Thursday, February 7, 2013

200th Pride and Prejudice Anniversary by Jane Austen

Photo: January 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Download a free audiobook version to celebrate! iTunes - http://s.coop/19xp0 MP3 - http://s.coop/19xp4 plus free Austen ebook downloads from the library http://s.coop/19xpk

Did you know that it is the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice?  It is very close to the top of my list of favorite books. 

It’s a story that never seems to loose it’s appeal.   At least not for me.  And I am a big fan of every movie or mini series that takes it’s turn telling the story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.  I love the manners and etiquette of the day.  The clothing and their way with words.  No one ever says anything in the direct and to the point way people seem to talk today.    My favorite version is the BBC series from 1995.  Jenifer Ehle and Colin Firth made the perfect Lizzie and Darcy for me.

     

“It is universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

 Pride and Prejudice    

“Oh Mr. Bennet!  Have you no compassion for my nerves?”

     PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

The Bennet Family.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, and Kitty.

     

Mr. Collins and his patroness The Lady Catherine de Bourgh, mistress of Rosings, and his wife, the former Charlotte Lucas. 

    

The silly youngest sister Lydia with her handsome (and loathsome) Mr. Wickham.

“Ah, Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman.”

     Pride and Prejudice 1995 -    

And in the end, Jane marries Mr. Bingley for “she could not be so beautiful for nothing”.  And Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy much to Lady Catherine’s dismay and becomes mistress of Pemberly.

Mr. Darcy emerges from the lake.

And in case you missed it, here is the iconic moment that women the world over witnessed and it forever seared the image of Colin Firth as the only possible Mr. Darcy.  At least in my lifetime!

And before I go, Did you know that you can download Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for FREE from Amazon to your Kindle? 

How about you?  Are you a Jane Austen fan?  And if so, which is your favorite book?

Happy Anniversary Jane!!

8 comments:

summersundays-jw said...

My favorite.....now I have to go rent the movie again. Better yet, maybe I'll just buy all of them. Thanks for sharing, Jan

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I've never read the book but I did love the movie with Keira Knightley. Good to know I can get it for free on my Kindle!

Allyson said...

Ohhhh Mr. Darcy. I do believe that the makers of Bridget Jones' Diary and of Downton Abbey owe a LOT to dear Jane Austen. She paved the way for America's love affair with 1900's British (and Colin Firth). I do love some P&P, but I'm so glad the use of a corset is out of vogue. Shew.

Anonymous said...

This is my favorite too, I love Jane Austen, I love English movies and books. Now I am reading Mansfield Park. But "Pride and Prejudice" is first on top.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Great book, one of the best! I am a huge fan of Colin Firth.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Thanks for letting us know. I'm going to download it because sorry to say, I've never read it or watched the movie.

hugs
Sissie

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Would you believe I have never read the book or seen the movie. But I had just recently decided to get the movie, because I am so enjoying Downton Abby, which the same indirect way of speaking LOL I so love the series that I thought P&P would be just as great!

Carol

David Smith said...

Very good website. I liked it very much.

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