My life to be exact! Last night at about 1:30, well morning I guess, but when I say last night I almost always mean when I was asleep. I had watched the Kira Knightly movie version a little while ago and decided to pick up the book. It was so great. I constantly giggled and squirmed with all the delight of a the little school girl that I really am. But in all seriousness this book is truly classic and I'll tell you why. Most importantly it fully transports the reader to another place and time. Jane Austen's England might as well be planet zorcareshhemhemil as our own world a couple centuries ago. It provides a wonderful escape, and isn't that what books are for. Further the wit and humor is first rate, if you're following along. Once the characters are firmly established then the little witty side jabs can be fully appreciated. The first half of the book is enjoyed as Lizzy jabs Darcy, but the 2nd half is lovely as snooty little Lizzy gets her just rewards. Suspense. . . not joking. Allow me a comparison that is a cliche as I'm capable of. Pride and Prejudice is like a good romantic comedy. Naturally before the opening theme music and the sweeping scene of Manhattan pan across the screen, you know that the leading roles will find true love embodied in each other in the end. So why do you keep your seat, or not hit eject and put in a murder mystery? The journey, the bumps in the road. I'm not sure if Ms. Austen invented the layout for romantic comedies but it certainly hasn't altered at all since the late 1700's at least. Further this book is considered a "three volume" novel, and our good friend Oscar Wilde in his play, The Importance of Being Ernest, refers several times to a "three volume" novel in several different ways.
Finally I'm afraid I must drop a bomb, Elizabeth Bennett may be, just might, if I dare say, be a gold digger. At first Elizabeth's own "Pride" and "Prejudice" are kindled against Darcy because he's rich and slights her. Granted she does have a huge personal revelation of the introspective kind after reading Darcy's, "here's why I did what I did that you didn't like" letter. But! It isn't until she sees the grand estate of Pemberly that she begins to fall in love with Darcy, and finds herself the truest fool, thinking and I quote, "to be the mistress of a place like Pemberly might really be something" (not literally quote because I'm too lazy to look it up in the book) But after this grand sight that could have all been her's, well the "Proud" Darcy is nothing but amiabilities. Coincidence? I hope not.
16 comments:
Well I love the Keira Knightley movie, and I'm a fan of the book as well. I must admit I probably love the movie a little more than the book. There are some aspects of the Jane Austen-era culture that I find so completely unromantic; I feel like those aspects are played down in the movies but emphasized in the books.
Yeah like the whole formality to the extreme. They couldn't even talk to each other half the time. Plus I love how the Bennetts, and the rest of the characters, go off about how poor they are when they're still part of the gentry with servants, probably some indentured servants which are basically slaves. But they're poor because they're on the poor end of the rich spectrum.
Further Kelsen you should comment on which members of you fam are which characters. Like Luke would obviously be Mary etc.
Well obviously Luke would be Mary.
Shelby and Melvie would be Lydia and Kitty, respectively.
Ellie is a mixture of Jane and Kitty. Ken is Jane but he is married to Kristin, who is Mr. Darcy.
AND OBVIOUSLY I'M ELIZABETH.
AJ is a mixture of Mr. Collins and Mr. Bingley. Kelsha is a combination of Mrs. Bennett and Jane.
ELEMENTARY
I admit to never having read the book (though Kristin just finished it), but I have to ask, why the heck am I a girl? And why is Kristin mr. Darcy? Doesn't that seem inverted?
Jane is the oldest, nice, caring, and naive.
Ken is the oldest, nice, and a little naive.
I just think you both share traits of wide-eyed innocence, in a way.
Kristin is Mr. Darcy because she's quiet, intelligent, and wise.
I better be 90% Bingley 10% Collins or else I don't want to live!
I would say it's probably a 70/30 split.
70/30 which way be specific bob this is Collins we're talking about.
I would prefer to be part Bingley part Darcy. Especially if you get to be Elizabeth.
You can't be part Bingley part Darcy, they have totally contradictory personalities! You have to pick one or the other and I think Bingley suits you better.
Mr. Collins isn't that much of an insult. I thought he had some endearing traits.
Have you read the book! He's ridiculous! And so obcenely opposite to the character traits I've tried to cultivate. No no I can't be Collins
FINE AJ, you are Darcy and Bingley and also a little bit of Batman and Jack Sparrow thrown in! ARE YOU HAPPY
Yes that'll do!
I don't know anyone else who posts on here but AJ - but you guys are hysterical! I particularly loved the diatribe on what character's most closely match AJ's personality and character traits!P.S. This is literally my most favorite story of all time so I appreciate you not ripping it to shreds Andrew! :)
I told you I very much like it!!
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