Despite never having read Pride and Prejudice before, I’ve long known the plot and characters. I enjoyed the 2005 movie adaptation and some other retellings, but this year I decided it was high time I finally read the beloved novel. This is only my third time reading Jane Austen: In college I adored Persuasion, and a few years ago I was charmed by Emma. How would Pride and Prejudice stack up against those other two books? Would it live up to the expectations created by its many adaptions, spin-offs, and the culture itself? In a word: YES! This is my favorite Jane Austen novel so far!
The characters in Pride and Prejudice come to life on the pages. Lizzie Bennet is so strong-willed and opinionated, so witty and such a good sister and daughter. Mr. Darcy comes across as reserved and arrogant at first… but when we get to know him, he is so genuine and sweet! I loved getting to know them here, along with the rich cast of other characters. All of them bring so much personality and amusement to the table. Even less likable characters like Mr. Wickham and Mr. Collins are somehow fun to hate.
Pride and Prejudice is thoughtful and charming, and I love how it analyzes family dynamics and friendship. Moreover, I love how it takes two such different people and shows how, over time, they can find how similar and well suited they truly are. It’s the classic enemies-to-lovers romance… my favorite of the romance tropes!
While reading this novel, I also decided to rewatch the 2005 movie adaptation, and I’m so glad I did. Much as some fans disparage this film as too inaccurate to the book, I must disagree. So much of the book is in there, including countless direct quotes. Yes, some characters were removed and some scenes dramatized. But I maintain that the film is faithful to the book and works perfectly for the medium that it is. I equally enjoyed both Pride and Prejudice the book and its 2005 movie. (Though I’ve yet to see the 1995 BBC mini-series that many seem to prefer! I’ll reserved judgment on that until I’ve given it a proper viewing.)
Pride and Prejudice fully lived up to and surpassed my expectations and is instantly one of my favorite classics. This is one I’ll be rereading in the future… and privately obsessing over until then. Maybe I’ll read some retellings, too! This is only my third Jane Austen book, and I look forward to reading her other three finished novels soon.
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