Pride and Prejudice is the novel that everyone knows — or thinks they know. Its opening sentence is one of the most quoted and adapted phrases in English. One of the nation's best-loved novels, Pride and Prejudice is now a global brand, with film and television adaptations making Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy household names. This Companion investigates some of the sources of the novel's power with a combination of original readings and factual background information. Key themes are explored in detail: money, land, characters and style. The history of the novel's composition and first publication is set out, both in individual essays and in the book's chronology. Chapters on the critical reception, adaptations and cult of the novel reveal why it has become an enduring classic with a unique timeless appeal.