This is the most popular of Jane Austen's novels, and for good reason! It is one of the wittiest books ever written, from the first page where she comments on wealthy young men to the last where she comments on Kitty Bennett!

The book focuses mainly on Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy- but also spends quite a bit of time on Jane Bennett (Lizzie's elder sister) and George Bingley.

Elizabeth is the second oldest in a family of five girls. Excepting Jane, her sisters are what one would term a gaggle of geese!  Mary is a goody two shoes type who takes no pleasure in life, Lydia is a young girl who spends all her time talking about balls or handsome young soldiers, and Kitty follows Lydia's every move. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, are a bit ridiculous as well.

The story starts out with Mrs. Bennett joyfully telling Mr. Bennett of the arrival of a new gentleman in town- Mr. Bingley. He is very well to do and, joy unbounded, is not married. Mrs. Bennett is determined to have one of her daughters married to him and immediately begins plotting her course. Mr. Bingley is much talked of and finally met. He seems to be a gentlemanly type of man, very polite and conversational. His friend and sisters however! He has brought with him a good friend, Mr. Darcy. Darcy is proud and makes several open remarks that degrade Lizzy and her family. Treason above all treason, he refuses to dance with Lizzy, although gentlemen are short at the ball. Mr. Bingley's sisters, Caroline and Mrs. Hurst are no better. They are very obviously snobs.

However, Lizzy's darling sister Jane does like Mr. Bingley, and the attraction seems to be mutual. Mr. Bingley spends much time with Jane. As the liking of Mr. Bingley grows, so does the dislike of Mr. Darcy. Especially when Lizzie hears the tale of a young soldier, Wickham. Wickham tells her a terrible story and reveals how base a character Mr. Darcy really has.

Right in the middle of this- as Lizzie is trying to sort these facts out- the Bennett family has a visitor. Mr. Collins is their cousin and the heir to Mr. Bennett's property. Very soon it becomes obvious that he is attempting to woo Lizzie. Only, he is rather an idiot- to put it plainly. 

After shaking his embarrassing attempts off- she has to deal with another problem. Mr. Bingley and his sisters have just left their home for London and do not expect to return at all. Jane, though she will not admit it, is heartbroken. Her Aunt and Uncle take her to their home for a visit to cheer her spirits. At the same time Lizzie goes to visit a friend of hers. During this visit she is thrust into the company of Mr. Darcy! Having just heard that he had some hand in Mr. Bingley's leaving- she does not feel in the best of spirits towards Darcy. Therefore, she is quite shocked when he makes a proposition to her. She blows up at him, charging him with what has been told to her by Mr. Wickham and what she has heard about him distracting Bingley from Jane.

Stunned that any woman would refuse him, he goes home and thinks it over. He writes her a long letter explaining why he is not guilty of what she blamed him of. At this point in the story Lizzie goes home to rethink her prejudice and Darcy goes home to rethink his pride.

Lizzie goes traveling with her Aunt and Uncle a few months later and once again meets up with Mr. Darcey, this time at his home at Pemberly. They are wary of each other, giving each other space to see how they have changed. Gradually they begin to become friends again, and Lizzie's hopes are raised.

Then she receives an express letter from Jane. Something terrible has happened to Lydia that will alienate the whole family from the rest of respectable society. Bidding Mr. Darcy farewell for what she believes is forever she returns home to help straighten things out… she and Jane both torn by grief by the loss of the sister and men they respected.

But there is a surprise around the corner. Things are miraculously put to rights by her Uncle, or seem to be. What will happen? Is Darcy gone forever? Will Jane and Lizzy forever be old maids because of Lydia's thoughtlessness?

This is one of the most wonderful books ever written! I have read it over and over- enjoying it just as much each time. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Movies Based on the Book

Actors: Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle

Company: A&E and BBC

Director: Simon Langton

Year: 1996

Acting: Extraordinary! All of the acting in this is so good; the actors do a marvelous job of becoming their characters. The facial expressions, actions and emphasis is all there!

Screen Play: Very well done. I read the play after watching this and was amazed at how close it is to the book. The script stays true to Jane Austen's words and spirit. The wit is there, the sorrow is there, the happiness is there, everything is there! I think Jane Austen would be proud of this production.

Filming:

Oohh… it's great!

Things you might not like about this movie:

The ladies' dresses, I think that's about it, though.

Rating:

This was a TV production and didn't get a rating. I would put it in between G and PG. My whole family loves this movie!