Book Of The Week #3- Pride And Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice

by Jane Austen

    Pride And Prejudice really needs no introduction, does it? It's a classic, passed down from generation to generation. People have read it as assignments in English classes, in book clubs or many (like myself) just for fun. You would have to have been living under a rock these past 200 years to not have heard of Pride And Prejudice or Jane Austen.

    For those of you who have never come into contact with the book, Pride And Prejudice is the story of five sisters who are looking for love. The Bennet sisters include the beautiful Jane, our spunky heroine Elizabeth, bookworm Mary, and the silly youngest sisters, Lydia and Kitty. Their mother, the nervous Mrs. Bennet, is dead set on getting each one of her daughters married, and couldn't be more thrilled when the rich Mr. Bingley, in possession of $5,000 a year, comes to town. He brings with him his sister, Caroline, and friend, the dark and brooding Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy makes an even more impressive $10,000 a year, but seems a bit stuck up. What happens after that? You'll just to read the book and find out.

   This little gem has been on my "To Read" list for a while now. I've seen and own a copy of the movie, but reading the book seemed a little intimidating because of the language. It's very different from that which we use today and the type of books I'm accustomed to reading. That difference can make it a struggle to get through the book, but it's those certain moments when you read a line that just makes your heart ache from its beauty that draw you to the book.

   I've always been drawn to historical fiction. It's just so interesting to see the way our ancestors lived because it's quite different from the way things are these days. Pride And Prejudice and other Victorian novels are interesting in the way that all the women were looking for men. In so many cases, like Charlotte Lucas' case, a woman will marry a man simply because that's the custom and they no longer want to burden their parents. The marriage doesn't form out of love, it seems more like a job. It is fascinating, but I must say, I'm glad times have changed in that regard.

   Overall, Pride And Prejudice is a lovely read. Maybe a little bulky in the language department, but like I said, it has those beautiful moments that make it worth it.

I give this book a 4 out of 5.