Pride and Prejudice
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Thus memorably begins Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, one of the world’s most popular novels.
This is the story of fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters who must marry rich. Rather than chasing marriage blindly, she routinely confounds the arrogant, wealthy Mr. Darcy.
At first, Darcy is quick to write Elizabeth off. Nonetheless, as life pits them against each other again and again, Darcy begins to fall for Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence. Meanwhile, Elizabeth begins to question her feelings about Darcy. But when Darcy saves her youngest sister Lydia from a scandal, Elizabeth starts to wonder if her pride has prejudiced her opinion of Darcy.
Through this tale about two warring hearts, Jane Austen weaves a witty satire about life in eighteenth century England. Humorous and profound, Austen’s witty comedy of manners dips and turns through drawing-rooms and plots to reach an immensely-satisfying finale. In the words of Eudora Welty, this is as ‘irresistible and as nearly flawless as any fiction could be.’
