20 supremely cozy books and movies for hibernation season
2. Pride and Prejudice
Likely Jane Austen’s best-known work, Pride and Prejudice often isn’t given the respect it deserves. That’s not to say that people don’t love it and the rest of Austen’s novels. In fact, there’s a whole community of “Janeites” that are so devoted to the world of Jane Austen that they have long arguments about minor plot points and wear surprisingly comfortable Georgian attire. Think of it like a comic-con, but with more corsets and gallons upon gallons of tea at the ready.
Still, it often seems that the common conception of Pride and Prejudice is that it’s a mannered, slow-burning love story. And, yes, in many respects, it is. But there is also substantial character work, particularly in the case of central character Elizabeth Bennet.
Plus, the savvy reader can pick up on what may be Austen’s most admirable trait as an author — her incisive social commentary. Austen, who could be downright acid when talking about real and fictional people alike, was never one to pull her literary punches.
Published in 1813, this novel is the earliest one on the list, though centuries have only served to sharpen readers’ adoration for the work. It tells the story of the Bennet family, including mother, father, and five daughters.
Pride and Prejudice takes particular care to chart the development of Elizabeth, the second-oldest daughter. She’s not unlike Jane herself, prone to witty turns of phrase and sometimes harsh judgments of character.
This tendency to evaluate someone on first glance doesn’t look like it will end well for Mr. Darcy, a new-in-town gentleman who leaves a poor impression in Elizabeth’s mind. He’s much too reserved and snobbish, she thinks. Plus, she concludes that Darcy believes his rich friend Mr. Bingley is too good for her gentle, reserved eldest sister, Jane. That’s that, she concludes and turns her attention elsewhere.
Except the story is nowhere near done with Elizabeth or her vibrantly alive family. Like any other character, she is subject to change and examination by the author. Neither, to her eventual joy, is Elizabeth right all the time.