I didn't care for P&P - the story got bogged down by the language a lot for me but the bit where she turns him down is great. I preferred Emma, even though it continues for at least 3 chapters more than it needed to.
I also love North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell (despite the incredibly boring bit in the middle).
And I also think I'm going to need a Hound Of The Baskervilles poster for my office.
OOh, I didn't realize I had comments here. Sorry 'bout that.
I worried that I'd struggle with it too but I just lapped it up. I'm amazed that something 200 years old can still feel so modern (in the plot) even though the language is different.
I thought Darcy was an arse to start with and was whooping when Eliz. gave him the knockback. By the end though I was willing them together, lol.
I wish I'd read it sooner! I just loved it! I'm going to try Persuassiom when I find a copy Iike the look of. I think having the right cover makes it sooo much more enjoyable. Yep, I'm shallow, lol.
I'll add those others you've both mentioned too. Thanks for the reccs.
You're welcome -- and yes, "Persuasion" would have been the next one by Austen I'd have recommended as well. (It's a different animal, though; much more "autumnal" in spirit.) And if you take to that one, also "Mansfield Park" -- not everybody's favorite Austen; its heroine clearly isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I like her (wonder what that says about me, lol), and more importantly, I don't think the novel would have worked with any other type of heroine.
But yeah, totally agree about P&P ... it's completely timeless and still feels as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. And of course Darcy deserves every word that Lizzy whips in his face as a response to his first proposal -- in a way Austen is even charitable on him because she doesn't spell out all of his part of the conversation in direct speech; his stance comes across as even more pompous in the screen adaptations' dialogue!
I'm busy making notes of all the classics I want to get to. I'm checking out Northanger Abbey as I type. Pulp the Classics are releasing Romeo and Juliet this month so I'll maybe give that a go too. And then there's Jane Eyre... There's a lot I've missed out on but I plan to remedy that.
I also love North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell (despite the incredibly boring bit in the middle).
And I also think I'm going to need a Hound Of The Baskervilles poster for my office.
I worried that I'd struggle with it too but I just lapped it up. I'm amazed that something 200 years old can still feel so modern (in the plot) even though the language is different.
I thought Darcy was an arse to start with and was whooping when Eliz. gave him the knockback. By the end though I was willing them together, lol.
I second the recommendation for "North and South" if you haven't read it; also Gaskell's "Cranford."
Those pulp covers are a riot; I LOVE the ones for "Wuthering Heights" and "Frankenstein"!
I'll add those others you've both mentioned too. Thanks for the reccs.
But yeah, totally agree about P&P ... it's completely timeless and still feels as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. And of course Darcy deserves every word that Lizzy whips in his face as a response to his first proposal -- in a way Austen is even charitable on him because she doesn't spell out all of his part of the conversation in direct speech; his stance comes across as even more pompous in the screen adaptations' dialogue!