Review of "Pride and Prejudice"

"He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and every body hoped that he would never come there again."

     Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the best-known books in its genre. Witty, eloquent, and full of heart, Austen's classic story captures the life of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters who live with their parents in Hertfordshire. Her mother wants nothing more than to have the girls marry well, so when Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy comes to town she can hardly contain herself. What a perfect opportunity! Elizabeth, however, sees things in a different light. He's cold toward her family and refuses to take part in the dancing at the ball where she meets him, and offends her greatly. Meanwhile, other events are conspiring to throw the Bennet family into disgrace. Only an unexpected act of love can save the day. Now Elizabeth must decide whether she is willing to set aside her pride in the name of love, or whether she will cling to it to the very end.

     If you're anything like me, you have probably avoided this book for years. Love story? Check. Classic novel chock-full of old-fashioned language? Check. Action, adventure, and mystery? Forget about it. But if you're anything like me, the future may very well hold a plot twist, because Pride and Prejudice is not at all like the sappy romances that line the shelves. It's a story about two strong-willed, intelligent characters who absolutely refuse to love each other.

     Everyone has heard of Elizabeth and Darcy, the two lovebirds who had a rough start but finished their tale with a romantic "happily ever after". Yawn. Except this isn't the whole story, or even half of it. Elizabeth is a smart, wise young woman who knows her own mind and is determined to marry a man she actually loves. She has a house full of beautiful sisters with heads full of roses and a mother whose favorite sound is that of a wedding bell, as well as a kind, indulgent father who only wants the best for them all. Mr. Darcy is also proud, stubborn, and loyal, with more complexity than meets the eye. Austen colors each character with all the love of an involved author who truly understands her creations. Their personalities are all unique and believable, their interactions dynamic, and their voices distinct.

     The plot of this novel is not what one might call "fast-paced", but it is very interesting. Something is always going on, be it wedding, a trip to the countryside, a heated argument, or an eloping couple. Austen balances the pacing of her story with the ease of a fish in water--first something large, then a moment to breathe, something interesting, and now another major plot point. Readers interested in an action-packed book will be sorely disappointed, but anyone looking for the gradual development of intelligent love will be hard pressed to find a more suitable book.

     One of the downsides to Pride and Prejudice is the era in which it is written. Although the prose is beautifully written, Austen has a very old-fashioned writing style that soaks her book with authenticity. Readers with a low reading level or little patience for antique literature will almost definitely have a difficult time with this story. Characters conduct themselves with gentlemanly behavior at all times, which means no cussing or inappropriate behavior.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smart, complex story about two proud individuals who slowly fall in love. Although some may find the prose hard to decipher, the characters and setting are nicely described and the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is full of complex realism. For a well-paced plot, believable characters, and a suitable writing style, I give Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice four stars out of five.