Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

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Bookshelf_lifE
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Re: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Post by Bookshelf_lifE »

This was probably one of the first adult books I have read. I fell in love immediately. Jane Austin is really big and important author when it comes to women in literature.
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Post by nikki_breyer »

OK this book is on my list and after reading reviews I am so excited to dive in!!!
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Post by Stand_tall »

I thought the book was well written and a good story but at times I really couldn't stand how certain chracters acted a certain way and thought mostly about themselves but other than that I'm glad I read it. It really wasn't something that I expected.
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Post by Cowabunga18 »

I agree with you. Jane Austen was way before her time. I think sometimes people misunderstand her characters. These were the personalities and roles of people in her time.
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Post by Desto »

I believe that a great book is always about balance. The book was so well balanced in terms of characters. I loved Mr Bennet, he is like t best father you can ever hope for. Jane, the eldest Bennet girl, reminds me of this Ayn Rand "You're much worse than a bitch. You're a saint." Elizabeth, she bold, she's strong and upfront. The book was a great read, and just right up there with my favorite books. The beginning was a bit slow for my liking, but as the book progressed, it made me realize that sometimes even the simple plots can yield magic.

-Desto.
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Post by heather_kathryn »

I love re-reading this book every few years or so - it's amazing how different parts of the story resonate in different ways as I find myself at different points in my own life. Always lovely to find a book that stands the test of time.
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Post by BookBuffoonery »

At the risk of saying nothing original at all, I'll jump into the discussion here. Pride and Prejudice is one of my absolute favorite books (though I have many favorites, so what does that say?). I read it every few years and have seen all of the film adaptations. I'm officially a Jane Austen fanatic and have read all of her other works, as well. Her books are so masterfully written and I love the wide range of characters in her stories. The subtlety of her criticisms and the way she exposes the eccentricities of her class are wonderful. I feel like her writing is a cup of hot English tea in a world of bottled Nestea. Does that make any sense?
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Post by PinotnoirPrayer2016 »

I am a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. I think I have read it more than any other book. I love any classical book really. The symbolism, old time traditions and the feel of the era and my favorite aspects.
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Post by alwaysdaddygirl »

Aloha,

I read this in high school. I do not recall alot of it. Long story. Want to read again.

Blessings,
RM Griffin ?
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Post by thesnowleopard »

Persuasion is my favorite of Austen's books, but Pride and Prejudice is a close second. It's a hilarious comedy of manners. I especially liked the 1995 miniseries ("Coming, Ma-maaaaa!") adaptation, though I think Lydia is always going to grate, regardless of the version. There wouldn't be a Regency romance genre without Jane.
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Post by Juleslab1 »

The Austen characters were very well defined in each of her books. I read several of them in High School and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice the most. The strong willed character and her relationship with Mr. Darcy was a fantastic clean romance. Greatly enjoyed!
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Post by AuthoressofMystery »

Concerning Jane Austen's characters, I consider them charming. Perhaps a little dimwitted, but still quite believable, as I have met and known several people who seemed to just jump out of Pride and Prejudice's pages in the form of Mrs. Bennett - and Lizzy Bennett's sisters.
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Post by FangirlsAhead »

Pride and Prejudice was my very first Jane Austen book, and it was truly incredible how real the characters seemed. Yes, they may seem cliche now, and the plot's a little simple, but for me, Austen's books are more about daily life than about the plot twists or amazing world-building.
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Post by thesnowleopard »

Jane Austen's novels are social satire, so a lot of the side characters are comic foils and caricatures of people and character types Austen knew in her social circles. They're not intended to be deep. If they were, they wouldn't work. Too much flour in a souffle and all that.

I try to respect a writer for what that author is trying to do, and how well it's done, than judging them by any rigid standards. For example, if someone is writing porn, I expect to see a good, hot story told via sex (and really, good porn is quite hard to write) and don't bother myself judging whether the entire genre can be well-written. Someone upthread mentioned Agatha Christie. She was a master of the cozy mystery and every slasher movie in existence owes its plot to her classic novel "And Then There Were None." A book can be easy and enjoyable to read (like Austen or Christie) and still be a classic.
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Post by winsky1989 »

Tamispeare wrote:
MysFan wrote:Tamispeare, I think she did speak to him about her view of his character. And it seemed pretty cutting to me. Sadly, at least a part of her speech was based on inaccurate information. Any of you ever do that? I have and WOW is it embarrassing!!! And even more embarrassing is the eventual apology. Elizabeth made an assumption of his character based on rumor, gossip and what may have been his lack of interest in socializing. That can often be seen as rude behavior.

There is no doubt that the tone of his early behaviour is one of superiority to most he sees. And he makes some pretty horrendous mistakes himself, hurting others as he moves along.

They both seem to stumble along missing the similarities in their personalities entirely and concentrating only on the differences.

Everyone's taste is so different, though. And to many her work represents the standard formula and may even be thought of as drek.

For me her characters have real personalities. They seem to step out of the box of the times, especially the women who were expected to be like cardboard cutouts, sitting quietly and sipping their tea. Virtually interchangeable except for their choice in attire. And the way she builds subtle instances of sarcasm and wit are quite unique to me.

And every once in awhile I like to see a happy ending.
I accept your opinion, but I still don't think I would forgive him if I were her. Doing what he did by convincing Mr BIngley that Jane doesn't like him was HORRIBLE and selfish, a true friend doesn't behave like that. So even if he paid Mr Wikham's debts, he still can't fix what he had already done. He seemed arrogant to me in general.
I'm going to try and defend Mr. Darcy here a little. Now yes he shouldn't have tried to come between Bingley and Jane but he thought he was helping his friend. Before I go any further keep in mind that divorce was not even an option so once a couple married it really was till death do you part. Also, unless you wanted a scandal a engagement could only be broken off my lady so even an engagement was final for the gentleman. Mr. Darcy truly did think he was helping Bingley out and saving him from a disastrous and loveless marriage. We are told that Bingley has been known to fall in and out of love easily before so he probably believed that Bingley would easily find another in the near future. We can't completely blame him for not knowing that Jane loved Bingley. As he says in his letter " Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment." Remember he's not the only one to make that observation, Charlotte did too and tells Lizzy that women who don't show their affection risk losing the objects of it. Also if you truly think about it Mr. Bingley is not completely innocent here. If he truly loved Jane so much he wouldn't have needed Mr. Darcy's permission to marry her and would have never listened to him. Just something to think about :eusa-think:
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