[.ca] Pride and Prejudice Paper Dolls (ISBN 0486297853)

Great for Austen Fans:
The Pride and Predjudice Paper Dolls are beautifully illustrated and very detailed. The collection shows accurate Regency dress of the period for different occasions and events. They were also specific to each of the 8 characters depicted (Darcy, Lizzy, Jane, Bingley, Lydia, Wickham, Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine) and the events of the novel. It brings Jane Austen's most popular book to life. This would be a good introduction for younger readers to Austen, but it's great for Austen fans of any age.

Disappointing:
My problem with the book is that the characters are drawn to look like the actors in the A & E production of Pride and Prejudice who did not always resemble the characters as described in the book. I found it disappointing.

Bought this for a friend...:
Actually, I considered keeping this for myself. Then I reminded myself that I am not that fond of paper dolls. The characters in the book were the major characters - Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy, Lydia, and some others. A variety of costumes was provided for each character. This is a fun book for someone who loves paper dolls (even an adult!) and/or loves Regency-style costumes. A Jane Austen fan like me might like it, but then again might not. There are similiar books in this series, including one on the general Regency period and on the French Empire fashions. A gift likely to delight a young or older collector of paper dolls, or a lover of antique English costumes.

A Nice but not a Great paper doll book:
Mattox's rendering of the classic Austen characters is helpful for English teachers and probably appealing to many Janeites, but Mattox is not Tom Tierney, and her drawings lack the bold lines and aesthetic superiority of his work. While I would like to see more paper doll collections illustrating literary works, I wish that they could all be as lovely and artistic as the books by Tierney. Mattox is GOOD, but she isn't GREAT, and on that level this book was something of a disappointment to me.