Well done sir. I sent this to Karen Swallow Prior and told her how much she would enjoy reading you... and she told me you were her editor on a prior book! So, I'm late to that party! Great review Joel.
My favorite novel of all time. I've re-read it so many times and always come away with a smile or chuckle. Like Wodehouse she is a master of the mot juste. Austen's "Emma" is another good one, but can't quite equal P and P (at least for me). Of all her novels I think that "Northanger Abbey" and "Manfield Park" don't have quite the humor and the characters are not quite as well drawn--or perhaps, are less likeable. (At least for me.) I'm so glad you got around to P and P and enjoyed it so very much.
Yes, so many lines in the book land exactly right. And (at least at first reading) they’re often unexpected. Where did she come up with that stuff? It’s like that letter to her sister—her sense of humor was a deep (and slightly impish) well.
Loved your take on Austen. She is hysterical. I remember that’s what surprised me most about her when I first read Emma. The way she develops characters and uses humor to point out the ridiculous social expectations of the time is so insightful and clever. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!
I love Pride and Prejudice so much that I dedicated my very first proper post on Substack to it! 🤞Fingers crossed the next generation is as enamored with it as I have been.
Oh, Treasure Island is a rich and wonderful story. Stevenson’s genius for original storytelling is fully on display in this seafaring tale, with unforgettable characters like Long John Silver remaining in our imaginations long after we’ve finished the book.
I love your review. While P&P is not my favorite Austen novel, I do enjoy it. I also love when I can read a review that doesn't classify the novel as a "romance." I recently watched a YouTuber who read it for the first time and called it a romance novel. I yelled out that "It isn't a romance. It is so much more than a romance..." But, alas, she couldn't hear me.
Reading Pride and Prejudice as a teenager inspired me to become a writer. On my Substack, I write comedic essays about my personal foibles (after realizing I couldn't write about others' foibles and still be invited to Christmas). Looking forward to more of your writing!
"I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley"
*clears throat*
But it's true. We know that on that date, she met Mr. Darcy behaving much more considerately, indeed letting him introduce her to her uncle in trade, and conversing with them.
The joke lies in the implication that the grounds inspired her change of mind, which of course Jane sees through at once.
Re talking for days about the book: I get that. I’ve found that people who have read the book are nearly always super fans. There are those who (a) haven’t read it and (b) love it madly, and there aren’t that many people in between.
Well done sir. I sent this to Karen Swallow Prior and told her how much she would enjoy reading you... and she told me you were her editor on a prior book! So, I'm late to that party! Great review Joel.
Yes! I got to work with her on Fierce Convictions, her biography of Hannah More. That was almost ten years ago now!
My favorite novel of all time. I've re-read it so many times and always come away with a smile or chuckle. Like Wodehouse she is a master of the mot juste. Austen's "Emma" is another good one, but can't quite equal P and P (at least for me). Of all her novels I think that "Northanger Abbey" and "Manfield Park" don't have quite the humor and the characters are not quite as well drawn--or perhaps, are less likeable. (At least for me.) I'm so glad you got around to P and P and enjoyed it so very much.
Yes, so many lines in the book land exactly right. And (at least at first reading) they’re often unexpected. Where did she come up with that stuff? It’s like that letter to her sister—her sense of humor was a deep (and slightly impish) well.
Loved your take on Austen. She is hysterical. I remember that’s what surprised me most about her when I first read Emma. The way she develops characters and uses humor to point out the ridiculous social expectations of the time is so insightful and clever. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!
Picked up the annotated version earlier this year because, gasp, I’ve never read any Austin and this post has encouraged me to get started!
Lizzie Bennett is one of the great characters in all of literature. What a book.
I found her enjoyable from her first utterance. She’s funny, frank, and self-critical. I wish I was more like that.
Yes! I always hoped that I would grow up to be Lizzie... still hoping.
I love Pride and Prejudice so much that I dedicated my very first proper post on Substack to it! 🤞Fingers crossed the next generation is as enamored with it as I have been.
I’m behind on my classics goal. Good reminder!
No worries. There are no goal police. Just catch up as you can. What are you reading this month?
I have Treasure Island in my sights ... but I haven't started yet.
Oh, Treasure Island is a rich and wonderful story. Stevenson’s genius for original storytelling is fully on display in this seafaring tale, with unforgettable characters like Long John Silver remaining in our imaginations long after we’ve finished the book.
I love your review. While P&P is not my favorite Austen novel, I do enjoy it. I also love when I can read a review that doesn't classify the novel as a "romance." I recently watched a YouTuber who read it for the first time and called it a romance novel. I yelled out that "It isn't a romance. It is so much more than a romance..." But, alas, she couldn't hear me.
Reading Pride and Prejudice as a teenager inspired me to become a writer. On my Substack, I write comedic essays about my personal foibles (after realizing I couldn't write about others' foibles and still be invited to Christmas). Looking forward to more of your writing!
"I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley"
*clears throat*
But it's true. We know that on that date, she met Mr. Darcy behaving much more considerately, indeed letting him introduce her to her uncle in trade, and conversing with them.
The joke lies in the implication that the grounds inspired her change of mind, which of course Jane sees through at once.
I’m definitely eyeing Sense and Sensibilty.
Re talking for days about the book: I get that. I’ve found that people who have read the book are nearly always super fans. There are those who (a) haven’t read it and (b) love it madly, and there aren’t that many people in between.