Pride and Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. With this now-iconic opening line, Jane Austen invites readers to question the so-called universal truths handed down by society, and to wonder how many of them actually hold up. At the centre of the story is Mr Bennet, an English gentleman living in Hertfordshire with his overbearing wife and five very different daughters - graceful Jane, sharp-witted Elizabeth, studious Mary, juvenile Kitty, and wild Lydia. With the family home entailed away to a distant cousin, the girls' futures depend on making good matches, and everything changes when the wealthy Mr Bingley and his proud friend Mr Darcy move into the neighbourhood. As Jane falls for Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves locked in a battle of wits and pride that slowly, unexpectedly, turns into something else entirely. This amusing story of love and class-consciousness in late eighteenth century England is full of cheer, wit, and romance, and remains one of the most beloved novels ever written - essential reading for classic literature lovers and romance fans alike.