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Cover of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice

  • 351 pages · about 6 hours
  • First published 1813
  • 4,042 editions
  • Free to read

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1 About this book

Pride and Prejudice is an 1813 novel of manners written by Jane Austen. The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness.

Mr. Bennet, owner of the Longbourn estate in Hertfordshire, has five daughters, but his property is entailed and can only be passed to a male heir. His wife also lacks an inheritance, so his family faces becoming very poor upon his death. Thus, it is imperative that at least one of the girls marry well to support the others, which is a motivation that drives the plot.

  • Romance, historical
  • Courtship
  • Family life
  • Classics
  • Literary fiction
  • Marriage
  • Coming of age
  • Domestic fiction

2 What to expect

Austen's witty comedy of manners about Elizabeth Bennet and the proud Mr. Darcy. Sharp dialogue, irony and keen social observation carry a slow-burning romance.

Good for readers who want: a classic, a love story, and witty dialogue.

3 Read it free, right here

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4 About Jane Austen

1775–1817

Jane Austen ( OST-in, AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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