It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest stories of all time. Well, one of the greatest in 200 years at least. This year marks a major milestone for “Pride and Prejudice,” first published in January 1813 and still one of Austen’s most popular works. And the novel’s fan following isn’t just because of Colin Firth’s portrayal of the handsome and stoic Mr. Darcy in the 1995 “Pride and Prejudice” BBC miniseries. Even after two centuries, casual readers and avid Austen fans — often referred to as “Janeites” or “Austenites” — can still relate to the story’s issues and characters. “It’s such a charming book, and it’s so witty,” said Elizabeth Steele, a Philadelphia resident and member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. “I’ve read this so many times, I don’t know how many times I’ve read it. Ten years ago, I lost count at about 20.”
