Sunday, May 12, 2013

Book 41-Pride and Prejudice (68th Book)

Book 41 was Pride and Prejudice and after my last experience with Molloy etc. I was happy to be reading something fluffier. I have never been a Jane Austen fan because I always thought them too fluffy for classic literature, but this novel was an enjoyable read. I borrowed my Jane Austen obsessed friend's hand bound copy that I purchased for her several years ago. (see picture to the left) It was fun to be reading something that was so fancy.

I don't have a lot to say about Pride and Prejudice other than that I was pleasantly surprised, as I was when I read Emma. The books are enjoyable I will give them that. I read through the book fairly quickly and had a good time with it. They  aren't deep, they don't make me think about myself in a new and surprising way, and they don't stay with me long after I  have read them. That, to me is the mark of classic literature, but the easy readability of the novels and enjoyment that people have had out of them over the years, has proved that they can stand the test of time.

I found some great quotes in the book which I was not expecting. I really enjoyed the thoughts on pride and what that means. "A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us". I also loved the quote about the fact that "we are none of us consistent".

I was laughing at the beginning because my friend who lent me the book said, "Enjoy Mr. Darcy" and at first I didn't. I got sucked into what Elizabeth felt, and thought he was arrogant. It turns out he was just unwilling to follow society's rules about dancing, and mingling and stuck mostly to himself. That is what I would have done too! He is an enjoyable character, as are Elizabeth and Jane.

And, that folks is one of my shortest reviews ever.


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