I just spent the last few nights watching installments of "Pride and Prejudice" (the Colin Firth version) with my daughter, Madi. When I first read this book, it was not my favorite Jane Austen, but over time it has grown on me. In all honesty, it is probably all of the different movie versions of this story that has piqued my interest again. The other day, while searching for my copy of "The Scarlet Letter" for Markelle to use in her Honors English class, I came across a paperback of "Pride and Prejudice." I decided to give it another go, and I LOVED IT! A part of the reason is because it has such pure intentions, I get a kick out of the different characters: the vexing and highly excitable mother, the silly sisters--especially Lydia--the loathsome and smarmy Collins, the tyrannical Catherine De Burgh, the smooth talking Wickham and the ever cheerful and sweet natured Bingley and Jane (how did Bingley remain so charmingly sweet with such horrifying sisters?) But greatest of all are the two main characters, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy. He is so uncomfortable at the country assembly (it's so beneath what he is used to) yet he is fairly quickly intrigued by the openness and honesty of Elizabeth. I love that he finds her eyes so appealing...The book proved a very satisfying read, which lead me to another delightful series with connections to the whole Bennet/Darcy/Bingley clan. It is the "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" trilogy by Pamela Aidan, and it is the Pride and Prejudice story from Darcy's point of view. All those times that he was so insufferable and proud? Now we know what he was thinking and why he did what he did. We also learn that he was quite smitten with Elizabeth from the very start against his better judgement. I am loving it. I am only on the first book, but am looking forward to the other two.
