Last year I introduced my eldest daughter to Jane Austen via Emma. Every time I saw her with the book in her hands, I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking questions. “Are you enjoying it? Who's your favourite character? Have you reached the part where you-know-what is revealed?” When she returned it to me, she told me it was her favourite free read of the year. Mission accomplished: she is officially a Janeite!
This year she has the pleasure of reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time. (If there was a book I would love to read for the first time again, it's this one.) She also has Northanger Abbey on her reading list—another favourite. Okay, maybe they're all my favourites, but Pride and Prejudice is my favourite favourite.
Pride and Prejudice is a novel of manners that tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy landowner. The story begins with the arrival of Darcy's friend, Mr. Bingley, who takes up residence at a neighbouring estate and causes much excitement because “it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man, in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”—and the Bennets have five unmarried daughters.
Since it's always a good time to read Jane, and—gasp!—there may be some of you out there who have yet to meet Lizzie and Darcy, I'm hosting a Jane Austen readalong on the Hive. We'll start on the 1st March with Pride and Prejudice. We'll read one volume a month, and finish at the end of May.
“But I don't have a copy of Pride and Prejudice!” you cry.
You can read Pride and Prejudice for free on Project Gutenberg or download a free Kindle copy. (Just be aware that sometimes the free Kindle versions of classics have some interesting formatting.)
You can also listen to a free audio version on Librivox. I enjoyed this version read by Karen Savage. There are several paid versions on Audible as well.
Let me know in the comments if you're going to be reading with me. Will this be your first time reading Pride and Prejudice, or are Lizzie and Darcy old and beloved friends?
I'll be joining you Mel! It'll be my first time through it. Jane Eyre and Man Born to be King were both in my top 5 reads for the year last year, so looking forward to jumping into this one :)