I read this entire novel and all the side notes (for they are on the side, not the end or foot) aloud to my spouse starting March 24, 2026. We finished June 24, 2026. If you’ve been here before, likely you know I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice. The following notes were written as they came to me, meaning they are in order with the chronology of the novel.

• When exactly do we learn there are five Bennett daughters? Is this just already known thanks to the book’s notoriety? I already knew which ones I was supposed to hate…
• The number of times I’ve said, “What a shithead!” aloud.
• Why is Mr. Bingley so nice, and why can’t he be Elizabeth’s love interest? I mean, Jane could have conveniently died from that cold…
• I literally just said “what a little shithead” again.
• It’s impressive that anyone knows who’s talking in this book, because the lack of dialogue tags is astounding.
• The notes about the flogged soldier are interesting. Not only do Kitty and Lydia not think about why soldiers are there, but the context of why certain soldiers were flogged and how common the practice was.
• The note about how the word “nice” has changed meaning. According to the editor, it used to mean “foolish, silly, ignorant.” However, before Austen’s time, “nice” had these various meanings: “wanton or lascivious, showy, effeminine, fastidious, refined, shy, pampered, trivial, risky, and dainty.”
• I was really surprised by the chapter in which Elizabeth and Mr Wickham shit-talk all kinds of people. It seems really malicious and gossipy, uncharacteristic of what I’ve been told about Elizabeth.
• I feel like Mary gets a bad rap. Everyone seems so upset with her for having thoughts that aren’t nuanced, but she’s a freaking teenager. Also, the scene during which she starts singing, and Elizabeth is just horribly embarrassed. In the text, it doesn’t say that Mary’s a bad or boastful singer; she was just eager to sing. Poor Mary!
• I’m truly confused as to what Darcy was thinking when he told Elizabeth that he was proposing to her, and that he had saved his friend, Mr Bingley, from the same fate by putting Jane in an ill light. What did he think the outcome would be?? Even if Elizabeth was a gold digger, what kind of life was he expecting to have with her?
• Note from the editor: “Because of Darcy’s higher social status, it would not be proper for Elizabeth to introduce her aunt and uncle unless he requested the introduction.” Me: “What a dumbass society.”
• Darcy asks if he can introduce Elizabeth to his sister. Me and Nick: “Awwwww!”
• From the text: “…Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.” Me: “Soooo, 1/8 of a mile?” Nick: “They hadn’t invented the number 8 yet.”
• When Elizabeth asks when Mr. Darcy knew he loved her, she tells him herself the reason is because she is #NotLikeOtherGirls