Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Random House, Inc., New York: 1995
(first published in 1813)
ISBN: 0-679-60168-6

Plot Summary:
The five Bennet sisters: Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary, and Kitty are all unmarried and most of their father's estate is willed away to a male heir, Mr. Collins. Therefore it is the ultimate goal of their mother to get the girls married off to rich men. When Mr. Bingley decides to rent a house in the neighborhood, it is clear that Mrs. Bennet intends for one of her daughters to catch his eye. It turns out that Mr. Bingley does indeed fall for Jane. However, his close friend Mr. Darcy is not so sure of the match, and is very weary of the uncouth "country" manners of the Bennet family.

Mr. Darcy as it turns out is very handsome and even more rich than Mr. Bingley. He slights Elizabeth by not asking her to dance, and this leaves her forever after prejudiced against him. Although it is clear that Jane and Mr. Bingley are falling in love, Mr. Darcy and Caroline Bingley try to keep the two apart. Soon Mr. Bingley has moved back to London without explanation.

In the meantime, Kitty and Lydia have been flirting with the soldiers and Elizabeth herself has fallen for the smooth-talking Mr. Wickham. When he reveals that he had been raised by the Darcy family, and cut-off from any inheritance once the elder Darcy died, Elizabeth once again is appalled by Mr. Darcy's manners. Through a series of unfortunate events, Lydia runs off with Wickham causing quite a scandal. Later it is revealed that Mr. Darcy was instrumental in arranging for the two to be married, saving the family from what would be an insurmountable social faux pas.

On a visit with her aunt and uncle to his estate, she gets to hear from his maid what a great guy he is. Finally, he delivers a letter declaring his love for her. Although she is slightly offended by some of it, she is stunned by it. When Elizabeth finds out that it was Mr. Darcy who orchestrated the marriage of her sister to Wickham, her feelings towards him change completely. Against the wishes of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who intends Darcy for her daughter, Elizabeth accepts Mr. Darcy's proposal.

Critical Evaluation:
This is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I love reading about the manners of the time and I appreciate how Austen twists the concepts of pride and prejudice back on themselves. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy struggle with their own pride and prejudices, and it is very gratifying to watch as they overcome them to be able to love each other. Of course Mr. Darcy is every girl's dream, but it is great that Elizabeth doesn't let him off the hook very easily. She is a spunky girl with a mind of her own, and she still gets what she deserves in the end. Everything is wrapped up very nicely, but it is rough going for quite awhile. Between the Elizabeth's embarrassing mother, the Bingley's fleeing the neighborhood, Lydia running off with Wickam, and Mr. Collins' proposal, there is enough drama to keep the pages turning at a rapid pace.

Reader’s Annotation:
Elizabeth Bennet is smart, pretty, and talented, but can all of this make up for her lack of money and embarrassing family? Will she ever get married or will she be an old maid forever?

Information about the Author:
Jane Austen was born in 1775 and never finished her formal education, but was very well-read.
She became a well-known writer with the publication of Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion (although she had already written Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice). It was reported that she had fallen in love, but never married. She died in 1817.

Genre: fiction, classic

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Elizabeth Bennet and her annoying family. Then I would introduce Mr. Darcy and talk about his opinion of the Bennets. Then I would give some examples of the obstacles they must overcome to be together.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Readers should be a little older in order to get some of the old-fashioned language and customs Austen writes about. Ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
I can't imagine someone challenging this book, but it might possibly be challenged for its depiction of women needing to marry someone (though Elizabeth challenges this notion). I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I first read this when I was 17 years old and it has been one of my favorites ever since. I think it's a great introduction to Austen and English books about manners.