Pride and Prejudice has been on my list of books I want to read for a long time. I have seen the movie, read some excerpts in literary classes for school, and was generally familiar with the story, yet I didn't pick up the actual novel until recently. It didn't take long before I wondered why it had taken me so long.
The style and language does take a bit of getting used to, given that it is much different from what we are used to in the 21st century. Also, some knowledge of the society and culture of the day is required to fully appreciate the story. After all, the expectations of love, marriage, and courtship, not to mention manners and propriety have changed a lot in two hundred years. Still, the language itself has a beauty to it that is not found in modern novels, romance or otherwise.
However, the characters are what make Pride and Prejudice so enjoyable: Elizabeth's frankness; Jane's good-natured thoughtfulness; Lydia's shallow infatuation; Mrs. Bennet's nerves; Mr. Bennet's dry humor; Mr. Bingley's easily-liked temper, Mr. Collins' idiotic flattery; and of course, Mr. Darcy's stoic charm. Each predominant trait is just exaggerated enough to be amusing in the story, yet still somehow manages to be realistic enough that the reader may easily think of someone they know who is just like them.
It is no mystery to me why Pride and Prejudice has remained popular throughout its two hundred years of existence. After all, it easily slipped into place as one of my favorites.
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