Romance Annotation

TITLE: Pride and Prejudice
AUTHOR: Jane Austen
PUBLISHING: T. Egerton, Whitehall (1813)

TOTAL PAGES: 432

ISBN: 9781593082017

GOODREADS: https://tinyurl.com/r83nkuf

SYNOPSIS: Pride and Prejudice follows the story of one Elizabeth Bennett and one Fitzwilliam Darcy (known better as simply Lizzie and Mr. Darcy). Elizabeth, one of five unmarried sisters of the Bennett family, struggles against her mother’s wishes that she should marry for love rather than for status. Her older sister, Jane, falls for the wealthy Mr. Bingley, only for his sisters and his rude friend, Mr. Darcy, to warn him of marrying below his station. In a manic display of frustration and feelings, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie ultimately fall for one another, despite their qualms stemming from pride and prejudice.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT FIT INTO THE ROMANCE GENRE:

“An evocative, emotional tone draws readers in to these novels. Readers participate in the love story and read toward the emotional satisfying, happy ending.” (Saricks, 2019, p. 216)

What makes a particularly satisfying, happy ending is a slow burn romance. Ironically, the spark of the story sort of resolves into candle smoke once they reconcile and marry.

“Characters are vividly, if quickly, drawn. Men are powerful, confident, and slightly dangerous; women are strong, bright, and independent.” (Saricks, 2019, p. 216)

Mr. Darcy is a particularly self-assured man and isn’t shy in even speaking his mind to proper women. Elizabeth, in turn, is equally in command and isn’t afraid to give Mr. Darcy back exactly what he serves.

“Engaging details of time and place attract readers, and these historical, cultural, and social particulars often frame the stories.” (Saricks, 2019, p. 216)

It is difficult to read this book without completely immersing yourself into their time and place. Part of the charm of this book is its call to class, courtesy, and social etiquette.

READ-ALIKES:

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

To the Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf

Middlemarch - George Elliott

REFERENCES

Saricks, J. G. (2019) The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. (3rd ed., p. 216) Chicago, IL. ALA Editions.