal to Lizzy! Hilarious. He is just completely floored. The second proposal is only alluded to by her professing her feelings but there is not as much dialogue as there is on the first one.

The other characters are fillers, except for Mr. Bingley who is just as tepid as Jane's character - to me. How can anyone be so easily persuaded by a friend? If only that was true in real life, there would be less women stuck in crappy relationships. Ha! Lizzy's parents... I would leave my home if my mother was so crass. Oh, and if my sisters were as crazy as Lydia and as oblivious to good manners, I would lock them in their room.

Overall, Jane Austen had a great imagination and has allowed us now, a couple of centuries later, to get a glimpse of what life could have been like for a young, single woman. How important marriage was for a lady of society! I am glad I was born at the time I was, and that I was able to choose my hubby because I loved him. ♥

Do you love this novel as well?