Challenge Corner discussion

Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work "her own darling child" and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print." The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.

I will start it today!

Chapter 10(view spoiler)[Mr. and Mrs. Bennet crack me up. Their bickering is so endearing to me. I love the times of the balls. Ahhh...I'm going to a ball...and Mr. Darcy. Does anyone imagine Mr. Darcy as anyone other than Colin Firth? Maybe, Matthew Mcfadyn
but Colin Firth for me. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[What about Collins and the marriage proposals? Elizabeth and Charlotte in two days? LOL! That makes me laugh every time. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 17 (view spoiler)[ Darcy likes her but has too much pride to tell her. I want to know how he will tell her about his infatuation. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[Ah, the snooty aunt. No governess? LOL. Now Elizabeth thinks that Darcy had something to do with Jane's heart break with Bingley. And then the proposal from Darcy to Elizabeth. Timing is everything! (hide spoiler)]

Done (view spoiler)[ This story never gets old to me. I always find something I missed during the prior reading. Ah, it is a good lesson that you may think you know everything but there is always something you don't. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JUNE 9TH, 2020

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starting this now!

I've got it out and I'll start some before I go to bed, but first, dinner!

Ch 15: (view spoiler)[Ugh, Mr. Collins.. I never cared for his character before and still don't. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 30: (view spoiler)[I'm getting closer to her finding out what Darcy did.. right? It has been a while since I've last read this. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 45: (view spoiler)[I mean.. Miss Bingley definitely needs to be knocked down a peg or two. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[so happy that they fell in love with each other.. and Mr. Bingley and Jane are together as well. Definitely thought Lady Catherine was way out of line with the things she said and I'm damn proud of Lizzy sticking up for herself. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Mrs. Bennet is hella clever, saying her daughter is too sick to return. Now we just need this odd bird cousin to leave. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Kim wrote: "chapter 15 [spoilers removed]"

Hahaha yes

chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ what an awful marriage proposal! can you imagine that being your experience?! sometimes i like the way things were done back in the day, but this is not one of my favorites. "yea, i hear you saying no, but let me talk to your parents..." (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I had to take a reading break. Now back on!

Part 2 Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ so Jane has gone to London and can call on Caroline but not on her brother? Feels like a waste of a trip. I’m glad Charlotte is with Mr. Collins. He’s a goobe and she just wants comfortable living so it feels like a right fit. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Loved it! I thought I might but I'm glad I did.

100% (view spoiler)[ such a great second half of the book. as is fairly typical of older books, it's a slow build up in the beginning. this has certainly paid off. the relationships that built for Jane and Elizabeth and their beaux were made so much more beautiful by the trials they overcame. in present day, these would seem hella trivial but I still really enjoyed the romance. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 5TH, 2022

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Will start this today! :)

Started :)
I feel a bit stupid that I expect more dialogue than there is - I am too familiar with the 1995 version, and I keep thinking something is missing :P

I'm starting it later tonight!

I was really excited when I saw this on the calendar because this is an almost yearly reread for me and it's been maybe two years now, I have since bought a new version, and it's a good reason to read an old fav.

Ahah! :) I'm also reading my fancy cloth-bound version for the first time! :)

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[It'sfunny that Caroline is both nicer (in asking Elizabeth to stay just because Jane wants her) and meaner (forgetting Jane straight away when the others are back and abusing the Bennetts behind their backs) than I expect her. She is not a very nice person, but she is a dutiful host, apparently.
Also, Lizzy wants to know about Pemberly! :P I think she's just curious about these new people, but it is funny. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a little behind so I won't be able to pick this one up until sometime next week. This is my first time reading this one so I'm looking forward to finally picking it up.

Melanie wrote: "I'm a little behind so I won't be able to pick this one up until sometime next week. This is my first time reading this one so I'm looking forward to finally picking it up."

Yay! Let us know your thoughts! :)

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[Ah, the Netherfield ball... So, it's true, all her family is embarassing themselves, but Lizzy does not seem all that sensible herself... That little initial consideration of engaging Wickam's heart sounds like something Lydia would think, and surely she could have done something to prevent some of the bad performances going on. In re-reading it also becomes more noticeable how very useless her father is, he'd rather laugh at his family, than make them behave better... (hide spoiler)]

I finished Volume 1 - the last few chaptersI could take seriously, but everything up to the Netherfield ball felt a little like like a farce - as a genre I mean - as there seemed to be a lot of exageration and "say one thing and then tbe opposite" straight after. Has anyone noticed this?

(Not a dismissal by the way, this ismy favourite book...)

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[Elizabeth feels a bit younger than I remember... Especially when she replied to Mrs Gardiner about trying not to fall in love with Wickham - she didn't really give much of an answer! (hide spoiler)]

Finished Volume 2: (view spoiler)[I really like how Lizzy acknowledges her faults. :) (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I always love how the ending wraps things up beyond the immediate future and tells a little of what happens to Mary and Kitty! (hide spoiler)]

2% (view spoiler)[ lmao Lizzy's parents have been laughing already. (hide spoiler)]

34% (view spoiler)[I honestly forgot how much happens with the other characters (other than Wickham and Lydia and Jane and Bingley.) The last time I read P&P was 9 years ago.

Charlotte was quite practical in sweeping in and taking Mr. Collin's attention but wow, what an awful friend move. She could have at least told Lizzy. Although, perhaps she thought Lizzy may just need time to accept his proposal. (hide spoiler)]

48% (view spoiler)[ lmao I know the reader knows Mr. Darcy has been pining this whole time but I can completely understand why Lizzy is taken aback. Not only is he insulting her family but his signals were easily misunderstood (hide spoiler)]

82% (view spoiler)[ Now Lizzy knows Mr. Darcy's role in Lydia's marriage. Excited for the second proposal coming up soon!

Ms. Bennett is really annoying. She really doesn't seem to completely grasp how badly it could have gone. Or rather, she did but bounced back rather quickly. (hide spoiler)]

Elizabeth wrote: "82% Now Lizzy knows Mr. Darcy's role in Lydia's marriage. Excited for the second proposal coming up soon!

Ms. Bennett is really annoying. She really doesn't seem to completely grasp how badly it ..."

I've seen a few video analysis suggesting Mrs Bennet really was trying her best, and, while I might begrudgingly agree, I can't help but cringe at most things she does and says... :P

Andy wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "82% Now Lizzy knows Mr. Darcy's role in Lydia's marriage. Excited for the second proposal coming up soon!

Ms. Bennett is really annoying. She really doesn't seem to completely gr..."

lol I'm sure Mrs. Bennet does think its her best

100% (view spoiler)[It's been years since I read it but I really enjoyed this reread! Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth and Jane and Bingley making up at the end is the sweetest (hide spoiler)]