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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Unlike The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet actually managed to add something fresh and new to the youtube adaption it was based on. It was a lot more enjoyable to read for me because it expands the story more, and shows a perspective that was a lot more interesting. Letting the reader see the story after the series, as well as seeing it from Lydia's perspective was a great move, and I would honestly recommend for fans of the show to skip the other book and go straight for this. It was a very fun story that stood on its own, but also explored Lydia's character and growth very well. I really enjoyed her story.
So I literally JUST finished this book and I kinda want to cry. I just....Lizzie's book was cool, going back to rewatch every video in time with the diary entries, but Lydia's.....
The way the story handled Lydia's trauma after what George did, how she couldn't write the college essay question, the things she learnt about listening with Bing in New York, the different ways Kat and Milo handled Kat's cousin's death...
also also also also also totally super important MARY BENNET IS CANONICALLY INTO GIRLS!!!! And they don't struggle, and they don't have some sort of sad ending. Violet doesn't die, they don't break up, hell they don't really face any hardship we hear about. They're just happy together, and in love. There is no harmful trope of the queer character. I never thought Mary's sexuality to be something that would ever be made canon, I was fully expecting to be restricted to my headcanons like I am with so many other characters.
And finally...I loved the fact that school wasn't easy for Lydia. She struggled, even with the subjects she cared about. She struggled with an essay question for her college application and then missed the due date. She was forced to stay with her parents for longer than expected because of it. Yet at the end of the story, she's accepted to an even better school, to the program she wanted, and you're left to assume that she'll be happy there. She had struggled and she had felt like she failed but she tried again and she did it. And I like to think things turned out better for it. Things may not always go as planned but as long as you pull yourself up and you try again...you'll fix what stopped you before and you'll get where you wanted. And I think that's beautiful.
The way the story handled Lydia's trauma after what George did, how she couldn't write the college essay question, the things she learnt about listening with Bing in New York, the different ways Kat and Milo handled Kat's cousin's death...
also also also also also totally super important MARY BENNET IS CANONICALLY INTO GIRLS!!!! And they don't struggle, and they don't have some sort of sad ending. Violet doesn't die, they don't break up, hell they don't really face any hardship we hear about. They're just happy together, and in love. There is no harmful trope of the queer character. I never thought Mary's sexuality to be something that would ever be made canon, I was fully expecting to be restricted to my headcanons like I am with so many other characters.
And finally...I loved the fact that school wasn't easy for Lydia. She struggled, even with the subjects she cared about. She struggled with an essay question for her college application and then missed the due date. She was forced to stay with her parents for longer than expected because of it. Yet at the end of the story, she's accepted to an even better school, to the program she wanted, and you're left to assume that she'll be happy there. She had struggled and she had felt like she failed but she tried again and she did it. And I like to think things turned out better for it. Things may not always go as planned but as long as you pull yourself up and you try again...you'll fix what stopped you before and you'll get where you wanted. And I think that's beautiful.
Title: The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet
Author: Kate Rorick and Rachel Kiley
Publication: 2015
Difficulty Level: 1.5/5
My Rating: 3.5/5
If you loved The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, you'll love this book. If you don't know what that is, you'll still love it. Following Lydia in the aftermath of the incredible vlog series, we get an insightful look into her mind, her life, and whatever else goes on in the mind of the one and only Lydia Bennet.
Rorick and Kiley perfectly manage to capture the Lydia that Mary Kate Wiles brought to life on screen. The less-than appreciated sister in the original Pride and Prejudice, Lydia is much more than a party-hungry wild child; she's picking up the pieces of her old life and making something new. Lydia is going through that part of everyone's lives where everything is up in the air and nothing is certain. She's trying to lay the groundwork of her academic career, maybe start dating again, have a good time, and sometimes go to therapy.
A lot of this book is pure fun, but having watched the vlog series, I can say I teared up a lot more than I'd like to admit. Not only is Lydia going through the aftermath of the whole George incident, she's also navigating hateful friends, over-pressuring family, and the topsy-turvy world of your early twenties. Rorick and Kiley have some pretty wonderful things to say about mental health and finding your way in the world; in a way only Lydia could express them.
The book almost exists in two spheres: California and New York. The only thing that really connects the two is Lydia and her attempt to find herself in the world (if you'll excuse the cliche). However, it is nice to see Lydia get what she deserves in New York; she finally gets a happy ending (even if it's not the ending).
What really brought the book home was not only Lydia's re-emergence of her usual--albeit different--confidence, but the way she does that for herself. And no, I'm not going to tell you; go read the book yourself. Overall it was a wonderful read that I could not put down for two days straight. A fun, light-hearted read that isn't cliche or overdone.
Author: Kate Rorick and Rachel Kiley
Publication: 2015
Difficulty Level: 1.5/5
My Rating: 3.5/5
If you loved The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, you'll love this book. If you don't know what that is, you'll still love it. Following Lydia in the aftermath of the incredible vlog series, we get an insightful look into her mind, her life, and whatever else goes on in the mind of the one and only Lydia Bennet.
Rorick and Kiley perfectly manage to capture the Lydia that Mary Kate Wiles brought to life on screen. The less-than appreciated sister in the original Pride and Prejudice, Lydia is much more than a party-hungry wild child; she's picking up the pieces of her old life and making something new. Lydia is going through that part of everyone's lives where everything is up in the air and nothing is certain. She's trying to lay the groundwork of her academic career, maybe start dating again, have a good time, and sometimes go to therapy.
A lot of this book is pure fun, but having watched the vlog series, I can say I teared up a lot more than I'd like to admit. Not only is Lydia going through the aftermath of the whole George incident, she's also navigating hateful friends, over-pressuring family, and the topsy-turvy world of your early twenties. Rorick and Kiley have some pretty wonderful things to say about mental health and finding your way in the world; in a way only Lydia could express them.
The book almost exists in two spheres: California and New York. The only thing that really connects the two is Lydia and her attempt to find herself in the world (if you'll excuse the cliche). However, it is nice to see Lydia get what she deserves in New York; she finally gets a happy ending (even if it's not the ending).
What really brought the book home was not only Lydia's re-emergence of her usual--albeit different--confidence, but the way she does that for herself. And no, I'm not going to tell you; go read the book yourself. Overall it was a wonderful read that I could not put down for two days straight. A fun, light-hearted read that isn't cliche or overdone.
I really enjoyed this book.
While I would have liked Lydia to find happiness and success immediately after the terrible events of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, ultimately I was glad that she did not. It would have been a little unrealistic and too easy, emotionally speaking, for all concerned.
I especially love Lydia's relationship with Mary in this book. It just feels real. They're cousins and best friends, but they fight and make up and just have fun together.
A very satisfying end to Lydia's story, although of course I would always want more.
While I would have liked Lydia to find happiness and success immediately after the terrible events of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, ultimately I was glad that she did not. It would have been a little unrealistic and too easy, emotionally speaking, for all concerned.
I especially love Lydia's relationship with Mary in this book. It just feels real. They're cousins and best friends, but they fight and make up and just have fun together.
A very satisfying end to Lydia's story, although of course I would always want more.
This wasn't exactly what I had been expecting, but I liked it all the more for that. This was a real, serious version of Lydia that I could have only related too well to. The author(s) did such a good job capturing such complicated emotions. I greatly admired them and I really loved this book.
This was everything I wanted it to be. I want more LBD now!
I cannot tell you how much I needed this book right now, which makes my rating biased, but I don't really care. A character the same age as me also dealing with spectacular failure, depression, and wondering how the hell to figure out her future- especially after her first attempt doesn't work out as she thinks?
The book itself followed the character of Lydia from the web series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" very faithfully, and I was gripped until I read the final page (which is why it's now 1am and I spent 3 straight hours reading this and drinking very cold tea). Lydia is a character to care about and root for, even at her lowest, and I can relate to her on several painful levels. Seeing her overcome her problems and navigate her life makes you feel inspired enough to fix your own.
The book itself followed the character of Lydia from the web series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" very faithfully, and I was gripped until I read the final page (which is why it's now 1am and I spent 3 straight hours reading this and drinking very cold tea). Lydia is a character to care about and root for, even at her lowest, and I can relate to her on several painful levels. Seeing her overcome her problems and navigate her life makes you feel inspired enough to fix your own.
Well, I finished a 9+ hour audiobook in one day. That should speak volumes. I love that they found a way to "redeem" the character of Lydia Bennet in such a believable way that didn't try to sugar-coat or diminish what they had happen to her at the end of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I really liked the direction they took her character and that her growth, maturation, and healing were realistic enough---a few steps back every so often just to show how much of a struggle moving on and learning to live again can be.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the YouTube channel and I loved getting to spend more time with Lydia.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol
Adorbs. Thoughtful. Deep and entertaining. Loved to hear Lydia's voice again after all this time. Loved to see her grow and deal with the story we already knew.