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katiemaesardella's review
emotional
funny
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
3.5
kirstenpenguin's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to reward this novel for all it did well. Don't expect it to follow every beat of the plot of P&P, but the ones it chooses are pretty smart. I've thought lately that P&P is unadaptable in a modern, American context--we can't be shamed as heavily by sex scandals, marriage is now no longer the sole means for financial survival, and what is good manners depends completely on the society you hold. Sonali Dev wisely takes the "flavors" of P&P--the issues of "pride" and "prejudice"--and shows how those can play out in the debt-inducing health-care system and racial biases of the US. Pride, here, is pride in one's work--the "Darcy" and "Elizabeth" characters each have jobs they love and excel at--neurosurgery and elite cooking. In this novel the characteristics of the romantic leads are mixed up and gender-swapped, and this was done well. Really, though, the best thing this novel did--which is a cornerstone of P&P--was deeply develop the ancillary characters and family drama. We dive into the backgrounds of the leads and come to care for their family as they do--even the indominable Catherine de Bourgh analog, here an Indian Maharaja.
The only thing that fell flat for me--and I guess it's a big thing--was the romance. The characters and situations are well-conceived, but the dialogue between the leads is utter garbage. Rather than witty, intellectual digs we get bumbling, pettiness, and social ineptitude on both sides. I really don't see how these two fall for each other as written here.
Nevertheless, I've already cast the leads for the movie adaptation, and I would fall over myself to see Nick Sagar (of The Princess Switch) and Simone Ashley (of Bridgerton Season 2) have at each other on screen.
The only thing that fell flat for me--and I guess it's a big thing--was the romance. The characters and situations are well-conceived, but the dialogue between the leads is utter garbage. Rather than witty, intellectual digs we get bumbling, pettiness, and social ineptitude on both sides. I really don't see how these two fall for each other as written here.
Nevertheless, I've already cast the leads for the movie adaptation, and I would fall over myself to see Nick Sagar (of The Princess Switch) and Simone Ashley (of Bridgerton Season 2) have at each other on screen.
heynanhey's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
rdeardurff's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
4.5
jreading's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is the 3rd Jane Austen-related book that I've read in as many months. In the past few months I've also read [b:Ayesha at Last|43124133|Ayesha at Last|Uzma Jalaluddin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544037862l/43124133._SX50_.jpg|57683370] and [b:The Jane Austen Society|43557477|The Jane Austen Society|Natalie Jenner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568730506l/43557477._SY75_.jpg|67763037]. So, I must be on some sort of Austen-related-roll!
Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors is a modern day retelling of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. In this version, we have Trisha Raje, a neurosurgeon who still somehow considers herself to be the disappointment of her rich Indian family. On the other side of the equation we have DJ (real first name = Darcy) a star chef who grew up in working class England and is a mix of Indian, British and Rwandan. Trish is DJ's sisters doctor and ALSO coincidentally, Trish's family hires DJ to cater one of their parties. Trish and DJ meet and clash, and meet and clash over and over again in this tale. Romance comes late in this story. (felt like it took longer than it did in the original).
I enjoyed this retelling in part for its multi-cultural approach. The author took the opportunity to include some stuff about race issues, class issues, family relationships and honesty. The book probably could have been a little bit shorter, but I still had fun reading it. I do plan to check out the 2nd book in the series which just came out last month.
I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher!
Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors is a modern day retelling of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. In this version, we have Trisha Raje, a neurosurgeon who still somehow considers herself to be the disappointment of her rich Indian family. On the other side of the equation we have DJ (real first name = Darcy) a star chef who grew up in working class England and is a mix of Indian, British and Rwandan. Trish is DJ's sisters doctor and ALSO coincidentally, Trish's family hires DJ to cater one of their parties. Trish and DJ meet and clash, and meet and clash over and over again in this tale. Romance comes late in this story. (felt like it took longer than it did in the original).
I enjoyed this retelling in part for its multi-cultural approach. The author took the opportunity to include some stuff about race issues, class issues, family relationships and honesty. The book probably could have been a little bit shorter, but I still had fun reading it. I do plan to check out the 2nd book in the series which just came out last month.
I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the publisher!
laurenrnuhn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
spaces_and_solaces's review against another edition
4.0
I am complete sucker for Pride & Prejudice, or anything written by Jane Austen. So, to read a desi retelling of P&P with gender swapped & beautiful characters was an interesting experience.
Meet the Raje family descendants of a royal family from India who have made San Francisco their home base. The protagonist is ‘Dr Trisha Raje’, an accomplished neurosurgeon who is our female ‘Mr. Darcy’ trying to save people, one brain at a time. Then there’s ‘DJ Caine aka male Lizzy Bennet’ a sexy chef employed by Trisha’s family.
Sparks fly when they meet & drama ensures (like in the original P&P). You know what’s going to happen because it’s an obvious retelling of the old classic, but you will still be interested in the crazy characters, mega rich family, a total rom com hero & a meet cute gone wrong!
It’s perfect for a light read on the beach or a trip and there are 2 more in the series based on Dr Trisha’s other overachieving siblings.
Meet the Raje family descendants of a royal family from India who have made San Francisco their home base. The protagonist is ‘Dr Trisha Raje’, an accomplished neurosurgeon who is our female ‘Mr. Darcy’ trying to save people, one brain at a time. Then there’s ‘DJ Caine aka male Lizzy Bennet’ a sexy chef employed by Trisha’s family.
Sparks fly when they meet & drama ensures (like in the original P&P). You know what’s going to happen because it’s an obvious retelling of the old classic, but you will still be interested in the crazy characters, mega rich family, a total rom com hero & a meet cute gone wrong!
It’s perfect for a light read on the beach or a trip and there are 2 more in the series based on Dr Trisha’s other overachieving siblings.
0tter_a's review against another edition
I felt the characters and setting didn’t blend well with the pride and prejudice storyline