Good literature is a spellbinding story. Great literature inspires others and endures the test of time. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a prime example of great literature. Since its first printing in 1813, this book has captivated a wide audience. English royalty read it during its first printing. After over two hundred years, men and women are still drawn to the story. It is not an easy, read-while-half-asleep type of book. It’s definitely not brain candy, but an engrossing story, nonetheless.
The story centers around the lives of the Bennett family. An intelligent father battles wits with his ridiculous wife. Mrs. Bennett is completely obsessed with marrying off her five daughters. The eldest daughter, Jane, sees the good in everyone. She’s the type to befriend without any worry about being stabbed in the back or rejected if you do something others wouldn’t entirely approve of. Elizabeth is the main heroine. She’s strong in character and devoted to those she loves. The next daughter, Mary, always has her nose in a book. The youngest girls, Kitty and Lydia, concern themselves with frivolous matters: new hats, handsome soldiers, etc. They are the type of girl that I used to roll my eyes about during my highschool years.
Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions. I think that title also fits the story perfectly. After barely encountering her, Mr. Darcy says Elizabeth is”not handsome enough to tempt me”. How very wrong he is in the end! Elizabeth tends to judge people the moment she meets them, jumping to whatever conclusion she finds logical. Mr. Darcy insulted her; therefore, Mr. Darcy must be a terrible person.
If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and find that you simply cannot get enough of the characters, do not fret. Jane Austen’s work has inspired the creative juices of many others. If you wish to continue the storyline, look for Georgiana Darcy’s Diary: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice continued (Pride and Prejudice Chronicles Book 1) by Anna Elliot. If you wish to hear about events leading up to the novel, read Follies Past: a Prequel to Pride and Prejudice by Melanie Kerr. It starts about a year before the Pride and Prejudice begins.
Sometimes, modern novels reference Jane Austen or her works. The Baron and The Bluestocking (Six Rogues and Their Ladies Book 6) by G. G. Vandagriff, for example, is a historical novel with a similar to the plot of Pride and Prejudice. The literary merits of Jane Austen are discussed by this novel’s characters. The Bluestocking even compares her baron’s proposal to that of Mr. Darcy.
Of course, many versions of Austen’s original work now exist.. BBC created multiple Pride and Prejudice miniseries. In 2004, Bride and Prejudice: The Bollywood Musical was released. Quirkbooks published Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. That one also became a graphic novel. Pride and Prejudice is a great book to read, and I predict that it will be around for many more years to come.
