The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is my absolute favorite book. I’ve read it at least a dozen times, seen the A&E/BBC film version well over twice that, turn my nose up at the Keira Knightly version – removing Mrs. Hurst really changes the dynamics between Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley – and try every few years to make (or have Mommy make) my own turn of the 19th century gown; first one, third one.

41AsSINdSlL._AA160_[1]Alfred’s wonderful husband, Nathy-Boo, knowing how much I love all most things Pride-and-Prejudice got me a most excellent Christmas present in The Annotated Pride and Prejudice, revised and expanded edition, annotated and edited by David M. Shapard. I’ve read versions of the novels with some footnotes or endnote annotations before, but nothing quite like this. Every single page of the novel is heavily annotated, all left-hand pages are novel text, all right-hand pages are annotations. The resulting book is as fat as Gone with the Wind!

Some of the annotations are the fairly standard ones, describing a word that’s not common in English any longer or geographical descriptions of places mentioned in the book. There’s also detailed explanations of small nuances in Austen’s text, subtleties that would go over the heads of anyone not intimately acquainted with social life of the gentry in early 19th century England. My favorite annotations are the vocabulary definitions for English words that have since changed meaning.

There’s pictures of various carriages, houses and landscapes similar to those described, garments, shoes and activities. There’s maps of England to describe the characters’ travels and a chronological listing of events in the book with dates as exact as Shapard could get them. – This proves extremely useful in showing how destroyed the story would have been had Facebook existed at the time. Elizabeth would have known of Lydia’s elopement before having a chance to run into Darcy and he may never of won her love.

Shapard is pretty good at keeping the reference numbers at the ends of sentences, but if there’s several things to comment on in one sentence, the numbers, and thus the annotations, can interrupt Austen’s descriptions or characters’ dialogue. I certainly learned a lot reading this version and now find myself looking for extra details when watching the film version.

A note of caution, I would only recommend this book to someone who is already very familiar with the book, but not for say a high school student reading it for the first time for class. The sheer amount of annotations makes it difficult for the reader to follow the novel’s flow. I often found myself turning back to the left page trying to remember where in the story I was. If you love Pride and Prejudice and want to understand its world better, I highly recommend this version.

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A combination of the first edition of Pride and Prejudice with useful additions (usually on the facing page) including the definitions of words for which meanings have changed in the past 200 years; explanations of the social customs and how the text can be understood in terms of the prevailing practices and mores; illustrations of carriages and furniture and the scenic attractions of Derbyshire—and so much more! The book contains an extensive bibliography for readers who want to do additional research on England in this period. It adds so much depth to the understanding of this formative novel.

One of my favorite topics was the discussion of travel times (including a handy simplified map showing the major place names mentioned in the novel); it answered questions that I had been researching. There’s one other issue I wish it had addressed: how one sends a letter by express. We see the arrival of letters, but how does Mr. Bennet (for example) get the letter from his study to an express rider? Does it get picked up with the regular mail and get expedited from there? Or does someone have to take it to Meryton or some other larger place to get it started? This isn’t a complaint about the book; it’s really an acknowledgement of the detail it confidently covers (even if there is always more to know).

Shapard provides his own interpretations of various passages in the novel and I enjoyed these as well—even when I didn’t agree with him! They were often helpful reminders to stop and think about what was happening—and why it was happening at just this point in the book. This is a book that will deepen the reader’s understanding of Pride and Prejudice; I recommend it highly.

I was delighted by David Shapard's annotated edition of Pride And Prejudice. It has more notes, and longer ones, than either the Oxford Illustrated Edition (based on Chapman, 1923) or the Oxford World's Classics Edition (James Kinsley, 2004). Shapard covers many different kinds of topics: vocabulary, society, Austen's life, literary influences, textual variants, style, plot, and psychology. There is also a nice chronology of the events in Austen's novel, along with illustrations of contemporary fashion and carriages.

The book is arranged for the reader's convenience; notes are printed on the pages directly facing the text, vocabulary definitions are helpfully repeated in different chapters, and major points are illustrated by forward and backward references in the text. I discovered several things I didn't know, for example that when Austen writes "all morning" that meant "all day" in the author's time. I also found Shapard's notes about literary issues, such as Austen's handling of character and plot, to be thoughtful and relevant. The only thing I really missed was a character list and an index.

It is now eight years since Shapard's edition came out (apparently he has a newly revised and expanded edition available as well, though I haven't seen that one.) While Shapard himself writes of Chapman's 1923 text (reproduced in the Oxford Illustrated edition) as "authoritative," I think Shapard has produced a great teaching edition that makes a real contribution to the reader's enjoyment of this beloved work.

My purpose in reading this edition was to gain a deeper understanding of the Regency era for my own fiction. (And what more enjoyable way to do so than to re-read P&P?) My expectations were met and exceeded! I learned a lot, and discovered a new appreciation for how Austen used small details to illuminate her characters. Many of these details are lost to a modern reader, but the annotations in this edition restore them to us and allow us a deeper picture of the story and its characters.

The only complaint I have (and it is very small) is that some of the definitions are excessively repetitious, which I found distracting. The "Notes to the Reader" section in the beginning addresses this and explains the reasoning behind it; however, I believe a glossary of terms which addressed them all in one place would have been a better solution to the problem.

The notes pointed out to me details of fashion, custom, and common opinion which will force me to change some key moments in my current novel draft, which is exactly what I was hoping to gain from them. The bibliography in the back has pointed me to more sources which I hope to read, but so far I've found that most of them are out of print, and often hard to find, which is disappointing. But it makes this resource all the more essential to me!

I have read, watched, or listened to Pride and Prejudice at least a dozen times in the past couple of years. It presents us with a complete world, with its own rules, customs, and shared knowledge; and I find my understanding of it deepens each time I experience it. Much is obscure about upper-class rural England in the early 1800s - what are "shoe roses", for instance? Mr. Shapard tells us (page 165) they are "ornamental ribbons, knotted in the form of a rose that would be attached to the top of a shoe." Ah, just like those on the Jane Austen shoes my wife asked me to give her for Christmas. Well, then, why were they "got by proxy" during the week it rained? Why did not the young ladies make their own? Mr. Shapard is silent. And speaking of "got by proxy" why were they not "gotten by proxy"? Ms. Austen's use of language is not congruent with ours. People "were come" which makes much more sense than our present idea that they possess the state, as they "have come." And of course Ms. Austen's characters are often "at window", "at table" or considering that "in future" they would do something. Mr. Shapard is not much help with understanding these usages where the article is omitted. Sounds Russian, does it not?

But he is quite helpful with a number of other things, and having some 350 pages of annotations is wonderful. The first time I picked up his edition of P&P I read the entire set of annotations before turning to the novel. On the whole I found the annotations interesting, and useful. Good discussions of money, customs, & morality in the time of the novel. But the closer they adhered to the factual, the more I agreed with them. I am interested in Mr. Shapard's analysis of the characters' characters, if you follow that, but I am by no means in complete agreement with him. In a way that makes the book more useful to me, as now I must consider why I disagree with him. Like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth "we may compare our different opinions." Many people seem to feel Mr. Bennet has a dark side to his wit. Certainly Mr. Shapard does. From the very start, on page 7, note 14, he finds Mr. B "irresponsible as a father." Much later in the novel, the narrator will tell us that Elizabeth Bennet "had never been blind to the impropriety of her father's behavior as a husband" by diverting his talents into wit rather than doing what "might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters..." (Vol II, Chapter 19, page 436 in this edition) . As for his duties as a father, especially a duty of securing mates for his daughters, it is not clear in Austen's novels that this responsibiity falls on the father. Mr. Shapard does not tell us either way. As for respectability, which is Mr. Bennet's charge, the narrator's insertion is first indication in the novel of any such feeling on Elizabeth's part, and suggests to me that Ms. Austen herself developed a darker view of Mr. Bennet as she worked on the novel, but never went back to the earlier chapters to revise them to give us a hint. By contrast all the way through the novel we see Lydia's attraction to Wickham, even if Elizabeth does not, which strikes me also as a case of revision. But returning to Mr. Shapard's annotations, often, it seems to me, he just doesn't get the jokes in the novel.

So, bottom line. Fascinating and interesting book, I'm glad I have it, I refer to it often, and I recommend it. However, I suggest the reader question Mr. Shapard's analysis of character and motivation, and remember, there are depths unplumbed in this novel, even by 350 pages of annotations.

"Pride and Prejudice" is undoubtedly one of the most beloved classic novels in history -- it's had countless adaptations, sequels and homages lavished on it over the years.

And Jane Austen's grand opus is still beloved for a good reason. While it's rather stuffily written much of the time, it has a vibrant core of witty dialogue and strong characters that shine like lanterns in the night -- and the best part of it is the interplay between the main characters, whose dislike of one another blossoms into love once they learn how to overcome his pride and her prejudice.

The Bennett family is thrown into an uproar when wealthy Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood, and Mrs. Bennett is especially happy when he takes a liking to the eldest Bennett daughter Jane. Since their estate is entailed and there is no Mr. Bennett Jr., a good marriage is considered essential for at least one of the girls. But her independent sister Lizzie immediately butts heads with wealthy, aloof Mr. Darcy, who scorns the rural village and seems haughty about everything.

A flurry of proposals, road trips and friendships happen over the course of the following months, with Lizzie fending off her slimy cousin Mr. Collins, and befriending the flirty, hunky Wickham, who claims to have been wronged by Darcy. Lizzie believes Wickham's account -- and she's in for a shock when Darcy unexpectedly proposes, and reveals what Wickham won't tell her about both of their past lives, and what Wickham did to offend Darcy.

And finally things take a scandalous turn when Lizzie's idiotic younger sister Lydia elopes with Wickham, while staying with a friend in Brighton. The family is plunged into disgrace, and the only one who can set things right is Darcy, who will do whatever he must to make amends to Lizzie -- and unwittingly establish himself as the man she loves as well.

Reading "Pride and Prejudice" is a bit like watching someone embroider a piece of cloth with subtle, intricate designs. Lots of balls, dances and drawing room banter, interwoven with some of Austen's opinions about haughty aristocrats, marriages of security, entailment, and the whole idea of what an ideal woman has (intellect and strength).

The only real problem: Jane Austen writes very much in the style of her literary era -- it's rather formal and stuffy much of the time, and the narrative is kept distant from the characters. So, not for casual readers. But Austen's brilliance as a writer is evident -- she slowly unfolds the plot one act at a time, with several intricate subplots that tie together and play off each other.

She also wrote unbelievably sharp-edged dialogue with plenty of witty banter ("I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine"). But Austen also weaves in startlingly romantic moments between them ("No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think anything wanting").

It's hard to imagine a better fictional couple than Lizzie and Darcy, despite their rocky start. Both are witty, smart, and a bit snotty in their own ways, with quick minds and even quicker tongues. Darcy is a selfish, rather haughty man man who gradually becomes warm and kind, while Lizzie is strong, independent, and Darcy's equal in every way. And neither will marry for anything but true love.

It also has a solid supporting cast: the painfully practical Charlotte Lucas, slimy clerics, virtuous-looking rakes, sisters ranging from saintly to snobby, and the lovable Mr. Bingley and perpetually optimistic Jane. Lizzie's family also adds plenty of color to the story, including the screechy and hilariously mercurial Mrs. Bennett and the barb-tongued Mr. Bennett ("Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do").

The annotated edition is definitely a boon to fans of this book. Terminology is explained ("drawn his character: developed or established their opinion of him"), period details are explained, and the editor points out important character development (the evolution of Lizzy's love for Darcy).

"Pride and Prejudice" is the ultimate Jane Austen novel -- a powerful and romantic story about two people who grow and change because of love. An absolute must-read.

THE STORY:
At the beginning we meet Mr. And Mrs Bennet who are tasked with getting their five daughters lucratively married. The arrival of eligible bachelors in the their English village, whose worth is measured by their wealth, sends all women folk into a flurry of activity. Thanks to Mrs. Bonnets unwavering love for material things, we know exactly how much each of the suitors is worth although how she comes by this information I am not sure. But I am not surprise she knows as she is the most meddlesome woman you will ever have the misfortune of coming across. The story protagonist (Lizzy) takes us through the journeyfrom first meeting the town folk to her engagement with Mr. Darcy.

WHO'S WHO?
Lizzy is the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Bennet and the most daring, witty and intelligent. It is through her eyes that we are told the story.
Mr. and Mrs Bennet are parents to all five sisters, who really are the only thing they have in common.
Mr. Bingly is a very dashing gentleman who later, through trail, becomes betrothed to Jane the eldest sister.
Mr. Darcy is the obnoxiously proud gentleman who later loses the obnoxious bit and falls in love with Lizzy (Elizabeth Bennet).

THIS WAS HOT....
I found Jane Austen incredibly witty in that dry English humour kind of way which for me is the most enjoyable form of comedy.
Eighteen hundreds England came alive. The story is so beautifully written that in my mind's eye the scenery is laid out so out clearly I felt I was physically there, watching unfolding of events rather than reading them.
Despite the excessive observance of respectability and decorum which stifled creativity and spontaneity in this period, human nature fought to break free of such fetters. I see this is the way Mr Bennet supports independence, choice and intellectual stimulation in his older daughters and how he seems look down on the frivolous nature of his wife and younger daughters.
The diverse personalities which made up the Bennet household. The only people who seemed to be very alike are Mrs Bennet and her youngest daughter. I think Jane Austen was a great observer of people because she built rich characters for each player in the story. If you we meant to love, admire, hate someone, you did. For instance I totally dislike (most probably hate) Lady Cathrine and Mr. Bingley's manipulative sisters. I love and admire Lizzy and I want to love Mr. Bennet but am a irritated by his passive role in his family and cannot help but think he feels a little too sorry for himself, especially in view of his disdain for his wife and youngest daughters.
How well the author articulated the pretentious nature of high society in the Regency period. An example being when Mr. Collin's feeling slighted by Lizzy's rejection of his proposal makes a point of being offensive to the Bennet family in his letter about Lydia and later sends a fawning complimentary note congratulating Lizzy on her impending marriage to Mr. Darcy because of the connection to her wealthy husband to be.

NOT SO HOT:
Nothing could have made this story better but of course a reader can always daydream so for one:
I wish Mrs. Bennet had not been allowed to carry on as she did, being an embarrassment to her family. Someone should have put her in her place. Oh the woman was irritating. I can still hear her whining.

OVERALL:
I have not read anything more romantic and heart warming as is Pride and Prejudice. This is a book that every romantic genre lover should read. Most books you read have a handful of characters, the main plot and maybe one or two deviations (subplots) and that's it. Not so in Pride and Prejudice. The main plot is further enriched by the myriads of subplots all connected to the story by love and marriage. And the most amazing thing is that as many sub themes as there are, you never lose track of your place, Jane keeps you with her all the way.
I have read, listened to and watched this book so many times that I know I will continue to do so for years to come.

There are too many spoilers for a first time reader of this novel. It's really unfortunate, because apart from these spoilers, David Sharpan wrote excellent annotations that really impacted my understanding of the literature and even parts of the story. Within a few pages, I was glad I had already the novel umpteen times or I would have been very disappointed with spoilers.

I was excited at the prospect of reading this annotated version of Pride and Prejudice. I have read and watched Jane Austen books/movies again and again. Over the years, I've figured out and/or looked up certain words and customs and figured that I wouldn't benefit from it as much as I would have, say 10-20 years ago. I wanted to read it anyway, and I was pleasantly surprised. There was lots of food for thought, and one or two words that I thought I had figured out turned out to be dead wrong!

I acknowledge that there aren't citations throughout the book, only a bibliography at the end. But I admit that I am not at all disturbed by it . .

I wish I had this book when I was reading the book in high school. I understand the language/customs much better now than I did then, and it would have been great to have a reference to explain certain confusing speeches, etc.

**Warning - Shapard DOES give this warning in in the preface, but -- the annotations sometimes refer to later events in the book. In other words, if you're reading it for the first time, you may not want to read the annotations unless you want to use it as a reference just for the definitions.

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen's most popular novel and it is remarkable that it has sustained such a high popularity 200 years after it was originally published. The primary plot of the story follows Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in a highly contentious courtship that begins with mutual contempt but evolves quite unexpectedly for both into very different feelings. Subplots involve her sister Jane and Mr. Bingley in a courtship of their own as well as the romantic entanglements of various other sisters and friends. The story is a bit of a roller coaster ride with soaring hopes and crushing disappointment in store as events unfold. I won't reveal the ending for the handful of people who haven't read it but suffice to say that the novel concludes in a way that leaves the vast majority of readers well satisfied.

Darcy and Elizabeth are complex and multi-layered characters who both grow and change somewhat as the book progresses. They are the heart and soul of the book and about as well fleshed out as any characters you are likely to see. The supporting characters, however, are considerably less deep and are more caricatures than anything else. Some are good and kind like Jane and Mr. Bingley, and others are ridiculous and vain like Mrs. Bennet but none are remotely as substantial as Darcy and Elizabeth. So, does this ruin the book? Hardly. These secondary characters offer a wealth of material for the author as she plays them off of Darcy and Elizabeth.

This novel is almost certainly the one where Austen best displays her sharp-edged wit both through Elizabeth's dialogue and in the narrative voice describing some of these characters and their actions. If some of them were less ridiculous, the potential for the satire would be weakened considerably. And make no mistake, Pride and Prejudice is as much a satire of the time it was written, as it is a romantic drama. Even today, the prose is quite funny and enjoyable.

This edition is annotated with footnotes to help decipher some of the language that has become archaic and unfamiliar to modern readers. Unfortunately, the footnotes themselves aren't always as helpful as they could be. Those looking for this kind of help might find the Pride and Prejudice (Enriched Classics) a stronger choice.

In summary, this is a great novel. Admittedly, there were a few times where I thought a character's behavior was a bit over-the-top but the overall story is so riveting and the book so compelling that I just can't find any serious fault with it. Pride and Prejudice is deserving of its reputation and I highly recommend it to Austen fans and newcomers alike.

While I might normally give P&P 4 stars, I have to give this edition a full 5. It does a great job of eliminating any confusion caused by reading this book 200 years past its publication date. Many words and terms have completely different meanings today. It's incredible to see how etymology and customs have changed. Plus, it enable me to get a deeper look into the psychology behind Elizabeth and Darcy, whether I agree with the annotator or not.

Every page has footnotes: defining words, providing historical context, and even illustrating clothes and carriages of the period.

This edition of P&P is the best way to be transported to Pemberley. I'm looking forward to picking up the Annotated Emma. With any old text, I experience great trepidation and frustration, too busy trying to figure out what's going on to really enjoy it. Audiobooks help. But if reading Jane Austen were like swimming, audiobooks would be water wings, and these annotated editions are like having Michael Phelps teach you how to swim.

--chancelee.com

"The Annotated Pride and Prejudice", indefatigably researched by David Shapard, contains intriguing particulars ranging from regency-period events, economy, society and customs of the time, to facts about Jane Austen's family life and personal history, as they apply - verse by verse, paragraph by paragraph - to her most beloved of novels, Pride and Prejudice.

Not only a lovely bound volume of Austen's masterpiece, Shapard's meticulous work is also a uniquely comprehensive reference tool, or glossary, for the analytical prowess of the Regency-period zealot. Even more enjoyable are the literary commentaries, and "enlightenments" of certain ambiguous passages and behaviour of Austen's enduring characters.

Within its tirelessly investigated annotations, in simple easy-to-read terms, Shapard effectively explores the development of Austen's novel, drawing from the historical context "behind the scenes", that the Regency-period author drew from -- the society from which Austen lived, and the world that shaped her creative mind to produce such a well-loved story.

The striking detail and explanations, encompassed by ample definitions, maps, illustrations and how it all fits into the novel's context, will add a full, rich dimension to one's reading.

"The Annotated Pride and Prejudice" is a book every avid "Austenite" and Pride and Prejudice aficionado would not want to do without - it is a more focused glimpse into Austen's world, which will offer immense delight to the book's enthusiasts.

My more accurate rating would be --> 4.5 stars out of 5

While I love (most) Jane Austen movies, I have to admit that I have a tough time getting through the books. This edition changed that for me completely. The annotations provide insight into details both trivial (dresses, furnishings, carriages) and critical (why a character kissing another's hand instead of shaking it indicates something about their personality).

About a quarter of the way through the book, I felt I had a real sense of Austen's voice and I have to give a lot of credit to the excellent annotations. They helped bridge a gap between my time and Austen's time, so that I could appreciate her wit and talent unobstructed. Instead of reading a handful of pages a day, I was devouring numerous chapters in one sitting. I was so transported that I often had a hard time putting the book down. I'm not sure I can say that of any classic book I've read before, even those I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I read a couple of reviews that didn't care for the placement of the annotations on each opposing page. I liked it quite a bit. I varied how I would read them; sometimes reading an entire chapter before returning to its annotations, sometimes reading them at the end of each page, sometimes jumping over to them as soon as something didn't make sense.

I've just bought all of Mr. Shapard's annotated Austen books and look forward to starting Sense and Sensibility next.

This annotated edition of Pride & Prejudice is a fantastic version to read if you are new to Jane Austen, particularly if you have not read many books of the time period. The notes provide excellent information on customs, word usage, etc. that may seem odd or make no sense otherwise. Understanding the nuances of the novel greatly enhances appreciation.
The advantage of expansive explanation comes with a caveat. Notes are profuse and very thorough. Many refer to events that are to come much later in the book, spoiling much of the story. The book itself cautions first time readers to skip the annotations. So in order to avoid spoilers, the ones who need it most must miss out on all the explanatory information. And what are the chances someone would read it again, *immediately* after finishing it for the first time?
For this reason, the Annotated Pride and Prejudice is obviously aimed at those who have already read Pride and Prejudice at least once. If you are revisiting the novel for a second time, without much introduction to similar books, this edition willl prove most useful to you. If you are a Jane Austen aficionado, you won't find much new territory covered. You might pick up a couple things, but it probably won't be worth the deluge of repeated information. I can't tell you how many times the notes told me that 'wonderful' meant 'causing wonder or awe' not 'great' at the time... the rest was mostly information I have picked up from other editions and novels.

I loved and hated the annotated edition and would like to give it both a 1-star and a 5-star rating.

Hated the redundancy and the over explanations. In addition to town=London that is mentioned above - and I had to try to will myself not to look at the footnote every time a number appeared over town. Sadly, I don't think I ever restrained myself. Don't look, don't look, I'd think, it just says London, but I kept glancing over just to make sure there wasn't a really interesting footnote about London's geography or political significance. Heads up for future readers, there never is any other explanation. You can really skip every town footnote. In addition to town, there was want=lack, wait on=call on, colouring=blushing and more definitions that are just too obvious in context and repeated too often. I could deal with the redundancy if it was new or helpful information.

However, I really enjoyed when Shapard discussed the social history, or detailed differences in editions, or clarified the timeline. Austen's book definitely benefits from the information about entailments to landscaping to even, yes, definitions of less obvious word choices. Biggest lightbulb definition for me was candour=tendency to think well of others, because I would have assumed that it meant the now-common definition of candor and in pretty much every situation, it would have completely changed the meaning intended.

I settled on 4 stars because 3 was generally fair to represent my contrary views, but I felt it deserved a star bump for revealing a couple of plot points that I had never known. Loved the realization about Sir Lucas and his fascination with court even though he had only been once and was unlikely to ever to go again. I guess every reference to St. James just went over my head. And it pretty much deserves 4 stars alone for revealing the *spoiler* :) plot point that Charlotte was pregnant. I guess I had always skimmed over the importance of referring to "Charlotte's situation" in the final letter that Mr. Collins sends to Mr. Bennet and I never would have known that "young olive branch" could refer to a child.

Overall, I wish I, or another reader who enjoyed this book but had never studied it, could have gotten to Shapard and told him what was obvious in context to spare the over explanations. I think it would have dropped out at least a quarter of the footnotes, but I would have preferred that. I love reading this book and hated to interrupt the sentence flow for "repulsive=repellent, tending to repulse others". Or course it does. What else would it have meant? But I kept looking because I didn't want to miss a disclosure such that reels were popular, maybe too popular and that people of refined taste might have thought them common, so when Darcy asks Lizzy if she would like to dance a reel, there might be a slight insult there.

I read P&P a few months ago and when I came across this book, I decided to re-read it. Wow! I am half-way through, and have been highly impressed with the explanations throughout. They have given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the book. In my first reading, I didn't give any significance to many of the passages and comments by the characters, but Shapard's book revealed the importance of them. For example, at the beginning of the story, Caroline Bingley refers to Elizabeth as "Miss Eliza Bennett"...I didn't think anything of this until Shapard explained that using an abbreviated name for a person with whom one does not have a close relationship is considered disrepectful, and reveals that though Miss Bingley is wealthy and attended a prestigious boarding school, she is still unpolished and unrefined.

The annotations give much greater insight into the social norms of the time, which allows the reader to more clearly see how some of the characters' behaviors would have been viewed as highly offensive, comical, improper, and even scandalous (ie, Lydia's eloping with Wickham, something we wouldn't give a second thought to today).

Shapard also gives insightful comments on Austen's own personal views on topics ranging from the education of women to entails to society in general.

This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone wanting a greater appreciation and understanding of P&P.

I won't bother to tell you that the text is wonderful, and Jane Austen a keen observer of human nature. You know that. I will say that the annotations in this edition are very helpful for those of us that don't know the differences between a chaise, a phaeton, and a barrouche, that didn't know that morning lasted until dinner, that tea was had between dinner and supper, or that quadrille was a card game, not a dance.

Yes, they are a bit repetitious. I don't see a justification for this, since no one is going to miss the first instance by dipping into the text randomly. And they do contain too many hints about what is about to happen. These notes could just as easily have been placed just after the scene as before it, and still be illuminating to the reader.

Like many, I've read Pride & Prejudice a number of times. This annotated version forced me to slow down, and I noticed things that slipped by me in other readings (P&P is a "page turner" after all; like a good thriller you want to keep reading). Who knew, for example, that there was "cross-dressing" in Jane Austen? (Lydia and Mrs. Forster dressed Chamberlayne up as a woman and he "passed" for a lady until the ladies laughed). My approach was to read the annotations for a chapter before reading the chapter and then browsing through them again as I read the chapter; this helped me to avoid getting too headache-y from shifting between text and annotation. I would take issue with a few of his interpretations, but they are only minor quibbles. And I agree there was a lot of repetition, especially of word meanings. I especially appreciated the extra comments in the concluding chapter from her letters, on the future fates of Kitty and Mary and others. This is well worth reading if you are interested in a slightly deeper look at P&P. Too soon to say, but my hope is that the next time I read P&P (sans notes), I will enjoy it more than ever.

I've read this book many times, but with this edition feel like I got a bit of a better understanding. There is so much information here and it was nice to be able to see some of what I already knew and to learn more about the time period and the extra jokes and snobs that I had previously missed due to just not being aware of them. I would recommend this to anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice or someone who is just now getting to know these amazing characters

I used this book as a reference while I was reading Pride and Predjudice on my Kindle. There were way too many footnotes to read directly from this edition. I would read a few chapters on the Kindle and then skim the footnotes in this edition for the section I had just read. I think I got a lot more out of the book than if I had just read the regular version. Shapard's footnotes contained many interesting facts about the customs of the day that helped explain various characters' motivations for their actions. He also included biographical information about Jane Austen herself that was helpful.

I recommended this edition for my high school senior class when I had them read Pride and Prejudice. I saw fear in their eyes as they held this monstrous book for the first time, but afterwards they really sang its praises. They were able to get a glimpse into Austen's world, from the different types of carriages to how they used to dress to the customs that governed this time period. The language, which is usually the biggest hurdle for high school kids, is explained clearly. I consider myself a full-blown Austen fan, and even I learned something I didn't know from the footnotes. If you've never read P & P before and you are a little scared that you won't understand it because you don't know anything about Austen's time period or are unfamiliar with the language or phrases, get this edition. You won't regret it!

Through his annotations, Mr. Shapard transported me to the Georgian and Regency England by providing useful background information about the society where Jane Austen lived. I particularly enjoyed references to and quotations from Jane Austen's minor works and letters as well as Jane Austen's favorites such as Cowper, Crabbe, Gilpin, etc. Moreover, the chronology is a great contribution. Before reading this book, I had read and thoroughly enjoyed pride and prejudice at least 20 times. The annotations definitely enhance such enjoyment and makes one appreciate Jane Austens' genius and wit even more.

I definitely recommend this edition of Pride and Prejudice. The annotations are usually short and informative, sometimes there's an illustration (i.e. the type of carriage she's riding in). I don't think the annotations get in the way of the reader and the flow of the novel but serve to help the reader understand archaic terms, phrases and sometimes give a little bit of back ground to the story or Jane Austin herself.

I wish these editors had editions of other Jane Austin novels!

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books but I've often wondered about many of the customs and other details that are not explained in the text. The annotations did not disappoint; everything that I wondered about was explained, from the types of carriages used by the characters to what it meant to be married by a special license. In addition, the editor's comments on the story were also very interesting and, in many cases, he pointed out subtleties that I had missed. The annotations definitely increased my enjoyment of the book. In some cases the annotations were a little repetitive and I felt that some were unnecessary, but this wasn't enough of an issue to impact my enjoyment or to lower my rating. I am glad that I read an edition without annotations first, however; otherwise the annotations might have been distracting.

I love the story of Pride and Prejudice but didn't fully understand some of it. The annotations help me to understand what i didn't before. I like that the text is on one side of the and the annotation on the other. It helps me to understand the story better.

Jane Austen's story of love and misunderstanding in late 18th century England is perhaps best known for its opening sentence: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." The Bennett family has five daughters and, since the estate will pass to a cousin on their father's death, the girls must make good marriages if their futures are to be secure. When the wealthy Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood, Mrs. Bennett is determined that Jane, her eldest daughter, will win his heart. All seems to be progressing according to plan until Bingley's snobbish friend, Mr. Darcy, whisks him away from Netherfield, leaving Jane devastated and her sister Lizzie sure the cause is Darcy. When Darcy then proposes to Lizzie, she is astonished and roundly denounces him for the pain he caused her family.

Originally published in early 1813, Pride and Prejudice became a literary success before the end of the year. This new edition has been annotated and edited by David M. Shapard, a specialist in European history of the 18th Century. The Annotated Pride and Prejudice follows faithfully the text of the first edition (1813), which was checked by Jane Austen. The only changes made to the text were to make spelling or capitalization of proper names consistent.

The text is presented on the left page and annotations are presented on the right page. Annotations are provided on a wide range of topics: literary interpretations, word meanings, explanations of items such as a "chaise and four" which in some cases include illustrations, and explanations of historical context. While this classic can be enjoyed without the extras, understanding the small distinctions between a phaeton, gig, carriage and "chaise and four" can help demystify social interaction in 18th Century society.

Devotees of Austen's work will find that The Annotated Pride and Prejudice provides a fresh illumination to a favorite work. Those reading it for the first time will find the annotations, maps and timelines helpful in understanding this exceptional novel.

Armchair Interviews says: Whether for the first or hundredth time, this is always a great red.

This is a great tool in understanding the books so much better. I try to buy most of my classic books annotated and am usually underwhelmed. This edition and the Sense and Sensibility by the same annotator are the best...not the best Austin books I have seen annotated, but the best BOOKS I have seen annotated. (The shakespeare project, online annotates a few of his plays to a similar quality as well)

I had hoped that this book would be "annotated" to explain aspects of social history that are lost on us modern readers. And there's a tiny, tiny bit of that. For example, the editor explains what an entail was, and what rank Lady Catherine would have been. This is interesting.

But the vast majority of the annotations, as other reviewers have noted, are explanations of words whose meanings are quite clear from context. Jane Austen was a very clean, concise writer-- so much so that 200 years on, she's still enjoyable for all ages. A recent Publisher's Weekly survey found that American teenagers identified her as their favorite dead author. *They* don't have any trouble understanding her. Her writing needs no glossing... and certainly not the tiresome, repetitive, intrusive explanations it gets in this edition.

If, like me, you never quite got around to Jane Austen as a high school or college student, buy this book! It will delight. P&P is perhaps Austen's best work - it is certainly one of the most amusing, and the annotations make it exceedingly readable by any reasonably intelligent person, regardless of their knowledge of the period. Annotations can be ignored, if you wish, but they will add to your understanding and enjoyment.

First of all I have never written a review before and will probably never again but felt it necessary in this case. Pride and Prejudice doesn't need a review (and if you are searching for such a detailed version, you have most likely already read the story and love it). However, this annotated version is absolutely wonderful and has such detail to it. Yes, many things are repeated but not at all with a sense of arrogance or heavy-handedness. It seems more likey to me that with all of the obvious research and care put into this version that why would you leave out small notations so not to annoy some readers. It would be like running a race and almost finishing and what fun would that be. Like I said, never have and probably never will review another book but the care and the work that was put into the annotated version has moved me to do so now. Very well done!

This book is the first Jane Austen novel that I have read. I found the annotations to be very helpful in understanding the cultural context of the novel, explaining antiquated customs and character motivations. Austen makes reference to other books of the era, and the editor elaborates on the background and significance of them.

Having the annotations opposite the text on the facing page is very convenient and it's easy to read every one. I did not find the annotations to be overly redundant.

I wish that the editor had more annotated Austen works, but having read this one, I'll have an easier time understanding the other novels. [Edit: Now they are available.]

Face it, you are not typical landed genteel aristocracy of the period. Jane Austin assumed her readers would understand her references. Books like this level the playing field (they also make for a slow if rewarding reread). Imagine Miss Austin trying to follow your tweets...

The author's command of the life and times of Jane Austen is indeed noteworthy. Many annotated versions of literary works are content to clarify obscure or archaic vocabulary. This book not only explains word usage; it offers brief but remarkably detailed commentary on the society, manners, transportation, architecture, commerce, entertainment, politics, values, religion, and every other conceivable aspect of the background which Austen took for granted and without which the novel cannot be fully appreciated. Dr. Shapard's Introduction to the volume does a thorough and succinct job of placing the novel in the context of Jane Austen's own life and relating it to her other works. Both students and Austen aficionados should be very grateful for this first ever annotated version of Pride and Prejudice.

As a Janeite for decades, I have read dozens of books about Jane Austen. I expected this book to be a useful reference, but it is much more than that. The commentary is a delightful read, with concise and clear explanations of the militia, dining customs, card games, etiquette, and much much more. There is a comprehensive chronology, a 20-page bibliography on specific topics, and delightful quotes on the back cover.
He provides tips for understanding what is beneath the surface of the story. His insights include allusions to characters and events in her other books, and in her life as well.
Think you've read Pride and Prejudice? Read it again, with Shapard at hand. Every book club should do so.

The annotations were VERY helpful, sure there were some words that were obvious, but for the most part-- it made the book sooo much easier to understand exactly what they are saying... it actualy made me understand certain parts of the movie that I didn't notice before.

David Shapard clearly devoted huge amounts of time and energy to this heavily annotated edition, presenting a workmanlike job in defining less familiar terms (as well as some more familiar words) and customs from Austen's day. He also offers "Literary interpretations," most of which he admits are his personal "opinions." Some of them are rudimentary and even gratuitous. For example, his first note to vol. 3, ch. 18, relative to Darcy's telling Elizabeth that he admires her for "the liveliness of [her] mind" states that "Darcy has recognized the basic quality in Elizabeth's mind that is so opposed to his character. . . " (p. 693). Elizabeth makes this point back in 3:8 (p. 564); thus, 3:18 n. 1 is unnecessary, as it repeats what the heroine already said. Shapard might have even cross-referenced this.

But my real concern about this edition is the editor's failure to cite sources. This is true of both the Introduction and the notes, themselves. At times, this failure to acknowledge the work of others made me cringe. FYI: I am a tenured Professor of English (PhD in 18th-c. British Lit) and a U of CO President's Teaching Scholar; I do not speak on behalf of this institution in this review.

Here's a cringe-worthy example: I am looking at vol. 1, ch. 14, n. 30, referring to Austen's having Mr. Collins select Fordyce's Sermons to read aloud to the Bennet sisters--a reading that Lydia Bennet soon interrupts. Note 30 states that Austen's choice of "Fordyce may . . . be a subtle reference . . . to . . . The Rivals," a play by Sheridan. The editor then explains how Fordyce and Lydia Languish, a character in the play, connect to Austen's scene and the novel's Lydia Bennet. A non-academic reader will be duly impressed with Shapard's broad and deep knowledge of 18th-c. comedy.

This note, however, rang a bell for me. Frank W. Bradbrook presented this information in the Oxford World's Classics paperback edition of P&P (1990; many times reprinted and updated), which he co-edited with James Kinsley. Bradbrook cites in his endnotes his earlier commentary on this scene in Oxford University's scholarly journal Notes and Queries, n.s. vol 11, no. 7 (1964) and credits E.E. Phare with pointing out the relationship of "Lydia Languish, Lydia Bennet, and Fordyce's Sermons," in an article of that title published in the same journal in 1964, but in issue #5, pp.182-83. (I have provided here additional bibliographical information regarding issue & year.) Shapard cites none of the earlier scholars' work in his note.

Another concern about this edition is that the editor's "opinions" show general unfamiliarity with some of the most important Austen research of the past decade (such as Princeton's Claudia Johnson's, not even cited in the bibliography)--research that shows Austen to be a far more subtle and satirical writer than the gentle writer of benign courtship novels that she was previously (and for a long time) deemed to be. This edition, then, does not present a timely view of Austen: an Austen whose work is much richer than Shapard's notes reveal.

I remind students and teachers to be wary of the editor's cavalier practice of citation omission--in some cases, failing to credit hardworking scholars who earlier made original and insightful points about the novel, which Shapard uses. This is a regrettable, but important flaw in The Annotated Pride and Prejudice, particularly as it's advertised as edited by a PhD (History) who has "taught in many colleges," a phrase suggestive of scholarly authority and responsibility. Cambridge University Press's excellent 2006-scholarly edition of Pride and Prejudice, edited by Dr. Pat Rogers, DeBartolo Professor at the Univ of S FL, appropriately cross-references us to Bradbrook's note in the Oxford World's Classics paperback (1991, p. 349, n. to p.60) in the annotation for the scene in question, pp. 485-6. n.8. The Rogers edition is "The" scholarly edition of Pride and Prejudice.

If you already love or have just begun to read Jane Austen and want to know more about the vocabulary, the dress, the food, the customs of her time, you will find David Shapard's "The Annotated Pride and Prejudice" of incomparable value. Did you know that "mornings" meant most of the day? Have you ever wondered where the phrase "pin-money" comes from? Page 683 provides the answer!
An excellent introduction and maps showing the sites mentioned contribute to an enhanced enjoyment and understanding of the novel for old and new readers alike.

Mr. Shapard does a fair amount of gushing, but he gets it out of his system after about a hundred pages. What's left is historical context, balanced literary interpretation and elucidation of the subject matter. Overall, he's done a wonderful job.

Years ago, I read P&P and thought it was alright but nothing worth getting excited about. When I read this version, suddenly it wasn't just two people talking; it was Darcy digging himself a hole in front of the oblivious Elizabeth. Talk about something worth getting excited about; I couldn't put it down.

I had trouble understanding the language, but with the notes directly on the opposite page, it helps the reader truly appreciate what Austen was saying. I also like the author's insights into what was going on in the world at the time the novel was written, it adds a whole new dimension to the book.

This was an anniversary gift and I have throughly enjoyed reading it. The text is on the left page and the coordinated annotations are on the right. Every page is filled with critical analysis, historical details and period images. What a wonderful way to read a favorite text - with more depth and understanding!

The notes on the opposite page of teach page of the book are very helpful in understanding the exact meanings and the connotations of many words and phrases that were in use in the period when Jane Austen is writing. The historical background of that era and especially the explanation of the social and cultural life is very illuminating. I hesitated to get this edition of the book, and I am so glad that I did.

For anyone wanting to understand Jane Austen and her times better, I highly recommend this book. I paid full retail in a bricks-and-mortar store and found it to be worth every penny. I will keep it to refer back to as I read other novels by Austen, and even other authors of the period. I'm very grateful to have this handy, helpful reference.

As a lifelong Austen fan, I figured I knew at least most of the meaning behind the words that have changed over the last 200 years. How much fun to find out there was more to learn. Plus an explanation of inheritance, finances, etiquette and propriety, etc. A luxurious reading time.

The Annotated pride and Prejudice met expectations. It is a very scolarly and interesting book. It is great to have the text on one page and the notes on the opposite page. I am one of those who read for the subtext and cultural background, which these notes provide in excellent detail.

In my title, I use "condescending" in its modern sense, not that of Mr. Collins. By "amiable," I mean "user friendly." I find some useful material in the annotations, but I am left with a feeling that I'm not sure of the extent to which the annotator knows whereof he writes.

This is a thoroughly worthwhile undertaking completed with great enthusiasm, competence and erudition. It was an excellent idea to include maps, illustrations and a chronology of events.

Not sure though that I would want similar treatment to be meted out to other novels by Jane Austen. It could become a tad systematic which would detract from one's enjoyment.

The Annotated Pride and Prejudice book is a godsend to those who want to understand the society, the modes of transportation, and the language used in this particular period of England's history. It reveals a better understanding of the mores and a better enjoyment of the abilities of Jane Austen in capturing the flavor of the times.

If you are a Jane Austen fan and obsessed with Pride and Prejudice, then this book is for you. It has text on one side and notes on the opposite. The notes explain words and terms that are either out of date or definitely British. It also helps with passages that seem inexplicable.

This is a wonderful tool for all students of Pride and Prejudice. The annotations are concise and written in clear and simple english enabling any student to understand the richness of Jane Austen's prose and the context within which she was writing. Excellent and should be made available to all. :)

I absolutly loved this book!!! I had previously read pride and prejudice and found this to be extremly interesting! It's filled with interesting notes and factoids as well as containing many fun pictures to glance at!

This is a good edition of Pride and Prejudice, but the annotations vary from very good to very annoying. It is obviously written for an American audience, since it explains words whose American meaning obviously deviate from standard English, but which do not really need explanation. Sometimes, it omits the meanings of a rare word. Often, I felt, the explanation of a word's meaning was not correct. It can also be very annoying - for example, the numerous times that the annotator needs to tell us that "town" meant "London", or how "afternoon" is calculated. This habit of repeating information occurs for other words / phrases, and seems to be a means of filling up the page. On the other hand, some of the explanations of customs are wonderful. The introduction is extremely good, and well worth reading before and after reading the text once again. I'm glad I bought the book, but I wish that the annotator had done a lot more editorial work on it.

What better way to start the summer than reading a 740 page annotated version of Pride and Prejudice? Fun, right? I decided to read it in a little over two weeks, hoping to finish it before I left on a family vacation (thankfully, I was successful). In the process, I learned that I am not a Jane Austen fan, this being the first of her novels that I have read in its entirety. While I'm glad that I had an opportunity to read Pride and Prejudice, I wouldn't voluntarily pick up another Jane Austen novel at the moment. Pride and Prejudice should sate any desire to read a classic for quite some time.

For my eleventh grade English class, we were required to purchase and read the annotated edition. I was initially very optimistic about the annotations, hoping that they would facilitate an easier and faster understanding of the text. Unfortunately, as I began reading, I noticed that many of the annotations were unnecessary, or rambled on about completely unrelated topics. While some of the annotations proved to be very helpful, the book could have been significantly shorter in the absence of the extraneous ones, such as images of architecture and carriages that existed at the time.

I found the plot to be very dull, putting me to sleep on more than one occasion (which is definitely saying something because I rarely fall asleep while reading). The events seemed monotonous and nondescript, leading to a dragging and nearly nonexistent plot. The story could have been easily compressed into 5 pages or less.

Austen's style of writing left something to be desired. Her formality made the narrative appear stiff and forced. The characters came across as shallow and lacking depth. They were much too focused on adhering to societal norms to develop a personality and sense of individuality. Consequently, the relationships and romances present throughout the book were equally superficial, often surrounding money and social status. Austen's writing seemed to promote the stereotype that women married solely for money, a generalization that Austen herself refused to succumb to.

While I did not wholeheartedly despise Pride and Prejudice it will not be making my list of all time favorite books. It certainly had its ups and downs, but on a much smaller scale than most novels today. While I wasn't overly fond of the characters, plot, or writing style, it did have a few redeeming qualities, such as a few sharp, witty remarks and the sappy romances that developed. Inevitably, I will be reading more works by Jane Austen at some point in the future and will (hopefully) be able to approach them with an open mind.

Mark Twain had the right idea:
“I often want to criticize Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can’t conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Every time I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin bone!”