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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Loved the reworkings of the characters' relationships (embarrassing family => embarrassing speech & debate team, Jay/Bingley, Colin/Tomi) and the transfer to a high school setting. Loved Lidia's agency and the exploration of harassment/predation rather than just having it be a (sexist) plot device. Loved how the characters discussed important issues through their debates - and the discussion about how Bose Electronics is not German but American founded by a Bengali. Loved the Desi rep.
The book would have benefited from a good editor. Many of the insertions of Pride and Prejudice quotes verbatim didn't entirely fit, and some of the private v. public school dynamic seemed a bit heavy-handed at times though often, economic privilege was called out in an organic way (such as, affording to have multiple inhalers everywhere). While I liked Jay's characteristic changes from P&P, the reason why Bingley ghosted him was hard to understand. The wolf analogy was also a little hard to understand, though it did seem on par with a high school junior's work. In addition, some of the other dialog was weird, such as when Jishnu says, "It's my school, I can do whatever I want! Now come here, and let me do whatever I want!"
Definitely a fun read with good rep. Nothing really racy.
The book would have benefited from a good editor. Many of the insertions of Pride and Prejudice quotes verbatim didn't entirely fit, and some of the private v. public school dynamic seemed a bit heavy-handed at times though often, economic privilege was called out in an organic way (such as, affording to have multiple inhalers everywhere). While I liked Jay's characteristic changes from P&P, the reason why Bingley ghosted him was hard to understand. The wolf analogy was also a little hard to understand, though it did seem on par with a high school junior's work. In addition, some of the other dialog was weird, such as when Jishnu says, "It's my school, I can do whatever I want! Now come here, and let me do whatever I want!"
Definitely a fun read with good rep. Nothing really racy.
Spoiler
Lidia is observed in a room alone with Jishnu (Wickham), who is nearly entirely undressed though she is not. She is rumored to have had sex with him, though that is not the case.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Really loved the Bengali-Indian-Pakistani take on pride and prejudice! The characters, the class conflicts, the whole setting of the 21st century, the feminist takes, experiences of kids of immigrants- loved them.
The female lead read a bit too self-indulgent some times though.
The female lead read a bit too self-indulgent some times though.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
funny
lighthearted
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
It was a cute modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with South Asian teens at the center. I enjoyed the different changes and adaptations the author made. I also enjoyed the modern topic she centered it around: classicism and predatory dating.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is really a 1.5, not a 2.
+ Brings to light sexism and misogyny.
- The writing. The writing is like whiplash from these weird old era conversations full of unfunny unquips to a normal modern conversation. So many of the long conversations were just cringey to read. Like what was the point of Colin and Catherine De Burgh speaking the way they do - it was pointless and so over the top and unrealistic.
- Leela. I couldn't like her. She is one of the most unlikeable versions of Elizabeth Bennet and I've read quite a few retellings.
- All the characters are so flat.
+ Brings to light sexism and misogyny.
- The writing. The writing is like whiplash from these weird old era conversations full of unfunny unquips to a normal modern conversation. So many of the long conversations were just cringey to read. Like what was the point of Colin and Catherine De Burgh speaking the way they do - it was pointless and so over the top and unrealistic.
- Leela. I couldn't like her. She is one of the most unlikeable versions of Elizabeth Bennet and I've read quite a few retellings.
- All the characters are so flat.