Pride and Prejudice
“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”
Summary
A razor-sharp social satire disguised in silk. The novel centers on the Bennet family, specifically the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who faces pressure to marry for financial security. When the wealthy and aloof Mr. Darcy arrives in the neighborhood, he and Elizabeth clash instantly. What follows is the most famous courtship in literature, a battle of wits where both characters must overcome their own flaws—her prejudice and his pride—to find happiness. Austen uses this romantic framework to critique the rigid class structure of Regency England and the limited options available to women. It is a comedy of manners that is as biting as it is charming.
Why Read This?
Austen is the Mozart of fiction. Every sentence is a polished gem of irony. She invented the modern rom-com, but no imitator has ever matched her bite. It is perfection on the page. Beyond the romance, this is a book about the importance of critical thinking and self-awareness. Elizabeth Bennet is one of the great heroines of literature because she refuses to compromise her integrity for social approval. Reading it is like watching a master watchmaker dismantle the human ego with a smile.
About the Author
Jane Austen (1775–1817) lived a quiet life in the English countryside, yet she possessed one of the sharpest eyes for human behavior in literary history. Writing anonymously in a corner of her family's sitting room, she crafted novels that quietly revolutionized fiction. She turned the domestic lives of women—often dismissed as trivial—into high art, proving that a country village could be as dramatic a stage as a battlefield. Her work remains the gold standard for social satire and romantic comedy.
Reading Guide
Ranked #12 among the greatest books of all time, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has earned its place in the literary canon. Originally written in English and published in 1813, this accessible read from United Kingdom continues to resonate with readers today.
This book belongs to our Society & Satire and Love & Loss collections, where you can discover more books that share its spirit and themes.
If you enjoy accessible reads like this one, you might also like The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, or To Kill a Mockingbird.
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