Some love stories never really go out of style. And according to readers, one classic still defines the genre.
On Goodreads’ popular “Best Love Stories” list, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has claimed the No. 1 spot, beating out countless modern and classic romances in a ranking powered by reader votes on the platform.
First published in 1813, the novel has remained a staple of English literature for more than two centuries. It follows Elizabeth Bennet, a sharp and independent young woman navigating family expectations, social pressures and, of course, her complicated relationship with the wealthy and aloof Mr. Darcy.
What begins with misunderstandings and bruised pride slowly transforms into one of literature’s most iconic romances, and one that has inspired plenty of love stories in books over the years.
Pride and Prejudice has earned an average rating of around 4.3 stars across millions of reader reviews on Goodreads, making it one of the platform’s most widely read and highly rated books. It has also sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, cementing its place as one of the most popular novels ever written.
Over the years, the story has also inspired countless adaptations across film, television and literature, helping introduce Elizabeth and Darcy’s love story to new generations again and again. A few notable examples include the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and the Bridget Jones’s Diary novel and movie adaptation. A new adaptation of the book is also on its way to Netflix.
Unfortunately, Austen never knew the enormous impact of her work. Her novels were published anonymously during her lifetime and only gained widespread recognition after her death. Along with Pride and Prejudice, she also wrote Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, and Lady Susan.
Today, however, her work is considered foundational to the romance genre and literature in general, and her second novel, Pride and Prejudice, remains at the center of that legacy.
Related: Best-Selling Classic Novel Ranked Among Most ‘Disappointing’ Books Ever on Goodreads
