My first taste of Jane Austen

Ironically, I did not want to read any Jane Austen for fear of being bored out of my mind with English drawing-room gossip. However, I was surprised to find that I actually liked "Pride and Prejudice", especially the straight-forward character of Elizabeth. I liked her from the moment she walked three miles through muddy fields to see her sick sister. Although I enjoyed this book, there is something about a tall, dashing, and rich man that makes women swoon. Even better is in the case of Mr. Darcy, who is perceived as a jerk and changes into a better man. I blame books like these for women's romantic dreams of finding a man they can change like Mr. Darcy, because ladies: MEN DON'T CHANGE in real life. But maybe that's why we read; to escape our realities. Even as I realize this point, I will probably be reading more of Jane Austen in the future.