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Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'
Tuyo, con pasión: Un retelling de Orgullo y prejuicio by Gabe Cole Novoa
255 reviews
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An adorable quick read that is a queer, trans retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The author also provides some historical context on queerness and transness in that era. I'm looking forward to reading other retellings in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Classism
emotional
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:
Complicated
SCREAMING CRYING THIS WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE EVER WANTED FROM A QUEER AND TRANS RETELLING OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE NOW I NEED A DARCY POV OF THIS WHOLE BOOK PLEASE OH MY GODS
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
you know, not just any novel can inspire me to write a review in a pseudo-Jane Austen style, so kudos there.
--
A striking and enjoyable novel, to be sure, but due to my complete devotion to the original Pride and Prejudice, my comparisons are not a little severe - at least more so than they might have been if my love for that first book were less.
I am not a purist when it comes to adapting a novel into a new form, so my qualms are not related to any changes made to the plot. The story was converted into a shorter form for both the sake of its audience and to better suit the themes this volume addressed.
That being said, I did feel there was some small missing element that would have brought me from basic feelings of enjoyment, to the true rapture that arrives when a retelling both honors the original and speaks to modern positions as well. To compare the two principle characters of Most Ardently and Pride and Prejudice, I did not find that Oliver was as arch or witty as his original counterpart. There was a level of irony missing from his interactions with especially his mother, Darcy, and other characters. This lack of cleverness and wry humor left me wanting.
In addition, I found that Oliver's arc was not really about learning to not "willfully misunderstand" others, as he was more understanding of Darcy's peculiar and awkward disposition and was suspicious of Wickham's character from their first meeting. Instead, Oliver's arc was more a simple coming-of-age story, wherein he must find the courage to be true to himself, in defiance of all the expectations placed upon him. This compliments the original in some ways very well, though there was something missing in way of the interest provoked by a more flawed character.
This approach to his character had affect upon the pacing of the romance as well, there being less pining and yearning as the two come to know and understand one more quickly. I found both these changed aspects not to my taste, when compared to the original.
However, I would be remiss if I did not touch on the aspects of the novel that I found true enjoyment in. Despite my qualms with the pace of the romance, I found the two boys' relationship to be engaging, sweet, and moving. I quite enjoyed the approach the author took in incorporating gender and sexuality into the themes of Pride and Prejudice. As the original's message is already so well suited to modern discussions of queerness, this was most satisfying to read. I was quite intrigued by the direction the book took with regards to this subject- and greatly appreciated the author's note that spoke on the history of queerness in the Regency period.
Overall, I did enjoy the entire reading process and found myself unable to place the book down. While I have some few qualms, I feel quite positively toward it overall.
--
A striking and enjoyable novel, to be sure, but due to my complete devotion to the original Pride and Prejudice, my comparisons are not a little severe - at least more so than they might have been if my love for that first book were less.
I am not a purist when it comes to adapting a novel into a new form, so my qualms are not related to any changes made to the plot. The story was converted into a shorter form for both the sake of its audience and to better suit the themes this volume addressed.
That being said, I did feel there was some small missing element that would have brought me from basic feelings of enjoyment, to the true rapture that arrives when a retelling both honors the original and speaks to modern positions as well. To compare the two principle characters of Most Ardently and Pride and Prejudice, I did not find that Oliver was as arch or witty as his original counterpart. There was a level of irony missing from his interactions with especially his mother, Darcy, and other characters. This lack of cleverness and wry humor left me wanting.
In addition, I found that Oliver's arc was not really about learning to not "willfully misunderstand" others, as he was more understanding of Darcy's peculiar and awkward disposition and was suspicious of Wickham's character from their first meeting. Instead, Oliver's arc was more a simple coming-of-age story, wherein he must find the courage to be true to himself, in defiance of all the expectations placed upon him. This compliments the original in some ways very well, though there was something missing in way of the interest provoked by a more flawed character.
This approach to his character had affect upon the pacing of the romance as well, there being less pining and yearning as the two come to know and understand one more quickly. I found both these changed aspects not to my taste, when compared to the original.
However, I would be remiss if I did not touch on the aspects of the novel that I found true enjoyment in. Despite my qualms with the pace of the romance, I found the two boys' relationship to be engaging, sweet, and moving. I quite enjoyed the approach the author took in incorporating gender and sexuality into the themes of Pride and Prejudice. As the original's message is already so well suited to modern discussions of queerness, this was most satisfying to read. I was quite intrigued by the direction the book took with regards to this subject- and greatly appreciated the author's note that spoke on the history of queerness in the Regency period.
Overall, I did enjoy the entire reading process and found myself unable to place the book down. While I have some few qualms, I feel quite positively toward it overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Dysphoria
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Classism
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Sexism, Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
This book is a light read for a heavy topic that many people face.
Upon reflection, I was thinking it was TOO light for the subject matter. However, don't we all need a book that gives us hope? That lightens our load? That's what Most Ardently felt like... like a young person's dreams coming true. and I can't fault it for that.
5 raving ⭐️s!!!
Upon reflection, I was thinking it was TOO light for the subject matter. However, don't we all need a book that gives us hope? That lightens our load? That's what Most Ardently felt like... like a young person's dreams coming true. and I can't fault it for that.
5 raving ⭐️s!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
I thought this was a really beautiful reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. It took what, admittedly (hard to do as an avid P&P fan) is a basic story concept at its core (following an upper class family’s daily lives) and added a whole other layer to it. It was wonderful to view one of my favourite stories through a different lens. It hits most of the right the P&P beats, lending the story a familiar-but-new feeling. It is by no means a chapter by chapter retelling with added trans representation, though (so don’t go in expecting that).
Importantly, the author’s note at the beginning is very considerate by warning readers that deadnaming and misgendering by other characters will occur, allowing the reader to decide whether they are in the right frame of mind to take in this story.
What I found quite interesting about this tale is that the author has aged the characters down, thus Oliver/Darcy/Bingley/Wickham are referred to as ‘boys’ rather than ‘men’ or ‘gentlemen’ by the narrative voice.
I wonder if this was done to appeal to younger readers, or perhaps to allow the characters more freedom to socialise (rather than having to attend to the adult responsibilities of their stations).
The element of the story that didn’t totally work for me was the stock with which Oliver puts in Wickham’s observations. I didn’t feel that Oliver had the same connection with Wickham here that Elizabeth does in Austen’s P&P, so it’s hard to believe Oliver just takes Wickham at his word.
Also the ending felt a tad rushed.
The historical note about Molly houses was fascinating though. I’d love to read some non fiction about queer people/groups throughout early history (recommendations welcome!)
The narrator did a great job of creating distinct voices for each character. I particularly liked the way they made Wickham sound sleazy, which was different from how I’ve seen him be portrayed previously.
Extra content warnings:
⚠️Body dysmorphia
⚠️Misgendering
⚠️Blackmail
Ps: I can’t get over how beautiful this cover art is 😍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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 sweet reimagining of a classic story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Dysphoria
Moderate: Outing