From the very first line of this classic book, Jane Austen transports her readers to the society built on the manners and status of 200 years ago ... and yet, so much of it still resonates today. The Bennet family are living a comfortable life at present. Mr Bennet is a Gentleman of some standing in the neighbourhood. However, he has five daughters and no son, and when he dies, all of his property will go to a cousin, the ridiculous Mr Collins. Mrs Bennet is desperate to get her daughters married off to wealthy men of distinction, so when news reaches her that an eligible young bachelor (Mr Bingley) has taken over the "Big House", she goes into overdrive. At the very first opportunity, she makes the case for her daughters, much to the embarrassment of Mr Bennet and the two eldest girls - the beautiful Jane and the clever Lizzie. Despite this, Jane and Mr Bingley hit it off, and romance is in the air. Not everyone approves, including Bingley's friend, Mr Darcy, who is proud and haughty and very aware of how someone's station in life could be damaged by marrying beneath them. Lizzie takes an instant dislike to Darcy and verbal sparks fly, particularly when she is influenced by a disturbing story from his past, as told by the dashing Mr Wickham. When Bingley suddenly goes back to London without a word, it seems that Jane's hopes have been dashed. While staying with her best friend, who has married Mr Collins, Lizzie encounters Darcy once again, and is taken completely by surprise when he proposes marriage in a most unflattering way. She refuses point blank and hopes never to see him again. However, fate conspires and when their paths cross again, Darcy comes to her family's aid. Lizzie fears that her prejudice has clouded her judgement, and that maybe he is not so bad after all ...
I could go on and on and on about how fabulous Pride and Prejudice is, but I won't. I just urge you to read it and find out for yourself. Each character is fantastically observed and well drawn, and the situations they get themselves into are entertaining and heartfelt. It is a pure delight from start to finish and this is a book I will read again and again. This time, I read an audio edition, narrated by Lyndsey Duncan, which was an absolute treat!
Maybe one day the human race will put all prejudices aside, and not let pride blind them to reason ... one can but hope! If you want a book that feels like being hugged by a favourite Aunt, then this is the one for you.
My STAR rating: FIVE.
Length: 329 print pages.
Price I paid: £2.99
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; ebook.
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