Pride or Prejudice?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen—there are so many places to begin with this one. I’m going to start with the movie and my travels. I love the Keira Knightley version and have probably seen it a dozen times, but until recently, I must confess, I had never actually read the book. In October, I traveled to England for a wedding and had the opportunity to visit one of the movie locations: Chatsworth. And wow. Chatsworth was breathtaking—massive gardens, stunning art, and a history that predates the United States even being a thought. I could honestly dedicate post after post just to Chatsworth, but I’ll try to keep it brief here. In real life, it was home to multiple dukes of Derbyshire, but in the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice, it stands in as one of Mr. Darcy’s estates. Watching Elizabeth Bennet walk through rooms and landscapes I had just seen in person was surreal—and incredibly special. Now, back to the book itself, one of Jane Austen’s true masterpieces. I won’t pretend I didn’t put off reading this classic for more than one simple reason: I was intimidated by the language. I worried I’d hate it or struggle to follow along. While it did take me longer to read than most books, I ended up loving the way it was written. Did I romanticize it? Absolutely. But what I loved most was how such beautiful, thoughtful language was used to describe the simplest moments and interactions. And honestly, don’t even get me started on how much it highlights how far we’ve fallen as a society. This story, written so long ago and so removed from our modern world, still manages make me feel connected to it. I also feel confident calling this the ultimate slow-burn love story—if not the original. The “will they/won’t they” is perfectly paced. You expect a corny, eye-roll-worthy moment at the end… and it never comes. Instead, it’s earned, subtle, and deeply satisfying. Truly, this is what all slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers stories want to be. I’m now convinced they’re all rooted in this one.

Favorite Quotes – “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”

“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”