Happy Birthday, Pride & Prejudice!

Two hundred years ago this week, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was published.

Happy Birthday!

Could Jane ever have dreamed how successful and beloved this book became? How many millions she would influence?

Just a few facts about Jane Austen and her (arguably) most famous novel:

•  Early drafts were titled First Impressions.
• Jane accepted a marriage proposal from her friend's brother, but the next day she called off the engagement.
• Whom Jane might have loved is still debated, although it's widely accepted she was in love with Tom Lefroy. Their  "story", and how it might have influenced her writing Pride & Prejudice, became the inspiration for the book/film, Becoming Jane, with Anne Hathaway as Jane and James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy. The film is rather fictional, btw.

I do so like Tom's waistcoat

•  Pride and Prejudice has been made into numerous film and television adaptations, including Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood style treat.

The 1940 film version, where the costumes aren't exactly...period.

• It has inspired tomes of Austen-related fiction, including Bridget Jones Diary, Austenland, a Jane Austen mystery series, and Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. Even comic books!

•  Colin Firth remains many fans' favorite Mr. Darcy.

•    But Matthew McFayden has his fans, too.

• Then there's Mr. Wickham. He's quite charming. At first.

•  Jane is so sweet and kind, she's impossible to dislike.

•   And Lizzie, dear Lizzie. How we admire your spunk and how we can relate to your pridefulness!

So Happy Birthday, Pride and Prejudice. At two hundred, you're still looking good.

Even you, Mrs. Bennet