Cover image for

Pride and Prejudice

Author Jane Austen
Language English
Series No. 22 in the Everyman's Library series
Published 1813
Notes

Austen's finest comedy of manners portrays life in the genteel rural society of the early 1800s, and tells of the initial misunderstandings (and mutual enlightenment) between lively and quick witted Elizabeth Bennet and the haughty Mr. Darcy.

Approx. 121,763 words.

Excerpt

d danced with her twice, and she had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane's pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up. With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the events of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife's views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found out that he had a different story to hear.

"Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet," as she entered the room, "we have had a most delightful evening, a most exc

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2008.04.20
aisha

No wonder that this book is one of the world's most loved books. Read it and you can't help but love it. The charecters are so real and beautifully sketched. A delightful book, must read for all who haven't yet read this masterpiece.

2008.03.13
SHENOAH

THIS I A MUST READ FOR ALL READERS... JANE IS ONE OF THOSE AUTHORS THAT NOT ONLY GIVES YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO HAVE A VIVID PICTURE OF EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON BUT LEAVES JUST ENOUGH FOR YOU TO MAKE THE CHARACTERS YOUR OWN.. IT IS THE STORY THAT ANYONE AND EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO RELATE TO IN ONE FORM OR THE OTHER.. THE TRUTH OF REAL LOVE AND HATE AND HOW THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME SO OFTEN.. I LOVE THE MOVIE BUT I ABSOLUTLY ADORE THE BOOK.. IT SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING IN ALL SCHOOLS.. TO BAD IT IS NOT.

2008.01.31
HellCold

Jane Austen's writing skills are stunning. This book proves it. The characters are real, the story is entertaining, and the overall quality of the novel makes it one of the best.
If you haven't read and are still wondering whether you should, I'm telling you, you should...

2007.11.28
Madhura

This book is the finest classic ever written by any author.
The book brings out the true essence of love which holds good even today.
Sometimes the last person u want to be with in the world is the person u cant be without is an apt summary of Lizzy's tale.

2007.07.25
mohammad al-ofi

the novel very important I must reading every day I like mrs.Bennet She often embarrasses Elizabeth and Jane

2007.02.12
Lindsay Brambles

Some will see it as simply a romance, but beneath that facade is a delightful, rather satiric examination of the mannered society of the period. Were you to distill it all down you might be inclined to see it as nothing more than a novel about the fevered concerns of young women to make 'agreeable' matches with worthy members of the opposite sex. But a paucity of plot belies the true charm of this novel: strong, well delineated characters -- most notably Elizabeth Bennet. You become so enamored of her that you find yourself compelled to read onward.

Of course, when reading this book I couldn't help recalling the scene in the movie 'You've Got Mail,' when Tom Hank's character rather breezily disparages the novel. As a man I have to confess that the natural inclination would be to dismiss this novel outright. There's certainly nothing 'macho' about it. Nothing 'manly.' And if action and adventure are more your standard, then by all means avoid this book. But don't dismiss it because it's considered 'chicklit' or because you believe it to be in the vein of a Harlequin Romance novel. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is as fine a portrait as any of the gentried society of the period. A great way to learn something of the past in a most entertaining manner.
(Lindsay H.F. Brambles, author of In Darkness Bound)

2006.12.16
Anjana

d best book i hav ever read...

2006.11.17
Hanan Al-Harbi

I guess that one of the most enjoyable
book i ever read. How does two totally
polar persons come along together.

I really liked the social conversation
between the characters & their ways to hide
their mutual attractions.

This definately my favourite book for
Jane Austen

2006.11.01
Laura Walsh

I loved this book! It's one of my favorite books, and I've rre-ead it a lot of times. I recommend it for everybody!!

2006.08.14
norah

i love it ! mr darcy is my mr perfect

2006.03.04
Helena, Spain

i LOVED that story. I never read the book but i've just seen the movie (in Spain it has just come out) and it's really fantastic, simply brilliant, i loved all scenes and even though firstly i found it a bit confusing (i hadn't even seen the thriller, so i didn't know where Elizabeth was taking me to), the first time i saw mr Darcy i thought "if it doesn't end with they two together, i swear i'll cry":P
but i really missed a kiss of they two in the end... it would have given a bit of passion to that lovely story...
well, it is still brilliant and i'd recommend the movie (and so the book - i'm sure it's as good as the film) to anyone-any age-any condition!
Kisses from Barcelona.

2006.02.20
Jenni

A *wonderful* story. I only read it as I had just seen the movie, otherwise I never would have thought to. As typical, the book is far superior to the movie. I found the language to be a bit difficult at times (for me) but that does not detract from the story. I'm half tempted to read it again - this time with dictionary in hand, to be sure not to miss anything!

2005.10.16
Lainey

Any girl (and maybe some guys) who watch movies like She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Prince and Me, You've Got Mail, in short every chick-flick there is, would instantly like this book. This is probably the original chick-flick that inspired our modern films. After Pride and Prejudice, I'm convinced I should read all of Jane Austen's novels.

2005.10.12
Zoran Rilak

I still haven't finished "Pride and Prejudice" but already it has become one of my favorite books. I would have never thought it possible, though, but my girlfriend had mentioned it once as a very good title, so I endeavored to read it even if I held myself a rational, organized (if slightly messy) being, and not very good at romance -- your run-off-the-mill male. Now I am thoroughly enjoying the book. And I wish I had read it sooner, for it does speak very clearly to my reckless character of the importance and consequences of social address, noting the emotions of others and proper ways of expressing my own. A textbook on style you may call it, but only if you do not observe "style" as something which belongs to the times past; there is a good deal of immediate benefit to be gained by adding just a touch of manneurism to own conduct. I've grown to understand and appreciate that fact while reading "Pride and Prejudice".

I would like to call it a "must-read" for all my fellow beer-drinking, loud-speaking young males, but I fear I might be expressly expelled from their fine circles, so I will leave it as a sort of "silent discovery" for those guys who think there's more to life. Yep, there always is :)

2005.10.08
Spike Speigel

A good premise, unfortunately Austen is unable to keep her mouth shut and the book trails on forever about nothing.

Shame really.

2005.10.01
Lara Englemann

Fantastic. Sparkling, witty dialogue, humorous characterizations, romance, and complicated social relationships -- Pride and Prejudice is every bit as good as you'd expect from one of the finest authors in the English language.