Book is OK. Delivery is a shocker. Ordered this beginning of Dec (supposed to be in stock)as a Xmas gift. Finally arrived mid Jan. Ordered another book at the same time as a Xmas gift, it never turned up at all - despite claims it was posted. When all else fails blame Aust. Post!! Interestingly I have not had a letter or parcel go missing since I can remember up until this one. Draw your own conclusions.

This was the first and only Jane Austen book I have read. Overall an entertaining social satire. Austen's writing is witty but her tone is a trifle too smug. Towards the second half I was begining to find Elizabeth's sharp wit and bright eyed charm annoying. I did not find Darcy's cold masculinity appealing either. And also 20,000 pounds a year is not such a big deal, judging his snobbishness. Darcy is overated and the tension between them is frustrated - or vexed I should say. Despite his good looks and money he has nothing else to offer. A man in possession of a good fortune must be humble. Elizabeth's sister Jane is a simpleton with whom the mild boring Mr Bentley is overtaken with. It is 2 classes above a regular mills and boons novel. Darcy is the stereotypical cold masculine hero and Elizabeth is the chirpy eyed second prettiest sister. I notice a pattern in Austen's writing. The exceptionally good looking golden haired or dark haired women in te book are portatrayed as simple, dumber - in fact nearly bimbos. Elizabeth is made out to be a sharp intelligent woman - and I find this contentious. She is blessed with reasonable wit, charm, intelligence and pleasant good looks that seemed to have crackled Darcy's cold facade... however in the end she is your typical well... not a gold digger... but content to have a husband who is not all that and does not even hold her looks in reasonable esteem and content to live with him in his wealthy home as a desperate housewife. I understand that women in those times did not work but still think that Elizabeth could have done more for herself. Elizabeth's counsin who proposes marriage - is so pompous and ridiculous that these parts are downright funny; Charlotte her friend is another simpleton. It is so convenient that Darcy seems to pop over everywhere Elizabeth goes although both at this point dont really get along. Elizabeth rotates from house to house of relative and friend as a beggar living of their good will and making use of their social connections. Good for her. I give this book a 6.5 out of 10.

this is a really superb book from jane austen. it is about one of the classiest heroines ever, elizabeth bennet, and the trials she faces in her life when mr bingley moves in next door, and she meets mr darcy, who is seen to be very proud. what follows is a charming tale, filled with romance and drama.