and it is Pride and Prejudice. I read all day Saturday and Sunday. And I finished it. And now I'm sad because all books pale in comparison. I'm reading one, Sleep, Pale Sister, but I hear Lizzy and Mr. Darcy beckoning me back to Pemberley. Sigh. I'm lovesick. I can't get into another book. I want to reread P&P (and will probably have to before it's all over with). I have already watched the Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley, which I adored. Keira is so lovely. And Matthew whatshisname was great as Darcy. And not too bad on the eyes either 
I am positively DYING to see the one with Colin Firth, so much so that I will submit to the temptation to drive all the way to Target (all of 10 minutes haha) on my lunch hour, praying that they have it.
I find it especially amazing that, in a day and age when nothing is shocking anymore, that the slight, deft hand Austen uses to seduce the reader is SO effective. This book was SO romantic and none of the typical tricks writers use today where there. No nudity. No kissing. But God Almighty was it sexual charged. The looks. The brief glances. The small touches. Ye gods it sets you on fire! Oh how I wish I wish that there was someone, anyone, who lived near me and shared my readerly obsessions. I want to read this with someone. I want to watch the movies with someone. I want to dissect it into the ground and tear it apart limb from limb and then put it all back together again with someone. Oh how I miss college. WHY oh WHY did none of my teachers make me read this in school????
Sigh. I guess I'll read it again and again and love it alone.
The BBC series is probably my favourite, but I liked the new version of P&P too. Great for when you need a fix and only have a couple of hours to spare!
Matthew McFayden is great. When we were living in the UK, I saw him in the BBC tv series, Spooks, which was good fun. He was also great in the film, In My Father's Den.
BTW, I recently got the DVD of the new P&P and I really should watch it soon. I'm so curious to see the difference in the endings between the US and UK theatre releases.
Hope you get to enjoy the delish Colin Firth very soon!
Ha! Welcome to the sickness!!!
I was amazed that I liked that book. I am not big into romance novels, but I can understand the attraction with P&P. I own all Austen's novels, now, but I haven't got in a classic mood and read them. Soon, though… and then I think I will reread P&P!
I loved P&P from the first reading, and about 7-8 re-reads and 10 years later I *still* love it. Have to say though that I disliked the Keira Knightley film…didn't think they did Darcy justice. He was just too puppy eyed from the beginning and I hardly believed he could be misunderstood. Now the BBC version with Colin Firth *rocks*…tis unmatchable IMHO.
Hmmm…a little more arm twisting and I may be convinced of the need to read this book!!
Nat, I ordered it yesterday! I hope to have it early next week. Can not wait to watch it!!!
Andi, haha, you getting me back for your House obsession?
Kailana, I've bought 2 more Austen novels and the Norton Critical of P&P for rereading. I'm sure I'll get them all. When I obsess, I go "whole hog."
Victoria, I expect if I had seen the miniseries P&P first, I wouldn't have liked the new P&P. And probably won't like it as much after I see Mr. Firth as Mr. Darcy. I already love Colin so to see him smolder as Darcy will be a delectable treat.
Marg, read it!!!!! Read it, read it, read it!!!!!
I'm so glad you loved P&P. It is one of my favorites. And the BBC production is great. Colin Firth plays a wonderfully smoldering sexy Darcy.
I love P&P–isn't it wonderful. Now you can understand how it rates so high up on reader's lists as a favorite! I like both movie versions–I thought they were both well done, but the Colin Firth version seems to be more true to the book. One of my favorite Firt scenes is where he dives into the pond….you'll see….
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You MUST watch the BBC version. You will fall in love with Colin Firth. He strides across the moors better than anyone! His brooding gazes are unforgetable! Oh, and how the man can pull off a puffy shirt! I haven't seen the Kiera Knightley version yet because I'm afraid I'll be so disappointed, although it's gotten wonderful reviews.
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Now I'm going to have to read this book sometime. It's been sitting on my bookshelf since Christmas.
Oh dear, I've never read this one. Now I feel VERY compelled to pick it up. Is there no end to the list of great books I want to read . . .??
Glad you enjoyed it. Although I hated the Keira Knightly film. Which was a pity, as I really liked Matthew McFadyen in Spooks. But he just looked so pasty and grey in this. And the marble statues!!!!
But the BBC version is great.
So funny, I had the exact same experience reading this book lately as you did — fell in love with it, devoured it in two days, pushed aside everything I should have been doing to read it…it's just so damn good.
I haven't seen the BBC version but everyone tells me it's way better than Keira Knightley's (which I've watched twice now). And it started me watching all of the "Pride and Prejudice" spin off movies as well because I just couldn't get enough: "Bride and Prejudice", "Bridget Jones's Diary" — all great fun.