Of "Pride and Prejudice"

Hands down.  Favorite novel and film----PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!!! I get so inspired by the works of the lovely Jane Austen.  Ever since I was first introduced to P&P, I instantly became an avid reader.  I, for certain, attribute my love and passion for reading to this fine novel. 
What sparked this topic??? Well, there are definitely more women in my office than men.  Sooooo---- since my desk is right by the back door, I get to greet everyone the second they walk in the door.  This also allots me the chance to spark up any degree of conversation with whomever walks in the door first.  Well, I always have a book of some sort on my desk.  Today, I had a new novel by Deanne Gist/J. Mark Bertrand.  One of my co-workers asked me if it was good, and I was describing the type of author she is.  I started to tell her my love for a certain time period....and then that started the conversations about Jane Austen and P&P!!!!! Gosh, I have so much appreciation for people that share in my respect for reading.  And here's the clencher: a lot of people (not everyone) equate ":readers" with boring stuffy non-fiction topics, HOWEVER, while there are some REALLY REALLY good non-fiction books out there, I truly believe that fiction is really important also.  It's good to condition your creative imagination.  While knowlege is important, so is creativity. So,  branch out and read some fiction. :)

Thus, I have a favorite quote from P&P:
 "I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased."
--Chapter 58

The bolded part is probably one of my favorite lines ever!!! What draws me so much to the way Jane Austen wrote this novel is how in every line, whether it be a narration or dictation, you can sense and feel the devotion and adoration.  I love that with each statemet, there are so many meanings you can derive from them.  That, to me, is what makes it so real. 
Gosh, I wish I could write like that....Or really had the courage to just start outlining a book of my own!! I would love that creative freedom to just express.  What a talent!!!