I remember the first time I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It was my junior year of high school, actually if we're going to be technical it was the summer before, and it was on the required reading list for my Advanced Placement Literature course. I read it, thought it was okay and ultimately shrugged it off...you see, it was REQUIRED reading and that just seldom set well with me. I didn't really give Pride and Prejudice a chance, shame on me!
Years later I remember being at my best friend's house watching the 2005 movie version with his family and all of us swooning, and saying quite dreamily every five seconds or so, "Oh Mr.Darcy!". There was just something about him, and Lizzie Bennet too, that had us all a twitter! We sighed, we swooned, and fell in love.
I gave the novel another chance. And you know what? I fell in love all over again.
There is just something universal about this novel. No matter the time period, no matter how it is being portrayed it reaches out to you and takes hold. There's a little bit of Lizzie Bennet in each of us and more than a few of us have wished for a Mr.Darcy of our own. And to this day their classic love story is being told in new ways whether it be a spin-off novel, a retelling, a new mini series, a youtube series or a new movie. Zombies have even been added! There's a Pride and Prejudice telling for just about anyone and everyone out there. And that's what makes it so special.
And that's why I reread it so many times. I only just read it in the last few months of 2012, and fell a little more in love with it, and already I'm wanting to delve back into the story of Lizzie Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. And with it being Pride and Prejudice's 200th birthday, what better way to celebrate than a massive read-a-long? Amirite?
But since it is my one zillionth reread of the novel, and I'm sure its not the first time for a lot of you either, why stop there? Watch one of the movies, read one of the bazillion adaptions or check out one of the series that have been made. Compare, contrast, ENJOY. :]
And when all is said and done, come back and share it with me and Cassi @ The Galavanting Girl Books, my lovely co-host, on January 28th, Pride and Prejudice's 200th birthday.
If you're participating [You KNOW you want to] feel free to use the button above and add me and Cassi on Goodreads so you can follow along with us.
I'm really tempted to read this one, especially since it's a classic and all! Everyone has told me that it's a timeless classic, and so many people like you Ash, have talked about how much they enjoy re-reading it. So... I may join in on this readalong. Still not sure though, since I'm not a classic fan...
ReplyDeleteHappy reading Ash! <3
Its one of my favorites. And I'd say that Jane Austen is probably the easiest of the "classic" authors to test out. Not nearly as convoluted as some of the others. :]
DeleteWe'd love to have you if you want to join in!
Happy reading to you too, hun! <3