Product Description Austen's most popular novel, the unforgettable story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.Nominated as one of Americas best-loved novels by PBSs The Great American ReadFew have failed to be charmed by the witty and independent spirit of Elizabeth Bennet in Austens beloved classicPride and Prejudice. When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows us the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life. This Penguin Classics edition, based on Austen's first edition, contains the original Penguin Classics introduction by Tony Tanner and an updated introduction and notes by Viven Jones.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. Review The wit of Jane Austen has for partner the perfection of her taste.Virginia WoolfNobody has ever been slyer with characters than Austen.Marlon James, My 10 Favorite Books,in T: The New York Times Style Magazine About the Author Jane Austenwas born on December 16, 1775 at Steventon near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She lived with her family at Steventon until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. After his death in 1805, she moved around with her mother; in 1809, they settled in Chawton, near Alton, Hampshire. Here she remained, except for a few visits to London, until in May 1817 she moved to Winchester to be near her doctor. There she died on July 18, 1817. As a girl Jane Austen wrote stories, including burlesques of popular romances. Her works were only published after much revision, four novels being published in her lifetime. These areSense and Sensibility(1811),Pride and Prejudice(1813),Mansfield Park(1814) andEmma(1816). Two other novels,Northanger AbbeyandPersuasion, were published posthumously in 1818 with a biographical notice by her brother, Henry Austen, the first formal announcement of her authorship.Persuasionwas written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. She also left two earlier compositions, a short epistolary novel,Lady Susan, and an unfinished novel,The Watsons. At the time of her death, she was working on a new novel,Sanditon, a fragmentary draft of which survives.Vivien Jonesis a senior lecturer in English at the University of Leeds.Tony Tannerwas a Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge and a professor of English and American literature at the University of Cambridge. He died in December 1998. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter IIt is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"Mr. Bennet replied that he had not."But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."Mr. Bennet made