A timeless search for love in the classic blueprint for romance novels - could it set my heart racing?The first thing that struck me about this book, particularly in contrast to the book I had just put down (Dombey and Son), was the rapid pace at which it introduced me to all the main players and whisked me off to their first ball within the first couple of pages. By the time the ball was over it became clear that amongst the five Bennet sisters central to the plot it was Elizabeth, the 2nd eldest, who was to be our heroine.
Intelligent, independent and determined, Elizabeth has all the qualities that would find favour in a modern romance, so it surprised me that I had never heard her name before picking up the book. This contrasts with the widely known name of her love interest Mr. Darcy, who has somehow become one of the most famous characters in all of romantic fiction despite remaining rather taciturn from start to finish.
After a series of false starts and set backs, Elizabeth and Darcy (whose first name, Fitzwilliam, is barely mentioned) are eventually united at the novels close. The story would actually have been successfully concluded a lot quicker were it not considered ill-mannered to plainly state your feelings about anything.
What was good about this book:
Elizabeth is a very well-written character, in whose minor imperfections I imagine most readers can see something of themselves. The book provides a fascinating insight into a world where women's ambitions were narrowly constrained to marrying well, and a reminder of how difficult simple misunderstandings would have been to resolve without Facebook or text messages. It's impossible not to root for Elizabeth as she eventually prevails over Darcy's snobby aunt and sniping admirers, and the story comes to a pleasing if predictable feel-good ending.
What was bad about this book:
The story lacks the bite of my favourite "love story" Wuthering Heights, and one often has to resist the urge to give the characters a shake/slap as they dance around the most important moments of their lives. There are no surprises to be found as the inevitable happy ending arrives.
The verdict:
A lighthearted classic of the genre - I'll be going back for more Austen.
Score: 8/10
