Pride & Steve Donoghue: A Mandatory Pride and Prejudice Read-Along, Part 1!

[@acruelreadersthesis5868]

OK, Steve. I'm very sorry I'm late to the party, but this video pushed me over the edge of self-control. I'm starting Pride and Prejudice tomorrow!

[@browneyedgirlgb1308]

You've inspired me to dig out my copy (well, one of them) for a re-read. I picked this edition up in a second hand book shop about 35 years ago. It's from The Illustrated Pocket Classics by Collins and this edition dates to the 1930s. It has a handwritten inscription implying it was a gift given on the 21st June 1939.

[@giants2152]

Thanks Steve for doing this read a long of Pride and Prejudice. This is my second reading and I am using my new Vintage Classics 2014 edition that I treated myself to for just this occasion! Love the snarky banter between Mr. And Mrs. Bennet to kick off this treat of a story. My first impression (no pun intended) on the reread is how funny the dialog is! Just love Jane Austen! Looking forward to week 2!

[@BookishTexan]

Mr. Collins is one of the most perfectly crafted secondary characters in all of literature. Also, I love the relationship that Austen describes between Jane and Elizabeth.

[@Lu.G.]

Oooh, this makes me happy! I only just read Pride and Prejudice for the first time last year and I absolutely loved it. I had already decided I wanted to re-read it and not realizing that you were doing this read-along, started listening to it on Audible last week. That said, I will happily pull out my Penguin Classics Edition (or maybe I'll read my Penguin Classics Clothbound Edition, which was a Christmas gift). Either way, I'm very much looking forward to watching your videos as we move along, as well as reading the comments. I do have a soft spot for Mr Bennet and I very much enjoy the verbal exchanges he and Lizzie have.

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

I'm reading the Penguin English Library Edition because I'm shallow & I love the colorful cover design and the orange striped spines of these editions.

[@Emmareads15]

I am re-reading right now and thought 'd give a re-watch too. Using a new edition I was gifted for Christmas, a very lovely Chiltern. Loving it just as much, if not more this time around. So much happens in those first fifteen chapters, there is no hanging around. Flew through them.

[@TheLondonLass]

I will never forget reading this at school. Within a few chapters, a class full of sulky teens were transformed into Jane Austen fans.

[@TheLondonLass]

P.S. I am reading a Project Gutenberg edition on my Kindle.

[@pixiestick711]

When I read this for the first time as a teenager, Mrs. Bennet annoyed me. Just like a teenager would be annoyed by her super "uncool" mom. But the more I read it, the more I realized how much she was doing right by her daughters and how much Mr. Bennet was not. She may not have been the most intelligent person, but she knew what needed to happen for her daughters to live comfortably. The copy I use is a beat up old copy from Barnes and Noble when they had the mini hard covers. I have three of her books in those editions with the "original" illustrations, but never got Mansfield Park or Northanger Abbey, so those two books don't match the rest. I was gifted a really nice complete set of Eaton Press, but I'm scared to bring those out a lot. Can't ruin those!

[@Wilsonn_esquire]

Every time I read my top ten or so favorite novels I can't help saying, "...No, THIS ONE is the best." Such unalloyed joy. One thing that stood out to me this time was just how MANY times Austen uses the word "pride." Oh my god, she never shuts UP about it. It's hilarious! And pride is, one way or another (some of those ways more subtle than others) the topic of conversation in like TEN chapters in a row in this first quarter. But you hardly notice it as a matter of repetition, it's so subtle and changing and kept interesting. It's so excellent. The book is so well crafted, good Lord. In the conversation where Elizabeth and the Bingley Co. are talking about "character," Bingley's embarrassment when Darcy is like, "You'd vacate a house in five minutes flat, if a friend asked you!" (which is exactly what WILL HAPPEN, JANE AUSTEN YOU SNEAK!) and Bingley is like, "Don't bring that up in front of the ladies!!!! I said that this MORNING, not right NOW, you dunce!" is meant to imply that Darcy and Bingley were talking about the fact that if Miss Jane turns out not to be what Bingley's hoping she'll be, he can always up and leave, and Bingley is self-conscious b/c now Jane's sister is in the room at the reminder of this sensitive and calculating conversation. I think that's what's implied there - but who knows! I'm reading the Gutenberg on my kindle!

[@barbradingwall3502]

Yup, first time read for me. Love the humour and loving Mr Bennett but enjoying all of the characters. I'm reading a Modern Library Classics paperback edition...it was not the copy I had ordered but ended up liking it better.

[@andrewcole4811]

The is the first time reading Pride and Prejudice and I really enjoyed it, so thank you Steve for forcing/recommending this upon us as I would unlikely of read it otherwise. One of the things I like about the book is that we are invited into Liza life, without needing to go into the complete background history of the family or her personality. Jane Austin was able to give us both without getting bogged down with the details. We instead get to enjoy the journey that she is on, going to balls and making awkward small talk with people, just so that Jane and Mr. Bingley can be left to talk with each other. Mrs. Bennet I believe is looking to give her daughters the best possible life, which means in the times which they live was marrying a rich husband. But loves them and would accept have them marriage a poor husband and be happy then with a rich husband that would lead them to pain. As for Mr. Bennet I think helps in his own way. But is a bit passive when it comes to there longterm security. I read the ebook penguin classic edition that I borrowed for my library. I read the complete book as I don’t like reading more than one book at a time, and for some reason STEVE my TBR for March is quite big🤔 With 2 Mammoths, 2 Megalodons, 4 Mysteries, the first wheel of time book, and a reread.

[@saintdonoghue]

2 Megalodons!!! HAH!

[@duffypratt]

This just popped up in my recommend list. Maybe I wasn’t subscribed a year ago, but if I was, I somehow missed the mandate. I have reread P&P recently (with a student I tutor). My fourth time through. I switched between an Eastman leather bound copy, and a very old trade paperback that I used for margin notes. I will read my fancy books, but I don’t write in them. They are still books, and not just furniture. Only quibble I have with your presentation is that I think Collins and Charlotte make the young couples a quartet, and that they are in some ways as important as any of the other three.

[@JerSingsandReads]

I remember starting this book and reading the first 10 chapters and giving up. You told me to save it for another time and that I was most likely not on the right frame of mind for it yet. After these first 15 chapters, I am hooked! You were absolutely right. I am loving this so far. I had a little trouble with chapter 10 and understanding the argument between Darcy and Lizzie, but I looked up notes online about it. I am enraptured by all the different characters and am loving the subtitle witticism of some of the characters. Thank you so much for doing this read along! I’m reading the mustard colored Penguin Clothbound edition :)

[@lilliannieswender266]

Jane Austen was certainly not a wide scope writer, but she was an expert at portraying one small corner of the world. She paints wonderful word portraits of her characters to the point where we feel we personally know them. As for her mother, I can't think of a more obnoxious character, I am surprised any of her daughters ever got married. Another thing I think important to remember is that young women of this time had very view options other than marriage, and this is why it is important to the plot. It has been at least ten years since I read this novel, and I find it as wonderful now as it was than. My edition is a Signet Classic.

[@didierolvera2349]

I'm SOOOOO EXCITED about this read-along!! I´m enjoying every chapter!! :D

[@lindseyreads5450]

This is only my second time reading it. Like you mentioned, I had a hard time stopping at this week’s allotment of reading. Reading it now, I have no idea how I’ve waited this long for a reread. I bet I could read it 4 times this month and not mind a bit! As for the edition, I’m reading the free copy available on my kindle from Amazon.

[@ZoeBeck7]

It’s been a few years since my last reread, but I’ve read it numerous times. I loved coming back to this and how much I remember and the sentences I didn’t. Thanks for making this mandatory. 😊. My copy is a Signet Classic from the early 90s. Can’t wait to continue! -Amy

[@orthianz]

Thank you for the excuse for reading pride and prejudice again and getting sucked in to Austin's world. This time round I am getting so much more out of the richness of language and flow in p&p. I'm so glad I came back to it!!

[@judyslosingit766]

I am using my old high school little hardcover! It is a little tattered, but the faux green leather with gold embossing from The Peebles Classic Library was never really a thing of beauty. I bought it in November, 1976, and it has been well read ever since. While it has been a couple of years since I last read it, I did get the opportunity in December to attend a college production of "Pride and Prejudice"! Am enjoying the current re-read!!

[@beckf1858]

I'm rereading for the first time since 2011, but I've reread it many times since the first time I read it when I was 14. Reading the first paragraph, I felt like I was sitting down to visit with an old friend. Mr. Bennet is probably my favorite literary father. Poor man with five daughters and "nervous" wife. It's going to be really hard not to read all of it tonight. I am reading from the Penguin Classics edition with the de Steuben painting on the cover. I have a heavily annotated mass market Signet Classics copy in a box somewhere.

[@patrickworthington3762]

Persuasion was my first Austen and remains my favorite. I love Pride and Prejudice too and this is my first re-read and I'm enjoying it. The edition I'm reading is one of those lovely little Macmillan Collector's Library with illustrations by Hugh Thomson. It's so small it fits in one hand.

[@seriela]

I was awed by how quickly Austen introduced characters, plot and tone through dialogue. Right off the bat. And I had to keep up with that dialogue, especially when Darcy and Elizabeth sparred (so cool). I don't give Mrs. Bennett a bad rap either, at least not in this book, which differs with how I used to think about her in the movies. Since the moment I saw her sweet reaction to Mr. Bennett's surprise visit to Bingley, I softened towards her. I would have been livid! And I rather admired how she didn't care what Darcy thought about her (gazillionare though he may be). SHE was going to stand up for her daughters, her neighborhood and her class. My edition is a yellowed Signet that I got for $1 at Housingworks in NYC which I forgot at my daughter's house. Now I have to wait until tomorrow to continue...UGH!

[@monaedoyle3631]

I have read Pride & Prejudice many times. Elizabeth and Jane were put front and center in the book. Kitty wasn’t put in the spotlight at all because she was young. Mr. Wickham’s true intentions were not revealed until later in the book. Mr. Darcy was prejudice against Elizabeth and her family because of his wealth and how he looked down upon those who weren’t in his station. Elizabeth challenged Mr. Darcy and that is when he fell for her.

[@mindysbookjourney]

Oh I am loving Pride and Prejudice so far. Can't wait for week 2's chapters. It is my first time reading it, and it is fantastic.

[@suemoro]

What happened to beginning the first "full week" in March? Luckily. I started reading early, and finished the first 15 chapters already. You're right, I do just want to keep reading. The book starts right off with very little pre-amble to any kind of detailed background. We learn right away that Mrs. Bennett wants to marry off her five daughters to rich eligible bachelors, and when Mr. Bingley arrives, he is a prime candidate! Mr. Darcy not so much! I love Mr. Bennet's sarcastic wit with regards to his wife's nerves! Mr. Collins, who will inherit the Bennet estate due to the entailment, is a weasley sort of fellow, isn't he. I don't yet know what to make of Mr. Wickham. This is my first time reading P&P, although I know the basic plot. I've read and watched the "zombie" version, as you know, and I can't help but see the actors from the movie in my head as I read. Matt Smith is Mr. Collins! I see images from various scenes from the movie too, and I have to remind myself that zombies won't be showing up! LOL. My copy of P&P is the same as the one you are holding in this video.

[@BlueElectricBunny]

My first reading of P&P was in 9th grade. I have subsequently re-read it close to 10 times. It is also my favourite. You never forget your first lol. I am admittedly a Jane Austen fangirl lol. You are 100% correct in saying that she was on top of her writing game. There is so much more to her work than meets the eye. The place of women in that era was not great to say the least. Real estate, defintion of class and title all key factors. Though this is romantic, and funny as it almost mocks society. It is telling of women's struggles back then. And is not far off from Jane Austen's personal experience, though she never married. Anyway this to long. But I love it Steve. Thanks for doing this. Your video is like having ice cream for breakfast. I have a beat up annotated copy with tabs and highlights, and marginalia. A Penguin Classic

[@WalkawayyyRenee]

Hi Steve, I'm looking forward to this mandatory read-along, thanks for hosting this. I have a tiny Macmillan Collectors Library hardcover copy that is conveniently portable that I'll be using.

[@saintdonoghue]

Oh! The Collector's Library is SUCH a lovely little thing!

[@laracroft1829]

It’s my first time reading P&P. I like the fact that it’s not love at first sight for the two main characters. Mrs Bennett is annoying and impertinent but I also feel for her and I understand why she wants to make sure that all her daughters get married. There are some great moments in these first chapters. I particularly found funny the one of Mr Darcy trying to write letters and Miss Bingley’s comments on his penmanship etc. I thought it was so well done. I’m hooked and want to continue reading it. I’m reading an ebook from Drover Thrift Editions.

[@mattierosss]

Almost caught up! I'm really enjoying my first re-read of this lovely novel, as it is one of my favorites. I keep picturing Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen along with other characters (Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins! Hee!) from the movie. Perhaps I'll watch the movie again after we finish ^.^

[@coffeeandastory410]

Last time I read P&P must have been at least ten years ago. I have since watched the 2005 movie countless times and it surprises me how much of it has already been covered in these 15 CH. I also think I have grown much more sensitive to the sarcasm. It has made me laugh a few times already. I'm reading a borrowed Penguin Drop Caps edition. There's something about P&P... I can't buy it new. I'm still waiting to find a copy at my local used bookshop.

[@indialavoyce95]

Reread for me 🎊🎉. I’ve only read P&P and Sense and Sensibility. I’m working on Emma now. I definitely want to read all of her works.

[@natsrome]

I'm reading it for the first time here. It's finally time to find out what everyone else has been talking about. I'm enjoying reading about Lizzie but primarily what I'm taking away from this is how glad I am to live in the current times, and that I don't have to be reliant on marrying well or inheritance law to be able to survive. I don't understand how Mr. Bingley ended up with such noxious friends, because he seems like a perfectly pleasant person. As for the edition I'm using, I just downloaded the first free one I found on the kindle store.

[@lindaw847]

You need to do a hash tag so we can all look at our P&P books in Instagram... #stevemademereadthis, #stevereadslatest or #prideandsteve any of these tickle your fancy?

[@cheryllovestoread]

Well, I personally like #stevemademereadthis

[@Gary_M]

First timer, I always thought it would be too "girly" for me, being basically the template for every romance novel, rom-com, or chick flick ever made (and me not enjoying any of those things). Sadly, nothing here to change my mind, a slew of vapid women scheming to marry "up", but I shall persevere. Project Gutenberg copy on Kindle.

[@saintdonoghue]

Elizabeth Bennet, VAPID?????

[@Gary_M]

Steve Donoghue Haha I knew you wouldn't let that stand. She's obviously the exception.

[@derekgreen7319]

I read this book like a month ago on your recommendation and I loved it. I really did not think I would enjoy this. I was prejudiced, so to speak, by the premise. Lol

[@anjakuemski]

I have been rereading this book countless times and I always detect something new or gain a new perspective that makes it as fresh as the first time. In the beginning I loved Mr. Bennet and found him very funny, whereas Mrs. Bennet was just silly and ridiculous. But later I realised that Mr. Bennet was actually doing a pretty poor job as a father. He knew from the beginning that if they would not have sons his girls were depending on either marrying well or him putting money aside. He didn't. Now time is running out and only Mrs. Bennet seems to understand the urgency of the matter. Of course she is silly. But she genuinely loves her daughters and doesn't want them to be reduced to poverty (she has a tiny inheritance herself which would not be enough to provide for all of them) or, god forbid, work as governesses! This novel is so much more than a romance. It is a keen social commentary of her world and Jane Austen was an amazingly precise observer of all the tiny details, which gives us wonderful minor characters and a great inside into the regency era.

[@distilledlaw34]

After looking at several editions of Pride and Prejudice, I decided to go with the Barnes and Noble Classics edition for several reasons. 1) The size of the font made the book much more readable. 2) the footnotes help to clear up the meaning of some of the words Austen uses. 3) The B&N edition was the only one that I found that broke the novel up in to three volumes. I'm well into the second volume of Pride and Prejudice and I'm finding it tough to maintain interest in this story. I guess I'm having trouble understanding the appeal of this book. If I finish it, it'll be a miracle.

[@gryeskedal6300]

Ok, I did not expect this! I too lost selfcontrol. I am totally hooked!! Already chapter 35..... Maybe a reread starts already tomorrow..... But suppose i could read Virginia Wolfs " A room of ones own " in between.

[@jilll1287]

I’m reading the Penguin English Library paperback edition for my maiden reading.

[@donnapanzardo3058]

I'm so far behind not my usual type of book. But I'm trying to push my way though the book with other books I have to get though. I'll get though it or else. I'm liking the shorter chapters and the characters so far. If I ever read this book in High school I don't remember because back wasn't into reading like I am now and school reading I really wasn't into. Reading the ebook copy mostly from BN even though a week ago I did get a very old copy from library hoping have the print copy would help but so far I haven't given it a try

[@eemana4151]

I first read Pride and prejudice when I was 19 (in 2003 - in a different country). It was required reading for the English novel class. Given that, at the time, most people I knew, including the teacher, championed early marriage (no later than 25 ), I really disliked it. I read it again in 2014. I was surprised. It wasn't as slow to build up as I thought back in my school days. Mrs. Bennet wasn't a horrible mother. The male characters weren't so bad. And so much discussion about money that I completely missed! I decided to join this read along, using my Penguin Drop Cap edition. In the past I've used the Dover-thrift and the Oxford editions.

[@cheryllovestoread]

I just picked up my first copy from a used bookstore: A Washington Square Press Book from 1968. It’s a lovely little paperback that retailed for $.45 US over 50 years ago. A young lady named ChadAnn Gregory even left me a yellowed piece of paper with a simple note of “Hi” written on it...probably penned in an English class before I even started Kindergarten. This makes me happy. I will report back how I get on with the story.

[@dpenland2112]

Hi Steve, I am reading the current penguin Classics Edition. This is my first time reading Pride and Prejudice, and I am loving it so far. Mr. Bennet is one of my favorite characters, and I really wish there were more of him in the story. Mrs Bennet seems a bit overbearing, but I think she is good at heart. I find myself making frequent use of the notes section of this book particularly concerning the various types of card games mentioned. I am looking forward to the next section.

[@mikehogervorst5590]

First time reading the book! I find myself losing attention reading the dialogue eventhough I am very interessted finding out the plot. Had the same attention-problem when I read War and Peace, maby its the 19th century I have to get used to.

[@mikehogervorst5590]

*project gutenberg e-book!

[@gaildoughty6799]

I’m reading the Penguin Classic edition on kindle. Not my first time reading this, but I vividly remember how much I hated Mr. Darcy in my first reading. So much so that it nearly put me off the book, and Jane Austen, forever. Fortunately I saw the my error and have read all of Austen with delight, many times.

[@littledreamowl5163]

I'm slowly getting into this. I rolled my eyes quite often in the first chapters but now as you said I was a bit disappointed to stop reading. I have a translated edition from my library right now but as it seems I will need my own copy in English.

[@caramcnulty8129]

I'm reading this for the first time. My edition is the "Everyman's Library" Hardcover with dust jacket. The introduction is by Peter Conrad.

[@donnakowalski8185]

This is my first read and I'm finding it interesting. I don't like Mr. Darcy, but can already see him starting to eye Elizabeth Bennet. I just purchased the 2006 Cloud word edition, with the rubbery cover, very nice to handle. I look forward to the next 15 chapters. I'm interested to see where Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth end up and does Jane get together with Mr. Bigley.

[@julmar5857]

“The wit of Jane Austen has for partner the perfection of her taste.” -Virginia Woolf. I’ll be opening my “Penguin’s beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design.” -Penguin. Enough! I best play catch-up ⏳

[@lars_993]

I’m reading the Kindle version from Project Gutenberg: Convenient and free.

[@Grriama]

I’m rereading the lime green Scholastic Classics mass market paperback for the thousandth time. I’ve also been listening to the Rosamund Pike audiobook which is fantastic, but I think the exaggerated affect she gives a few characters might overshadow their actual arcs for first time readers/listeners.

[@donnapanzardo3058]

I'm way behind on this book so not my usual. I'm determined to get though it no matter how long it takes. The era is not really what my usual. I don't know what I think of it yet. I ended up taking library book back. The chapters continue not like the ebook copy no break going into the second book going back to chapter one just continues going higher which I didn't like. BN edition it's a freebie ebook copy. I think if I read a print copy it might go better but the library copy just didn't do it horrible print it had too.

[@HelenUtzinge]

Washington Square Press Book (published by Pocket Books) div of Simon and Schuster, 52nd edition, 1971. Cost 75 cents. Read it in 1976. Didn’t get started yet. Will fix, because it’s mandatory.

[@whatpageareyouon]

Ok ok ok I’m very late but better late than never they say! I’ll catch up this weekend : )

[@jennisrandom42]

I’m reading the annotated edition that Anchor Books put out in 2012. I agree that Mrs. Bennett gets a bit of a bad rap, but I thinks she’s set up for that by Austen in the very first chapter when she kind of bad mouths Elizabeth. But the more I read the book, the more I’m vexed by Mr Bennett, who while being the more likeable of the two parents, is way too glib and complacent in a way that is a detriment to his family.

[@patrickkenny4709]

Hey Steve. What gives? I thought we were starting this thing in March and going to talk about the first 15 chapters on the 10th. We are only 3 days in!!! But I won't complain too much. This is Mandatory and you are the Dictator after all. And besides, I had an inkling that you might jump the gun like this, so I started a week early. This is my second read of P&P, which was my favourite reading experience of last year. I'm enjoying it more this time around. I feel like there's no rush to get to the end and I'm just enjoying the characters, which are written so well. The opening paragraph, as you said, kicks this thing right off. It sets the scene just like the intro for Law and Order. "These are their stories" and then we cut straight to Mr and Mrs Bennett, who I think are hilarious. Some might say they are a mismatch, but I find they compliment each other in such a way that makes for great comedy. Some of their dialogue together, for me, feels very "Monte Pythonesque" with Mrs Bennett giving way to her emotions only to contradict herself almost in the same sentence; and Mr Bennett as he continues to play on his wife's nerves in his sarcastic manner, whilst suffering at the same time through her exaggerated outbursts. I want to talk more about each of the characters, but I'm aware how long this comment already is. I just think the characters are woven perfectly into this story and they are who you want to talk about when discussing this novel. To answer your question about what version I'm reading, it is the one you are holding with the portrait of the Fullerton Sisters on the front, whoever they are (forgive my ignorance)? I've changed my mind who I've likened them to in the story, because I don't see Lizzy or Jane in the two. I don't know why but I picture Miss Bingley and Miss Darcy (even though they are not sisters). However, this version is awesome with the notes and the introduction, the last of which I will not read until the end.

[@suemoro]

Patrick Kenny That's what he said, but I guess he decided to jump the gun and start early!

[@patrickkenny4709]

@@suemoro Yeah I wish he wouldn't do this, but we are slaves to his will. If I've got the Roman Numerals right and divided the book correctly, we are due to finish this thing a week early. I guess this gives me a week to read an 800 page book. A real "March" to the finish line, so to speak. I wish I was that disciplined. I need to cut back on the "Steve Vids".

[@aldelbec]

My book is in Spanish, hope you don’t mind. It is a gorgeous Alba Editorial edition with a majestic peacock on the cover. I don’t trust my English enough as to read Jane Austen or any other book that uses “fancy” (for lack of a better word) English.

[@carolinasiqueira752]

Pride and Prejudice is a relatively easy classic to read in english (it was one of the first ones that I read). Nothing against translations, but I would try to read it in english later if I were you, Austen's writing is sooo good

[@martins1964]

I'm reading the most recent penguin classic edition, it has a different image on the cover to yours. First time reader.

[@wronggeometry]

I started in February (because your initial command compelled me so) and am presently 50% through: am I required to restart for the mandatory reading?

[@jemgem9593]

I married a Mr Darcy (in my perception) but he turned out to be a cross between Mr Huntington and Heathcliffe !!! So be careful what ya wish for

[@severalgecko]

I'm reading for the first time and I must admin I'm not really feeling 'the magic'. The thing that I found the most jarring was the fact that the story started so abruptly and never settled to establish a mood or a setting; unless I wasn't paying attention, there didn't seem to be many descriptions of the environments where the events of the novel were taking place. The impression it made in my mind is a bunch of silly people tripping over their own manners and making conversation in a formless empty space. I just felt very disconnected and disinterested in what was going on. I'll keep reading out of deference (and the fact that this reading is mandarory!)

[@kimesch9698]

Penguin English Library paperback

[@carolinasiqueira752]

I was so upset with you when I finished the chapters for this week, I just wanted to keep going but I had to stop it. I remembered really liking it the first time that I read it, but I didn't remember it was this good, it is very close to perfect in my opinion. I agree with you that Mrs Bennet gets a bad rep in it. Yes, she is a bit silly and sometimes embarassing, but she is right about needing to get her daughters married and maybe if her husband talked to her instead of hiding things from her in order to amuse himself she would be less nervous. As to my edition, I have one of those paperback penguin uk with the orange spines, for some reason there were a lot of those editions for good prices in Brazil a few years ago. (Sadly when I was back in Brazil a few months ago the foreing languages sections on the big bookstore were much smaller). I have noticed that if we read 15 chapters every week we will have a spare sunday this month. Maybe we could squeeze Lady Susan in the last week of March? I've been meaning to read for a long time and never seem to get around to it.