by Louise Hilton
What better way to celebrate our recent designation of April as Reread a Book Month than to revisit that perennial favorite Pride and Prejudice by the veddy British Jane Austen? This January marked the 200th anniversary of its publication and it endures today as one of the most popular English-language novels of all time. For those unfamiliar with the story, it centers around the Bennet family, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters, in Regency England. Mrs. Bennet’s primary focus is making a good match for her girls, and despairs a bit at her second daughter Elizabeth’s independent spirit and sharp tongue. Elizabeth is, of course, the heroine of the novel, and it is such a treat to watch her relationship with the seemingly haughty (but secretly perfect for her) Mr. Darcy evolve.
The Library has loads of Austen fun to offer, including the movie and television adaptations of her beloved novels (who can forget Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC miniseries version of P&P? Swoon….), as well as a number of modern novels based on her beloved characters (A Weekend with Mr. Darcy, anyone?). And don’t forget to check out our All about Austen guide for everything Austen!
For more, check out these great links about the bicentennial:
Happy Two-Hundredth Birthday, Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at 200: Looking Afresh at a Classic
Pride and Prejudice: A Jane Austen Interactive
Pride and Prejudice at 200: The Best Jane Austen Small-Screen Adaptations
Pride and Prejudice at 200: Is It Time for a Videogame?
Pride and Prejudice Quiz: Know Your Bingleys from your Bennets?
