Pride and Prejudice

by Fern Siegel (Adapter), Jane Austen

Wishes and weddings!

Busybody Mrs. Bennett has one great aim in life - to see her daughters married. With five daughters and living in a small town, that's not too easy to do. Jane and Elizabeth, sisters and best friends, have romantic dreams of their own and don't much like their mother's attempts at matchmaking.

But then, when several new young men arrive in the area, not only the Bennet household, but the whole town of Merryton is suddenly turned topsy-turvey. The lively story of how it all works out is one of the most popular books ever written.
--back cover

Genres: Classics, Romance, Childrens, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, School

237 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Marium Mostafiz Mou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful but Jane Austen's words have been "translated" to the simpler, more modern language, losing all the great quotes! It felt a bit childish

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This actually makes me want to read the actual classic. Wonderful illustrations and beautiful story.


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[Willow Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the first and only time when I was really young, like around 7 or 8 years old. At the time, I thought that this book was so difficult and confusing, but I pushed through it and managed to read the entire book with a mid-level understanding of what it was about. It was the hardest book I had ever read, and I was really proud of myself for doing it. I closed the book, shelved it, and haven't so much as opened it since then. Until just recently. I had never heard of abridged novels when I read this book the first time, so I never even suspected that it might not be the real deal. Whenever I thought back on my reading of this book, all I could remember was that it was hard and confusing, I remembered nothing of the content. So last week, while reorganizing my bookshelf, I thought to myself that I should really reread this book, since it had been so long since I'd read it. So I picked it off the shelf, opened to a random page, and started to read. Not even a full sentence in, I realized it was abridged. I spent all this time thinking that I had actually read Pride and Prejudice, when in reality, I had just read an abridged version made for kids!🤦I tried looking through it, but the writing was so simple and dull that I couldn't do it. I couldn't even have it on my shelf anymore.

So I guess this means that I haven't read Pride and Prejudice after all. Looks like I have another book to add to my list.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the adapted version of this book rather than the original, I cannot comment on the true facets of Austen's writing, but I can say that the book is a highly enjoyable story about the different relationships of and between two sisters.

Pride and Prejudice mainly focuses on Elizabeth, a woman who chooses to stay true to her heart and mind, which brings forth many challenges when it comes to marriage. However, she is kind and sympathetic, wanting only the best for her sister, Jane.

Obviously, Jane Austen lived in a much different time period than us, and the novel's foundation is the very old-fashioned idea of men needing to marry classy, rich women. While Elizabeth at least acts more sensible than most of the other characters, she's still not much of a breath of fresh air. Still, taking the values of the time period into account, this is enjoyable to read.

I would especially recommend this version because it has adapted the book from one riddled with difficult language to vocabulary that is more modern.

I would give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Stay away if you're not interested in a high concentration of romance, rather silly characters, familial problems, and/or incessant talk of marriage!

[Abbi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not suggest this adaption as a way to introduce young readers to Pride and Prejudice. When I was in middle school, I accidentally read this version, thinking that it was the original, and came away thinking I didn't like Pride and Prejudice. The front and spine both say Jane Austen, but apparently, I didn't read the back where it tells the reader it is an adaption. Probably because I thought I knew what Pride and Prejudice was generally about.

Years later, as an adult, still not realizing I had read an adaption instead of the original, I tried rereading it and LOVED it. I now work in a library, and that is how I came across this edition and realized my original mistake. I reread it to find out if it was poorly written or if middle school me was just not ready for Pride and Prejudice. It was not me. This adaption flattens the characters, chops up the dialogue, and poorly summarizes the original work. The simplification changes events and characters' motives.

I would suggest that readers who might need a little help understanding a work from this time period read an annotated copy. This edition: ISBN13: 9780393976045 does an excellent job.

[Angel Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about A woman and her family. I liked this book because I like long books and because I like reading these kinds of book. I would recommend this book to Ambar because she likes these kinds of book.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, you should read it instead of the hard, complex version of Pride and Prejudice.

[Mely Rodz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked reading this version. Easy to read and with illustrations.

[K C · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun and cute, and definitely should be a K-drama.

[Corrie Eaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an abridged and simplified version of the original but you get the gist.

[kanishk · Rating 5 out of 5]

my fav from the collection!! i've read it about 3 times fully.

[Jonathan Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never really imagined that I would fancy reading this book. I have tried reading an edition of Collins Classic which I have purchased for myself. That made me realise how little interest I have for this book. Then, I saw this edition in our school library and decided to pick it up again. Funny enough, I love it!

There is so much to say on how the story is very simple and straight forward. A girl hates a guy who she thinks differently, then the guy turns out to be decent and she fell for him. Sounds similar? Yes. It is how most of romance novel works. But the writing in Pride and Prejudice is exquisite. And their conversations, absolutely wonderful.

I am in a slight confusion as to why I expected Darcy to be paired up with Jane in the end. All through out the book, I wished Elizabeth and Darcy together. Little did I know, they really will be. I am really entranced by Elizabeth's sharp wit and independence. In her era, in my opinion, women are mostly held back. This is because men prove to be have more power over them. But Elizabeth proved us wrong. She showed us that women should choose freely and speak her heart. She also taught us that we should not judge people so quickly.

All in all, this book is stunning. The writing is really nice and the characters are very much relatable.

[Kristi Drillien · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to know whether to rate books like this based on the story or on the adaptation. I gave the original book 4 stars and liked some aspects of this book better. It does a great job of cutting through the old-fashioned language and getting to the heart of the story. In this case, "telling" instead of "showing" both shortens the length of the story and explains what might otherwise be difficult for younger readers to comprehend or follow.

However, I had some issues with feeling like the book left something out now and then. A couple of times, the text seemed to refer to something that hadn't been explained in the first place. I could remember a certain conversation, if vaguely, from my reading of the original book, but it seemed to have been missing from the adaptation. For that reason, I gave the adaptation 4 stars. Overall, I like the idea of this overall story, but it just seems a little too...I don't know, maybe bloated? for me. Still, I do think this adaptation more than adequately makes the classic accessible and would recommend this book for children around 8-12, with the extra note that with younger kids, it might be helpful (and enjoyable) to read it with a parent or older sibling/friend.

[Thealienburriedinstories · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the original version of Pride and Prejudice twice and loved it. This adaption for a children’s book is absolutely cute and easy to understand. I wish I had read this version when I first read Pride and Prejudice, maybe I would have understood and loved it more. Also the images help to bring the emotions off the pages for people who may not understand the description of an expression or scene. It was a quick read and I love this adaption of Jane Austin’s classic timeless book Pride and Prejudice.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm absolutely thrilled!! I think I swooned!! Holy smokes, what an incredible romance!! Even though it is an adaptation for children, I was glued to the book, wanting to know what happened. I was beyond thrilled with the outcome. Hollywood, you have to remake this!! Cast Benedict Cumberbatch in the Colin Firth role of Mr. Darcy!! This is such an amazing book...other romances just seem to pale in comparison.

[Tiffany McCall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book so much. I won't be reading the original. The characters were one dimensional & so annoying.

The plot wasn't good & the whole story was ridiculous.

I hated it so much I couldn't wait for it to end. It sounds harsh but its true.

I don't agree with anything in the story especially the mother wanting to marry off her daughters to rich men so she can live comfortable. The whole thing is a mess.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The version that we read is abridged and illustrated for younger readers. We read this together as a family and I enjoyed watching the anticipation of the children's faces as I read. The abridged version is not near as good as the original but is an excellent start for very young children.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 girls don't like man. Man asks girl to marry him. She says no. Eventually they get married.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The translation to simpler words was nice, despite the loss of some well-known quotes. The beautiful illustrations are worth a look.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adapted version was a quick read with some pretty good illustrations.

[Justina Černiavskaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seniai neskaičiau klasikinės literatūros. Ir neatsimenu, kad kada nors būčiau skaičiusi Jane Austen romanus. Šitas romanas nerealus. Jis ir lengvai skaitosi, ir ta pabaiga yra nuspėjama... bet tuo pat metu romanas nėra banalus. Rekomenduoju 100%.

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷🩷🩷🩷

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best way to introduce younger readers to a great classical tale! It still has all the amazing story, but just a littler easier to follow.

[Mitchell Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult who struggles to read do to dyslexia, these books are great because one is able to read and understand.

[Heather Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's a great book for starters, it definitely made me want to read the full story.

[Cindy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book never gets old.

[Cindy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it and was amazed at what I found.

[Arianne Askham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child/young adult-friendly adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The illustrations are very sweet, black and white sketches. The original story is so good, I can’t dock too many stars, but it’s important to know that some of the abridgment feels clunky and awkward when read aloud. A perfect adaption to me would have key quotes untouched and just the language and conversation simplified. This missed the mark of perfection but I’m trying to be reasonable. For the purposes of a family read aloud, it was excellent. And my seven year old said “can we read it again tomorrow?” when we read the final page tonight. So it’s a winner! Excited to check out some other classics by the same brand.

[Ellison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richie Rich moves to town and mother of five daughters thinks that one of the daughters should have the honor of spending the man'$ money. He brings a mean friend who claims he will only data a member of MENSA who is also a supermodel. When he is rejected he changes his tune and gives chase. Richie Rich moves elsewhere.

Thus begins a series of gossip-induced misunderstandings that would do 'Three's Company' proud as there is much talk of the differences of the 1% verses the 99%, sickening, prejudice. B/W line drawings cause the pages to turn quickly.

Reviewers note: Where is their families now?

[Kelly McLane]

This book was a fun way to share one of my favourite books with my 7 year old daughter. It simplifies the language but still keeps a similar style and does a great job of keeping most elements of the story. Obviously it pales in comparison to the real thing, but this is a great option for a lower reading level!