Pride and Prejudice. ILLUSTRATED

Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen. First published on 28
January 1813, it was her second published novel. Its manuscript was initially
written between 1796 and 1797 in Steventon, Hampshire, where Austen lived in the
rectory. Originally called First Impressions, it was never published under that
title, and in following revisions it was retitled Pride and Prejudice.

The book is narrated in free indirect speech following the main character
Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with matters of upbringing, marriage, moral
rightness and education in her aristocratic society. Though the book's setting
is uniquely turn of the 19th century, it remains a fascination of modern
readership, continuing to remain at the top of lists titled "most loved books of
all time", and receiving considerable attention from literary critics. This
modern interest has resulted in a number of dramatic adaptations and a plethora
of books developing Austen's memorable characters further.

To date, the book has sold some 20 million copies worldwide.

- Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.