The Annotated Pride and Prejudice: A Revised and Expanded Edition

By Jane Austen and David M. Shapard

The first fully annotated edition of Jane Austen’s beloved classic, presenting the complete text alongside comprehensive, detailed annotations—now revised and expanded with hundreds of new notes and illustrations

A sheer delight for Jane Austen fans, The Annotated Pride and Prejudice contains the complete text of Pride and Prejudice with thousands of annotations, including:

• Explanations of historical context: Rules of etiquette, class differences, the position of women, legal and economic realities, leisure activities, and more.
• Citations from Austen’s life, letters, and other writings: Parallels between the novel and Austen’s experience are revealed, along with writings that illuminate her beliefs and opinions.
• Definitions and clarifications: Archaic words, words still in use whose meanings have changed, and obscure passages are explained.
• Literary comments and analyses: Insightful notes highlight Austen’s artistry and point out the subtle ways she develops her characters and themes.
• Maps and illustrations: See the places and objects mentioned in the novel.
• An introduction, a bibliography, and a detailed chronology of events
 
Of course, one can enjoy the novel without knowing the precise definition of a gentleman, or what it signifies that a character drives a coach rather than a hack chaise, or the rules governing social interaction at a ball, but readers of The Annotated Pride and Prejudice will find that these kinds of details add immeasurably to understanding and enjoying the intricate psychological interplay of Austen’s immortal characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9780307951007

Jane Austen

Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels—Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion—which observe and critique the British gentry of the late eighteenth century. Her mastery of wit, irony, and social commentary made her a beloved and acclaimed author in her lifetime, a distinction she still enjoys today around the world.

Reviews for The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

[mcelhra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I used this book as a reference while I was reading Pride and Predjudice on my Kindle. There were way too many footnotes to read directly from this edition. I would read a few chapters on the Kindle and then skim the footnotes in this edition for the section I had just read. I think I got a lot more out of the book than if I had just read the regular version. Shapard's footnotes contained many interesting facts about the customs of the day that helped explain various characters' motivations for their actions. He also included biographical information about Jane Austen herself that was helpful.

[cynical_ames · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Pride is a very common failing I believe... human nature is particularly prone to it, and there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." [p36]
Ah, one of the most widely read books in history - the pressure! But since Ms. Austen's Emma is the reason I received a D in one of my English Lit exams, I've held a bit of a grudge.

There's no denying the woman can draw realistic, fallible characters and relationships worthy of study, but her writing isn't the clearest or as grammatically precise as a modern reader might like. That's why I opted for an annotated edition with her text on the left page and the notes on the right (which included pictures of certain items referred to in the text, like a particular type of carriage and portraits from that time period). Although a particular turn of phrase would occasionally tickle me and induce a smile.

Austen's romances are very clean, proper and sedate; attraction is based on wealth, social standing, strength of character (honour, generosity, etc.) and appropriate familiarity - in that order, par for the course for this time period. Where's the fiery passion of a man or woman in love? Austen also heavily relies upon misunderstandings to provide conflict - it'd be nice if she'd changed it up a bit. Propriety, etiquette and social convention are strictly adhered to by her main characters. That's a bit boring, to be honest. Only the secondary characters are allowed to be scandalously 'bad' for us to pass judgement on or to laugh at.

Elizabeth is far more likable than the dreadfully spoilt Emma. She's quick-witted and cheeky. And Darcy is a clear-cut introvert (and so am I) with a stiff upper lip who needs an intelligent equal to put a bit of fun into his life and ruffle his feathers.

P&P isn't as compelling or enjoyable as I'd hoped having read half of it last year and the rest almost a year later. So while I enjoyed the coupling and the realistic characters and relationships, I'm not as enthused about Ms. Austen's works as most.

Don't hate me.



I was spurred on to find out how many times certain words were used in the text:

297 Sister
213 Good
179 Dear
152 Family
122 Love
74 Happiness
71 Character
67 Marriage
53 Fortune / Misfortune
49 Pride
46 Handsome
36 Amiable
36 Sensible
30 Kindness
21 Dancing
19 Superior
18 Vanity
8 Prejudice

The Prospective Husbands
418 Darcy
311 Bingley
194 Wickham

[ben_a_11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

On the novel: James Wood says that Austen excels at both caricature and character. True. She is throughout simultaneously light and deep, providing one of the funniest books on earth, a primer on manners, and a (correct, admirable) theory of romantic love. In my Republic of Virtue, reading of Pride and Prejudice will be mandatory at age 14. On the edition: Most annotated versions serve only to explain the obvious at length. Some of that occurs here, but overall the commentary is useful and restrained. Austen partisans will find much to enjoy here, including selections from her letters. The comments are intrusive enough, however, that no one should read this edition as their first time through)(in process, 9.2.07)(finished, 9.8.2007. Long week)

[neferset_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This edition is more than just Pride and Prejudice, it is annotated to provide explanations or further clarification along the way as you read. These things can range from a simple definition of an obsolete term or perhaps a drawing of a particular type of buggy to less exact things, like figuring the number of siblings that Charlotte Lucas might have had or a supposition as to why a character acted a particular way or said a particular word.When reading a book the first time, such a thing can be a major distraction, but when you've read the novel many times and know the story so well, these little things can only make it more enjoyable ... or not if it happens that you don't agree with the annotator at some point.Regardless, it can give you a clearer picture and for those of us not really knowledgeable about English geography, the map showing the various locations is very handy.Not recommended for first time readers of Pride and Prejudice, but definitely recommended for those who have read it repeatedly.

[shinhinm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book after watching the movie which I pretty like. But have to admit I don't like the book very much. Still,it's a lovely and relaxing book to read.

[kerinlo_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great addition to the library of Jane Austen fans. I love Pride and Prejudice more and more each time I read it and this book made my last reading so enjoyable. Many of the footnotes were of information I already knew, but many are also specific to the manners and etiquette of the time which I was unfamiliar with.

[cocomom1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It was quite annoying to have what seemed to be every other word footnoted.

[popoki_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read P&P many times, but this time was the most enjoyable! The explanations and supplemental information brought Elizabeth's world to life, and the chronology was kind of eye-opening in the way many events are clustered. There is a list of suggested reading on all areas of contemporary life. Highly recommended for any JA fan.

[stefany_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When we started this one in class, I thought that Jane Austen books were just a bunch of romantic chick fluff. (No offense intended to the romance fans out there!) As a manly man, I didn't think that there was any way in the world that I would even remotely enjoy it. I'm pleased to report that I was mistaken.Yes, the main theme of the book is what is commonly referred to as a courtship plot. However, Jane Austen's style is so much more than that. The writing is engaging and very full of social commentary that makes the 1800's literally come alive on the page. The story is filled with very well developed and quirky characters and the story is so much more than just two people going ga-ga over one another and falling head-over-heels in love.If you haven't read any Jane Austen and enjoy classic literature, I would recommend giving Pride and Prejudice a try. Also, for both new readers and old fans alike, I think that all would highly benefit by reading the fully annotated version published by Anchor Books. It has wonderful insight and illustrations that really fill the reader in on the book itself, Austen and the time in which the book was written. There are a few spoilers in the annotations for the first time reader, but they were few and the rest of the information really added to the quality of my reading experience.

[mmyoung_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As far as this reader is concerned, one of the most amazing things about "Pride and Prejudice" is that it becomes a richer experience each time it is read. It was one of my mother's treasured trove of books that she had carried around the world through her and I attempted reading it with some regularity throughout my teen years. It was not until the sixth or seventh attempt that I finished it -- and then, of course, found that I had to read it again and read every other Austen I could get my hands on. Few books have so richly reward repeated readings.Since I had read P & P at least a dozen times and was quite familiar with other literature of the same period I was not sure how much Shapard's annotations would add to my enjoyment or understanding of the story. To my surprise the annotations and commentary added in a profound way to both. Shapard does four things very well:1) he clarifies language. Not only are some words current in the English of Austen's time no longer common use there are many others that are used in a manner that differs in ways not easily realized from context.2) he clarifies references to things and places. The reader needs to know how much things cost, how long journeys take, what people ate, when people ate and what servants did and did not do.3) he contextualizes items in both 1) and 2). People from different classes, education and regions used words differently. Ownership of things, dress, presentation and language all had socially relevant meanings.4) he explores the actions and interactions of characters in the story so that the reader has a sense of Austen's probably intentions, the understandings of her contemporary readers and the different interpretations of academics over the years.

[nickelini · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This almost 800 page book includes not only the text and annotations, but also a chronology of the novel, useful maps, and an extensive bibliography of further reading. It is organized with the text of the novel on the left page and the annotations on the right. These annotations include some drawings, word definitions, plot points, and literary interpretations. The word definitons can get tedious--they are intended to point out where a word has changed since the novel was written, but I found many of them to be pretty obvious. Fortunately, I was able to gloss over these without too much interruption. I did enjoy the other annotations very much--it was like reading along with someone who had great insights. They also helped me to study Austen's unique style of writing, which is something that has fascinated me since I read Mansfield Park for university. As for P&P itself, Austen's writing--her beautiful use of language, her wit and biting social commentary, and the structure she gives the novel--is simply splendid. I noticed on this reading (with the aid of the annotations) that there is not one sentence in the novel that doesn't contribute to either a character or to the development of the story as a whole. It is an amazing achievement and it is clear to me why Pride and Prejudice appears on pretty much every list of best novels. Recommened for: lovers of Jane Austen and this novel, students, writers studying technique. I do not recommend any novel this heavily annotated for a first time reader. It would be far too distracting and destroy the cadence of the book.

[booksfordinner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I get it. I completely get that Austen was a genius. Writing P&P when she was 20 years old; her intuitive, almost unearthly understanding of class and families and relationships; the way her prose was so much more direct and economical than her contemporaries; the humor, the sarcasm (Miss Bingley was snarky nearly 200 years before bloggers existed!)... all of it. I am wholly appreciative of her genius.Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Can't do it. I've tried, more than once, but I just don't care if Mr. Darcy has 10,000 a year.

[snooksmcdermott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read P&P 8 or 9 times, and the annotated version gave me wonderful insights into the book.

[murphy4jacobs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With the text of the novel on one page and a list of notes, explanations, and historical facts on the facing page, this annotated version makes the classic story accessible to readers not familiar with the conventions of 19th century literature, with the historical period, or with Austen. For those familiar with the story, having a few explanatory notes gives new meaning to certain parts of the novel (for instance, knowing how the word "condescension" was used in that period gave Mr. Collins' many repetitions of it a clearer and more humorous level.)

[knitgeisha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read Pride and Prejudice a considerable number of times, many different editions; but from now on I will only read this one. It's like sharing a beloved book with a friend. Mr. Shapard is obviously a fan and it shows thru. From detailed minutiae about period life, to witty asides sure to get a chuckle; every note is well crafted. I was afraid that it would be too much like a "Cliff's Notes" version but it was far different and in my opinion superior. Even if, like me, you have read P&P many times, I urge you to give this edition a try. You will be well rewarded.

[cauterize · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Invaluable. Great for learning the background of this period, the subtleties of Austen's writing and explaining how certain words mean different things at this time. Had drawings which were helpful, I now know to identify a barouche vs. chaise on sight. Some reviewers comment on the repetitiveness, I didn't find that so much of a problem because there was so much info, it wasn't a common thing. This really helped me read the other Austen works.

[tgraettinger_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delicious. I really enjoyed the annotations. They really added even more depth and texture to an already classic novel. Highly recommended.