Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Book Review)
Literary Fiction, at its finest. This book is about marriage, and the politics surrounding it, in the early Nineteenth Century England. I can’t believe that this book was published first in 1813. The author brings the characters, situations and imagery to life and we are forced to believe that the story is happening right in front of our eyes, now! This is the first classic I ever read, and I now want to read more classics 🙂
Make no mistake – this is neither an ideal book, nor an easy book to read. I took many days to complete this book. Had I read it before even just a few years, I would not have completed it. I think, to be able to read and appreciate classics like this, one needs to be (somewhat) old and mature. This is almost a fairytale and has been written to give false hopes to young girls that marriage is the only worthy thing to look forward to, in their life. Maybe it was like that, back then.
The basic story is this: Elizabeth, is the second among 5 sisters (all having reached marriageable age). Their father cannot provide wealth (dowry?) for their marriage. The story deals with how they meet men, get deceived, face obstructions, and finally get married (?).
Even though I took a long time to read this book, the writing was too good. For a genre like this, pacey reading is almost impossible. But the author made me turn pages swiftly. Even though some of the discussions and narration is long-winded (by today’s standards), I was never bored.
Another big plus with the book is the characterization – I was able to get inside the skin of each character and was able to predict what they might do, in a given situation. Hats off to the author for such a wonderful characterization. She doesn’t describe the physical features of any characters, but still I was able to imagine how the characters might have looked, quite clearly. This enriches the novel, even more.
The transformation in attitudes has been brought about very well. I was able to believe and empathize with the decisions taken by the main character throughout the book – a huge feat! The complexities of human nature have been showcased very well.
But there are a few faults – the book is too idealistic, at least in the end. That’s why it felt fairy-tale-ish, and not realistic (which books in literary fiction ought to be). The conflict was not as serious as it could have been, especially in the end. The twists and turns in the beginning and middle were very good (and more believable), in contrast.
The continuing popularity of this book (even today) reminds us how human nature has almost been the same, after so many years. The similarities in the Indian culture & the English culture are striking. Maybe that made this book even more engaging, to me.
I feel that everyone (over thirty) should read this book. It will make you appreciate how human beings are basically the same (at all times) and will give you a good peak into human emotions, motivations and actions.
You can download the free eBook from the Project Gutenberg page for Pride and Prejudice.
- You can buy the paperback version of this book in India from Flipkart or Amazon.in. (Disclaimer: These are affiliate links and I may get a small commission if you buy the product after clicking on these links. Your price will not increase.)
Destination Infinity
nice book
classic book
Yes, classics are called that for a very good reason!
Destination Infinity
I have this book…but haven’t read it yet… had Watched the 1995 BBC mini series based on the book, and liked it a lot…
I heard that they have also made a movie out of this book. But I would not want to see it. This story is best presented in a novel form, IMO.
Destination Infinity
You well revived the beauty of this book! Wish I could read this book sometime… Currently I’m reading Paulo Coelho’s The winner stand alone
How is that book? Do review it in your blog once you finish it. I have read one book of Paulo Coelho and remember not liking it very much. But that was many years back. Maybe I should try reading some other book written by that author, now.
Destination Infinity
This is one of my favourite classics, but I had it for non-detail, so got to read only the abridged version. My all time favourite characters Elizabeth and of course the handsome Mr Darcy 🙂
I had one Shakespeare’s play for non-detailed. Still gives me shivers! 🙂
Destination Infinity
Like I said in one of your previous posts, I read it when I was in school and did not like it. I picked it up few years back again and did not like. 🙁
Not all modern readers might like this book – it was written way back in 1813! But there is a good chance that you’ll like it after a few years!
Destination Infinity
Come to think of it! I read this book already.(Abridged version) and it was a difficult read! I even reviewed it in my blog at the very beginning;last year! 😛
But i loved another book of Jane Austen more; Northanger Abbey – only reason being the protagonist was more relatable!
Pride and prejudice has some of the most remembered characters and most famous opening line.
Nice review. 🙂
I was thinking if I should read Sense and Sensibility, but maybe I’ll read Northanger Abbey instead!
Destination Infinity