Thank you, Mom and Jane Austen

One my most lasting favorite books is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I’m sure a great deal of my love for this story comes from my mother and her enjoyment of such stories from this time period. I remember first watching the six-hour BBC version of Pride and Prejudice with my mom when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I have since seen every movie rendition of this story (except Bride and Prejudice, a "Bollywood" version. It's still on my "to see" list. I also don't count the "Mormon version". that was a HUGE mistake). Although I loved the story, it wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I decided to read the actual book. I had been missing out.

I recently decided to re-read the book and loved it even more. The dialogue is clever and hilarious and I love the description and actions of the heroine of the story, Elizabeth Bennett. I feel like I have always been able to relate to Elizabeth’s free spirit and disdain for common convention and disrespect towards women. In the same light, I find it comforting that a woman with somewhat controversial qualities still finds true love in the end. I guess what I like most about Elizabeth is that she gives hope to a free-spirited girl like me :).

(Note: Reality = Jane Austen never married...Hopefully there's still room for more "Elizabeth Bennetts.")