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novella42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.75
This might be the most intense and effective depiction of gender dysphoria and euphoria I've ever read as a cis person.
I read and loved A Lady for A Duke, an original love story with a transfemme protagonist who used the chaos of Waterloo to escape her old life. That book had many of the same elements of this one, and I don't suppose it's fair to compare the very different stories. But there was something especially effective about setting this in the framework of a classic that gave it an extra kick.
There's just something about writing this particular story within that of a familiar, famous character in a time period where gender roles were even more rigid than they are today. It was powerful to read the dysphoria and euphoria of Oliver's internal experience, set against the backdrop of all our expectations that come with the story of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's version of Elizabeth Bennett has become a very particular kind of role model for femininity and for a certain kind of feminist, and that framework provided a kind of fuel to the fire of this story. Over the course of the book I became acutely aware of nuances of my own social programming and emotional baggage I brought to the story. It was a relief to acknowledge them and let them go.
Oliver's discomfort and constant pain was visceral but gracefully depicted. Seeing his happiness at even the smallest affirmation was a profound relief and a joy to read.
Highly recommend this.
I read and loved A Lady for A Duke, an original love story with a transfemme protagonist who used the chaos of Waterloo to escape her old life. That book had many of the same elements of this one, and I don't suppose it's fair to compare the very different stories. But there was something especially effective about setting this in the framework of a classic that gave it an extra kick.
There's just something about writing this particular story within that of a familiar, famous character in a time period where gender roles were even more rigid than they are today. It was powerful to read the dysphoria and euphoria of Oliver's internal experience, set against the backdrop of all our expectations that come with the story of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's version of Elizabeth Bennett has become a very particular kind of role model for femininity and for a certain kind of feminist, and that framework provided a kind of fuel to the fire of this story. Over the course of the book I became acutely aware of nuances of my own social programming and emotional baggage I brought to the story. It was a relief to acknowledge them and let them go.
Oliver's discomfort and constant pain was visceral but gracefully depicted. Seeing his happiness at even the smallest affirmation was a profound relief and a joy to read.
Highly recommend this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Deadnaming, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Bullying
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
2.75
I feel a little nervous to write a review for this book... I am so incredibly glad that this book exists with the queer rep interwoven into a classic. I think it was brilliant to have the characters as queer characters, and it made so much sense for these character's identities. Especially getting to have a Charlotte who is truly queer where the original character is only queer-coded. (Or at least as many of us in the fandom believe.)
I think this didn't work for me for a few reasons, but mainly the book didn't have enough space to really delve into the big themes, I don't think a lot of YA works for me anymore, and as an Austen fan, there were some things changed that I really struggled with and bothered me throughout the book. I don't want to focus on the small things - but little things like saying Gracechurch is in the country, kind of irked me, since that is a real place in London... Could have picked a different place. Or that everyone calls each other by only their last names - no Mr. or Ms., which would have been rude and improper. I think this was an attempt to modernize... But I digress.
The one piece that really bothered me is that in order to delve into the themes of transphobia and dysmorphia, the author took away all of the feminism that Austen imbues into her works. This was a time when feminism wasn't quite a thing, yet having your heroines make these decisions for themselves despite their circumstances, push for marriages of love instead of marriages of convenience, and push the boundaries of female propriety were the acts of rebellion and feminism that women had at the time. This book somehow did the complete opposite. While we definitely have pieces true to the story - where Oliver makes decisions to stay true to himself, and finds the support of his family to live a life that makes him happy and content - there are these conversations that are not only against all society rules but are just incredibly... awful. I get what the author was trying to do, truly, but it just continually irked me. There would be multiple scenes with characters saying things that were really unhelpful to the story and kind of... out of character as well.
For example, there is a part where Mr. Wickham (and yes, he will always be referred to as MR. Wickham) makes rude comments about Oliver's body - commenting on the femininity and "child-bearing" which would have been the height of impropriety at that time. Another scene between them, Mr. Wickham says: "Nonsense. You have some unrealistic fantasies of the future, certainly, but what young girl doesn't hold fanciful notions? It is a weakness of your sex to struggle to differentiate between flights of fantasy and reality. All the more reason why you need a strong husband to guide you." ....... "Insult you!" Wickham looked aghast by the suggestion. "Quite the opposite. Why, I'm here because I think you're beautiful, and more importantly, interesting. I'm certain you'll make a diverting wife for a husband of superior intellect."
Look, I am not a Mr. Wickham apologist, but even this is beyond his character... while he might have thought some of these things, he doesn't say them out loud. His character is all charm and proper.
Anyways, overall, I just wish some of these scenes had been handled... differently. It felt unnecessary to add these in some way when this book could have been much more empowering for well, everyone.
As I mentioned, I am incredibly glad this book does exist, and if it makes people interested in Austen or they can better see themselves through this queer representation of Austen, then I am all for it! I just wasn't the intended audience I think.
I think this didn't work for me for a few reasons, but mainly the book didn't have enough space to really delve into the big themes, I don't think a lot of YA works for me anymore, and as an Austen fan, there were some things changed that I really struggled with and bothered me throughout the book. I don't want to focus on the small things - but little things like saying Gracechurch is in the country, kind of irked me, since that is a real place in London... Could have picked a different place. Or that everyone calls each other by only their last names - no Mr. or Ms., which would have been rude and improper. I think this was an attempt to modernize... But I digress.
The one piece that really bothered me is that in order to delve into the themes of transphobia and dysmorphia, the author took away all of the feminism that Austen imbues into her works. This was a time when feminism wasn't quite a thing, yet having your heroines make these decisions for themselves despite their circumstances, push for marriages of love instead of marriages of convenience, and push the boundaries of female propriety were the acts of rebellion and feminism that women had at the time. This book somehow did the complete opposite. While we definitely have pieces true to the story - where Oliver makes decisions to stay true to himself, and finds the support of his family to live a life that makes him happy and content - there are these conversations that are not only against all society rules but are just incredibly... awful. I get what the author was trying to do, truly, but it just continually irked me. There would be multiple scenes with characters saying things that were really unhelpful to the story and kind of... out of character as well.
For example, there is a part where Mr. Wickham (and yes, he will always be referred to as MR. Wickham) makes rude comments about Oliver's body - commenting on the femininity and "child-bearing" which would have been the height of impropriety at that time. Another scene between them, Mr. Wickham says: "Nonsense. You have some unrealistic fantasies of the future, certainly, but what young girl doesn't hold fanciful notions? It is a weakness of your sex to struggle to differentiate between flights of fantasy and reality. All the more reason why you need a strong husband to guide you." ....... "Insult you!" Wickham looked aghast by the suggestion. "Quite the opposite. Why, I'm here because I think you're beautiful, and more importantly, interesting. I'm certain you'll make a diverting wife for a husband of superior intellect."
Look, I am not a Mr. Wickham apologist, but even this is beyond his character... while he might have thought some of these things, he doesn't say them out loud. His character is all charm and proper.
Anyways, overall, I just wish some of these scenes had been handled... differently. It felt unnecessary to add these in some way when this book could have been much more empowering for well, everyone.
As I mentioned, I am incredibly glad this book does exist, and if it makes people interested in Austen or they can better see themselves through this queer representation of Austen, then I am all for it! I just wasn't the intended audience I think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Gaslighting, Alcohol, Homophobia, Bullying, and Misogyny
peroxide_princes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a really great book! I grew up absolutely ADORING Pride and prejudice, so to have a trans retelling out there is just fantastic. I think the end moves a little quickly and feels slightly forced, but that could definitely be my own personal taste. The characters do feel a bit flat, with the most character development happening in Darcy’s character in my opinion. Though I think Oliver’s parents being supportive of him in the end is a very nice and healing touch out there for many trans kids picking up this book . Overall, I think perhaps my personal tastes have moved away from young adult fiction, hence my rating, but this book fits itself well in that category. I would certainly recommend it for any trans youth out there who are in need of a book to speak to their souls and give them a heartwarming and hopeful end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Bullying, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Stalking, Incest, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
theebster's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
3.0
I don’t think I was really the intended audience - was hoping for more looks into queer history/culture and romance rather than such a focus on Oliver’s dysphoria.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Bullying, Dysphoria, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Classism
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