Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Blurb:
With all the forces of the world conspiring to keep Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet apart, how will fate manage to bring them together? It certainly won't be easy if they're fighting it every step of the way. But theirs is a love that was meant to be, despite all the odds against them.
Review:
“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”
You can hardly imagine how utterly pleased I am. The history of Pride and Prejudice and me goes a few years back and is, ironically, very much like the book itself: The first time I tried reading it I absolutely hated it and was determined not to change my opinion of it (prejudice) – I gave up after roughly 200 pages. Afterwards, I tried three more times (this is the third, or rather the fourth, time I’ve ventured into it but the only time I was actually able to finish) and have become increasingly more intent on finishing it with the same satisfaction many other readers have gained from Jane Austen.
I don’t know when exactly my initial determination to dislike Pride and Prejudice has vanished but in recent years I have come to sincerely regret having missed out on the pleasures of indulging in Jane Austen’s works. Especially after I talked to a fellow student about it, I realized how much I truly wanted to at least acknowledge Austen’s authority first-hand. Luckily, I succeeded and can, proudly, declare that I have fallen in love with this book.
“He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she, “sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!–so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!”
“He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth, “which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.”
It took me about 20 pages of concentrated, determined reading until I realized that I didn’t need to pressure myself into liking this book – I was already enjoying the writing as much as I “ought to”. Looking back on my previous endeavors I think it is rather probably to declare that my understanding of English was simply insufficient to understand Jane Austen and what makes her such an established writer even know but, alas, my own pride didn’t allow me to acknowledge such a possibility and I simply opted to disliking this book rather than accepting any fault of mine.
While I was reading, I thought that I liked this book – but probably wouldn’t come to love it, as many other people do. And I was right, somewhat. While I realized, just as the story was about to finish, that I wasn’t quite prepared for it to end and really wanted the book to continue and I can proudly proclaim that I do love Pride and Prejudice to a certain extend, I cannot compare my feelings to those of many others who cherish this book.
Yes, I did enjoy the writing (tremendously so), was interested in the characters, was amused by their relations to matrimonial obligations, greatly cherished Lizzy’s and Mr. Bennet’s wits, and have come to feel the sting of embarrassment whenever Mrs. Bennet offered her opinions too carelessly but I was also aware of several droughts in the story, which are, probably, a result of me already being well-acquainted with the story itself. Obviously, this is rather unfortunate but also beyond repair.
“So, Lizzy,” said he one day, “your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of, and it gives her a sort of distinction among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough in Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country.”
Rating:
Details:
Name: Pride and Prejudice
Deutscher Titel: Stolz und Vorurteil
Author: Jane Austen
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 472
Comments
Post a Comment