The Book Review Book Club: Let's Talk About 'Pride and Prejudice'
Sep 26, 2025
Join Jennifer Harlan, an editor at The New York Times Book Review, alongside Gregory Cowles and Emily Eakin, as they dive into the world of 'Pride and Prejudice.' With Sarah Lyall offering her expertise on Jane Austen, the discussion highlights the novel's enduring themes of marriage and class. The panel dissects characters like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, analyzes the significance of the iconic opening line, and shares personal insights from rereads. Explore how Austen's wit remains relevant today, offering fresh perspectives on romance.
01:05:14
Jane Austen’s Background Shapes Her Work
- Jane Austen came from a large, economically constrained family but had a rich intellectual life supported by her father's library.
- She wrote from youth and valued independence, money, and marrying for love rather than convenience.
Narration Technique That Created Modern Irony
- Austen refined free indirect discourse, letting the omniscient narrator adopt characters' voices to show private thoughts in narration.
- This technique powers irony and allows readers to see characters' misreadings and social performances.
Reread To Discover New Layers
- Re-read Pride and Prejudice because it rewards repeated readings with new discoveries each time.
- Even familiar passages reveal fresh humor, craft, and subtext on subsequent reads.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Who Was Jane Austen?
02:15 • 2min
How Sarah Lyall Rediscovered Austen
04:08 • 2min
What Should Readers Know About Jane Austen?
06:04 • 4min
Where Does Pride and Prejudice Sit in Austen's Work?
09:50 • 5min
Austen's Innovations in the Novel Form
15:13 • 5min
Rereading Advice and Wrap of Primer
19:59 • 19sec
Ad break
20:18 • 2min
Setting the Table: What Is Pride and Prejudice?
22:02 • 44sec
The Novel's Tone and Main Characters
22:46 • 3min
Why the Opening Line Matters
25:33 • 55sec
Why Pride and Prejudice Endures
26:28 • 5min
How Subsequent Readings Change the Experience
31:23 • 1min
Audiobook Experiences and Performances
32:32 • 2min
First Impressions and Modern Resonances
34:53 • 3min
Gossip, Letters, and Misunderstanding
37:41 • 3min
The Darker Side: Deception and Consequences
40:12 • 1min
Mr. Bennet's Flaws Revealed
41:15 • 1min
Favorite Characters and Comic Scenes
42:22 • 4min
Reading Austen in 2025
45:54 • 2min
Is the Novel Conservative or Progressive?
48:12 • 5min
Why Elizabeth Remains Beloved
52:44 • 2min
Criticisms and Plot Conveniences
55:06 • 1min
Narrative Technique and Language Economy
56:34 • 1min
Final Thoughts: Read or Re-read It
57:59 • 30sec
Recommendations for Austen Fans
58:29 • 4min
Further Reading: Other Austen and Like-Minded Authors
01:02:45 • 4min
Next Month's Book Club Announcement
01:06:26 • 1min
Outro
01:07:30 • 34sec
#
The Marriage Plot
Jeffery Eugenides
Jeffrey Eugenides
The Marriage Plot follows the lives of Madeleine Hanna, a young woman who loves Jane Austen, and her two college friends as they navigate love, faith, and identity in the 1980s.
Set against the backdrop of Brown University, the novel explores the clash between traditional romantic ideals and contemporary literary theory.
Jeffrey Eugenides's story examines the enduring power of love and the complexities of modern relationships.
As the characters grapple with their expectations and desires, they discover that life and love are far more complicated than any novel could portray.
It is a thought-provoking and beautifully written tale about the search for meaning and connection in a changing world.
#
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors
Sonali Dev
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors reimagines Jane Austen's classic in a contemporary setting with diverse characters.
Trisha Raje, a brilliant neurosurgeon from a wealthy Indian-American family, clashes with DJ Caine, a talented chef from a less privileged background.
As they navigate their cultural differences and personal prejudices, they discover an unexpected connection.
Sonali Dev's novel explores themes of class, family expectations, and the power of love to overcome barriers.
The story is filled with delicious descriptions of food and aromas, adding a sensory dimension to the classic tale.
It is a vibrant and heartwarming retelling that celebrates diversity and the universal themes of love and acceptance.
#
Book Lovers
Emily Henry
Book Lovers tells the story of Nora Stephens, a prickly New York book agent, and Charlie Lastra, a brooding book editor.
They both find themselves in a small town in North Carolina for the summer, where they unexpectedly form a connection.
Emily Henry's novel explores themes of career, family, and the complexities of love.
The story is filled with witty banter and charming characters, making it a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance.
As Nora and Charlie navigate their feelings, they discover that sometimes the best stories are the ones you never expect to write.
It is a heartwarming tale about finding love and happiness in unexpected places.
#1316
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Persuasion
Jane Austen
Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel.
The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections.
Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage.
The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.
#
Such a Fun Age
Kiley Reid
The novel tells the story of Alix Chamberlain, a wealthy influencer and blogger, and Emira Tucker, her 25-year-old African-American babysitter.
When Emira is wrongly accused of kidnapping Alix's toddler, the incident sets off a chain of events that expose the deep-seated racial and class biases in their lives.
The book delves into themes of interracial relations, privilege, millennial anxiety, and the complexities of transactional relationships.
With its witty dialogue and naturalistic flair, the novel offers a nuanced take on contemporary social issues, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.
#1399
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
Emma
Jane Austen
juan perez
The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress.
Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley.
Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance.
The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes.
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The Buffalo Hunter
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Stephen Graham Jones
#61311
Washington Square
Henry James
'Washington Square' tells the story of Catherine Sloper, a plain and unassuming young woman living in 19th-century New York City.
Catherine is dominated by her brilliant but emotionally distant father, Dr. Sloper, who sees her as lacking intelligence and charm.
When a handsome and fortune-hunting Morris Townsend appears, Catherine falls deeply in love, but her father suspects Morris's motives and opposes the match.
The novel explores themes of inheritance, social expectations, and the power dynamics within families, portraying Catherine's struggle for independence and self-worth in a society that values wealth and status.
#151
• Mentioned in 97 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
#3462
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story that satirizes the Gothic novels of the late 18th century.
The novel follows Catherine Morland, a young and naive girl who loves reading Gothic novels.
When she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, the home of the Tilney family, her imagination runs wild with expectations of mystery and horror.
However, the reality of the abbey is far from her Gothic fantasies.
The novel explores Catherine's growth as she learns to distinguish between fiction and reality, and it critiques the societal norms and expectations of her time.
Written by Jane Austen, the book was completed in 1803 but published posthumously in 1817 along with Persuasion.
#1743
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel.
It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death.
The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby.
Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
So opens Jane Austen’s Regency-era romantic comedy “Pride and Prejudice,” which for centuries has delighted readers with its story of the five Bennet sisters and their efforts to marry well. While the novel moves nimbly among all of the family members and their various entanglements, its particular focus remains on the feisty second-eldest daughter, Elizabeth, and her vexed chemistry with the wealthy, arrogant, gorgeous Mr. Darcy. Their sharp wit, verbal jousting and mutual misunderstandings form the core of what might be considered the first enemies-to-lovers plot in modern literature.
On this week’s episode, the Book Club host MJ Franklin discusses “Pride and Prejudice” with his colleagues Jennifer Harlan, Emily Eakin and Gregory Cowles, and Austen in general with The Times’s Sarah Lyall.
Other books and authors mentioned in this discussion:
“Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors,” by Sonali Dev
“Book Lovers,” by Emily Henry
“The Marriage Plot,” by Jeffrey Eugenides
“Washington Square,” by Henry James
“Such a Fun Age,” by Kiley Reid
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.