Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. 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.”

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Review:

Despite my love for classics, I was never drawn to Jane Austen. I think I tried watching the movie of Pride and Prejudice when I was younger, but I wasn’t interested. Although by reading this I confirmed that this isn’t my preferred era of stories, I’m so glad I finally gave it a try. 

Set in Regency England, the Bennett sisters are feeling pressure to find husbands and secure their futures, except Elizabeth, who is only interested in marrying for love. She grapples with the perception of potential suitors, such as her impressions of George Wickham and Fitzwilliam Darcy. She has to learn not to rush to judgment. 

Even though I didn’t expect this to be a five-star read for me, I had hoped to be proven wrong about my assumptions. I was bored throughout most of it. In a historical context, it was interesting, but it’s not a time I’m particularly interested in. I would probably enjoy the movie more now, but I found the reading experience underwhelming. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Characters that break the social norms of the time.
• The writing captures the atmosphere well.

What I didn’t like:

• Although I anticipated I would be, I was profoundly bored. I wish I had an interest in the time period but I just don’t.

Afterthoughts:

I’m glad this ended up being a buddy read because otherwise I likely would have let this be a DNF.

Where to buy the book: