Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen
This book is considered to be one of the classic books of English Lit. and with good reason. Most people think that Pride and Prejudice is a romance but more importantly it is about family, friends, and that people are not always what we thought at first. In fact the original title was "First Impressions." Austen can skewer silly, rude and mean people with very little trouble and without losing her beautiful prose.
  The story revolves around the Bennett family of five girls and their mother who is determined for them to marry rich men. The problem is that she and three of her daughters are vulgar and stupid. Jane and Elizabeth are the only sensible daughters and the story is mostly about Elizabeth.
  Mrs. Bennett finds out at the start of the story that a rich man named Mr. Bingley has moved into the neighborhood. Of course she immediately decides that Jane must catch his attention, which she does easily. His best friend Mr. Darcy is not so impressed with the Bennett family and makes a slightly remark about Elizabeth. So starts one of the most famous of love stories, one that manages to be real without being anything but completely pure.
  If you have only watched the movies of Pride  and Prejudice than you probably think that Mr. Darcy is something like a Mr. Rochester. Someone with an unsavoury past who looks depressed and angry all the time. The truth is he is a bit boring at the beginning, someone very proud and ill tempered but not someone you would think has a crazy wife upstairs. Nor does he rant and rave and act homocidal. You would not be afraid to get caught with him in a dark alley. Jane Austen is not a Bronte and don't expect crazy plot twists.
  Elizabeth is the real main character and someone you can't help but like. She is a bit saucy and impish but she is always in good taste. She likes to go on walks in the country and is not afraid of speaking her mind. But she does it in a way that is quite in keeping with the times.
  There are a whole host of other characters who all add a bit of humor or intrest to the plot. I was always curious to know exactly who Mr Darcy really was. For that matter who Mr. Bingley was. Many of the characters are not what they seem at first and others change as the story moves along.
  This book is perfectly suitable for any child but I don't think most children under ten would wish to read it as it has rather complicated language and a slow moving plot. But if you enjoy period stories this is a book worth reading.
Reviewed by Elizabeth