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aseel_reads's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
so I liked the premise of an afro-latino retelling of pride and prejudice, with the inclusion of class, gentrification, and identity, but it felt a bit disjointed as a story. I can see why the book is only named pride because it only focused on that aspect really, however, it was mostly on zuri (our Lizzie) and I felt like only she changed overall, why our Darcy (Darius) didn't really develop and I don't know how I feel about that. I also think their journey from hate to love was rushed and just confusing and we don't really see why Darius acts the way he does...
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
katemc's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay, I actually have a lot to say on this one!
First of all, I think Zoboi did a great job of mapping the key plot points / characters / scenarios of P&P onto this modern context. I especially appreciated how Colin was the future landlord, Warren's sleazeball actions, and the particular way the Darcys were wealthy interlopers into the Bushwick community.
However, P&P is a long book. Each element in the plot plays a formative and specific role in Lizzy and Darcy's development which builds to their romantic culmination. I didn't feel like Pride had similar space, being just under 300 pages, to make the various elements matter to the same extent, not to mention while introducing several new aspects and themes.
Some elements felt extraneous - Charlise and Colin's relationship, for example. It unfortunately meant little to Zuri's development or the plot overall. It also didn't translate to the modern context - Charlise had no concrete reason pushing her to develop a relationship with him.
Others felt rushed. Zuri's relationship with Warren feels like the blink of an eye, with no meaningful impact on her once it ends. She is insistent throughout on maintaining her distance from him so his character revelation has little emotional impact on either her or the reader. His acts against Georgia and Layla translated excellently, but unfortunately the emotional impact - and impact on the plot/Zuri and Darius' relationship - was negligible.
I also wasn't convinced by the end of either Darius' evolution in his feelings for Zuri as well as the depth of Zuri's feelings for him. Or their chemistry. As many other reviewers have said: one minute they don't speak to each other, the next they've never met someone like the other. There is very little work done to transition the characters between stages in their relationship, which is disappointing in a P&P remix!
I feel as though there were so many elements being balanced in the book - the arc/plot of P&P, the themes Zoboi introduces around gentrification, upheaval, and major life changes (specifically graduation/college), the constellation of Zuri's character (writing poetry, reading, applying to college, her relationship with Madrina, navigating her emotions around her changing neighborhood, spending time with her big sister, etc) - that there wasn't enough time to get invested in all of them. I would have loved for all of them to have gotten a really thorough interrogation, but there just wasn't the space for it to happen.
I really wanted to like this book and I did really enjoy certain sections. The cocktail party at the Darcys, for example, was great. And I wish we could have gotten more Janae/Ainsley content!! But overall, I felt like things moved too quickly and on a relatively surface level to feel fully invested in the outcome.
First of all, I think Zoboi did a great job of mapping the key plot points / characters / scenarios of P&P onto this modern context. I especially appreciated how Colin was the future landlord, Warren's sleazeball actions, and the particular way the Darcys were wealthy interlopers into the Bushwick community.
However, P&P is a long book. Each element in the plot plays a formative and specific role in Lizzy and Darcy's development which builds to their romantic culmination. I didn't feel like Pride had similar space, being just under 300 pages, to make the various elements matter to the same extent, not to mention while introducing several new aspects and themes.
Some elements felt extraneous - Charlise and Colin's relationship, for example. It unfortunately meant little to Zuri's development or the plot overall. It also didn't translate to the modern context - Charlise had no concrete reason pushing her to develop a relationship with him.
Others felt rushed. Zuri's relationship with Warren feels like the blink of an eye, with no meaningful impact on her once it ends. She is insistent throughout on maintaining her distance from him so his character revelation has little emotional impact on either her or the reader. His acts against Georgia and Layla translated excellently, but unfortunately the emotional impact - and impact on the plot/Zuri and Darius' relationship - was negligible.
I also wasn't convinced by the end of either Darius' evolution in his feelings for Zuri as well as the depth of Zuri's feelings for him. Or their chemistry. As many other reviewers have said: one minute they don't speak to each other, the next they've never met someone like the other. There is very little work done to transition the characters between stages in their relationship, which is disappointing in a P&P remix!
I feel as though there were so many elements being balanced in the book - the arc/plot of P&P, the themes Zoboi introduces around gentrification, upheaval, and major life changes (specifically graduation/college), the constellation of Zuri's character (writing poetry, reading, applying to college, her relationship with Madrina, navigating her emotions around her changing neighborhood, spending time with her big sister, etc) - that there wasn't enough time to get invested in all of them. I would have loved for all of them to have gotten a really thorough interrogation, but there just wasn't the space for it to happen.
I really wanted to like this book and I did really enjoy certain sections. The cocktail party at the Darcys, for example, was great. And I wish we could have gotten more Janae/Ainsley content!! But overall, I felt like things moved too quickly and on a relatively surface level to feel fully invested in the outcome.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
grace_almaraz's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Not only did this book start dismantling my white privilege at a young age, but it was a book I couldn't put down. The way the author modernized Pride & Prejudice to fit today's youth was phenomenal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment
sierranorgan's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The two characters talk maybe 3 times by the half way point, hate each other that entire time, and then all the sudden they’re into each other? There were several parts of the book where I just was slightly confused about the events happening.
They also had the same conversation over and over again.
But I did like the writing itself, it flowed beautifully.
They also had the same conversation over and over again.
But I did like the writing itself, it flowed beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Sexual harassment
kayles514's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual harassment and Racism
valpyre's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
[audiobook]
this was a really enjoyable listen and got me perfectly through a day at work. once again, this book felt really grounded through zuri's character, and how the place she lived was a huge part of her identity. i loved her poems and the way her life in her neighbourhood was described and contrasted when she went places she didn't usually have access to. though i felt like darius and ainsley didn't have the same depth, i think this was a great story.
this was a really enjoyable listen and got me perfectly through a day at work. once again, this book felt really grounded through zuri's character, and how the place she lived was a huge part of her identity. i loved her poems and the way her life in her neighbourhood was described and contrasted when she went places she didn't usually have access to. though i felt like darius and ainsley didn't have the same depth, i think this was a great story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
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