Exclusive: Elizabeth Bennet on Books, Love, and Life

— After the cover shoot for the March issue of ChapterJam, Elizabeth is having an interview in a borrowed study.

— After the interview, Elizabeth poses for the camera in the study.

ChapterJam sat down with Elizabeth Bennet, the iconic heroine of Pride and Prejudice, for an exclusive interview after her March cover shoot. Known for her sharp wit, independent mind, and love of literature, Elizabeth shared her thoughts on books, love, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Q1. What is your favorite book?

Elizabeth Bennet: It is nearly impossible to name just one. A good book, like a cherished companion, must be revisited many times. I have always been fond of novels and essays that challenge the mind and encourage reflection—works that reveal the complexity of human nature, much like Miss Austen’s own writing.

That being said, I have a particular fondness for stories where love and understanding grow together. A truly great romance is not merely about admiration but about learning to see another person with clarity and depth. Some of the best books, much like the best relationships, teach patience, humility, and the importance of looking beyond first impressions.

Q2. If you could give your younger self a book to read, which one would you choose and why?

Elizabeth Bennet: If I could gift my younger self a book, it would be one that teaches the danger of hasty judgments—both in life and in love. In my younger days, I took great pride in my ability to read people swiftly, but as I have learned, the heart is far more complex than first appearances suggest.

I would choose a book that reminds its readers not to be too quick to trust their own assumptions—perhaps a story where love blossoms not through instant attraction, but through true understanding and growth. A well-crafted novel of manners, or even one of Shakespeare’s plays, would serve as an excellent guide to the intricacies of the human heart.

Q3. Many see you as a woman ahead of her time. Do you believe love and literature are connected?

Elizabeth Bennet: Without question. Books, like love, open our eyes to new perspectives and challenge us to grow. A well-written novel does not merely entertain but transforms its reader, much as a meaningful love shapes one’s character.

Love that is built on fleeting charm or superficial attraction is no different from a book with a beautiful cover but no substance within. True affection, like true literature, deepens with time and understanding. If one is to fall in love, let it be as one falls in love with a great book—not hastily, but with care and appreciation for its every nuance.

Q4. If you had to summarize your life in one sentence, what would it be?

Elizabeth Bennet: To live with wit, to love without prejudice, and to walk with unshaken confidence in one’s own principles.

Q5. Finally, is there anything you would like to say to today’s readers?

Elizabeth Bennet: Do not let the world dictate what you ought to think—or whom you ought to love. Read widely, think deeply, and never fear forming your own conclusions. Literature offers a window into the minds of others, and through it, we learn not only about the world but about ourselves.

And above all, in both books and in love, seek truth over illusion. A handsome face or an eloquent phrase may dazzle for a moment, but only sincerity and depth will stand the test of time.

A Timeless Voice in Love and Literature

Elizabeth Bennet remains a figure of intelligence and independent thought, a woman who valued knowledge and sincerity over wealth and status. In an era where quick judgments and fleeting trends dominate, her wisdom reminds us that love and literature share the same essential qualities—patience, understanding, and the ability to see beyond the surface.

Which book would Elizabeth Bennet inspire you to pick up today?