Ever since I started studying comparative literature at university, I haven‘t picked up a classic for the sole purpose of entertainment instead of the fact that it was yet another title on my assignement list. Then I decided to watch the 2005 movie of this beloved classic, not expecting anything. Let alone this new obsession that began. But then Mr. Darcy went from „not handsome enough to tempt me“, flexed his hand, poured his heart out while the rain did the same, and you can bet I was invested. So invested that I hit replay on that movie, rewatched it countless times in the span of three weeks, and finally read the classic itself.

Usually when I pick up a book after watching the adaptation, it‘s for two reasons. I either loved the characters and wish to see more of them or my curiosity got the better of me, and I want to know how different things play out in the story. Both of these reasons applied for my decision to read Jane Austen‘s famous novel.

Pride and Prejudice suprised me in so many ways that it became evident to me why it has been such a beloved story for centuries. Not only does it revolve around the romance of
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy but it focuses on many important themes for that time while offering some of the most fun and deliciously light dialogues I've come across. The people were
right when they said that this book's full of humor. I found myself grinning and laughing out loud more often than expected.

It‘s no suprise that the main theme of this book is that a woman must marry well, but what did suprise me was that despite this being Lizzy‘s story, we get to see more than just her view on marriage and can generally follow the other characters‘ agendas and motives as we read on. The other characters weren’t mainly existing but had their own pursuits, and I found myself as interested in them as in the two main characters. I loved Jane and Elizabeth’s sisterly bond, was very fond of Mrs. and Mr. Gardiner, and the whole Wickham would have kept me turning the pages if I didn’t already know the outcome.

The short chapters were yet another thing of suprise as I usually have come across classic that tend to have longer ones filled with descriptions. But here, each chapter focuses mostly on one event, making it so much easier to grasp what is happening. I very often found myself saying „just one more chapter“, a lie we all tell ourselves when reading a good book, but one that I haven‘t told myself when reading a classic for a long time.

However, the core of the story is the romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, and I‘ve become as invested as I did watching the movie regarding these two. Their relationship is a delight to everyone who is a fan of the hate-to-love trope, but what makes it even more beautiful is the growth and development these two go through as they challenge each other. While they do seem to find their way to each other like to magnets, it‘s not what drives them together. The fact that both of them have to set aside their pride and prejudice of each other to finally be able to embrace their love is a thing I wish to see more often. Because while no one can tell me the attraction hasn‘t been there to some extent before, and we all know between hate and love is a fine line to trespass, it‘s the work put into changing to become a better version of oneself that seals the deal.

I would have never expected to count myself among the Mr. Darcy fangirls. But here I am, and I am not at all mad about it. Never woud I have guessed how much I would love this story, and I‘m happy that I‘ve come across this novel at my own time and pace so I was able to throughly enjoy it.