I have recently listened to the Pride and Prejudeice audiobook (abridged because I'm too poor to buy the unabridged) and have boughten the movie the day it came out. Is anyone else amazed at it's content? At how one can relate to it in such a way. Especially since this book was written hundreds of years ago. I find it ingenius that we are still able to connect with Elizabeth, fall in love with Mr. Darcy along with her, and sympathize with Jane. As well as point out how foolish Lizzie's mother and younger sisters are. Am I alone on this?


And BTW, I am actually reading the book as well, because I am sure to miss something with just the movie and an abridged copy under my belt.

Dearest MonieLou!
Ah, Pride and Prejudice, I am so glad you approve of it, it is indeed one of my favourite books! (hehe). But my dear MonieLou I must advice you to see the BBC adaption with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and NOT the Keira one (It is all very vexing that they should feel the need to make another film (and with Keira Knightley!!) when there is such a perfect adaption to be seen already!!) Take my friendly advice: Make haste and get the 1996 BBC production at once!
Yours ever
Maja

PS: I could talk Jane Austen - like forever

Oh, how I love P&P!

I'm so glad you're reading the book MonieLou! It truly is one of my favorites -- definitely my favorite Austen. Lately I've been considering buying the abridged audiobook for P&P (I'm also too poor to buy the unabridged!) so I'm glad to hear that you liked it. Maybe I'll buy it this weekend.

I didn't mind the recent film version with Keira Knightley. I think that may have been because I went in with such low expectations, and so when I saw it was a half decent film I was pleasantly surprised. But yes, the BBC version is the definitive version. I mean, c'mon, Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy!!

Praxagora, I could totally talk Jane Austen all day too!

I will, no doubt, take your kind advice and most rigorously seek a copy of said tape. I am most joyously reading the book almost as we speak.

This Colin Firth you speak of, he sounds quite familiar. I am quite certain that I have seen or heard of him before.

I too love Austen-speak. I just love the language in which she writes her books. Ahhh! Proper English... who woulda thought. Yours &c &c

I'm so glad to see a thread on Pride & Prejudice! I'm currently reading it and so far it's very charming! I've heard it from so many people the BBC version with Colin Firth is the one to see. It's funny because when I read Mr. Darcy I definitely see Colin Firth's face.
At first it was difficult to "understand" (I feel lame admitting it), but once you get going it definitely gets easier. But I have to see a movie version, either one will do. I think everything will just make even more sense (there are some parts where I think I understand what's going on, but I could be wrong).
I just love how the girls just chill all day, read, play music, search for "agreeable" men, go to balls ... What a life!

Bye!

I'm much obliged to you for taking my advice, and I'm much mistaken if you will not prefer it by far to the newer film version! As for Colin Firth, now there's an accomplished actor! Indeed, I'm sure I never saw one so accomplished nor so handsome. He is most famous now, I daresay, for his role as Mr Darcy (again!) in "Bridget Jones diary", and he can also be seen in "Love Actually"

Ok I'll stop it now But seriously you will love it, promise Enjoy your book!

The 1996 version is superior in every way, if I may be so bold as to give my opinion. The 2005 version ought not to be attempted, when, as Praxagora said, such perfection lies no futher away than your local library.

Oh, I give up with the Austen-speak! Not working, but you guys pulled that off nicely.

Oh, P&P! I had to read it in high school and like most of the books I was assigned, I didn't finish it. A few years ago my friend talked me into reading it again and I'm so happy I did. Don't want to spoil the best part for those are you reading right now but

[oh, I love the new spoiler tags thing.]

Ooh, those new spoiler tags are really fun!

But seriously, the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice ought to be required viewing for everyone if for no other reason than to see the scene in which Colin Firth walks around dashingly in his soaking wet shirt. *swoon*

(I love the sort of spoof on that he did in Love Actually when he clumsily fell into a lake while wearing like a woolen sweater. Too funny.)

Oops, I suppose this is not the Colin Firth obsession thread though? I'm sorry I can't stop talking about him! He is the absolute embodiment of everything that is Fitzwilliam Darcy.

All I can say is: Indeed!! He IS Mr Darcy.
And killersharky I so agree, that is a real turning point of the whole book and Elizabeths feelings toward Mr Darcy and I love it too

It should probably be mentioned that the A&E version of the BBC prodcution (with Colin Firth) is 6 hours and worth EVERY minute.

Mr. Firth was asked to be in Bridget Jones's Diary because of his role as the "real" Mr. Darcy.

I prefer the BBC 1995 version myself. As a guy, I too can see Colin Firth as Darcy. There was a lot of humour in that version and everybody was well casted. The music was fantastic and I have a copy of the soundtrack. I play it now an again, because it not only brings back all the memorable moments in that production, but also the great times I had when Pride & Prejudice was all the rage back in the mid-90's.

I know Colin Firth doen't want to do another period production where he has to run around in a white shirt. But I am sure he is grateful for the fame it has brought him.

Sure the recent movie version is slick and has all the bells and whistles. But there is something missing, a quality that only the BBC version has...

I agree with both of you. He IS Darcy, and IMO Jennifer Ehle is Elizabeth. They were great together and will own those characters forever.


I thought it was from when she saw his beautiful grounds at Pemberley...just joking! That's what she told Jane, just kidding around.

I adore Pride and Prejudice. I had to read it during the summer before my senior year of high school and was bored and did not quite understand why everyone was swooning over it. But then I remember being in a hotel and reading Darcy's letter and the last half went by so quickly that I was done before I went to bed. Ever since then I've been a huge Austen fan (I wrote my 20 page term paper on Sense and Sensibility <<gush to Alan Rickman>> and received an A+ on it, I was shocked indeed!).

I finally watched the 5 hour A&E version in the fall, and could not stop watching it. I made sure to buy my own copy as soon as I could. I still do not understand why Keira's acting was "Best actress" nominated, Jennifer Ehle IMO truly embodied the essence of the part. And Colin Firth.... sigh. I could watch Colin Firth and Alan Rickman movies all day.

I thought the ending of the new movie was very cheesy, but I did end up tearing up during the scene with Elizabeth and Mr. Bennett at the end, that scene was well done.

I just got done reading that!! It's better reading the letter than hearing it. It's my favorite part, or one of them. I also like when Elizabeth refuses him the first time, because we get some REAL emotion from Daddy Big D (Sorry! Couldn't help myself!).

Does anyone else feel as though Elizabeth and Jane were strangers to their family? I mean to say, they were both very intelligent and mild-manner. Not like their ridiculous sister Lydia, or like Mary who was just out there sometimes with what she said. Nor were they like their mother, who was the most insane of them all!

ETA:
You did fine, Ari. I was only posing as an Austen-speaker.

I just finished Pride & Prejudice the other day. Sunday night actually, I was so close to the end I had to finish, I didn't think it would take long and I ended up reading til 2:30 am. Oops! I read it in high school, and loved it, but only vaguely remembered what happened. I was so impatient for them to get together this time! But goodness those sisters were annoying. I absolutely hated how Lydia never learned her lesson, never changed. She deserved her fate.

Yes Arianhrod, we're only kidding around, I just couldn't resist answering MonieLous post in wannabe Austen style
About Elizabeth and Jane, I think they resemble their father, I actually feel more sorry for him, because they got each other but besides from their company the poor father only has his silly wife AND daughters hehe

That is one thing that I truly hated. Lydia never learned that she disgraced her family. I mean, I'm sure she knew she had, but she never regretted it. She all thought it was FUNNY! FUNNY! Can you believe that?! FUNNY!

Oh yes Lydia is a great one to 'love to hate' but I always think that learning her lesson will come in the future - when Wickham gets bored of her, when she gets bored of or wises up to him, or just generally gets a bit older. The only happiness I see for Lydia's future is to have lots of children and devote herself to them (like her mother).

I understand why you read for so long amanda. That's one of my favourite things about Austen - the short chapters just flow so easily it's impossibl to stop reading.



She's kidding but....it is sort of true isn't it? I had a discussion with my sister about this not that long ago (whilst watching a repeat of the BBC production - I agree its the best -Jennifer Ehle is wonderful)- she was pondering why Darcy is no nice all of a sudden and my opinion is that he is 'socially awkward'(!) in the company Lizzy has met him in previously, and that at Pemberley he can relax and be himself, and that's when Lizzy finally meets the real Darcy.

Yes, but what about Canon Collins? Are there any women who could stand his company.

The word cringe does come to mind.

Was Charlotte Lucas blind or was she wise?

Hmm, I don't think she was blind, Charlotte wanted a comfortable life which Colin was able to give her, she's not a romantic. Elizabeth of course heartily disagrees.Funny you should ask because whenever rereading or rewatching P&P I always think: How come he doesn't end up with Mary?? Now there's a match made in heaven lol But on the whole *cringe* is the right word yes

Good question RacingGreen!

I'm with Praxagora, Mr. Collins is most definitely cringe-inducing. But I think Charlotte was wise. He was basically her last chance for marriage. It was wise for women to marry not only for social reasons (avoid the stigma of being a spinster) but for practical economic reasons. I'm not sure women were even allowed to own property. I mean, how would she make her living?

Oddly enough, I never even thought of the possibility of Collins marrying Mary! Interesting idea Praxagora. I don't think her situation is desperate yet though. Charlotte and Mr. Collins both really wanted and needed to get married -- just not necessarily to each other, heehee!

Yes, I think Charlotte wasn't blind so much as scared that at the age of 27 she wasn't married yet (heaven forbid!). She needed to get married, and soon. So when Colins came along, wedding bells were a-chiming.

I was recently looking at a posting site of Pride and Prejudice. They brought up the exchange between Darcy and Elizabeth at the Netherfield ball. During the dance, that is. They talk about what this exchange really meant. I personally feel that it was Darcy teasing Elizabeth about the fact that she had the whole conversation planned out. As though he KNEW how much she really disliked him, yet that seemed to make him love her more. What is your take??

And I am proud to say that my constant talking of P&P has made one of my guy friends (Yes, a GUY) pick up the book. I couldn't believe it when he told me he had started reading it. I mean, you don't often hear of a male macho man (which he defninitely is) wanting to read a very well-known love story.

I actually thought he was mistaken and didn't know what it was about. So I explained it to him that the book can get mushy at times. He said that just because he's a guy doesn't mean he doesn't like romance novels. I just hope that he can understand Austen's writing style as well as enjoy it...

What a great thread!
I've just had loads of memories come flooding back of being thirteen and reading it in school, at the same time the BBC version was airing, it was every sunday night if I remember correctly, such an amazing production! I spent hours trying to play the music on the piano, never quite managed it though.

Indeed Charlotte's choice is definately one I would NOT have made, but as she says, she barely sees Mr Collins and she's 'quite content' with the situation, she certainly didnt marry for love!

I remember my essay title from school was 'discuss the importance of letters in pride and prejudice', I spent ages poring over the above mentioned letter, it is just such a wonderful moment!

I think one of my favourite characters is Mrs Bennet, she's so fabulously over-the-top! And Alison Steadman's performance was just perfect for me. Anyone else agree?

Now I really need to see this BBC version. Do you lot think it would be at a local library? I really can't imagine it being in an American library.

I remember when A&E first aired the miniseries and I was so excited. I made sure I was free the whole time it was on. I loved that version. Did you guys know that there are two other versions besides the miniseries and recent film?

Pride and Prejudice (1980) with Desmond Adams and Edward Arthur

Pride and Prejudice (1939) with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier

I haven't seen the 1980 or 2005 versions yet. I saw the 1939 version on PBS a couple of times. I do prefer the miniseries over the 1939 one.


I love this book. I read it once a year and am in the process of reading it again. I can't get enough of it. I remember reading it in highschool and thinking it was going to be a boring old story. The more I read the more I loved it. For some reason I can't remember I never finished it during school and never found out what happened in the end for quite a long time. I thought they'd (Bingley/Jane and Darcey/Elizabeth) end up together but I wanted it confirmed. I didn't actually buy it for a couple of years after that. I don't know what I was waiting for.

Actually, my school's library has it, so it is possible that you could find it at a library near you. I hope so!

And wow, you convinced one of your guy friends to read P&P? That's impressive! I hope he appreciates it.


Overcast, I knew there was a version of P&P with Laurence Olivier, but I wasn't aware that there was a 1980 version. Hmm, I'll have to check it out!


Ooh, Big_D, your essay on the importance of letters in P&P sounds so interesting! I'm such a dork -- I would love writing about that!

I don't know about it being in the library MonieLou (the BBC version that is), but I just purchased it on DVD from Amazon on Friday for under $20. Not bad for a six hour movie on two discs!!!

Collins. Well, I'm of a mixed opinion. I understand Charlotte's feelings, and didn't Lizzie say that if anyone could curb his, um, enthusiasm? she could? Or am I mistaken? Anyway, I recently watched the Bollywood movie Bride & Prejudice, loosely based on P&P; one thing that they changed was Lizzie told Charlotte (not the names in the movie, but I can't remember what they were changed to, Lalita and something) that she had judged too quick, and what would or would not make her happy did not necessarily mean that it would or would not make another happy. I am rather disappoited that Lizzie didn't adopt that attitude; not necessarily think that, but at least be a bit more encouraging to an old friend, especially once Charlotte was married and it was done. She didn't have to like him, but just be kinder to Charlotte.

I am going to order the "sequel" to P&P called Mr. Darcy takes a Wife that was discussed in the old Austen thread (which I think I'll revive, to discuss the other novels). Anyway, I'm very intrigued, but the jacket description says that Jane and Bingley aren't as "passionate" as Lizzie and Darcy, but rather unhappy. That really upset me; even though its' Lizzie's love story, I felt that Jane's relationship was a bit more solid. Has anyone read that book? What were your opinions?

I always thought that Jane and Bingley's relationship was a lot more stable as well. They'd loved each other for so long, and it survived even Caroline's machinations. They probably never even fought--neither of them has the temper for it. I think that with Jane at least, her feelings weren't displayed very much so it may sometimes seem like she's unhappy when she really is.


I think she was so disappointed in Charlotte that it overcame anything else. She wanted the best for her friend, but Charlotte decided on Mr. Collins. It was her last shot at marriage, and even if she wasn't happy she would at least be provided for. Charlotte's attitude towards marriage wasn't all that good to begin with; she got exactly what she wanted, and made no excuses.

I'm not a big fan of sequels written 200 years after the fact, but Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife is one I wouldn't mind reading. Just to get Darcy's point of view would be priceless.

*tuts*
Wordsworth classics are really cheap!

What's so sad about Charlotte's case is, that in this day and age, there are still women who "settle" like that.

Martje, who thought Mr Bingley in the P&P film was a total cutie.

Ah, but which Pride and Prejudice?? The one with Keira Knightly or Colin Firth??

And no one answered my question!!

I'm sorry, Monie Lou.

I like your take on it, but when he does his "In vain I have struggled" speech (like your siggy, by the way!) he seems completely taken by surprise to find out how much she can't stand him. Or did he just expect her to drop everything and swoon at his feet just because he proposed?

I actually think that by the time that he proposes the first time he assumes that she became partial to him; that he grew on her during the stay at Rosings. And then he was surprised and hurt to find out that her feelings "hadn't changed" while his increased.

NOTE: The reason for the " " is because I feel that Lizzie always subconsciously loved Darcy and his proposal sent a major sign to her. Even if she didn't act on her feelings 'til close to the end, I think it was always there. Agree? Disagree? I NEED INPUT!!







*edited to add purty colors*

No, I agree. She didn't hate him nearly as much as she said. If she did, not even the letter could have changed her mind.

I just love stories like that!! Jane Austen was a true genius. I wrote an essay about her and how people nearly 200 years later are able to connect with her characters and their values.




*Edited for not proofreading*

Penguin Popular Classics are also very cheap. They used to be just 99p per book. The price has gone up a bit, but even for £2, it is a good deal. The price is for all books for that label/brand. I got my copy of P&P back when I was a poor student in the Mid-90's and I also picked up a copy of War and Peace for the same price. Very good value the complete unabridged...

If you really don't want to spend a penny, then there are always free eBooks on the web.

A lot of men and women do a Charlotte!!! But from some people's point of view, they only want to be married to somebody reasonable and not be single. So long as the partner is a decent person. That is fine. It is hard to explain what two people see in each other. For example, my sister has been seeing this twit for a good 6 years at least. Not sure why, he isn't that honest and he uses emotional blackmail on her. In a way, love can be blind (as well as deaf and dumb).

I am more of a romantic. I expect certain things in a relationship and I seek happiness that way. I enjoy giving and I like to receive... Even as a guy, I admire what Lizzie and Darcy have together.

Sorry for not answering your question Monielou!



I definitely agree with this. I think they both a sort of love at first sight kind of attraction, but neither of them knew how to deal with the tension or wanted to deal with the tension. Funny that Darcy accepts it first -- he who seems so overly proud. And I feel he has more to lose with the relationship than Lizzie does.

Not only the tension between them, but the fact that their classes were different, and they probably had never been in love with anyone else before. It's one of those things where you're scared of it until you accept it. Then it's as though you can't see how you ever lived without it.

And the reason I got the abridged was because it was free, and the unabridged was $20-$25 more. I got it off iTunes, so I hope that explains my reasoning. And RacingGreen, I do have the Penguin Classic for my paperback book. I love Penguin!




*edited to add second paragraph*

Audio books are so expensive.

I agree; Lizzie wouldn't have changed her mind so easily had she not already been a little partial to Darcy. Her intense hatred of him was I think her covering up her injury to his snubbing her with outrage.

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time! I love Jane Austen in general though, and went to visit her grave, her house and the Jane Austen Centre in Bath when I was in England. I love the BBC miniseries very, very much, but I also liked the new version. I was really impressed with Kiera Knightly and I thought it was a nice way of doing a somewhat different interpretation of the novel, and a more emotional version.

By the way, I just got Mr Darcy Takes a Wife at the library and thought I would try out a sequal. I read a lot of really bad reviews for it on Amazon though, so I'm none too excited at the moment. I'll tell you all how it was when and if I finish it (:

PS: I too disliked the "American Ending" of the new movie. Random!

I think she meant the film with Keira Knightley! That gorgeous redhead Mr Bingley is adorable! I'm biased though as my husband is a redhead too.

MonieLou, I agree that Lizzy must have had feelings for Darcy hidden somewhere before she read the letter. She was so playful and teasing before - and the letter and his attentions at Pemberley would not have made her in love with him had she not found him attractive before that.

RSBB, I think many on this thread envy you for your visit to all those Jane Austen sites.

I mentioned Wordsworth Classics because they're still cheap, you can often buy them for a pound. I'm sure the Penguins have gone up to about 6 or 7 quid. Ouchie. I still have a lot of them lying around that cost 99p too, about 15 years ago!



The one with Colin Firth is a BBC TV-series, even though A&E showed it as a film, I think (that must have been a very, very long film, unless they cut a huge part out of the TV series!). So when I say film I mean, the one with Keira.

Martje

Oh!. Isn't he?? Mr. Darcy is suppose to be better looking than Bingley, but I really can't say that that's the case for this movie.

I'm upset because I want to watch P&P now, but I can't!! That guy I mentioned before has my DVD. Boo!


MAJORLY OFFTOPIC!!

What I am about to disclose is definately off-topic, but I thought you lot might appreciate how coincidental it is. According to IMDb, Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley) was dating Rosamund Pike (Jane Bennet). Isn't that odd!! And methinks that Simon Woods might be related to Elijah Woods. I saw a picture of Simon that reminded me remarkably of Elijah. But again, that's OFF TOPIC.




*edited to add OT part*

Aw, I think that's adorable! I thought Simon Woods was absolutely the cutest man ever in the film. That red hair... And Rosamund Pike was beautiful as Jane.

Erm, trying to steer this post back on topic...I hate to admit that it's probably been a year and half since I last read P&P and I don't remember how the Jane/Bingley relationship is tied up in the book.
Anyway, I was disappointed that in the recent film, we didn't really get to see Jane and Bingley happy together or really together at all in the end. I was kind of sad about that, but I guess that's sort of a minor concern.

Oh, I don't really remember the happy Jane & Bingley reunion in the Keira film either Elle! I might have stared too much at that Bingley actor! Well, I've only seen it once, in September, so that's why I forgot. I do think it's cute that Jane and Bingley are (or are rumoured to be) a couple in real life! I love Rosamund Pike.

Edited to add: I loved the casting of several actors in the 2005 film: Jane (Rosamund Pike), but also Charlotte Lucas - she was less stunning than the actress of the 1995 version (I don't know the real names of either, sorry), and therefore more credible. I couldn't believe of the 1995 Charlotte that at 27 no suitor had come for her before. Besides, the 2005 Charlotte was charming and had a wonderful nose. I love a nose with character.

I do believe the Bingley and Jane relationship "resolves" itself just by Bingley arriving on the doorstep and having a chat with Jane, after which it is assumed that it is clear they got together.

It is the same with Darcy and Lizzie, actually. In the book they go for a walk with some others (can't remember who) and have a talk, in which they decide they want to get together. The end! No kisses or weddings or anything.



Fan of Snape, by any chance?

Martje

That's not exactly true. But it is true that they decide they love each other more than anything during a little walk. Austen's characters sure do love a good walk. Anyways, the part that isn't true is when you said that they just decide to be together with no weddings or nothing. We see a bit of Lizzie and Darcy's homelife. Something about Georgiana living with them as well. But Jane A. didn't really delve into it. Hence someone 200 years later has written Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife.

ETA:
What is your guys' thoughts on Lady Catherine de Bourgh?? I think it's funny that the very thing she wanted to prevent, she caused! And of course I am referring to Darcy and Lizzie.

love this thread. i'm also a big fan of pride and prejudice and try to read it at least once a year. the book for me just sparkles and the contrasts of all the different marriage styles is wonderful. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Wickham, Mr and Mrs Gardner and of course the Husrts and our favorites Jane and Lizzie. I always wanted to know what happened to Kitty after she was removed from lydia's influence. did she marry? did she Marry well? did she marry for love.

As far as sequels go there is a group of three that starts with An Assembly Such as this and goes through the courtship and marriage from Darcy's point of view. i haven't read it though has anyone here read it.

oh, and in the bbc version i really thought that elizabeth had very "fine eyes" anyway i'll stop now since i could go on forever about this book and about Jane Austen forever. we really need a waxflatter's online reading group.

Ok, fellow Austen readers, I got the sequal Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife from the library yesterday, and started to read it. If you want Pride and Prejudice the Sequal AKA trashy-romance-novel-that-uses-the-word-howbeit-every-5-sentaces, than this is your book.

Anyway, it sounds like An Assembly Such as This is the best one, even if it is a re-write of sorts and not a sequal. I think for now I'll stick to Austen. I'm re-reading Emma right now, and next up is Northanger Abbey, the only one I haven't read yet. And I thnk a reading group would be fun! I love to hear what people think about these characters, because you get so intrenched in your own ideas that you forget there may be other viewpoints!

Edited because I just woke up and wrote "froup" instead of "group"

I would really love to do an Austen reading group! If you guys are into it, I would love to help put one together. You're right, RSBB, it's eaasy to forget there are other ways of looking at things when you are reading on your own.

As for Jane and Bingley...I wasn't expecting a wedding or even a kiss really. I just wanted a tiny moment of them happily holding hands or something. Or maybe I just wanted to see more of that Simon Woods.

And, Ingalls, I agree with you -- I thought the casting of Charlotte in the new film was spot on. Come to think of it, I really liked the casting of Mr. Collins as well.