Customer Reviews

Pride and Prejudice (Norton Critical Editions)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story is timeless. Therefore I won't be reviewing the text as it were. But I felt it necessary to remark on this particular version of *Pride and Prejudice*.

The Norton Critical Editions are generally favored among academic communities because they offer biographic information, notes on language, and other essays regarding the novel along with the text itself. In a way, it's a more acceptable version of cliffs notes.

The extras offered in the Norton edition of *Pride and Prejudice* are some of the best that I've seen in the series. It gives an account of Austen from quite a few of her biographers, includes letters between the author and her family and friends, and also offers critical analysis of themes in the novel. And if that's not enough, it gives one better. An interview with Colin Firth, the man who brought Darcy to life in the BBC film adaptation, that was first published in the somewhat hard to find book on the making of the film.

For those that have yet to read Austen's *Pride and Prejudice,* this is a wonderful version to start with. In case you find yourself struggling with the language it provides a definition or a more accessible word. The essays as well help to bring the characters to light. Plus, for those that have seen the film version and wish to read the book again(or for the first time)this is a must if for the Firth interview alone. This is a nice, solid book that just feels good in hand.

great book, I highly recommend it. It has footnotes for an easy read and lots of information on the author in the last pages of the book.

Tried to read this a few years ago and just could not get into it. I should have tried harder. My daughter had me watch the movie.
I loved it! So I saw the ebook free version and decided to make another attempt. Yes, it is written for a more elegant time, yes it is not a easy read, if one is not accustomed to reading old classics. But so worth the effort. I had to be in a room with no distractions.
I love it. I rarely give 5 stars to anything. This one hits the mark.

Not only did I receive my purchase in a timely manner, but I also found the book to be in excellent condition and exactly what I asked for. Thanks!

A book review: Pride and Prejudice
Just a little over a hundred years ago, Mark Twain made the following comment about Jane Austen. The first reference is to another author. Twain was aware of gender differences. "To me his prose is unreadable -- like Jane Austin's [sic]. No there is a difference. I could read his prose on salary, but not Jane's. Jane is entirely impossible. It seems a great pity that they allowed her to die a natural death."
- Letter to W. D. Howells, 18 January 1909

Mark Twain was a cynic. I am not a cynic. I do not have such strong feelings about Jane Austen's works, although "Pride and Prejudice" is the only book of hers that I have read or will ever read. I read "Pride and Prejudice" because I have a wonderful and lovely daughter-in-law who's opinion I trust. She loves Jane Austen's books and has read each a number of times. I just had to see what it was all about, so I decided upon "Pride and Prejudice," which is supposed to be Austen's best.

Now, finally to the review. I thought it would have been better if Austen had included some fist fights and several explosions. For any who think that I may not have finished the review, this is indeed the end.