"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" is the first line of the book, which sets up a playful and ironic tone. Jane has recreated with specific observation and some wit, the society of the Regency Period in England and how the landed gentry deal with polite society, its manners and beliefs, one being that women, like the character Elizabeth and her 4 sisters, should try to make a good match. She is determined to marry for love, not money, despite the expectations. That her father will have to pass on the land to a male relative when he dies, sets up the reasoning for the girls to make good matches. Elizabeth's refusal at one point, sets up a dramatic contrast to her younger sisters and mother. She herself clashes in a civilized manner with Mr. Darcy and they come to fall in love as they deal with friends and family crisis. she overcomes her set opinion based on appearances and he sets down his prideful stance to show his true colours. It is a romance with memorable characters, realism of the time period where love wins out and scandal waylaid.

If you like romance, historical settings, some fun, you may enjoy this. It would be good to read to see how that sector of society was at the Regency time. The role of women, marriage, their education, manners, concerns and pressures to make a good match financially is well illustrated and perhaps made fun of. Jane is very observant and paints a vivid picture in an entertaining easy to read way.

I love a good dramatic romance and being drawn into what happens next. I enjoyed the irony and wit of Jane's writing and in presenting such dramatic characters as Mrs.Bennett and the clergy man. The descriptions of the lands, parties, society manners are vivid and make the time come to life. I laughed out loud often at the ironic conversations and situations. I liked the interplay of the characters too, especially Darcy and Liz.
How they change opinions, drop judgements to find truth is a believable development.

I wanted to recommend it and also see the movie versions. It is a most popular book even today..so many versions or off shoots are out there.

Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 at Steventon near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She wrote several novels which critique and comment upon the British landed gentry and she explores the dependence of women on marriage. she received education at Oxford until an illness kept her home. Then she went to a Reading school and learned at home as well. She always loved to read and write and do plays and her father
was her great advocate so she could read anything she wanted. Her skill in irony, realism, humour and social commentary is much valued. Her brother Henry helped publish her books as women at the time could not sign contracts. She made very little money but was well received.
She died in Winchester on July 18, 1817, and is a beloved author the world over, even now! One wonders how her writing would have developed had she been able to continue.

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Created Oct 30, 2020 at 11:25pm • Submit your own review...