200 years old today!

[kathyh]

It appears to be the 200th anniversary of the publication of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. I'd love to write a detailed literary appreciation but it's years since I actually read it rather than watched it on the telly. I do know it well enough to know that Mr Darcy did not actually swim the lake at Pemberley in the novel, which is a great

Comments

[ljs]

The older I get, the more I love Persuasion -- but I should reread P&P soon, clearly. :)

[hugs]

[kathyh]

Obviously so should I. I nearly wrote that I actually preferred Persuasion to P&P but then I thought that as it was P&P's birthday that would be rude :)

Many hugs back.

[shapinglight]

I read the Grauniad's piece. It was fun. Have to admit I've always felt a little sorry for Mary Bennett myself.

[kathyh]

Yes, I feel a bit sorry for Mary too. She always tried her best but it wasn't good enough for anybody.

[curiouswombat]

Have you ever read this story, which is basically Mary Bennett Vampire Slayer?

[brunettepet]

It's been about ten years since I read P&P. Time for a re-read :D

Thanks for the link to the video. It was great fun and makes me want to mainline some period drama. Those costumes really do something for the guys.

[kathyh]

They certainly do. The Regency period had nice clothes for both men *and* women, which can't be said for many other eras. I bought myself the TV version of "Sense and Sensibility" the other day and I'm looking forward to settling down with it some time.

[lycoris]

I only read it a few years back and I still don't remmeber it terribly well. *winces* I remember that I actually liked Emma quite a lot more, although P&P was fine. I should probably re-read both of them (and finally get round to reading the others which I haven't actually done ...)

[kathyh]

I've read all of them but not for quite a while. Persuasion is actually my favourite but it's a less sparklingly witty though more thoughtful book than Pride and Prejudice.

[curiouswombat]

I got the film year question wrong... but got the rest right!

I love the possible alternative ending for Charlotte and Lady Catherine in the Guardian article.

[kathyh]

Yes, I much prefer that to the awfulness of Charlotte's fate, chosen or not, married to Mr Collins. Personally I think he might have succumbed to an unexplained illness in a few years when Charlotte decided she couldn't stand him any longer!

I got the film year right and the Bennet's housekeeper wrong!

[curiouswombat]

The unexplained illness works for me....

[kathyh]

No jury in the world would have convicted Charlotte...