Today, January 28th, is the 200th anniversary of the publishing of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It was published in London on January 28, 1813 by Thomas Egerton Publishers.
“Originally
titled First Impressions, Pride and
Prejudice was written between
October 1796 and August 1797 when Jane Austen was not yet twenty-one, the same
age, in fact, as her fictional heroine Elizabeth Bennet. After an early
rejection by the publisher Cadell who had not even read it, Austen's novel was
finally bought by Egerton in 1812 for £110. It was published in late January
1813 in a small edition of approximately 1500 copies and sold for 18 shillings
in boards. In a letter to her sister Cassandra on 29 January 1813, Austen
writes of receiving her copy of the newly publishing novel (her "own
darling child"), and while acknowledging its few errors, she expresses her
feelings toward its heroine as such: "I must confess that I think her as
delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, & how I shall be able to
tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know." (Source:
Are you a Jane Austen fan? Is Pride and Prejudice a favorite?
Are you a Jane Austen fan? Is Pride and Prejudice a favorite?
And what about the movies? There have been many movie versions of Pride and Prejudice over the years. Which is your favorite?
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| Jane Austen |
I have only read "Pride and Prejudice" so I guess I can't be considered a Jane Austen fan. I enjoyed reading "Pride and Prejudice" but I have never seen any of the movies. Maybe I should look into spending a quiet Friday night with Jane.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't see the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice??
DeleteI've got 2 words for you: COLIN FIRTH :-)
Linda M. Thanks for reminding me what his name is.
DeleteI do like Jane Austen and told high school students that they should give it a try. She has a subtle, wicked wit that makes you stior and say "What, did she really just say that?!". I like Shannon Hale's Austenland and am looking forward to seeing the movie in the theaters now that it is finished at Sundance.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what "stior" means but I think I meant to say "stop"! :)
DeleteYes. I became a huge fan while studying her work in graduate school. But that doesn't mean I'm not an even bigger fan of the PBS version that you've showcased here. I watched the whole thing while on a treadmill. And I hate running. (It took several runs in case you were thinking I was Lance Armstronging.)
ReplyDeleteI should try to watch the PBS version while on the stationary bike. I could enjoy Colin Firth all over again.
DeleteI am a huge fan of Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite and I have read it several times. My favorite version of the movie is the one with Kiera Knightley. The music and scenery is fantastic! I also like the book, Persuasion.
ReplyDeleteI too love Jane Austen. I like all of her stories and I Love the PBS productions. I Want to read Shannon Hale's Austenland, and would really like to see that movie. I am not brave enough to take on the crowds right now. A highlight for me is having gone to Bath England and going to the residence that she lived in and the social hall where many a dance and musical night took place. There is a PBS series called Lost in Austen that is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLost in Austen is a fun show.
DeleteDawn Ann,
DeleteHow wonderful that you could experience Bath, England, and Jane Austen's residence and the social hall. As I read her books, I try to picture in my mind the different scenes, but to actually see them would be the very best.
I have read most of the Jane Austen novels-- I love them!. I have also walked on my treadmill for over two hours because I can't stop watching PBS.
ReplyDeleteWall Street Journal featured an article and I quote as follows:
ReplyDelete"Several factors have contributed to Austen's remarkable longevity. Like Shakespeare's works, her novels deal with universal themes that resonate with readers across generations and historical epochs: love, money, power and status. Her arch humor and wit, and her storybook endings, give her novels both highbrow and lowbrow appeal."
What an interesting comparison and how true!
DeleteMary,
DeleteYour entry reminded me that Jane Austen's characters are universal, because I see reminders of them when I go to Church.
I'm a Jane Austen fan as well. In college a couple of my friends and I raced each other to see who could read all of her books. I got through quite a few but unfortunately finals got in the way and I still haven't read them all. But, Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness---where do I start? I am most definitely a Jane Austen fan. I love the books and love to watch the movie versions of the different books.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was a teenager, I would occassionally give her a "look" and tell her that she was acting a little bit like Lydia---and she would get the message.
As for the movies---the BBC version is so so good. Could there possibly be a more dreamy Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth?
When the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice came out, we had a Girls' Night Out and my daughter, 3 daughters-in-law, and myself went to see it. When the movie was over, we sat in the theater for a few minutes discussing the movie's virtures and comparing it to the BBC version and to the book. When we looked around the movie theater, we just burst out laughting---because the theater was full of little clumps of females (just like us) who were discussing the details of the movie and the portrayals of the beloved Jane Austen characters.
I like Jane Austin and I love the BBC version. I have not seen the other one. Maybe I need a movie night.
ReplyDeleteI love Jane Austin and have read all her books and watched every movie version there is. I love that ladies discuss this book and compare the different versions. My daughters love her, too. I think Jane's books will live forever in the hearts of women around the world.
ReplyDeleteLove Jane Austin! But for years I've thought I should make a t-shirt that says, "I'll take Mr. Knightly any day over Darcy." The Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Predujice has STUNNING cinemetography, but haven't met a version yet that I don't like.
ReplyDeleteOh! Forgot to say I loved the movie they made about Jane's life. Was it Becoming Jane? It gave me insight into her novels.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. I really liked the insights to that movie as well.
DeleteCan't say that I am a Jane Austen fan - but that would not be a surprise to some. My wife and daughter are, And they have also liked Austenland by Shannon Hale.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one to mention Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? I guess I am weird. Every time a student checks it out it warms my heart.
ReplyDeleteCome to think about it, the students who do check it out are, well, let's say, odd, but intelligent.
ReplyDeleteSince I consider Pride and Prejudice a classic, please let me explain what can happen to a student leaving elementary school, grades 1-8 (having read Nancy Drew over and over for 4 years), entering high school at age 13 and being required to read Great Expectations & other classics. It was not a positive experience. In my early twenties, I hesitantly began Pride & Prejudice
ReplyDeletewondering if I would be able to understand this classic. It almost makes me cry to think how I loved that book and all of Jane Austen's books. That began my love of the classics. I was finally ready for them.
I love the movies but haven't read all of the books.......yet. Hopefully, I'll retire someday and finally have time to READ what I want to.
ReplyDeleteHI....Mrs. Becky Ipson, the West High Libary Afternoon Assistant..LOVES Jane Austen. She loves that Jane speaks her mind in a time when women could not be accepted as authors. She told what life was really life in those times. She did not hold anything back! She was a strong person and she portrayed that in her characters.
ReplyDelete