Pride and Prejudice

[WastedYouth]

What's it really like? does it live up to the hype? What is it actually about?

Is there anyone else here that hasn't read it? I can't be the only one?

at chick-lit! Wash your mouth out!!

The best Jane Austen. The language I remember took a bit of getting used to (I read Mansfield park first) but after a while you don't notice it.

Brillaint book - was watching the BBC adaptation the other night - Colin Firth just smoulders as Mr Darcy.

Brilliant read and is a don't miss. I thought the recent film was absolutely wonderful with some great performances. The BBC version is sorely dated now, although the wet shirt scene is still marvellous!
If you want more, read some more Austen!

sorry hocus! have done as directed! [bubblefilledmouthsmiley] Vanitypair, Keira Knightly was dire!!

It's an easy read, but definitely not chick lit. Like most JA's it can be enjoyed on a variety of levels, I think. Can read as a bit of a romp, or as incisive social commentary (as a contemporary record) or i.s.c. (as a timeless account of class division/aspiration) or as a cri de coeur for a broader landscape for women or as fundamentally reactionary morality tale which confirms that conservatism works best, in the end, for everyone (except the exceptional Lizzie) - or quite the opposite.

It is wonderful, though, whichever way you read it. I find Charlotte Lucas' pragmatism almost unbearably painful.

I'm going to make the weird suggestion that if you want to read Austen (who is very funny and brilliant once you're tuned to her voice) but can't get your head round the language, you could always start with Georgette Heyer, which is written in Regency English filtered through a mid 20th century ear (also very funny). After a few Heyers you'd be warmed up for the harder stuff.

Oh that's such a good suggestion Dilys. She is deffo the closest you can get but you're right - easier to 'translate' if you're finding it difficult.

I Love Pride and Prejudice, but I do find I start to lose concentration because of the language....try reading it with a 'period drama' style voice in your head! Honestly it works, all makes sense then!

Getting Rid of Matthew is awful - badly written, clunky, stupid plot. I hated it.
Infact in a recent decluttering I took it to the charity shop, and I never get rid of any books. I seriously thought about just recycling it so that no-one else wastes the time needed to read it!

P&P on the other hand is a work of sheer genius, I love it.