(Book review)

“Angry people are not always wise.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a classic romance novel. From the first pages, it may seem that the entire text is just a “sigh” against the background of ancient mansions, but there is enough life philosophy and good humor of provincial England of the 19th century. It is not surprising that from the very beginning the resolution seems to be clear, because all Jane Austen novels are crowned with a happy ending. Nevertheless, this book gives readers extraordinary feelings of admiration and excitement.

The great advantage of the novel is that it does not divide the characters into good or bad. The reader forms his own attitude towards the characters. And thanks to the philosophical component, you understand that this book requires “full commitment.” It should be read carefully and with a certain patience to be aware of each word, since attention is undoubtedly crowned with a certain gain of pleasure from what is read. After all, it is impossible not to immerse yourself in the world of refined manners and nobility.

One sentence struck me the most in the text: “There are very few people whom I really love. And even fewer of those whom I think well of. The more I look at the world, the less I like it.”

In general, the action revolves around Elizabeth and Darcy. While reading, you observe the manifestations of their complex, multifaceted characters. Elizabeth refuses to settle for anything less than love. She makes mistakes, but she doesn’t back down. Darcy behaves as society demands. As a young man, he was forced to take responsibility at a time when his lawyers were gambling and skirt-chasing.

He can trust few people, so he keeps everything to himself. His status and wealth suggest that he is above petty intrigues, but this is not quite the case. Sometimes it seems that Elizabeth does not have enough qualities to be worthy of such a man, because he is unspeakably rich. However, there are always certain “buts.”

Perhaps, in the modern world, I do not really understand the behavior of people who lived 300 years ago. But I don’t really like people who are afraid to express their emotions and hide their feelings. Therefore, for me, the heroes of this work are not fully understood. I admire the general picture of the work more than the actions or words of the characters.

A title that seems self-explanatory can cause a lot of thought. And everyone can fantasize many versions. Perhaps the title of the novel reflects Mr. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice against him. But you can answer this question with confidence only after reading the book.

My rating is 8/10.