Heartthrob Numero Uno del Mundo

Here's something fun: At the beginning of the summer, I made it my goal to read as many of the literary classics as I could. Here's something not so fun: Due to an inordinate amount of summer homework and college shopping, I have only had time to read one. And summer's almost over. I am going to continue on this little venture, though, because used copies are fairly cheap at Pegasus, so when I went, I ended up getting about twenty million and spending all my money. Basically, I have muchos libros classicos (I am such a pro at Spanglish), and I am very excited to read them, summer or school year. Anywho, the one book I have read is none other than Pride and Prejudice by none other than Jane Austen. I really don't think I need to summarize this book, but whatever. Here goes.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Bennet family lives a good life in their home at Longbourn, but this will end as soon as Mr. Bennet dies. When he passes, Longbourn will be entailed to Mr. Collins (a cousin), and his family will be without a home. Because of this, Mrs. Bennet is anxious to get her five daughters married off to respectable young men as soon as possible. The daughters are as follows: Jane, the beautiful eldest, is idealistic and optimistic, and can only think the best of people; Elizabeth is headstrong, practical, and her father's favorite; Mary is antisocial and focused on her studies, and is wholly unconcerned with men and marriage; Catherine, or Kitty, is shy, naïve, and frivolous; and Lydia, the youngest, who is even more naïve and frivolous, but not at all shy, is boy-crazy and extremely foolish. When the wealthy Mr. Bingley moves in to Netherfield, bringing his two sisters, one brother-in-law, and one friend, Mrs. Bennet is sure that he will make a wonderful husband for one of her girls. He takes an immediate liking to Jane, who takes an immediate liking to him as well, so that seems like a done deal. And maybe his friend, Mr. Darcy, could marry another one of her girls? But no, that is not to be; Darcy's arrogance and standoffishness make him quite despised by everyone in town, especially Elizabeth. She takes an immediate dislike to him, and he returns the sentiment. Meanwhile, a militia regiment has arrived to nearby Meryton, and is staying the whole winter. Kitty and Lydia become quite smitten with all the men, while Elizabeth strikes up a flirtatious acquaintance with the favorite, Mr. Wickham. But there is more to Wickham than meets the eye, and it seems that he and Darcy, who is paying Elizabeth a bit more attention than either of them expected (though the attention is antagonistic), have had a very rocky past relationship. To make matters even more complicated, Mr. Collins, the cousin who will inherit Longbourn when Mr. Bennet passes, comes to visit - and to choose a bride among the sisters? Mild scandal ensues on all fronts, especially when it appears Bingley did not fancy Jane as much as everyone had thought - and when Darcy appears to have unwillingly developed feelings for the least likely Bennet daughter.

This book is long! Really long! It took me (exactly) two weeks to read! Wait, that doesn't sound like a very long time. But it is! And it felt long! (Ooh... Nope. Don't say it. I see what I wrote, now let's just forget that happened.) Three hundred and seventy-three pages of the smallest type you have ever seen in a real-life novel! I am not kidding! The chapters were short, though, so I often ended up reading for a lot longer than I planned. (You know, the "I'll just read one more chapter, it won't take long" deal.)
Also, the language is true to the time period, ergo very decorous. Big words + formal syntax + early nineteenth century England = sometimes I would read a whole paragraph without any inkling of what it meant = I did a lot of rereading of passages. But after a while, I kind of got into a rhythm with it, so I understood it better and sometimes found myself thinking in that style of language even when I wasn't reading, which was fun and exciting and made me feel highly cultured. So although it is a slow read, it is also an enjoyable read. At least, it was for me.
Anyway, this book is great. I mean, I can for sure understand why it's considered a classic. I'm pretty sure we all know how it ends, or at least who the poster couple of this book is, but if you don't know and don't want to know, skip the rest of this paragraph because it is about to be fraught with SPOILERS. Watching the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy shift and grow is a delicious treat and extremely satisfying. I mean really, who doesn't love sexual tension? (Although, if Jane Austen or any of her characters heard me say that, I would be completely shunned by their entire society.) And Jane and Bingley are incredibly cute. Mr. Bennet is hilarious, Mrs. Bennet is infuriating, Kitty is adorably silly, Lydia is appallingly frustrating, and Mr. Collins is all four of those things. Mary is dismissible, awkward, and, though I feel bad saying this, a bit pathetic. Bingley's sisters drive me nuts, and his brother-in-law is even more dismissible than Mary. Wickham is more or less despicable and extremely good at throwing away my respect, though he starts off disarmingly charming; however, I couldn't help loving him, and I fully blame the TV miniseries Lost in Austen, which I stupidly watched before reading the book. There are loads of other distinctive characters whose names I could never keep straight. And their society seems so shallow and frivolous - I found myself simultaneously looking down on and laughing at the general population. Despite this, it's incredibly interesting to get a peek at the culture of the time.
Also, Mr. Darcy is Heartthrob Number One of the world.
I think what I found most interesting about Jane Austen's writing is that there are next to no physical descriptions of the characters. I mean sure, we get handsome or beautiful, and we get some general ideas of height, weight, and build, but nothing concrete that can be used to form a picture in your head. Nothing about hair or eye color, nothing about facial features, nothing about anything like that. Oh, I think she does refer to some of the characters as "fair," but still, that's pretty much nothing. It's kind of cool, because then the picture you form in your head is completely yours and defined by what you find attractive, but I don't know if everyone would like that much freedom. Of course, you don't really notice. I didn't notice until after I had already finished the book. It's really interesting that she gave the reader so much freedom, though, in my opinion.


Now, we all know that there is no sequel to Pride and Prejudice, unless you count the numerous ones by other authors, and I don't. But, as we all also know, Jane Austen wrote many other novels, and I bet they are just as good. I am super duper juiced to read them, although none of them are at the top of my summer-of-classics list, mostly because I haven't bought any of them yet. But I do intend to read them at some point.


We all just happen to also know that Pride and Prejudice has been adapted many, many times, most notably in the 1995 BBC television miniseries starring the fantabulous Colin Firth, and the 2005 film starring Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightley. I am currently feeling a desperate need to watch the series, which I have never seen before, and to rewatch the movie, which I have. However, neither is streamable on Netflix, which is lame. I will have to get the series from the library, but at least I can borrow the movie from Melinda or Lily, who are both Pride and Prejudice fanatics. I will do that soon.

Thanks to Pegasus for having a gorgeous new copy for only five bucks, and pre-thanks to Melinda and/or Lily, for letting me borrow the movie. You guys are swell and I heart Pegasus!

Recommendation: Anyone who is interested in the classics, and/or is interested in the society and style of early nineteenth-century England. Anyone who appreciates a good romance and SPOILER a happy ending END SPOILER. It's all very appropriate, but, due to the highly decorous language, I'd wait for high school, or at least middle school. (I know middle schoolers can do it if they really want to and put their minds to it.) Really, though, I'm sure pretty much everyone knows enough about this book to know if they can and want to handle it.