The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

Rating:
Summary: The Annotated Pride and Prejudice
Review: Absolutely superior! It allows the reader to fully understand the snallest details of the novel that would otherwise be missed due to changes in the meaning of many words as well as the mannerisms and social structure of that time. If you have read Pride and Prejudice before and enjoyed it, you are in for a special treat. You will be amazed at how much more you will get from it by reading the annotations along with the novel. The layout is exceptional because the annotations are on the page opposite the corresponding page of the novel--no referring to the back of the book. The annotations flow with the novel. It is an exceptional work which I very highly recommend. A++++++++++

Rating:
Summary: Essential for every book club
Review: As a Janeite for decades, I have read dozens of books about Jane Austen. I expected this book to be a useful reference, but it is much more than that. The commentary is a delightful read, with concise and clear explanations of the militia, dining customs, card games, etiquette, and much much more. There is a comprehensive chronology, a 20-page bibliography on specific topics, and delightful quotes on the back cover.

He provides tips for understanding what is beneath the surface of the story. His insights include allusions to characters and events in her other books, and in her life as well.

Think you've read Pride and Prejudice? Read it again, with Shapard at hand. Every book club should do so.

Rating:
Summary: Essential for every book club
Review: As a Janeite for decades, I have read dozens of books about Jane Austen. I expected this book to be a useful reference, but it is much more than that. The commentary is a delightful read, with concise and clear explanations of the militia, dining customs, card games, etiquette, and much much more. There is a comprehensive chronology, a 20-page bibliography on specific topics, and delightful quotes on the back cover.

He provides tips for understanding what is beneath the surface of the story. His insights include allusions to characters and events in her other books, and in her life as well.

Think you've read Pride and Prejudice? Read it again, with Shapard at hand. Every book club should do so.

Rating:
Summary: Especially recommended to literature students
Review: Expertly edited by David M. Shapard, this Pheasant Books edition of Jane Austen's The Annotated Pride & Prejudice is enhanced throughout with extensive annotations offering considerable insights into the historical topics touched upon within the narrative including citations from Jane Austin's own life and work; literary analyses; definitions of archaic words used; and more. An excellent version of a classic work, The Annotated Pride & Prejudice is especially recommended to literature students, as well as the non-specialist general reader who seeks to absorb the most they can from this epic work with the annotations providing a welcome comprehension aid to modern-day readers.

Rating:
Summary: Especially recommended to literature students
Review: Expertly edited by David M. Shapard, this Pheasant Books edition of Jane Austen's The Annotated Pride & Prejudice is enhanced throughout with extensive annotations offering considerable insights into the historical topics touched upon within the narrative including citations from Jane Austin's own life and work; literary analyses; definitions of archaic words used; and more. An excellent version of a classic work, The Annotated Pride & Prejudice is especially recommended to literature students, as well as the non-specialist general reader who seeks to absorb the most they can from this epic work with the annotations providing a welcome comprehension aid to modern-day readers.

Rating:
Summary: fabulous resource
Review: If you already love or have just begun to read Jane Austen and want to know more about the vocabulary, the dress, the food, the customs of her time, you will find David Shapard's "The Annotated Pride and Prejudice" of incomparable value. Did you know that "mornings" meant most of the day? Have you ever wondered where the phrase "pin-money" comes from? Page 683 provides the answer!
An excellent introduction and maps showing the sites mentioned contribute to an enhanced enjoyment and understanding of the novel for old and new readers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Great explanations, background, and perspective
Review: Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books but I've often wondered about many of the customs and other details that are not explained in the text. The annotations did not disappoint; everything that I wondered about was explained, from the types of carriages used by the characters to what it meant to be married by a special license. In addition, the editor's comments on the story were also very interesting and, in many cases, he pointed out subtleties that I had missed. The annotations definitely increased my enjoyment of the book. In some cases the annotations were a little repetitive and I felt that some were unnecessary, but this wasn't enough of an issue to impact my enjoyment or to lower my rating. I am glad that I read an edition without annotations first, however; otherwise the annotations might have been distracting.

Rating:
Summary: a tour de force
Review: The author's command of the life and times of Jane Austen is indeed noteworthy. Many annotated versions of literary works are content to clarify obscure or archaic vocabulary. This book not only explains word usage; it offers brief but remarkably detailed commentary on the society, manners, transportation, architecture, commerce, entertainment, politics, values, religion, and every other conceivable aspect of the background which Austen took for granted and without which the novel cannot be fully appreciated. Dr. Shapard's Introduction to the volume does a thorough and succinct job of placing the novel in the context of Jane Austen's own life and relating it to her other works. Both students and Austen aficionados should be very grateful for this first ever annotated version of Pride and Prejudice.

Rating:
Summary: a tour de force
Review: The author's command of the life and times of Jane Austen is indeed noteworthy. Many annotated versions of literary works are content to clarify obscure or archaic vocabulary. This book not only explains word usage; it offers brief but remarkably detailed commentary on the society, manners, transportation, architecture, commerce, entertainment, politics, values, religion, and every other conceivable aspect of the background which Austen took for granted and without which the novel cannot be fully appreciated. Dr. Shapard's Introduction to the volume does a thorough and succinct job of placing the novel in the context of Jane Austen's own life and relating it to her other works. Both students and Austen aficionados should be very grateful for this first ever annotated version of Pride and Prejudice.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite sure
Review: This is a good edition of Pride and Prejudice, but the annotations vary from very good to very annoying. It is obviously written for an American audience, since it explains words whose American meaning obviously deviate from standard English, but which do not really need explanation. Sometimes, it omits the meanings of a rare word. Often, I felt, the explanation of a word's meaning was not correct. It can also be very annoying - for example, the numerous times that the annotator needs to tell us that "town" meant "London", or how "afternoon" is calculated. This habit of repeating information occurs for other words / phrases, and seems to be a means of filling up the page. On the other hand, some of the explanations of customs are wonderful. The introduction is extremely good, and well worth reading before and after reading the text once again. I'm glad I bought the book, but I wish that the annotator had done a lot more editorial work on it.