Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

138 reviews

nimeneth's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This was a good retelling of Pride & Prejudice, and an enjoyable read. The feel of Austen's story wasn't changed, even if the specific details were, and Novoa was very respectful in translating the original into this work. That said, I have some conflicted feelings on the choices on how some of the characters were presented, and I think my biggest complaints are mostly based on my ardent love for the original. I didn't enjoy that: 

-Lydia and Kitty were essentially left out except as tittering fools in the background. They're both minor characters in the original, true, but Lydia's arc in Pride & Prejudice was important in fleshing out Darcy's character, and leads to an opening towards the end where Kitty can become her own person rather than being an extension of Lydia.
-Wickham is so utterly evil in this retelling. He's no peach in Austen but boiling him down to bring driven by money alone (instead of status and jealousy in addition) feels like a disservice to what he was.
-Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine weren't annoying enough lol

Despite my complaints above, this does still feel like a properly modernized retelling, and it's definitely an approachable way to present something that is dense and hard to read, even without factoring in the heteronormative lens it Austen was understandably writing through. The writing was good, the pace was excellent, and Novoa has a way of evoking emotions that had my cis self feeling Oliver's emotions, particularly his panic over the dysphoria and misgendering, in a very gut-wrenching way. The nightmare scene about 2/3 of the way made me deeply uncomfortable, poor Oliver!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Sexism, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Outing and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Classism and Sexual harassment

barometz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Stalking, Deadnaming, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Misogyny, and Transphobia

Moderate: Lesbophobia and Sexual harassment

Minor: Biphobia

rhi_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Sexism, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Misogyny

Moderate: Lesbophobia and Classism

melist6's review

emotional lighthearted 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Sexism

Moderate: Outing

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Bullying, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, and Homophobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Stalking, Incest, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders

bea_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Outing, Sexism, Misogyny, Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Homophobia

plumpatio's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

All content warnings aside, A sweet genderbent Pride & Prejudice retelling. Quick read with creative reimagining of major plot points without straying too far from the source. Darcy and Oliver's relationship develops more quickly (and with less appreciation and more infatuation), but lovers of Jane Austen with an interest in queer lit will appreciate the nods to the original with amped up supporting (and supportive) characters. I did question how realistic the treatment of Oliver by family and friends (and enemies) was, but ultimately, do I need realism and violance from a P&P retelling more than a delightful, plausibile story? In this case, no. I liked how the cast was filled out with other queer characters and allies.

• Pride & Prejudice retelling 
• Trans man main character
• gay!Darcy 
• Lesbian side characters 
• Wickham's still the worst and Collins gets in on the action

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria

Moderate: Transphobia, Stalking, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Misogyny

theboricuabookworm's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Top 3 of the best Pride and Prejudice retellings I've ever read. Super queer! So true to the story but also edited out unnecessary storylines. Two hopeless romantics just finding love with each other. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming and Misogyny

Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Outing

madamenovelist's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Moderate: Outing

A delightful concept that asks the question: what if the Bennets DID actually have a boy? And follows many a funny and sweet caper. The way Oliver points out Mr. Darcy’s nonsense repeatedly is particularly hilarious. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book waiting to see when Mr. Darcy would realize he was, in fact, in love with Oliver. The idea of including mollyhouses was also brilliant and has inspired me to learn more about them. Overall I enjoyed this book, but several quibbles detracted from it for me:

Jane Bennet. Would. Never. Call. ANYONE. A. Rat. Bastard. I cannot forgive this, I’m sorry. Mr. Collins’ overtly telling Oliver he had good birthing hips AT THE BALL. IN PUBLIC. Also threw me out of the narrative. Mr. Collins bribing Mr. Wickham was… utterly baffling for such a cheapskate as he is. And it was a little disappointing that most cases when faced with misogyny, instead of criticizing misogyny’s flaws? The focus is instead on misogyny doesn’t apply here because boy. Um. Hang on let’s deconstruct, please. And a lot of the concepts from the original book do not fit aging everyone down to teenagers, even though I understand the choice to make this a YA.)

mabellene's review

emotional hopeful 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Deadnaming

Moderate: Classism, Sexism, and Outing