Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary…Challenge Accepted!

While stumbling through the blogosphere, I found this literary challenge that was too tempting not to accept. This year marks the 2ooth anniversary of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. I’ve been reading my way through Ms. Austen’s works this one is still my favorite. I can’t think of any other nineteenth century character that’s as feisty and fabulous as Elizabeth Bennet, can you?

One lovely blog site, Austenprose – A Jane Austen blog, is celebrating this momentous bicentennial with a very fitting challenge. There will be prizes for participants – one given out every month and a grand prize giveaway at the end of the year. Check out the site for some reading suggestions and television viewing opportunities coming up this year. I am committing to the beginning level and planning on re-reading the original text by Ms. Austen. I thought about re-reading my copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I don’t think I could stomach a second go. The first time was interesting, if only to see how the writer was able to weave in the different elements. Frankly, it just made me want to read the original again. My daughter loved it – the little heathen.

I hope to catch some of the television specials – at least the movie version. I must admit, I usually stop whatever I’m doing and watch whenever it’s on anyway – not a hard bit of the challenge to meet in the end. There is a book on the suggested list, Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange, that sounds interesting. It will also help fulfill one of my Postal Reading Challenge selections. So if you care to indulge in the world of Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet, sign up now. It should be a eventful year.