PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

by Jane Austen



"Pride and Prejudice -- Austen's own 'darling child' -- tells the story of fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters who must marry rich, as she confounds the arrogant, wealthy Mr. Darcy. What ensues is one of the most delightful and engrossingly readable courtships known to literature, written by a precocious Austen when she was just twenty-one years old." (From the back of the Barnes & Noble Classics edition.)

I surrender! I wanted to be cool and ambivalent, to declare it a "good 'girl' book", but I just can't. I am a believer. Pride and Prejudice is just plain fabulous! I loved it! I'm joining the ranks of women who want to be Elizabeth Bennet when they grow up, and, unlike Heathcliff, I completely understand Mr. Darcy sending legions of hearts aflutter. I don't even remember that last time I developed a crush on a fictional character. It may have been Nicholas Nickleby. But I think his position has now been usurped.

Aside from the obvious suspects, my favorite character was Elizabeth's father, Mr. Bennet. He had me giggling every time he bothered to put in his two cents. But Austen breathes life into every single character she creates here, and it is no longer any wonder to me why we are witnessing the recent deluge of sequels and adaptations based on them and this marvelous story. It is very difficult to let them go once they have entered your life. I must have one of those silly sequels around here somewhere, don't I??