If you love Pride & Prejudice, tell us why for a chance to win a copy of ELIGIBLE BY CURTIS SITTENFELD + £100 SWEATY BETTY voucher

[UrsulaMumsnet]

‘In 2009 it was One Day. Four years ago it was Gone Girl. This year the book of the summer is going to be Eligible’ The Times

Love! Sex! Darcy!

This is Pride and Prejudice but not as you know it. Darcy is a neurosurgeon, Bingley is a reality TV star and Cousin Willie is… well, that’s for you to find out.

Everyone is clamouring to get their hands on Eligible, the hottest book of the summer.

Luckily for you, we’ve teamed up with HarperCollins to offer you the chance to win a copy of the book PLUS a £100 voucher for Sweaty Betty.

If you love Pride and Prejudice, tell us why to be in with a chance to win. Good luck!

‘Dazzling’ Woman and Home

'Sheer joy… Giddy and glam and a hearty update of Pride and Prejudice’ Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist

‘If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it’ Elle

Curtis Sittenfeld is the bestselling author of the novels Prep, The Man of My Dreams, American Wife, and Sisterland, which have been translated into twenty-five languages. Her nonfiction has also been published widely.

This discussion is sponsored by Harper Collins and will end on 16 May

[Clawdy]

I read P and P at school and found it rather boring. I read it fifteen years later and loved it. I had missed all the humour, clever plotting and wonderful characters the first time round. I went on to read all Austen's novels but still have a great fondness for Pride and Prejudice.

[purplepandas]

I agree re quality of the writing plus fab characters. Just total escapism.

[WellErrr]

I LOVE Pride and Prejudice, but I absolutely hate these lazy rip offs.

Think of your own story instead of rehashing someone else's hard work.

[thecatfromjapan]

I love the 'lazy rip-offs' (!) - I consider many of them an ongoing gift from JA. Personally, my life would be very flat without Georgette Heyer, and I find Clueless as something of a guide to life.

[thecatfromjapan]

(I do realise that Clueless isn't based on P and P. Hope Curtis Sittenfield aspires to such greatness in her use of the JA meme.)

[SingingSamosa]

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favourite books (along with Watership Down!) and I've read it soooo many times! Jane Austen's gentle wit and slightly satirical look at society are just fabulous. I absolutely adore Mr Bennett and his dry humour too. I'd be very keen to read something based upon it!

[LastFirstEverything]

It's my 'perfect' book, as it's got a bit of everything; sisterhood, family tension, romantic love and friendship.
Such a brilliant cast of strong, funny, varied women. The men of the story complement them without overshadowing them at all, which is still refreshing today.
It is a book that makes me laugh, makes me think and above all comforts me- it's a happy experience to read Pride and Prejudice.

[birdling]

Pride and prejudice has been my favourite novel since I studied it at GCSE. I had a fantastic teacher, who explained it so well and made the most of Austen's amazing way with words. I often quote lines to myself and chuckle over the wonderfully developed characters. I think my favourite has to be Mr Collins, because he's just so ridiculous

[clairebybear]

It's my favourite book, I read it every year and always get completely immersed in the characters and language. It flows with such ease, takes you on a whirlwind and is basically a true masterpiece of romance.

[blogmumjd]

I love Pride and Prejudice because it is such a classic. Interesting to see how this will compare

[nerysw]

It took me a while to like P&P after studying it for GCSEs, A Levels and in my degree but the power of the story is still great today because of the way it shows the best (and worst) of people. And Mr Bennet was quietly great.

[TheDowagerCuntess]

I can't wait to introduce P&P to my daughter - Elizabeth Bennett is everything I want her to aspire to be.

In an era when turning men (and marriage proposals) down was unthinkable, she turns down two in quick succession, from the ridiculous to the sublime. Neither can quite fathom what's just happened to them, either.

She's intelligent, witty and demands respect. What's not to love?

She sends Darcy packing, and aside from telling Jane, is the soul of discretion. He then goes off, and endeavours to deserve her.

And this doesn't even touch on the incomparable dialogue and cast of delightful characters.

[sophielec]

I was smit with p&p when I read at 12 years old and have read it many times since. The story itself is no picnic for the many women involved and the same heartbreak is still around today. this shows love never really gets any easier and the fairy tale is hardly ever in reach but you have to be patient to get something even close.
A classic which has formed the basis of many novels since.
Looking forward to reading Curtis Sittenfeld's take on it.

[AGrinWithoutACat]

I love it, it's full of gentle humour and compared against the majority of modern love stories the characters are 3 dimensional and keep their clothes on!

[Hulababy]

P&P is my favourite comfort read; my go to book. I have hard back, paperback and Kindle copies. It's timeless - a classic love story, with the edge of humour to go with it. It wasn't one of the first classics I read but by far my favourite.

The new version described in the op - not sure. Not always a fan of having favourite novels messed with but will probably give it s try.

[lottietiger]

Ooh would love to get my hands on this book. Love P&P the ultimate and timeless romance with great depth to its characters. the ultimate Mr Darcy taking centre stage when you first think of the book but there is so much more to it than that. The perfect read even after all these years

[cathisherwood]

Its funny, its touching, its a classic will they or won't they love story brilliantly written. We all have friends and /or relatives in whom we can see similar traits

[rhinosuze]

For a start I just love all of Austens books, but what I really love about P&P is lizzie who I think is rather modern for the time. Also all of the characters are well rounded, the story both involving and entertaining and of course Mr Darcy is up there with heathcliffe and Rochester as one of the best male characters in literature. It's one of the greats, and I can read or watch it over and over

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Pride & Prejudice is a great book, a true classic.
As others have said, Elizabeth Bennett is a fab character. A 'modern' woman, a good role model, someone on the ball not to be messed with!
It is well written, has a great ending, and can be read over and over again.

[Emrob86]

Because it's a classic that never gets old! :)

[QueenofallIsee]

P&P is my literary comfort food, its the 'go to' when life gets too much! The real reason that I love it though is that in my experience there is NO SITUATION where a P&P quote does not apply. My sister and I can work a quote into any given situation. Observe

Waitress: Everything ok with your meal here?
Me; Splendid, it has been many years since I have had such an exemplary vegetable

Friend: Girls night out??
Me: Every savage can dance

DD: I don't want to tidy my room, make (her brothers) do theirs
Me: Obstinate, headstrong girl!

Hours of fun are had by just me and my sister all!

[Byrdie]

P&p is one of my favourite books! Bit worried about a modern take on it...? But still would be keen to read it and see as precious posters seems to rate the author (who i've not heard of till now... Sorry!). I can read p&p over and over and never tire of it, for all the reasons previous posters have mentioned and the main reason for me is the way the characters are so imaginable. I feel like i know someone slightly similar to so many of the characters. Especially mrs bennett (i have a relative who are so like this. There's just no filter!). Oh. I might go and read it again now!!

[serendipity1980]

Pride and Prejudice was the first Jane Austen novel I read and I loved it! It had a bit of everything, romance, humour, sadness etc. Despite being set over 200 yrs ago we can still relate to Elizabeth Bennet as the modern woman. It isn't a heavy book, I think it will be an eternal favourite and I love it!

[KatieSz22]

Lizzie Bennett is determined to stand by her own ideas of life as a young woman and she doesn't hesitate even for a minute! Love her!!!!

[Maddaddam]

I like it because Elizabeth is clever and articulate and likes to argue.