Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (9780141439518)

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.

Top reviews

Bookseller review

Not just a timeless classic.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that... Every single adult in the western world knows the story of “Pride and Prejudice.” You may not have read the book, may not even have seen one of the many film or television adaptations, but you will know the story – it’s the archetype for every modern romance. Girl meets boy, girl hates boy, boy loves girl and every variation on that theme until the ultimate happily-ever-after scene. This novel is pure perfection. Much has been said in the past about Jane Austen’s shrewd wit, sharp social observations and flawless characterisations, but while all of that is perfectly accurate it does have the tendency to make the uninitiated shy away from the novel for the fear of a dry and lifeless read. Nothing could be less true. This is a book for a cold, wet afternoon, curled up in front of an open fire with a bowl of hot caramel dumplings and a cat for company. No matter how many times you read it, you will find something new, and no matter how many more times you read it, you will find something to make you smile. You may know the story inside out, but you will still feel that toe-curling sense of apprehension – will things really be alright in the end? With almost 200 years of reviews under its belt, it is near impossible to find anything fresh or new to say about this novel, but that in itself should be enough to recommend it. “Pride and Prejudice” has not just stood the test of time on the counsel of suited academics, it is still one of the most popular and best-selling novels in the world because its themes are universal: love, relationships, embarrassing families and the “willful misunderstanding” of others! “Pride and Prejudice” is not just a timeless classic; it is a work of perfection, which everybody should read.

Review by Emily of the Birmingham Borders on 2009-01-25 11:55:29
Bookseller review

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A look into the heart and mind of one of literature's greatest heroines. A key to understanding all women. A classic.

Review by Emily of the Cambridge Borders on 2009-02-04 02:59:29
Bookseller review

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Review by Angie of the Cheshire Oaks Borders on 2009-04-21 15:24:52
Bookseller review

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A pure classic, enjoyable for everyone and it gripped me from the beginning. This should be on everyone's bookshelf!!

Review by Liz of the Watford Borders on 2009-08-31 14:06:10
Not just a timeless classic...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that... Every single adult in the western world knows the story of “Pride and Prejudice.” You may not have read the book, may not even have seen one of the many film or television adaptations, but you will know the story – it’s the archetype for every modern romance. Girl meets boy, girl hates boy, boy loves girl and every variation on that theme until the ultimate happily-ever-after scene. This novel is pure perfection.
Much has been said in the past about Jane Austen’s shrewd wit, sharp social observations and flawless characterisations, but while all of that is perfectly accurate it does have the tendency to make the uninitiated shy away from the novel for the fear of a dry and lifeless read. Nothing could be less true.
This is a book for a cold, wet afternoon, curled up in front of an open fire with a bowl of hot caramel dumplings and a cat for company. No matter how many times you read it, you will find something new, and no matter how many more times you read it, you will find something to make you smile. You may know the story inside out, but you will still feel that toe-curling sense of apprehension – will things really be alright in the end?
With almost 200 years of reviews under its belt, it is near impossible to find anything fresh or new to say about this novel, but that in itself should be enough to recommend it. “Pride and Prejudice” has not just stood the test of time on the counsel of suited academics, it is still one of the most popular and best-selling novels in the world because its themes are universal: love, relationships, embarrassing families and the “willful misunderstanding” of others!
“Pride and Prejudice” is not just a timeless classic; it is a work of perfection, which everybody should read.

Review by Emily Hirschmann on 14:04, 04 Apr 2008

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