Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice
Score Classic
What it's about
In early-1800s England, the Bennet family has five unmarried daughters and no son to inherit their home, so their mother is desperate to see them married well. When wealthy Mr. Bingley moves in nearby with his proud, aloof friend Mr. Darcy, sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet takes an instant dislike to Darcy, and he to her family. What follows is a comedy of first impressions, misunderstandings and pride on both sides.
Why it's worth reading
It's the original enemies-to-lovers romance and still one of the funniest, smartest novels ever written. Elizabeth Bennet is endlessly quotable, and the book's insights into people haven't aged a day.
You'll love it if you liked
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables
Wuthering HeightsGood to know
The language takes a chapter or two to tune into, then it flies. It's a comedy of manners, so the drama is in the conversations, and they're delicious.
By the numbers
- Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics55 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller79 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
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Quick answers
Is Pride and Prejudice worth reading?
Yes. It's the original enemies-to-lovers romance and still one of the funniest, smartest novels ever written. It ranks #61 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 88.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Pride and Prejudice about?
In early-1800s England, the Bennet family has five unmarried daughters and no son to inherit their home, so their mother is desperate to see them married well. When wealthy Mr. Bingley moves in nearby with his proud, aloof friend Mr. Darcy, sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet takes an instant dislike to Darcy, and he to her family. What follows is a comedy of first impressions, misunderstandings and pride on both sides.
How long does it take to read Pride and Prejudice?
About 12 hours (480 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Pride and Prejudice?
If you liked it, try Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery or Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.