Today is the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice – that’s right! Two hundred years of Lizzy, Jane, Darcy, Bingley, Lydia, Wickham and the rest of the crew. Peanut is celebrating by reading her BabyLit Pride and Prejudice counting primer. One English village, two rich gentlemen…
Every so often, a book comes along that changes everything. Pride and Prejudice was one of those books. It has been popular for two hundred years, and for good reason. It’s biting social commentary and satire, wrapped up together in a neat blanket of comedy-of-manners and love story. Pride and Prejudice has captured the imaginations and the hearts of people all across the world. It’s more complex than it gets credit for most of the time, but more than anything else, it’s just good reading. I for one am so glad it exists, and I hope that Peanut loves it as much as I do.
Happy birthday, Pride and Prejudice – and thanks for all the good page turns. Here’s to another two hundred years of popularity.
covered in flour 
That counting primer is so cute!
I absolutely love Pride and Prejudice, which I re-read recently. My husband and I are watching the BBC miniseries all week.
Oh, I love the BBC miniseries! My husband won’t watch it with me, though. He watched a little bit and Mrs Bennet grated on his nerves so badly that he told me I was on my own. I tried to explain that that was the point, but…
My husband is enjoying it, and I was shocked to learn he had never seen it before! He’s interested in reading Pride and Prejudice now, and interestingly, he has already read William Deresiewicz’s book on Austen. I believe my husband will become a “Janeite” soon enough!
PS. Have you seen the “Posh Dancing” skit from The Mitchell and Webb Look? (I may have mentioned it to you before–I can’t remember!). It’s my favorite parody of Pride and Prejudice. It’s hilarious. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTchxR4suto.
Just a word of caution: there is one loud curse word in it, which could be a problem if others are around.
I just watched it and – oh, my goodness, I have tears running down my face. Hilarious! Thank you so much for sharing that. I’m going to have to leave the link up for my sis-in-law; she will love it too.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! I’m a huge Mitchell and Webb fan (though I’ll admit that some of their humor makes me a bit uncomfortable–they can get away with more in England than comedians can get away with here). They have a funny “Rebecca” skit, too.
I watched the video too — that boy’s got some moves! I wonder how he would do the Gangnam Style dance? *giggles*
Heh, I think he would be the all-England Gangnam Style champion! Go Mr. Darcy, go!
Now, all we need is a British actor (Hugh Grant or Richard Armitage, want to volunteer?, a video camera, the music, and we’re set for a YouTube video.
I’m thinking Hugh Grant because we already saw in “Love, Actually” that he’s got moves. When he was dancing through No. 10 Downing Street.
I thoroughly approve of your selection of Hugh Grant. He’s yummier than kippers on toast.
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