"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

How do I love thee, Pride and Prejudice, let me count the ways ...

One, I loved thee in 1995 as a mini-series with the fantastic Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. This was the first time that I knew of thee and I fell in love every time my college roommates put thee on. I will always be in their debt for introducing us.

Two, I loved thee as a 1940 film with Mr. Darcy portrayed by the brooding genius, Laurence Olivier. Though you were highly modified and more than a bit silly in parts, thy love story was still touching.

Three, I loved thee in 2005 as another film, this time with the saucy Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett. Though thy cast was somewhat marginal, the overall period feeling you gave was charming.

Four, I loved thee as a 2004 Bollywood remake with the beautiful Aishwarya Rai as Lalita (Elizabeth) and a plethora of exciting dance numbers. Thy updated story was well executed and the addition of Indian cultural mores was pleasant.

Five, I loved thee most of all as a novel, the fantastic original by Jane Austen. I finally read thee and you were more than I ever thought you could be. You had hidden depths of humor and character. You were yet another example of Austen's remarkable talent and imagination. I can't wait until we can be together again.

This is another book finished for the 1% Well-Read Challenge. I can't believe that I had never read this book! I really thought I had because I knew the story so well. Now I feel so much more complete in my lifetime reading list and in my Austen reading. This is really a must read for almost every reader.

Can't think of anything witty -- too much Darcy to look at,
K


Buy Pride and Prejudice (Oxford World's Classics) on Amazon or find it at your local library.