just watched Pride and Prejudice... i love the film (Keira Knightly version) is the book hard going?

Back to the OP - no, the book is deffo not stuffy and is waaaaaaaay better/easier/morereadable than Dickens. DD1 read it (14) with no trouble at all, having watched the KK version.

The KK version is rather more 'Bronte-esque' than I guess Austen envisaged (compare Mansfield Park to 'Withering Heights' to see her possible views on landscape) but MM holds himself in so beautifully that the KK version is beautifully simmering and sensual, whereas CF is just rather blunt and pudding-ish imho.

The book is truly wonderful.

No not stuffy at all. Very very witty and thoughtful. I read it first at about 15 and it is a fave still, 30 yrs later.

lol @ janeite posting

I reluctantly acknowledge that there may be a scintilla of truth in Janeite's comment - but he was awf'ly well cast. I loved Jennifer Ehle.

The book beats the film-as all books do IMO. I have never found a book that I like better!

As far as I can see, Colin Firth only ever plays Colin Firth.

Eh????

Colin Firth was the perfect Mr Darcy. Exactly the right mix of arrogance and sexuality. Matthew McFadyen is a boy in comparison.

And Alison Steadman did Mrs Bennett proud, all nerves, fluttering, selfishness and emotional outbursts.

Read the book OP and then see which tv/film adaptation you like best.

Didn't like Colin Firth? Wha.....?

Alison Steadman too old and wrongly annoying imho.

Mr Collins good in both versions. Mr Collins also great in 'Bride And Prejudice' in a strangely Ali G sort of way.

I did like Lady Catherine in the BBC one. Didn't like Colin Firth.

Read it, it's lovely. Also interesting to read along side Austen is this helps you understand the subtleties.

You absolutely must watch the BBC version, it is fantastic and the low production value just adds to the authenticity I think (but then I have been slavishly watching House of Elliott re-runs).

Mrs Bennett is meant to be annoying, the casting is perfect I think, all round. Love Jennifer Ehle, didn't she and Firth have a little fling whilst filming? Adds to the frisson for me!

Read it OP! I love it and have read it over and over. I've not watched the KK film as I love the book so much I didn't want it spoilt...not a huge KK fan. I do own the BBC Colin Firth version on video and dvd and I agree with others that it's a very truthful adaptation with spot on actors playing the characters.

Oooh I want to go and read it again now...

I despised KK as Elizabeth (all that pouting and staring in mirrors, gah!) but did like the exploration of Mr and Mrs Bennett's relationship in that version. I also thought the social inadequacies of Mr Collins were better portrayed without the oozing slug-like that prevailed in the BBC version.

All that said... the BBC version is superb. I adore it and watch it when ill. Colin Firth as Darcy, well, oh Sweet Moses.

The book, OP, is lovely. And witty. And well paced. Definitely read it.

I agree Heated, the casting of the BBC version is pretty much spot on in the way that Jane Austen describes the characters.

I can watch it again and again and read the book in between and never feel that it does any dis-service to it.

Am straying a bit here but I also feel much the same about the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility. Better than any other I've seen.

Mr Collins in the BBC one was SUPERB!!

It's much more tightly written than Dickens. Very sharply observed. Absolutely not soppy.
Brilliant.

Fancy you posting here, Janeite.

Janeite, Mrs Bennet is beyond irritating so Alison Steadman is perfect! And Benjamin Whitrow is spot-on as Mr Bennet.

Whilst I was pleasantly surprised by KK not being as awful as I feared, I was woefully disappointed in Pa & Ma Bennet and actually most of the cast.

The BBC version has a vastly superior Bennet family, including the odious Mr Collins who just oozes slug-like across the screen!

P&P is a lovely read and very witty.

The BBC version has Alison Steadman in and she was grossly mis-cast and is beyond irritating. And whoever played Elizabeth, with her simper and her dimples, was crap too.

It's an excellent book, very readable. Do give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

I thought the KN film was pants and didn't watch it all. The BBC version (Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle) is far superior and much truer to the book.

Hate to say juicychops but the colin firth version is the BBC version.

O no, Dickens is a chore, I've never finished one yet.

'Tis a comfort read for me - something I reread when I'm ill, feeling blue etc. Not hard going at all. Enjoy

Well if you don't like the book version, you can get the grapic novel with Zombies or the marvel comics version!!
www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7847/title,Pride-and-Prejudice-a nd-Zombies/

or

marvel.com/catalog/?id=11466

janeite, xpost.... watch the BBC one juicychops!!! Jennifer Ehle is soooo much better as Lizzie than KK and her silly pouty mouth!