The Annotated Pride and Prejudice    by Jane Austen & David M. Shapard Order:  USA  Can Anchor, 2007 (2003) Hardcover, Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Kerrily Sapet Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has been a favorite of Austen enthusiasts for years. Her vivid characters and descriptions of society enthrall readers. Many people pick up the book and re-read it time and time again - each time finding a new angle or insight. Now, for the first time ever, here is a fully-annotated version of Pride and Prejudice. David M. Shapard has provided the complete text, along with over 2,300 annotations on facing pages. The Annotated Pride and Prejudice promises to delight Austen fans of all ages. Shapard's insights and explanations cover many aspects - from historical contexts to citations from Austen's life and letters, to definitions, to literary analysis, to maps and illustrations. Interesting tidbits offer information, such as how wealthy Mr. Darcy would have been in today's dollars. Shapard also paints a picture of exactly the sort of clothes that Elizabeth Bennet would have worn and exactly what type of soup would have been served at a ball. Other information defines what constituted being a gentleman, tells readers what a breakfast-parlour was, and offers details about where and when it was legal to marry. The explanations help to flesh out the novel, creating a fuller picture of a much-loved story. David M. Shapard works well with Jane Austen, only adding rather than subtracting. His notes help the reader feel as if an Austen expert is on hand as they thumb the beloved pages. Shapard has created a fascinating way to re-read a classic story. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews