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maeverose's review against another edition
4.0
I initially marked this as a DNF a few days ago because while objectively I didn’t have any real issues with it, I was starting to get bored. I decided to continue though, and I’m really glad I did. This is an edited version of my DNF review.
The trans rep is done so well, I love that Oliver is always referred to by the narrator as a boy and with he/him pronouns exclusively. Even when describing ‘feminine’ parts of his body or when other characters are misgendering him, the narration never does. I also think this book does a good job of not putting down women through Oliver’s dysphoria of being perceived as a woman (if that makes sense…). I will warn however that while this isn’t a trans trauma story at all, there are quite a few scenes where Oliver experiences pretty intense misgendering and dysphoria, so I would go in prepared for that. Some people might consider this a very minor spoiler, but for those of you worried about character’s negative reactions to Oliver coming out:every character he comes out to (besides the antagonists who find out) reacts with love and acceptance.
I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice so I can’t speak on how close of a retelling it is, but I enjoyed what I read of the plot well enough (historical romance isn’t really my genre). I did find it a bit slow, though. That could be because, as I said, this genre isn’t my favorite and may have nothing to do with the book, idk.
I fucking hated Mrs. Bennet throughout most of this book but I’m assuming she’s the same in Pride and Prejudice. She’s especially infuriating in this one though with how she misgenders Oliver.Though that was of course resolved in the end, unrealistic as that whole scenario was, I much preferred that to angst.
Honestly, I think the main thing that put me off of this book is there is a ‘gross sweaty hands’ moment in one scene where Oliver has to dance with Mr Collins. I have palmar hyperhidrosis, which is a disability that causes your hands to sweat excessively. This trope of making unlikable characters sweaty for no reason is ableist and body shaming. Reading that scene in this book a few days ago triggered that particular insecurity of mine and made me feel shitty about my body for a few days afterward. I’m over it now, but every time I encounter that trope, especially in a book that is otherwise initially comforting, it’s always a bit upsetting.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and would recommend it if it sounds like something you might like.
The trans rep is done so well, I love that Oliver is always referred to by the narrator as a boy and with he/him pronouns exclusively. Even when describing ‘feminine’ parts of his body or when other characters are misgendering him, the narration never does. I also think this book does a good job of not putting down women through Oliver’s dysphoria of being perceived as a woman (if that makes sense…). I will warn however that while this isn’t a trans trauma story at all, there are quite a few scenes where Oliver experiences pretty intense misgendering and dysphoria, so I would go in prepared for that. Some people might consider this a very minor spoiler, but for those of you worried about character’s negative reactions to Oliver coming out:
I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice so I can’t speak on how close of a retelling it is, but I enjoyed what I read of the plot well enough (historical romance isn’t really my genre). I did find it a bit slow, though. That could be because, as I said, this genre isn’t my favorite and may have nothing to do with the book, idk.
I fucking hated Mrs. Bennet throughout most of this book but I’m assuming she’s the same in Pride and Prejudice. She’s especially infuriating in this one though with how she misgenders Oliver.
Honestly, I think the main thing that put me off of this book is there is a ‘gross sweaty hands’ moment in one scene where Oliver has to dance with Mr Collins. I have palmar hyperhidrosis, which is a disability that causes your hands to sweat excessively. This trope of making unlikable characters sweaty for no reason is ableist and body shaming. Reading that scene in this book a few days ago triggered that particular insecurity of mine and made me feel shitty about my body for a few days afterward. I’m over it now, but every time I encounter that trope, especially in a book that is otherwise initially comforting, it’s always a bit upsetting.
Overall though, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and would recommend it if it sounds like something you might like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Deadnaming, and Misogyny
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Outing
A ‘gross sweaty hands’ comment
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