Unregistered
05-24-2005, 06:07 PM
No matter what literary critics say about Emma, Pride and Prejudice is without a doubt Jane Austen's best execution of plot, voice, and interplay of contrasting characters.<br><br>Basically, that means the novel is a spectacular pleasure to read. It's fast, engaging, elegantly-written, and hysterical. The characters jump off the page; you know exactly what each one is like after three lines, but they still manage to surprise you later. The plot is intricate, growing naturally but quickly out of characterization, and there are no scenes where "nothing happens." And without being devoid of social commentary or psychological depth, the novel sings with a lightness and humor that makes you truly happy as you read it.<br><br>There are few books from which you could learn so much about aristocratic late-18th century England without having your PANTS BORED OFF BY EXPOSITION. This is the best of them.