“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (1st review)

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a classic tale of love, social class, and, of course, pride and prejudice. And oh boy, does it deliver!

Picture this: England, in the early 19th century. Society revolves around balls, arranged marriages, and having good manners. Enter the Bennet family, with their five unmarried daughters. Mrs. Bennet is pretty much desperate to marry them off, and why wouldn’t she be? In those days, women couldn’t inherit property. So, the sisters need to marry rich to secure their future.

The story takes a turn when Mr. Bingley, a handsome, rich young man, moves into the nearby Netherfield estate. He’s got eyes for Jane, the eldest Bennet sister, who’s known for her beauty and sweet nature. But hold on, there’s more! Bingley’s got this buddy, Mr. Darcy, who’s even richer, but also a bit of a jerk. Darcy’s got his eye on Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest sister, who’s pretty, smart, and has no time for Darcy’s nonsense. And there’s the fun!

Austen cleverly explores the themes of pride and prejudice through Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth is prejudiced against Darcy because of his pride, while Darcy allows his pride to blind him to his growing affection for Elizabeth. It’s a real “they hate each other, they love each other” kind of story.

But “Pride and Prejudice” isn’t just about Elizabeth and Darcy’s love-hate relationship. Austen uses her characters and their situations to comment on society and its constraints. The novel questions the idea that a woman’s value lies in her ability to marry well. It shows that women are more than just a pretty face or a good marriage prospect. They are smart, independent, and capable of making their own decisions.

Austen’s writing is witty and entertaining. Her characters are so real you’ll feel like you’ve known them forever. And the story? It’s a page-turner. You’ll want to know what happens to Elizabeth and Darcy. Will they overcome their pride and prejudice? Will they find their happily ever after? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

If you love stories about complicated relationships, societal norms, and a dash of romance, “Pride and Prejudice” should be on your reading list. But be warned: you might just fall in love with Elizabeth, Darcy, and the rest of the characters. So, prepare for a rollercoaster ride of emotions and get ready to laugh, cry, and everything in between. Happy reading!

I have also crafted another perspective on this captivating novel. For a different take on “Pride and Prejudice,” I invite you to explore my alternative review which you can find HERE.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (2nd review) | by Book reviews | Jun, 2023 | Medium