*Contains spoilers* As a sucker for romance, I fell head over heels in love with Pride and Prejudice. It's a classic and definitely one of my top 10 favourite books of all time. I was initially introduced to it at school but, nearly 10 years later, I was desperate to read it again as I had a feeling I'd appreciate it more - and how right I was!
The relationship
between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy is just so romantic in such an old-fashioned,
timeless way. Take, for example, Mr Darcy’s reply when Elizabeth asks him
when he fell in love with her:
"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or
the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in
the middle before I knew that it had begun."
Why don’t we talk like that anymore??! The language
is beautiful and Jane Austen is an exquisite writer.
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| Ha ha ha this made me laugh! |
Something I especially love about this book is how,
as a reader, your feelings are mirrored with that of Elizabeth’s when it comes
to Mr Darcy. When he was first introduced, I was like, who the heck does this
chap think he is?? (Much like Elizabeth was). But by the end of the book, he was probably my favourite character and I admired how he so desperately wanted to
change his ways for Elizabeth.
The way he refused to take credit for the ways he quietly
helped her and her family was also testament to his character. For him, just
helping Elizabeth was enough and he didn’t need everyone to know about it.
In the final chapters, I was so ready for Elizabeth
and Mr Darcy to get together, I had to stop myself from shaking the book in
frustration. Despite that, the slow progression of their relationship was
really sweet and subtle. I loved the way he hid his love for her for so long. It was also interesting because, while reading it, you know they’re inevitably going to get
together, you just don’t know how they’re going to eventually put their
differences aside.
As well as the romance, Pride and Prejudice offers
a fascinating insight into what life was like for women in society during the
late 18th and 19th centuries. Mothers were desperate to
find suitable matches for their daughters, who typically had to marry for
security and social status, not for love.
Another reason why Pride and Prejudice is such a
fantastic read is the depth of characters. Every single one is compelling, yet
very complex.
Characters
I loved:
Elizabeth – her wit and her headstrong, opinionated
nature.
Mr Darcy – so misunderstood!
Jane – her ability to always see the best in people
(even if they’re bloomin’ awful – like the Bingley sisters!)
Mr Bennet – deserves a medal for putting up with
Mrs Bennet and Lydia.
Characters
I was shaking the book in frustration at:
Mr Collins – what a bumbling idiot!
Bingley sisters – snobs.
Lady Catherine – queen snob!
One of the highlights of the book for me was the part towards
the end, when Lady Catherine is urging Elizabeth to turn down Mr Darcy, should
he ask her to marry him. I was so glad that someone finally stood up to her!
Pride and
Prejudice reignited my love of Austen’s work. Now I need to decide which of her
books to read next and any recommendations would be gratefully received! I’m
thinking perhaps Sense and Sensibility? Let me know if there are any others you
would say to read first x
Ps. Pride and
Prejudice is not just for gals! Check out this funny article ‘Five reasons
dudes should read Pride and Prejudice’ here.
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