PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
By Jane Austen
P.F. Collier & Son Company, 1917, 370 pages
Reviewed by Michael Beach
Yes, I know. This is not the sort of book that would seem "normal" for someone like me to read. In fact I didn't really chose it. Last year Michelle and I found one of those 20 volume sets of classic literature at a local library used book sale. It was one of the few times I have actually seen one of these that was complete. It cost us something like $5 for the entire set, so we bought it. I have been working my way through this set and reached the volume that included this work and one other I've already reported on in an earlier entry.
If ever there was a romance novel, this is it. Thankfully it's not like so many "modern" romances that are more like a rated R, or worse, movie. First published in 1813, the sentiment is clearly of its era. The sisters of the main character family are mostly of marriageable age. There are a mixture of plots in their various courtships. Elizabeth Bennet, the main character, is quick to judge others, in particular Mr. Darcy. As you might guess they embark on a love-hate relationship that eventually culminates in love with a fairy-tale ending. Her female friend and one of her sisters does not fare so well. Her closest sister, Jane, also eventually gains her man, happiness, and a fortune, though not so big a fortune as Elizabeth.
Several characters are not very nice, or make poor choices. Like an old-fashioned Hollywood movie, they all get their come-upping's eventually. The likeable people have happy endings. The author seems to have a great deal of faith in Kharma. My dad would have called this story "too mushy". I'd have to say I agree. It's not my kind of read, but since the story has remained popular for more than 200 years I suppose that's proof that others would disagree with me.
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