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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
dnf at 70%
the author not understanding the original work is the premise to all this shitshow
trees died for this to be published
the author not understanding the original work is the premise to all this shitshow
trees died for this to be published
Thank you to Edelweiss and Scholastic for providing me with an eARC in exchange for review.
As a (mostly) former debate & forensics kid, this was truly so fun to read. My initial thought was that some of it was pretty cringy, but that just feels so right for a speech and debate setting. And really, it's just so fun, even if I wasn't fully satisfied with every character decision (it does make me want to make a Hamilton reference here, a la Leela, and then quietly roll my eyes at that urge a la Firoze).
The two things that first drew me to this book were the debate/forensics aspects and the kind of YA romance with slowburn and rivals to lovers elements. This book definitely delivers on these, with what I would consider the most realistic depiction of debate & forensics kids in media that I've come across. The lingo is pretty spot on, although I would personally say policy kids are the most annoying, rather than LD. Additionally, having Leela's team depicted as small and somewhat underfunded and underappreciated at their school was so cathartic, and highlighted a real issue that exists within this community.
On the other side of pretty much fulfilled wishes, the romance. I'll be honest here, I've never read Pride & Prejudice, but I knew the general idea of what to expect. Firoze Darcy is definitely a disaster, but from a romance standpoint I was generally in favour of him. It takes a while for the actual romance to seemingly develop, but some of the most profound moments occurred between Leela and Firoze, even when it wasn't explicitly romantic. I highlighted so many quotes from their debate scene because it felt like such a heartfelt moment of understanding. Sadly, there aren't too many of those moments in this book, but that makes me appreciate the ones that exist all that much more.
Another strong element that guides this book is the inclusion of what I'm going to categorise as social justice. This element kind of came out of nowhere for me, although it does feel on brand for a book about debaters (or forensicators as Leela would say). And I think this book does focus on some seriously important issues within life, as well as circles of debate. I can't say I've ever heard of sexism and sexual harassment as intense as DEBATING DARCY depicts, but that doesn't me it's not out there. Really what I wish is that this book had been able to give more time to develop those elements overall, but I do appreciate the very realistic elements of the teenage characters finding ways to speak themselves, and the ever present nature of the problems instead of being immediately solved by the removal of one character.
Last but not least, the characters. In terms of interacting with each other, they're generally pretty strong. However when it comes to individually, I didn't feel they were as strong. One thing I consistently struggle with while reading first person novels is the feeling that the other character's seem to lack motivation. I really enjoyed a lot of them and thought side characters were pretty well fleshed out with a few minor exceptions. The ones I truly struggled with the most, but at times loved the most, were Leela and Firoze. Leela's actions, while undoubtedly affected by the fact she's a teenager and debate and life in general are just stressful, felt at times like they were purely to advance the plot instead of her character arc. Her growth feels stunted by the very vehicle of her story being told. By no means did this ruin the book, and I still greatly enjoyed it and Leela.
At the end of the day, I don't think there's a way for me to ever dislike this book in any true sense. It's odd and fun and at times ridiculous, but I really couldn't help but love it. It's quintessentially YA and while that may not be preferable to some people, I certainly think it can stand on its own. And hey, my heart is always with my speech and debate kids.
Term Guide:
Hi, if you're a little confused by any terms in this review or book, here's a few definitions (and I'm always open to questions!)
Forensics: a speaking activity, what I like to describe as competitive acting, or speaking. I also use it interchangeably with speech when referring to speech and debate.
LD: an acronym for the debate style "Lincoln-Douglas", based on the debate between Lincoln and Douglas
Policy: a debate style that generally involves speaking extremely quickly and proposing a response to a topic or type of policy
As a (mostly) former debate & forensics kid, this was truly so fun to read. My initial thought was that some of it was pretty cringy, but that just feels so right for a speech and debate setting. And really, it's just so fun, even if I wasn't fully satisfied with every character decision (it does make me want to make a Hamilton reference here, a la Leela, and then quietly roll my eyes at that urge a la Firoze).
The two things that first drew me to this book were the debate/forensics aspects and the kind of YA romance with slowburn and rivals to lovers elements. This book definitely delivers on these, with what I would consider the most realistic depiction of debate & forensics kids in media that I've come across. The lingo is pretty spot on, although I would personally say policy kids are the most annoying, rather than LD. Additionally, having Leela's team depicted as small and somewhat underfunded and underappreciated at their school was so cathartic, and highlighted a real issue that exists within this community.
On the other side of pretty much fulfilled wishes, the romance. I'll be honest here, I've never read Pride & Prejudice, but I knew the general idea of what to expect. Firoze Darcy is definitely a disaster, but from a romance standpoint I was generally in favour of him. It takes a while for the actual romance to seemingly develop, but some of the most profound moments occurred between Leela and Firoze, even when it wasn't explicitly romantic. I highlighted so many quotes from their debate scene because it felt like such a heartfelt moment of understanding. Sadly, there aren't too many of those moments in this book, but that makes me appreciate the ones that exist all that much more.
Another strong element that guides this book is the inclusion of what I'm going to categorise as social justice. This element kind of came out of nowhere for me, although it does feel on brand for a book about debaters (or forensicators as Leela would say). And I think this book does focus on some seriously important issues within life, as well as circles of debate. I can't say I've ever heard of sexism and sexual harassment as intense as DEBATING DARCY depicts, but that doesn't me it's not out there. Really what I wish is that this book had been able to give more time to develop those elements overall, but I do appreciate the very realistic elements of the teenage characters finding ways to speak themselves, and the ever present nature of the problems instead of being immediately solved by the removal of one character.
Last but not least, the characters. In terms of interacting with each other, they're generally pretty strong. However when it comes to individually, I didn't feel they were as strong. One thing I consistently struggle with while reading first person novels is the feeling that the other character's seem to lack motivation. I really enjoyed a lot of them and thought side characters were pretty well fleshed out with a few minor exceptions. The ones I truly struggled with the most, but at times loved the most, were Leela and Firoze. Leela's actions, while undoubtedly affected by the fact she's a teenager and debate and life in general are just stressful, felt at times like they were purely to advance the plot instead of her character arc. Her growth feels stunted by the very vehicle of her story being told. By no means did this ruin the book, and I still greatly enjoyed it and Leela.
At the end of the day, I don't think there's a way for me to ever dislike this book in any true sense. It's odd and fun and at times ridiculous, but I really couldn't help but love it. It's quintessentially YA and while that may not be preferable to some people, I certainly think it can stand on its own. And hey, my heart is always with my speech and debate kids.
Term Guide:
Hi, if you're a little confused by any terms in this review or book, here's a few definitions (and I'm always open to questions!)
Forensics: a speaking activity, what I like to describe as competitive acting, or speaking. I also use it interchangeably with speech when referring to speech and debate.
LD: an acronym for the debate style "Lincoln-Douglas", based on the debate between Lincoln and Douglas
Policy: a debate style that generally involves speaking extremely quickly and proposing a response to a topic or type of policy
*Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars*
A unique YA Desi adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, “Debating Darcy” takes the much loved Austen novel and puts it in the modern world of HS Forensic and Debate, and does it’s best to straddle being true to the Austen adaptation, while also infusing it with both modern sensibilities and Desi identity, particularly that of Bengali culture from the Desi diaspora.
The story follows Leela Bose and Firoze Darcy, our characters who bicker and embark on their enemies to lovers dance with debate being the background. The diverse cast of characters, across ethnicity and sexuality round out a unique cast of characters - with the Bennett family becoming coaches to the debate team, and the Bennett girls members of the Debate team along with Collin, with Darcy and his friends belonging to the private school team.
I loved the infusion of Bengali culture throughout the book, and appreciated that Leela was proud of her heritage and culture (looking at you “Counting Down with You” and your negative rep - shameful) and I also appreciated that Dasgupta is a true Austen fan - I very much felt that the 2005 movie adaptation played a role in the development of the novel, and I appreciated Leela and Darcy, along with the relationship that Leela had with her debate team - and also the ability for the female characters wronged in the book to have more agency.
However, the amalgamation of this Austen adaptation with the debate and speech world felt rushed, and a bit too cheesy with the whiplash of infantile dialogue one minute, and regency language from teenagers the next. Darcy and Leela in particular, for all their strengths, teetered between believable and bizarre (perhaps to be expected from a YA adaptation, but still) - and working with high school debaters (yes Model UN is superior, go cry about it) the dialogue between the friends (though at times believable) overall felt stilted and weak. I also wished that Darcy and his Pakistani/Muslim identity wasn’t just a place holder - while Dasgupta does give us two Desi leads, with Darcy being half British half Pakistani, and said in passing going to mosque with his mom, we don’t really see either a Pakistani or Muslim identity from him - and that too me was a let down, especially when the other Desi male character, Jishnu, is such an antagonist and Desi F boy character.
While not perfect, and at times reading like a MG novel, Debating Darcy was a fun read that works for Austen fans and those that want more Desi stories.
A unique YA Desi adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, “Debating Darcy” takes the much loved Austen novel and puts it in the modern world of HS Forensic and Debate, and does it’s best to straddle being true to the Austen adaptation, while also infusing it with both modern sensibilities and Desi identity, particularly that of Bengali culture from the Desi diaspora.
The story follows Leela Bose and Firoze Darcy, our characters who bicker and embark on their enemies to lovers dance with debate being the background. The diverse cast of characters, across ethnicity and sexuality round out a unique cast of characters - with the Bennett family becoming coaches to the debate team, and the Bennett girls members of the Debate team along with Collin, with Darcy and his friends belonging to the private school team.
I loved the infusion of Bengali culture throughout the book, and appreciated that Leela was proud of her heritage and culture (looking at you “Counting Down with You” and your negative rep - shameful) and I also appreciated that Dasgupta is a true Austen fan - I very much felt that the 2005 movie adaptation played a role in the development of the novel, and I appreciated Leela and Darcy, along with the relationship that Leela had with her debate team - and also the ability for the female characters wronged in the book to have more agency.
However, the amalgamation of this Austen adaptation with the debate and speech world felt rushed, and a bit too cheesy with the whiplash of infantile dialogue one minute, and regency language from teenagers the next. Darcy and Leela in particular, for all their strengths, teetered between believable and bizarre (perhaps to be expected from a YA adaptation, but still) - and working with high school debaters (yes Model UN is superior, go cry about it) the dialogue between the friends (though at times believable) overall felt stilted and weak. I also wished that Darcy and his Pakistani/Muslim identity wasn’t just a place holder - while Dasgupta does give us two Desi leads, with Darcy being half British half Pakistani, and said in passing going to mosque with his mom, we don’t really see either a Pakistani or Muslim identity from him - and that too me was a let down, especially when the other Desi male character, Jishnu, is such an antagonist and Desi F boy character.
While not perfect, and at times reading like a MG novel, Debating Darcy was a fun read that works for Austen fans and those that want more Desi stories.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
....... not it rlly
picked up towards the end
kinda cringy
def not comparable to the original
tho i loved some of the quotes
and Colin. I loved Colin.
rating - 2.5 stars
picked up towards the end
kinda cringy
def not comparable to the original
tho i loved some of the quotes
and Colin. I loved Colin.
rating - 2.5 stars
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A+ on the debate vibes, would have loved to see a more transformational interpretation of Pride and Prejudice ala Emma and Clueless but very much recommend for younger teens who are nerdy and love Jane Austen. My teenage self LOVES this.
Fun, light hearted and easy to read. I liked the way she updated the classic with many of the same story elements of the original, but converted them to high school debate.
i am not in the intended audience for this book and it wasnt that good but i did read it. and enjoyed it a lot (mostly because i was in shock or flabbergasted or laughing). and i honestly think if i was 14-17 years old and didnt know anything about social structures and racial dynamics this book would make me realize a lot of things about the world!
highlight: darcy explaining that he hates hamilton because its slavery apologism and that people of color should write their own stories. and he was real for that
highlight: darcy explaining that he hates hamilton because its slavery apologism and that people of color should write their own stories. and he was real for that