Pride and Prejudice

As we speak, this movie is playing on TV. It, in every way, lives up to what I pictured the book to be. Keira Knightly? Yes. Scandalous 18th century dresses? It's Victorian-esque heaven. But let's get to the topic at hand.

Pride and Prejudice is a book about five daughters at that "marrying age". They love attending balls and giving their dad heart attacks. Elizabeth, the second oldest daughter, is the focus of the story. She is wickedly smart, caring towards her family and only exceeded in beauty by her older sister Jane. 

A young pair of fellows mosey into town and their family is in an uproar. When Elizabeth attends her first ball with the new aquaintances, things don't go quite according to plan. There's a reason that the book was originally titled "First Impressions".

I have a special place in my heart for this book. There are a lot of powerful lessons about love and what it means to be in a relationship. Some hard truths, some inspiring "power of love" messages. There's depth to the plot, without being overly complicated. It didn't feel campy. I was thrown off and tricked more than a few times. However, I'm not saying it's not a little predictable at times. Jane Austen still seems like she would be the present day Stephenie Meyer to me.

If you like Wuthering Heights or Little Women, try out Pride and Prejudice. I would say it's much more similar to the latter, but I'm reminded of the former because of all the classist talk. It recreates a similar story of being reproached because of status. But, there's a lot less death. And heart break. And revenge. You know what, come to think of it, I should probably post about Wuthering Heights soon.

I have an ulterior  motive for this post. I have always wanted to re-read this book, but never really had a reason. Then came along a perfectly hilarious parody, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I'm half way through and lovin' it. New post next week!