Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Pride and Prejudice

I read another book! Best of all, I can foresee a time when it won't be such an event to read a book. I've started another one, and this one is a murder mystery, so I know there will be some adrenaline-filled moments. I think I can handle it. We'll see.

But the book I just finished? Pride and Prejudice. I chose it because I know exactly what's coming around every corner. And sure enough, Lizzie and Mr. Darcy, Bingley and Miss Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Charlotte, Lady Catherine...all were just as expected. Not only that, but the book ended just as it always did before. Ahhhhhh.

I can focus better than I could right after the earthquake, but I still jump up from the book more often than a person really should, whether from an urge to check Facebook one more time to see if anybody posted any recent events in Haiti, or to do some research which comes to mind. For example, I started to wonder if Jane Austen was alive for the earthquake in London in 1750. Turns out she was born in 1775, so that earthquake (actually, there were two, and Charles Wesley wrote some hymns about them) took place twenty-five years before her birth. Which would explain why there aren't any earthquakes in Pride and Prejudice. An important feature in a book if I'm going to choose it these days.

So that was book #4 of this year.

6 comments:

Kathie said...

That's not just a book Ruth, that's a member of the family! It is so fitting because the family always gathers during a crisis. I'm glad you are finding your way back to your beloved books. Bless you!

BelindaK said...

Hi Ruth - I have been reading and thoroughly enjoying your blog today. I have been following the Livesay blog for some time now and it led me to you. I must confess that the earthquake has really shaken my belief in God. If there is a loving God, how could he let Haiti fall down? How could he allow these people who had suffered so much already be on the receiving end of such horror? And then I read somewhere today about some church-related person who said their church would no longer help those who practice Vodou, unless they convert. How is that Christian? So, basically, they are saying that if someone is not the "right" religion they are not worthy of the basic necessities of life. I just don't understand....

Ruth said...

Belinda, thanks for reading. I wish I could say just the right thing to restore your faith in God and in His people, but I can't do that. I understand your questions and have been asking them myself. It is terribly difficult to understand what has happened to Haiti. Christians often mess up, and badly. All I can tell you is that I believe that whatever happens, Jesus is there, bringing good out of tragedy. When I'm asking my questions, I'm asking Him -- and He can take it.

BelindaK said...

Hi Ruth - I apologize for unloading on you. These things have been running through my mind so much and out they came. You have enough to deal with. It was very nice of you to respond.

Janet said...

Now here's a book I would never have predicted for right now!

Tricia said...

Have you seen this - Pride and Prejudice in emoticons? I'm not familiar enough with the story for it to make that big an impression on me (plus the animated gif emoticons kind of make my eyes glaze over), but maybe you'll get a kick out of it!

http://bookshop.livejournal.com/1010612.html