Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Pride and Prejudice

This is the elite version of this book. PnP is perfection in a novel so what I'm going to talk about is Rosamund Pike's performance. It's incredible. All of the characters feel unique and their voices match the personalities sooo well. She plays Jane exactly as she did in the 2005 film and I adore her for that 15/10. I've read this dozens of times and even listened to different audio versions, but this one is just so right. In the way that Shakespeare was never meant to be only read but performed and you only truly understand the story once it's is done so, this feels like the right way to tell this story. Because the society, humor, and manners are so far from modern day, the performance adds another layer of context and detail that only serve Austen's intent.

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julesadventurezone's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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perryz's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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wardenred's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

Technically, this was a re-read, but also, I haven’t touched this novel since high school and until now I only ever read Jane Austen in translation, so it didn’t fully feel like one. For the most part, I had an excellent time with it. As far as enemies-to-lovers romances go, this one truly stands the test of time. There wasn’t a single dialogue scene I didn’t love, and the characters’ quips and observation often made me giggle. I loved the interactions within the Bennet family and, of course, the banter between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy—and how the fun parts intermingled with the cutting commentary about the society of the time (a lot of it still very applicable to certain aspects of today’s life, I feel).

At the same time, there were a bunch of scenes that felt more like summaries, with lots of telling over showing, and those were kind of hard to get through at times. I expect these kind of thing when I read classics, though, and it always makes me ponder on all the reasons and ways storytelling in books has changed over the years. Which is genuinely a fun topic to think about, so I can’t really complain!

Also, something that utterly fascinated me about this book: there are so many characters, and all of them are not just completely unique and recognizable in their personalities, but also so intricately linked together and constantly influencing each other’s arcs! Such an absolutely genius example of a big cast.

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mxpringle's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I literally read the entire second half of this book in less than 2 hours because somehow the Regency drama had be on the edge of my seat

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ilianita's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Pride and Prejudice is likely one of Austen's most iconic reads. It covers the gentry through the love lives of the daughters of the less well-to-do gentry. The marriages all display a variety of reasons for marriage-- security, money, built trust, love, on and on.

However, I personally found

Lydia's love life plotline rather long-winded, and the explanation of Darcy's involvement, a bit of a pain to get through.

I am unsure if I believe in the love between Elizabeth and Darcy, finding Elizabeth to be more of a tool to chip away at his ego rather than a development similar to Jane and Bingley. Yet, that is one of the burdens to bear in mind when you consider historical conceptions of love and marriage.

In any case... but for the 2005 adaptation of this piece, I am not sure I would pick up this book for a read. It truly adapts this piece through beautiful acting and storytelling.

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pantslint's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Aww. I can see why this is a timeless classic. While the diction and literary expression are different, it reads like a contemporary romance (wow, shocker—modern romance draws a lot from classic romance!). The messy dramatics of the ensemble characters. The slow-burn lovers. The detailed narration of the female lead's inner thoughts. The overarching, encompassing theme of the book (which happens to also be its title!). The obvious understanding that this book was not only written by a woman, but also written for women and the female gaze.

There are some absolute bangers of prose in this book, lots of them that deal with Elizabeth's characterization:

Elizabeth saying, "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine." (Ch. 5)
Darcy saying, "Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast." (Ch. 10)
Mr. Bennet absolutely decimating his own daughter with "Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance." (Ch. 41)
Lizzy to Lady Catherine, "I do not possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer." (Ch. 56)
And again, "But you are not entitled to know mine (referring to wanting to know her nephew's concerns); nor will such behaviour as this, ever induce me to be explicit." (Ch. 56)
And AGAIN, "I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me." (Ch. 56)

Why is it always "you're cute" and never "YOU MUST ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU HOW ARDENTLY I ADMIRE AND LOVE YOU"?????

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