Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice turns 200 today, and I'd swear it didn't look a day over 179. Of course, you're only as old as you feel, and Pride and Prejudice is still as spry and lively as a book one-one hundredth its age. People around the world are still reading it, talking about it, ripping it o-...I mean, paying homage to it. Pretty darned good for a novel that nearly drove Mark Twain to grave desecration!
A lot of books were published in 1813 -- almost as many as are published on Amazon every minute today. Yet most are utterly forgotten. (I'm referring there to the books from 1813. But it could apply just as well to the others.) Why is Pride and Prejudice remembered and beloved while so many others aren't? I have three theories.
Theory #1: It's got a great title.
Ironically enough, Jane Austen originally wanted to call her novel First Impressions -- a title that, while not bad, doesn't make a particularly strong first impression itself. Yet even that would have been sheer poetry compared to the names slapped on some of the other books appearing in 1813.
Ever hear of The French Convert: A True Relation of the Conversion of a Noble French Lady, to the Reformed Religion, By Means of a Protestant Gardener, Her Servant? How about Voyage Round the World, in the Years 1803, 1804, 1805, & 1806 by Order of His Imperial Majesty Alexander the First, on Board the Ships Nadeshda and Neva, Under the Command of Captain A.J. von Krusenstern, of the Imperial Navy? Or Memoirs of the Life of David Rittenhouse, Interspersed with Various Notices of Many Distinguished Men, with an Appendix Containing Sundry Philosophical and Other Papers, Most of Which Have Not Hitherto Been Published?
Suddenly Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium doesn't sound all that bad, does it?
Theory #2: It's really good.
'Nuff said.
Theory #3: People sometimes do promotional giveaways tied to its most notable milestones.
Case in point, me. Here. Now. I'm honoring Pride and Prejudice's 200th birthday the best way I know how: by giving away copies of zombie-filled spinoff novels Austen herself surely would have loathed.
Congrats on the big anniversary, babe!
Be the fifth person to correctly answer the trivia question (far) below, and you'll receive autographed copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After as well as a cool PPZ poster!
Be the fourth person to correctly answer the trivia question (still far) below, and you'll receive autographed copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After as well as a cool PPZ poster and...ummm...a peppermint!
Be the third person to correctly answer the trivia question (still pretty far) below, and you'll receive autographed copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After as well as a cool PPZ poster and a peppermint and...another peppermint!
Be the second person to correctly answer the trivia question (not so far) below, and you'll receive autographed copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After as well as a cool PPZ poster, two peppermints and...another peppermint!
Be the first person to correctly answer the trivia question (almost immediately) below, and you'll receive autographed copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After as well as a cool PPZ poster, three peppermints and A FOURTH PEPPERMINT!!!
The trivia question: Is today Mo Rocca's birthday?
Answers should be e-mailed to steve@stevehockensmith.com. Good luck!
Oh, and happy birthday, Mo!
UPDATE: The giveaway is over, and the five winners will soon find books, posters and peppermints aplenty in their mailboxes. But if you're still in the mood for a me-themed contest, the fine folks at Litmocracy can oblige. They've just launched a new mystery short story competition that includes several books by me as prizes. Check it out!
Yes! Its Mo Rocca's birthday!
Posted by: Shanna Derringer | January 28, 2013 at 09:02 AM
Ha! Yes, youbetcha!
Posted by: Owen Garratt | January 28, 2013 at 09:25 AM
Shhhhhh! Shanna! Make the competition do a little legwork, will ya?
Posted by: Steve | January 28, 2013 at 09:25 AM
My GUESS would be yes
Posted by: Phil Clark | January 28, 2013 at 09:50 AM
Yes...and please delete if I double-posted!
Posted by: Karen | January 28, 2013 at 09:52 AM
Yes. It is Mo Rocca's birthday.
Posted by: Nddulac | January 28, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Guys, guys, guys! You were supposed to *e-mail* me your answers! You've always gotta read the fine print, gang.
It's a shame, really. So many good friends who'll now be going without peppermints....
Posted by: Steve | January 28, 2013 at 01:12 PM
ARRRRGH! I am a yutz...! How did I miss this?!?!
Posted by: Owen Garratt | January 29, 2013 at 10:06 PM