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

[juicychops]

im dying to read it when i get a chance and a break from my studying

[janeite]

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

[piscesmoon]

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

[Pyrocanthus]

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.

[Clary]

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

[janeite]

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.

[Bumperslucious]

If there were truth in the statement that CF always play CF - IF - it doesn't matter because CF is so damn lovely that I am happy with him playing that person. And that person will always be Darcy to me

[ShowOfHands]

MM is useless as Darcy. It's like watching a boy pretend to be a man. And that bit in the blardy rain...

Janeite, something just clicked for me. Yes, absolutely, the KK version is Bronte-esque. I couldn't put my finger on the feel of it, but yes, you're right.

I agree about Alison Steadman btw. The character she plays is brilliant but it's not quite right.

Lady Catherine much better in the BBC adaptation and the whole Lydia runs away bit is better explored with more attention/time given to it. It doesn't have the requisite gravity in the KK version.

CF is Darcy and Darcy is CF.

[MrsDanversAteMyIpod]

Ok, going to majorly sit on the fence here by saying I like both P&P films (although neither can beat the book itself) and I like both Austen & Dickens

but

for different reasons...

To me Jennifer Ehle in the BBC one was more 'Lizzie' sth to do with the cleavage (in my warped mind Lizzie is not flat chested) and the twinkle in her eye. Mr Darcy will also be forever in my mind connected with Colin Firth (sorry Janeite )& I think Lydia was perfect also

But the KK one had a far better portrayal of the relationship between Lizzie and her parents, a more realistically beautiful Jane, a suitably tempting Wickham and was produced beautifully, IMO

I don't think Dickens and Austen have much in common apart from they were both 19th century writers. She concentrates on the social niceties/romance of the Upper/Middle classes, he covers everything from children in the gutter to the aristocracy. I love her for the beautiful detail & subtle language, him for his humour and strident characterisation.

But, back to the OP, read it, read it, read it! It's a perfect book, enjoy

[ShowOfHands]

Charlotte better in KK too and that whole Charlotte/Mr Collins thing. Charlotte was not attractive and her family were grasping. Too nice and too pretty in the BBC version.

Dickens/Austen not at all comparable.

I adore both but get very different things from them.

[Indith]

I was brought up on the Elizabeth Garvie/DAvid Rintoul BBC version, while the Colin Firth one has rather obvious merits I still adore the old one, the way Darcy's voice just changes when she tells him her feelings have changed

Read the book op

[hocuspontas]

Aaargh! That old BBC one is like nails on a blackboard! I can feel Jane turning in her grave at the thought of it.

As we are reminiscing does anyone remember the original film with Lawrence Olivier and Greer Garson? Definitely NOT for purists but has some likeability. Lawrence Olivier does contempt so well..

[saintmaybe]

Completely agree with Janeite re Alison Steadman and(sorry) Colin Firth

AS is too old, and irritating in a Dickensian/ caricature kind of way, all that shrieking drives me nuts

And Colin Firth is also just too old. They all have a lot to learn, and make the kind of mistakes that are ok in a 20/25 year old, but tbh if you're still that arrogant/ pigheaded at 35, as a man' it's a lot less forgiveable. They're SUPPOSED to be really young.

I loved KK.

Do, do read it, OP. Give yourself time to get used to the language and the pace being a bit different, but it's such a great book.

then read Emma, then Persuasion...

[Lilymaid]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman should read Pride and Prejudice at least once a decade.

[janeite]

SaintMaybe - my God! Finally! A voice of reason.

[janeite]

Darcy is 28.

[saintmaybe]

Colin Firth can't have been under 35, surely.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Another vote for the Firth/Ehle version here. It is so much truer to the book IMO.

I have lost my copy of P&P - I think I need to order another as it's my feeling crap/down/ill book and never fails to make me feel better.

BTW - Alison Steadman is perfect as Mrs Bennett, she is supposed to be that tooth-achingly annoying!

[saintmaybe]

The BBC film of Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ceiran Hinds is also amazing, one of the best adaptations of anything I've seen. Never watched without tearing up at the end.

[hocuspontas]

One thing about the later BBC one is that Mr. Bingley comes across as a right twit and I never get that impression from the book.

[saintmaybe]

Er, tearing as in tears in my eyes, not going on some kind of a destructive rampage

[MrsDanversAteMyIpod]

I do agree with you there SM, Can't beat that version of Persuasion

even though my mil bought me the other one

[janeite]

Yes - persuasion is fab. The best Austen adaptation imho, other than the lovely Persuasion, is 'Emma' with Kate Beckinsale. The Gwinny one is a travesty on every level.

[MrsDanversAteMyIpod]

Gwinny could never be Emma, too insipid.

[ineedalifelaundry]

Ooh I've just finished reading it ... and I loved it. Not Dickensy in the slightest. Not a single wasted word. And definitely not soppy - quite the opposite in fact. Sharp, witty, cynical. But with the inevitable happy ending. Bliss

[hocuspontas]

There's never any good-looking Mr Knightleys is there?