Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My dearest readers,
It is with great happiness that I share with you that I have completed Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. Having spent the last several days reading in every available moment, I thought that I must communicate the pleasure I now feel. I found the story quite agreeable and I daresay that it has become one of my all time favorite books. The conversations between the book's characters were lovely, but I must admit that I was inspired most by the letters. I fear that in this age we have lost much of the beautiful communication that is contained in the handwritten word, and I felt it necessary to offer my thoughts in a similar manner.

Elizabeth Bennet is a character for whom I feel great affection. Her interactions with Mr. Darcy were greatly entertaining and I was quite pleased by the resolution of their relationship at the novel's end. Elizabeth was smart, witty and courageous and I admired her ability to speak her mind. I must say that one of my most favourite persons in the story is Mr. Bennet whose candor and humor with respect to his wife and five daughters was amusing. Mrs. Bennet's relentless pursuit of husbands for her daughters was often shameful and embarrassing and her faults in this regard were many. Mr. Collins was pompous and annoying, but nevertheless played a very interesting role by demonstrating his scorn and condemnation of others.

The travels throughout various parts of England were quite pleasant to read and I found myself desiring a carriage ride, or a stroll through a traditional English garden.

It is impossible to convey unique and inspiring thoughts about a book that is so well known and loved. Dear reader, if you have not yet had the opportunity to read Pride and Prejudice, I hope that you will make time for it soon.

With warm affection,

Kristi, &c.

****
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Penguin Classics, October 2009
480 pages
Personal Copy

Penguin Classics Summary:  When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships,gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.

I read Pride and Prejudice as part of the You've Got Mail reading challenge hosted by Book PSmith.