Ebook & Audiobook: Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen

Ebook gratuit et livre audio du roman d'orgueil et de préjugés de Jane Austen

This free app allows you to both read and listen to this classic book, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel written by English novelist, Jane Austen and was first published anonymously on 28th January 1813. The writer was referred to as The Author of Sense and Sensibility – another work of Jane Austen which was also published anonymously earlier in 1811, in which the author of Sense and Sensibility was referred to as ‘By a Lady’. The first edition of Pride and Prejudice was published in London by T. Egerton as a three-volume novel (triple decker) – a standard form in publishing first editions during that era. The book was well received and was sold out bringing in the publication of the second edition in October of the same year. Translation into French also appeared in the same year. The third edition was published in 1817.

Jane Austen was born on 16th December 1775 to George Austen and Cassandra Leigh in Hampshire, England. She received her education briefly at Reading Abbey Girl’s School, also known as Reading Ladies’ Boarding School, but had most of her education informally guided by her family members. During her lifetime, Jane Austen published four novels:

• Sense and Sensibility (1811);

• Pride and Prejudice (1813);

• Mansfield Park (1814); and

• Emma (1816).

She died at the age of 41 years old on 18th July 1817, the year Pride and Prejudice went into its third edition publication. Jane Austen’s two other novels - Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in 1818:

The story in Pride and Prejudice reflects strongly on the title itself. William Collins is probably the most notable character in showing that he thinks highly of himself and would often associate himself with the “high society”. The main character, Elizabeth Bennet on the other hand, had many prejudgements particularly on Fitzwilliam Darcy based on her glimpses and what she briefly heard. Nevertheless, the overall theme of Pride and Prejudice is around the notion of marriage and wealth in the society during that era. This is clearly stated in the opening sentence of the novel – “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” And for those who are wondering, this book has a happy ending.

Pride and Prejudice is considered one of the very successful literatures since the publication of its first edition in 1813 which was sold out in that year itself. Over the past more than two centuries, this novel has translated into numerous languages and adapted into numerous films, television programs, and theatre plays. This romantic novel has also inspired many other works that spin off from the characters and locations in the original work of Jane Austen. Among those works done in the 21st century are Pride and Prejudice and Zombies;

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentlemen; Death Comes to Pemberley; and Longbourn.

Source credit:

Ebook: Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1342)

Audiobook: Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20686)

Image: Eric Hervo from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/manor-medieval-building-residence-846738/)