Introduction

Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work her own darling child and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.

Literary Approaches

Among the writers who have approached nearest to the manner of the great master, we have no hesitation in placing Jane Austen.

Thomas Macaulay

Pride and Prejudice is the best novel in the language.

Anthony Trollope

I used to think that men did everything better than women, but that was before I read Jane Austen. I don't think any man ever wrote better than Jane Austen.

Rex Stout

Elizabeth Bennet has but to speak, and I am at her knees.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Read again, and for the third time at least, Miss Austen's very finely written novel of Pride and Prejudice. That young lady has a talent for describing the involvements and feelings and characters of ordinary life which is to me the most wonderful I ever met with.

Sir Walter Scott