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theespressoedition's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was super quick-paced and easy to read in a day.
I primarily picked it up because I was excited that Elizabeth Acevedo was the narrator. I love her books and was interested to see what this story sounded like with her voice. Honestly? It almost sounded like it could've been one of her books. There was even poetry between the chapters!
What I found a little strange was how loose this retelling was. I think I had expected it to be much more like P&P than it was. If no one had told me the name or the plot, I never ever would've associated it with the classic Austen novel. That bummed me out a little bit if I'm honest. I'm not a huge Austen fan and I was kind of hoping this would actually pique my interest in the original story.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book: getting to know the characters, the vibe of their city, the dynamic between the people in the neighborhood, etc. However, the ending wasn't my cup of tea. I think I wanted a little more hope closure on some of the topics, but I did like the hopefulness that was there, especially after the intense emotions of the second half.
My very favorite part was the poetry. I know I touched on that already, but it really was excellent, and there's nothing quite like listening to Elizabeth Acevedo read poems. It made me want to go back and reread The Poet X again.
I primarily picked it up because I was excited that Elizabeth Acevedo was the narrator. I love her books and was interested to see what this story sounded like with her voice. Honestly? It almost sounded like it could've been one of her books. There was even poetry between the chapters!
What I found a little strange was how loose this retelling was. I think I had expected it to be much more like P&P than it was. If no one had told me the name or the plot, I never ever would've associated it with the classic Austen novel. That bummed me out a little bit if I'm honest. I'm not a huge Austen fan and I was kind of hoping this would actually pique my interest in the original story.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book: getting to know the characters, the vibe of their city, the dynamic between the people in the neighborhood, etc. However, the ending wasn't my cup of tea. I think I wanted a little more hope closure on some of the topics, but I did like the hopefulness that was there, especially after the intense emotions of the second half.
My very favorite part was the poetry. I know I touched on that already, but it really was excellent, and there's nothing quite like listening to Elizabeth Acevedo read poems. It made me want to go back and reread The Poet X again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, Racial slurs, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Toxic relationship
lainiereads's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The parts of the story that focused on racism, identity, and gentrification were where this book shined. I cannot speak on the accuracy of the portrayal, as I am white and have no knowledge on the subject, but Ibi Zoboi seemed to be writing from the heart and the messages she sent are important ones.
It is the Pride and Prejudice aspect of this book that lost me. Initially, this seemed like it was going to be a great retelling. Zuri and her family had the craziness of the Bennets, with some added love that I really enjoyed. The issues begin when Zuri and Darius (aka Elizabeth and Darcy) start to like each other. Initially, it was good, they had that mix of hatred and flirting, which is great. But when the relationship started to get deeper? It just didn't make sense!
First, when Zuri meets the Lady Catherine equivalent, she is treated like absolute garbage by her. And do you know what Darius did? Nothing. He did nothing to help her! And then he gets mad at her for being saying his family was rude? But, she just forgives him and moves on, which just didn't make sense!
Then, when Zuri learned that Darius broke up Janae and the Bingley character (whose name I have already forgotten), she was mad about it, but then just immediately forgave him??? Like, she learned about what really happened between Darius and Warren (aka Wickham) and then forgives Darius and goes out with him again??? Without addressing the Janae situation at all after that. In the original, Elizabeth liked Darcy more after his letter, but she still thought he was rude for what he did. She didn't fully forgive him until the whole "paying Wickham to marry Lydia" thing. It's a small detail, but it just really made me confused about Zuri's character. Her sister is her whole world, but she immediately forgave the man who ruined her happiness? Why?
This same situation happens again and again throughout the book, so the romance aspect didn't really work for me. I liked Zuri but I didn't have much of a reason to care about Darius. If the P&P part of the story was taken out, I think I would've actually enjoyed it. But that whole aspect just didn't make sense.
The parts of the story that focused on racism, identity, and gentrification were where this book shined. I cannot speak on the accuracy of the portrayal, as I am white and have no knowledge on the subject, but Ibi Zoboi seemed to be writing from the heart and the messages she sent are important ones.
It is the Pride and Prejudice aspect of this book that lost me. Initially, this seemed like it was going to be a great retelling. Zuri and her family had the craziness of the Bennets, with some added love that I really enjoyed. The issues begin when Zuri and Darius (aka Elizabeth and Darcy) start to like each other. Initially, it was good, they had that mix of hatred and flirting, which is great. But when the relationship started to get deeper? It just didn't make sense!
First, when Zuri meets the Lady Catherine equivalent, she is treated like absolute garbage by her. And do you know what Darius did? Nothing. He did nothing to help her! And then he gets mad at her for being saying his family was rude? But, she just forgives him and moves on, which just didn't make sense!
Then, when Zuri learned that Darius broke up Janae and the Bingley character (whose name I have already forgotten), she was mad about it, but then just immediately forgave him??? Like, she learned about what really happened between Darius and Warren (aka Wickham) and then forgives Darius and goes out with him again??? Without addressing the Janae situation at all after that. In the original, Elizabeth liked Darcy more after his letter, but she still thought he was rude for what he did. She didn't fully forgive him until the whole "paying Wickham to marry Lydia" thing. It's a small detail, but it just really made me confused about Zuri's character. Her sister is her whole world, but she immediately forgave the man who ruined her happiness? Why?
This same situation happens again and again throughout the book, so the romance aspect didn't really work for me. I liked Zuri but I didn't have much of a reason to care about Darius. If the P&P part of the story was taken out, I think I would've actually enjoyed it. But that whole aspect just didn't make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death, Grief, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment and Violence
sarah_ann_roth's review
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Adult/minor relationship
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