Pride and Prejudice (Vintage Classics)

Synopsis

In a remote Hertfordshire village, far off the good coach roads of George III's England, a country squire of no great means must marry off his five vivacious daughters. At the heart of this all-consuming enterprise are his headstrong second daughter Elizabeth Bennet and her aristocratic suitor Fitzwilliam Darcy—two lovers whose pride must be humbled and prejudice dissolved before the novel can come to its splendid conclusion.

A tour de force of wit and sparkling dialogue, Pride and Prejudice is also a sumptuously detailed picture of contemporary society, which, in its exploration of manner and motives, has a great deal to say about the society of today. Austen's best-loved novel is a memorable story about the power of reason, and above all about the strange dynamics of human relationships and emotions.

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Children's Literature

This classic 18th century novel has inspired movies and spinoff works including Twilight and Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. In this new edition, young readers have the opportunity to see the artistic inspiration behind the recent hit, Twilight. Elizabeth Bennet is appalled at Mr. Darcy's lack of sensitivity and manners. But when 16-year-old Lydia Bennet elopes with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth sees Mr. Darcy in a new light. When Mr. Darcy helps arrange a match that saves Lydia from complete ruin, Elizabeth feels affection and respect for this handsome young man. Yet fate tears Darcy and Elizabeth apart, and it appears like they will never find each other across the polite and proper 18th century society. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet is determined to marry her five daughters off; she is delighted when Lydia and Jane get engaged. Readers will fall into this enchanting love story; this lovely edition is a companion to Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights, which inspired the second and third books of the Twilight series. The HarperTeen edition is a particularly fun read because it has three essays at the end: "The Jane Austen-Twilight Zone," "10 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen," and "What if Darcy & Elizabeth Lived Now & Were on Facebook?" Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D.