Book Review - Pride and Prejudice

First up in the book club's year of classics was Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The short review: we dug it.

The first chapter or two is nearly identical to the BBC version (starring Colin "Hubba Hubba" Firth) and I had trouble separating the book from the movie. As I read further, however, there was more subtext in the book that made that a little easier. (Not that I mind thinking about Colin. Ever.)

The social mores of England in the early 1800s are just so foreign to life today. Here are some of the things we found that were nearly unfathomable to us:

Married couples referring to each other formally, like Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet - no first names ever used. Same goes with brothers, sisters, engaged folk...
Tradesmen looked on as second class citizens (despite having more money than the "Gentlemen").
Single men and women never left alone together yet somehow managing to fall deeply in love.
An entire family socially ruined by one daughter running off with a man she wasn't married to.

An interesting fact; all of Austen's books were published anonymously while she was alive. I guess I should add to the above list: Women authors not considered proper.

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