I just finished re-reading this book for one of my book groups an have been thinking how much my thoughts about it have been influenced by the movies and TV mini-series made from it, rather than the text itself.

Pride & Prejudice is arguably the best know and most loved of all of Jane Austen's novels, although it is not my personal favorite. That honor goes to Sense & Sensibility which although written after Pride & Prejudice, was published before it.

In Pride & Prejudice, we have all of Austen's stock characters: the handsome hero, the poor but deserving heroine, the wayward female character, the attractive but villainous male & a cast of silly, and at times truly exasperating, characters. The plot can be summarized as boy meets girl, boy & girls disdain each other, boy & girls are brought together through a family crisis, an finally, boy & girls get married. Of course there is a lot more meat around this skeleton - almost 400 pages worth.

Austen's characters are memorable and her satire of late 18th Century/early 19th Century (there is still some confusion about the actual date in which the novel is set) society is funny and biting.

This is a book that cannot fail to please. If the 19th Century had beach reads this would be one of them. ( )

Although it is hard for most people to read, Pride & Prejudice is a great romance... A Great classic, it is rich in language and plot...and don't forget the strange words that no one can understand! ( )

A book that give a glimpse into the past that presents many topic for discussion. ( )

I finally got around to reading this book - I tried reading it a few times, but couldn't get past the language. Then I saw the BBC production, finally figured out what was going on, and reread the book. I had a greater grasp of what was happening.

This book is much better than the BBC Version, and the BBC version is awesome. What makes this book so good is the restraint that Darcy and Lizzy show towards their family, friends, and acquaintances while at the same time commenting on exactly how silly those same people are behaving. Austin might create long winded paragraphs, but so much is said in described that you get a very clear picture of exactly what is happening, and how the characters feel about it. My one and only complaint is Mr. WIckhams motive with Lydia - she has no money, but comes from a respectable family. He is also intends to marry a women with money. So why would he go off with Lydia - there would have been all sorts of loose women that would have settled his needs without the trouble that Lydia Caused. ( )

So obsessed with marrying for wealth and security! I suppose during that era women had to depend on a good match to live a comfortable life. As far as a real love, I believe Elizabeth and Darcey did find it in the end, though only after much speculation. The whole way through the novel the characters were either writing letters or waiting for them. When they finally got mail, these letters were long, detailed and still cryptic correspondence; makes one appreciate today’s technology even more.
Jane, I believe will be happy with Mr. Bingley, he’s too good natured to quarrel with, and the security they have will keep them from want and hard times.
And in spite of the sad state of Lydia and Wickim’s final predicament they will come around. Their elopement was definitely a highpoint and their escapades will bring them back full circle. Who could part ways with the colorful memories they made. At least I hope their romance is rekindled to prove everyone wrong.
I wasn’t hooked on the book or characters the way many seem to be. It was too nerve wracking trying to keep up with what he or she thought about him or her, and following their capricious ways left me dizzy. ( )