Heaven forbid! -- That would be the greatest misfortune of all! -- To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! -- Do not wish me such an evil.
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Genre: Classic Romance
About: When Elizabeth Bennet first meets Mr Darcy she finds him proud and arrogant. After he insults her, the deal is done and she is determined to dislike him forevermore. But as time wears on and their paths continually cross, Elizabeth discovers that her views on many things have been blinded by a pride of her own.
The Good
I've read this novel dozens of time, I've watched the BBC series and many other adaptations besides, and yet Austen will still get me laughing out loud at lines so familiar but so brilliantly funny that I can't help it. The cast of characters are just perfect. Mrs Bennet, Mr Collins and Lady Catherine are of course ridiculous, but never too much so that you don't feel you know someone equally ridiculous in your own life. And dear, sweet Jane! I love the sisterly bond between Elizabeth and Jane - Jane's love might be a subplot but it's one the reader is made to really care about.
But while the humour and characters are standout, it's the main romance that steals the show. Elizabeth and Darcy are a timeless power couple because their romance is so deeply thought out. Bad beginnings have been done in other romances, but the psychology of each and how they so obviously make the other a better person, is the magic that satisfies every time. They're both wrong, and then they're both right. Seeing their faults they become better people, and so deserve the love they both win. So much of romance is about the woman wanting to change the man but here we see that personal growth is needed from both and watch how a healthy romance develops from first looking inwards.
The Bad
Timeless as the romance might feel, the context of the time period could be a struggle for some readers now and more so in the future. Jane Austen was commenting on society through her writing - in this novel making light of manners which become less and less relatable as time wears on.
The Somewhat Iffy
There are many adaptations, in my opinion, that go wrong in terms of the heart of the novel and its characters. However, there is a need for readapting the classic as, perfect as it may seem, it does lack a lot of representation. This is natural given the time period it was written in, but is something that feels missing as a modern reader today.
Overall
Too many layers of brilliance here. Austen makes her social commentary humorous, romantic and true to life. It sets the standard in romance.
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