Pride and Prejudice (Illustrated by Charles Edmund Brock with an Introduction by William Dean Howells)

First published in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” is a story set in the English countryside outside of London during the early 19th century which centers on the life of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five sisters who are all unmarried. When a wealthy and sociable young gentleman, Charles Bingley, rents the nearby manor of Netherfield Park the opportunity to find husbands presents itself. While attending a ball the Bennets meet Charles Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time. Charles and Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, form a quick friendship, while Fitzwilliam shows little interest in Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her. Darcy is a wealthy handsome intelligent young gentleman who suffers from a social awkwardness that makes him appear to be overly prideful. In the weeks that follow Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves repeatedly forced into each other’s company allowing Elizabeth to overcome the prejudice of her first impression and open herself up to the idea of a romance between the two. A classic novel of manners, “Pride and Prejudice” is arguably Jane Austen’s most popular novel. This edition includes an introduction by William Dean Howells, forty illustrations by Charles Edmund Brock, and a biographical afterword.