EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

One of my favorites! This will be a re-read for me.

I'm so glad that this book got chosen.
Two members from our writing club were exchanging highly contrasting opinions on Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights (respectively their favorites and un-favorites), while I, having read neither of the two, could only continue to gape at them like a spectator at a tennis match. Now that I've finished Wuthering Heights this month, I'm curious about how different this book could be.

In a tenth of it right now and am enjoying it much more than I expected. A pleasant surprise to me! I hope this feeling lasts.

Robin wrote: "Now that I've finished Wuthering Heights this month, I'm curious about how different this book could be."

Very different styles. I love Jane Austen and have read P&P several times. I'm still yet to make it all the way through Wuthering Heights.

This has been on my list for years and I've tried to read it multiple times but stopped for one reason or another. I'm glad to have this group as a motivation to finally finish it.
I can't wait to hear what you all think over in the Spoilers discussion.

This was my go to book when I was younger - absolutely loved it and read it many times. It will be fun to re-read!

I have been meaning to read this for years and I'm quite excited to have the push to do so! So much of my reading taste has been heavily influenced by my mum and Austen is one of her favorites so I have pretty high expectations that I will enjoy it.

I’ve had this on my to read list for a long time but never got around to it. I’m excited to see what all the hype is about!

Laura, what made you keep coming back to it?

Sylvie and Cassie, the hype is part in parcel why I could never fully get through it without expectations leading me to drop it. I hope that this time, with help from you all, I'll find something for myself in it.

Betsy wrote: "Laura, what made you keep coming back to it?

What I loved about the book was the strong character of Elizabeth. Just think of the time period - 1800's - women really were second class citizens and their real symbol of success was finding a man of status to marry. Elizabeth is smart, funny and seems to rise above the social expectations for women. I just loved that rebellious side of her and the sharp contrast with her mother and sisters. I look forward to reading it again.

Fantastic point Laura, now that idea makes me excited to read it. I think I found the language hard to understand; I couldn't tell whether she was being sarcastic or serious.

Betsy wrote: "Fantastic point Laura, now that idea makes me excited to read it. I think I found the language hard to understand; I couldn't tell whether she was being sarcastic or serious."

There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor in the book. It helps to read it with that attitude in mind. It's ironic and sarcastic in a warm friendly way (not cynical and mean) -especially Elizabeth and her father. The mother however is in earnest. She needs to find husbands for her 5 daughters, because there were few good alternatives for women.

When I was young I thought it would be really boring, but it's bright and sparkling, and has humor and real insights about character.

Thanks NancyJ, I'll definitely keep this in mind. I feel like I ought to love this book because it seems right up my alley (the sarcasm, relationships, gender roles, etc). Either way it'll give a lot to chat about.

I’m so excited to read this...again! Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favorite book! After I’m done reading it, I always watch the BBC made for TV adaptation since it sticks really close to the book. I’ve watched all the adaptations and the BBC version is by far my favorite. Unfortunately none of my friends, family or husband have read it, so I have no one to discuss the book with which was the reason I started looking for online book clubs. I just joined this past February and I was thrilled that this book won the vote. Can’t wait to post and read everyone’s posts after we read it.

As far as comparisons to Wuthering Heights - I loved Pride & Prejudice and hated Wuthering Heights.

I have never read this book, so I'm looking forward to it. I too really didn't like Wuthering Heights. So hearing that P&P is very different gives me hope!

Coincidentally, I also have to read this book for school too! Perfect timing lol

This is one - I have tried and tried and tried and could never get past the first 25 pages or so. Maybe I will try again.

I've started reading this morning and while I'm only a few chapters in, I'm very much enjoying it. I think my main worry was the language would make it difficult to read but it really hasn't been an issue so far! Of course I know and love the story, which helps.

Brooklyn wrote: "This is one - I have tried and tried and tried and could never get past the first 25 pages or so. Maybe I will try again."

This might sound like blasphemy on a book site, but have you tried watching the movie? I'd recommend the 2005 movie (there are many adaptations). If you like it, read the book to get more. The very best adaptation of all time is the miniseries (1998?) with Colin Firth as Darcy. It was on a cable station recently, but it should also be at the library.

oh my all time favourite!!! Can't wait to read this...

Ordered it from the library and I really hope I get it soon. First time reading it and I can't wait!!

NancyJ wrote: "Brooklyn wrote: "This is one - I have tried and tried and tried and could never get past the first 25 pages or so. Maybe I will try again."

This might sound like blasphemy on a book site, but have..."

The Colin Firth adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a classic... I feel like it is his face for Mr. Darcy for me when I read it.

I listened to the audio book a couple years ago and won't be rereading it now. Sadly, I didn't enjoy it.

However, if you have not read it, don't like my dislike discourage you. This is a much loved classic, and I'm glad I did finally read it. Honestly, I might have enjoyed reading this more when I was younger. There was much to like, but I struggled to relate to the life style of the characters and nothing in the story really caught my interest. Also, the pace of the book is fairly slow, if I remember right, and I remember driving down the road glaring at the CD player wishing it would spin faster. In the end, the book was just way too long for me.

I do plan to follow the spoilers comments to see what everyone thinks. Hope you enjoy it.

That's great news, Sylvie. I hope the language continues to be of no issue.

Brooklyn, no pressure about needing to try this novel again (and great suggestion about the movie, NancyJ, not blasphemous at all if it sparks conversation).

I hope you get the book from the library soon, Catherina.

Shamitha, I also see Colin Firth as the quintessential Mr Darcy haha!

Shelley, I'm glad to hear another point of view (I was expecting and hoping to see some dislikes or even hates!) I'll be looking out for your comments on the Spoilers Thread after I've finished reading, as hearing other perspectives always adds more to the plate.

Melinda wrote: "I’m so excited to read this...again! Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favorite book! After I’m done reading it, I always watch the BBC made for TV adaptation since it sticks really close to the boo..."

Melinda wrote: "I’m so excited to read this...again! Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favorite book! After I’m done reading it, I always watch the BBC made for TV adaptation since it sticks really close to the boo..."

I agree! I joined bookclubs for the same reason, and I love P&P in all forms. I love the miniseries, and I also love the shorter 2005 movie. I liked some of the retellings and spinoffs too. There was a great tv movie about 10 years ago, in which a modern women magically switches places with Lizzy. You see each of them trying to adapt to a different time. I loved it because in the book, Lizzy has a more modern feminist attitude than her sisters did.

Last summer when I was voting for the Great American Read, I got on twitter and found a lot of Jane Austen fans from all over the world. (Janeites, Austenites). They're very fun people (especially @DrunkAusten). There are events all over the world, museums, lecture series, and fancy costume balls (the dress like Austen characters or people from that era). (The only book with a better organized voting group was Outlander. It helps that the author is alive and loves to interact with her fans. ) These are the literary women's equivalents of ComicCon.

I also hated Wuthering Heights (the book). I couldn't even finish it, even though I really liked the movie when I was young. It's less harsh than the book.

Betsy wrote: "That's great news, Sylvie. I hope the language continues to be of no issue.

Brooklyn, no pressure about needing to try this novel again (and great suggestion about the movie, NancyJ, not blasphemo..."

I don't expect everyone to love this book. In fact, I'm pretty sure I would have hated the premise of this book when I was in high school. I hated anything girly, traditional, or marriage focused. I would have seen Mrs Bennet as a money grubbing opportunist looking for rich husbands for her daughters. (Which is how Darcy saw her). I would have said the girls should get careers so they don't have to do that. In reality, their options were severely limited.

This is just a delicious story about the formation of real relationships. The lessons are timeless. There are a millions of people who are lonely because they are too prideful, shy, or just too scared to get out there because they don't want to look like a fool. And everyone makes mistakes in all kinds of relationships due to prejudice or judging people based on first impressions or things that don't matter.

This is a great story about how to find someone with strong values and character - someone who will deserve you, and vice versa. I loved the verbal sparring between them. We should all avoid the charming bad boys and find men of character.

I have quite some books that I want to read this month, but I might tag along with this read. This is one of those classics that's been sitting on my shelves untouched. I feel like it's a perfect read to catch up with the majority of the book world that has read it.

Hello!

Just wanted to make sure any that need it are aware of the free options for this book.

Digital copy through Project Gutenberg; https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/sear...

Audio book version through Librivox: https://librivox.org/search?q=Pride%2... — there are multiple good ones here.

I am not sure if I will read, but may squeeze a listen in. It has been several years since I read so I would really like to. It is a very special book to me. I read it first when I was in 7th grade and loved it. It was one my grandma loved. We shared a love for reading so it was the first book that I remember discussing with her on a level of shared enthusiasm. It’s special in other ways too but that was the first and started my love for Classics. I used to read it every year.

Re movie adaptations: I enjoy both the 2005 and 1995 versions, though I do prefer the 1995 version in most aspects. There are also some earlier ones that I don’t enjoy as much, mostly due to production quality. The 1940 version takes too many liberties with the story.

I read this 20+ years ago in high school and didn’t really have an opinion about it. It was just an assignment and I was neutral.
Then I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I laughed so hard recalling the original that I decided I loved P&P.
I am so happy to be rereading it this month and seeing if I really do love it. :-)

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I am not sure if I will read, but may squeeze a listen in. It has been several years since I read so I would really like to. It is a very special book to me. I read it first when I was in 7th grade..."

1940 version took a lot of liberties with fashion choices as well. It looked like they got the leftover dresses from the Gone with the Wind production. I liked the actress though in other films.

Genevieve wrote: "I read this 20+ years ago in high school and didn’t really have an opinion about it. It was just an assignment and I was neutral.
Then I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I laughed so hard ..."

I saw the P&P and zombies movie and I thought it was hysterical too. It was clever how they tweaked the dialogue from the original book. I liked the girl power when I saw all the Bennett girls wielding weapons. And the scene with Lizzy and Darcy fighting had me hooting because it was so unexpected. (Especially her high side kick to his head.) I was comparing it my head to the original scene in the book.

I'm not sure many others on gr share our view though. All my family members left the room during the movie. They couldn't understand the appeal since I don't usually like horror movies.

NancyJ wrote: "I saw the P&P and zombies movie and I thought it was hysterical too. It was clever how they tweaked the dialogue from the original book. I liked the girl power when I saw all the Bennett girls wielding weapons. And the scene with Lizzy and Darcy fighting had me hooting because it was so unexpected. (Especially her high side kick to his head.) I was comparing it my head to the original scene in the book..."

I was on the fence about watching P&P& Zombies, but I’m convinced that I need to watch it now!

I absolutely loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, thank you for mentioning it. I don't think you're in the minority, at least not with me!

I absolutely adored Wuthering heights from the first page, I wonder how will I like Pride and Prejudice...never read it before...
Also adored Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in BBC series Pride and Prejudice... for me Mr Darcy will always have his face..;-).

This is one of my very favorite books, but I don't know if I will have time for a re-read this month. It's the one book I collect different versions of whenever I find one.

I’m late, but have just started to read this today. At first I thought it was going to be hard to get through but have fallen into a good rhythm and am enjoying it so far! I’ve never read it before and am looking forward to it.

Okay...I WANT to love this book and I will read it either way but I really want to love it. Any tips from those that do love it?? Should I try watching the movie first? I am really struggling to focus on it. I’m not a huge fan of romance novels but I don’t even think that’s what my problem is as I’m only on page 17. Ughhhhhhhhhh.

Crystal, I hear you. Is the language making you lose focus? Or the plot isn't engaging? I'd say hold in there another few chapters, and if it's still not working, watch the movie up to that point in the story. If this doesn't spark some interest, it'll be wrong to push yourself any more than you're already doing. Remember, you can't make yourself love (a book, or anything). You either like it, or you don't. And it's not wrong either way!

Silje, do you mean abridged/unabridged? Otherwise, any edition will do the job.

That is so lovely, Brenda. I've always wanted to do that with books I love but don't have the space. Do you even get editions in different languages?

Lina, so glad to hear you've fallen into a good rhythm with it and the novel hasn't been challenging.

I don’t think it’s the language. I’m not really sure what is keeping me away. Possibly the plot but it’s like I have a mental block every time I pick it up. Anyway, thanks for the tips and I will give it a try.

Let us know how it goes. Hoping something shifts.

In case anyone else struggled...I actually ended up listening on audible up to where I was and it really helped. Maybe I needed to be reading in an accent for it to make sense. So now I’m just switching back and forth, AND ENJOYING IT. YAY.

I am six chapters in so far and enjoying the characters. The dancing sounds really dull though. I can't imagine living in those times. Everything was so strict.

Yay, Crystal I am so happy for you! Duh, I should have thought of suggesting the audiobook (I find it hard to concentrate when I listen to them so it didn't come to my mind).

It's interesting to see how flirting has changed (and what parts have remained the same) over the years. Yes, Melanie it's pretty tame.

Crystal wrote: "Okay...I WANT to love this book and I will read it either way but I really want to love it. Any tips from those that do love it?? Should I try watching the movie first? I am really struggling to fo..."

I first read it as an assignment in class. She would have us read through certain chapters then play the 1995 6-part BBC version of the book to match the chapters. It really helped a lot and I fell in love with the book and Jane Austen. Maybe it will be the same for you.

Thanks!!

I’m so amused and intrigued by these Brontë/Austen teams! I quite liked Wuthering Heights but am reading Jane Eyre at the moment and adore it even more - I wonder if Austen fans who don’t enjoy Emily Brontë’s work should try her sister’s!

I have a very difficult time engaging with Austen novels but I appreciate her wit and love her characters. Any tips for pushing through what feels to me an impassable wall of dry language? Emma and Northanger Abbey went down much easier for me!

Well, Alex, I agree with you on appreciating Austen's wit yet feeling that it is quite dry. Have you tried the audiobook version, the movie/s, or what has been suggested here before by Melinda (the 1995 BBC version)?

Alex wrote: "I’m so amused and intrigued by these Brontë/Austen teams! I quite liked Wuthering Heights but am reading Jane Eyre at the moment and adore it even more - I wonder if Austen fans who don’t enjoy Emi..."

I have to agree with your comment. I LOVE Pride & Prejudice, detested Wuthering Heights but liked Jane Eyre.