Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
I didn't expect to like this book - I've never been one for period tales (unless there's murder or crime involved, and it's by Conan Doyle or Christie), but I actually really enjoyed it! The principal character, Elizabeth Bennet, is really well drawn, and whilst Austen has obviously wanted her to be a likeable character, she hasn't fallen into the trap of making her completely flawless.
I'm aware that, like Catcher and I guess, a lot of books on this list, there're a lot of essays etc on the subject, and a lot of people have studied the book in great depth - I'm glad I haven't! I don't want to talk too much about it, as I'm sure I missed a lot. But I would say that, if anyone else has avoided reading it because of it's reputation as a set book or whatever, it's definitely worth a read! The storyline is fun, the characters mostly believable (some are painted too extremely as good or bad, in my opinion), and there's an excellent humour to Austen's writing. Some of the exchanges between the elder Bennet sisters actually did make me laugh out loud! The language is of course different to most things I read, but it didn't take long for me to get used to it, and was no barrier to the story. In fact, after the weird style of JD Salinger, the use of proper English was very refreshing!
I'm actually now looking forward to reading the other Jane Austens on the list. I think I'll give this an 8.
Next book: The Wasp Factory, by Iain Banks. Fancied something slightly more modern. Looks WEIRD though, but hey.
I'm aware that, like Catcher and I guess, a lot of books on this list, there're a lot of essays etc on the subject, and a lot of people have studied the book in great depth - I'm glad I haven't! I don't want to talk too much about it, as I'm sure I missed a lot. But I would say that, if anyone else has avoided reading it because of it's reputation as a set book or whatever, it's definitely worth a read! The storyline is fun, the characters mostly believable (some are painted too extremely as good or bad, in my opinion), and there's an excellent humour to Austen's writing. Some of the exchanges between the elder Bennet sisters actually did make me laugh out loud! The language is of course different to most things I read, but it didn't take long for me to get used to it, and was no barrier to the story. In fact, after the weird style of JD Salinger, the use of proper English was very refreshing!
I'm actually now looking forward to reading the other Jane Austens on the list. I think I'll give this an 8.
Next book: The Wasp Factory, by Iain Banks. Fancied something slightly more modern. Looks WEIRD though, but hey.