"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on hisPride and Prejudice
first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds
of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property
of some one or other of their daughters."
by Jane Austen
Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice, one of my all-time favorite novels. The opening lines, arguably literature's most famous, never fail to delight me. It seems like the perfect time for (yet another) reread.... though I can only imagine what Jane might think of my current edition!
Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph(s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
Yes, another reread or another Colin Firth-a-thon! :--)
ReplyDeleteJill - Either works for me ;-)
DeleteYes, I do want to reread Pride and Prejudice! Nice choice.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: Dearest Rose
Harvee - The anniversary is the perfect excuse for a reread :-)
DeleteI think this is one of the best intros ever! Like the two above, a reread is in order.
ReplyDeleteWhitney - Definitely!
DeleteI really need to reread this one! Love that intro...and thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - It seems like the perfect time for a reread!
DeleteOne of my all time favorites too... and we're not alone LOL! I'm curious to know who you'd like to see in the Elizabeth/Darcy roles. Did you read Austenland? The one about the woman who is such a Colin Firth as Darcy fanatic that she goes to a Jane Austen themed holiday resort in England?? It was quite light and fairly predictable but still a fun read. The film version starring Keri Russell just screened at Sundance.
ReplyDeleteSim - I read Austenland a few years ago and thought it was a lot of fun! Just heard about the new film... would love to see that one with my daughters :-) Thanks for visiting my blog.
DeleteI was just reading something (unfortunately can't remember where) which talked about the first line being a deliberate joke: a single man mustbe in WANT of a wife, as in wanting one, but also a SINGLE man must be in want of a wife, that is, lacking one, because he's single. Love it!
ReplyDeleteHappy P&P day. And I think she would have had an e-reader (maybe one that was passed down, like last year's hat, but still) -- or at least wanted one.
Audrey - Jane was so witty and funny! It seems like I find something new to love every time I pick up one of her novels. She probably would have loved an e-reader!
DeleteI agree with Audrey -- I could see Austen enjoying an e-reader -- a book lover like her would enjoy having so many at her fingertips!
ReplyDeleteAudra - So true!!
DeleteLove this book and have read it numerous times over the years.
ReplyDeleteI love this intro. My daughter was in a musical production of Pride and Prejudice and the cast t-shirts had this saying on the back. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteNever fails to delight me too!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would definitely read on. It's been way to long since I read this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in JoAnn - I appreciate it.
Isn't it amazing that a 200 year old book can still make readers so happy just to read the first paragraph. I think it's time for me to think about a re-read too.
ReplyDeleteIs this one of the most famous opening lines ever?! How could you not read/ re-read on?!
ReplyDeleteI so want to re-read P&P for the 200th anniversary!
ReplyDelete