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neglet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Misogyny
idroppedead's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Dysphoria, Misogyny, and Transphobia
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Deadnaming
Moderate: Misogyny, Body shaming, Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
river_jean_sterling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexism, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Outing, Homophobia, and Misogyny
carpenterbeeoli's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, and Homophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
There is a moment when the main character describes, in detail their dysphoria-induced disassociation. This may be triggering to some queer folks.novella42's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Body shaming, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Deadnaming, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Bullying
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
The things i loved:
1. Most Ardently does a pretty great job of remaining faithful and respectful of the source material, while also bending and altering the plot to remain fresh and engaging. The story is a much snappier read overall, with much of the “background” information and characterization cut for brevity or glossed over in favor of new scenes, but it all still works and feels Right.
2. Darcy and Oliver retain their charming banter and titular shortcomings, Bingley and Jane remain ever gentle and kind opposite a bratty Caroline and scheming Wickham. The puzzle pieces still slot into place as expected, even with new and perhaps more tense stakes.
3. TRANS LEAD!!! Being in Oliver’s mind, the juxtaposition of how he perceived himself v how others perceive him, the regency era binder, all delightful. Watching him juggle the pressure of keeping himself a secret while still aching to be out and proud and himself made me deeply emotional.
4. Charlotte
The things I struggled with:
1. Oliver objects to so much of the societal expectation **bc he’s a man**, rather than because they’re unfair and ridiculous. Liz is a character who to this day people see as a feminist icon, and while i understand the nuance of introducing a trans story into this world, i think there is space for both things to coexist.
2. The aging felt a little off. In P+P, Liz is 20, which is young, but having Oliver be 17 made a lot of the language more juvenile (I think he refers to both himself and Darcy as “boy” exclusively) even though he turns down THREE marriage proposals and is expected to be a fully actualized and accomplished person. It’s an odd point of contention, but it’s definitely felt throughout.
3.I miss the sisters. Mary, Lydia, and Kitty are barely mentioned,
4. It’s a touch insta-lovey. This one is a personal preference, but given how much quicker paced this is compared to the original, I think a slower burn would have still been a good call. By their third meeting, Oliver has heart eyes. It’s a regency book, dang it. Their hands shouldn’t even touch until 98% of the way through!
5.
I think it would have benefited from being a modernized Regency where the lgbtqia community is open and accepted, or perhaps a touch more gravity should have been placed on these very large and important conversations.
All in all, a sweet and fun read. I had my grievances, but it’s a trans retelling of one of my all time favorite books. At the end of the day, I’m over the moon that this exists at all 💚
Graphic: Dysphoria, Outing, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Sexism
dragongirl271's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Attention Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen fans! I present to you: Pride & Prejudice but this time gay and trans 🏳️🌈
Oh, do you need more?
Gabe Cole Novoa crafted a beautiful retelling of one of the most iconic Jane Austen novels of all time with some lovely, historically-inspired queer representation thrown into the mix. Elizabeth Bennet is now Oliver Bennet, a trans man wishing for a life where he can be himself. Mr. Darcy is still the same grump we all know and love, but there are maybe other reasons why he detests society and the marriage mart so.
Novoa expertly matches Austen's tone and pacing from the original novel, but also gives us plenty of original scenes and moments with Oliver and Darcy. You can tell while reading just how lovingly crafted this project was. Is this my new favorite version of the story? The jury's still out, but time will tell.
Now, go! Add this to your list of reads for Pride Month and thank me later 😊 Happy Pride!
CW: deadnaming, misgendering, homophobia, misogyny, transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
aceofjades's review against another edition
3.5
It's the way characters talk to each other that took me out. I understand that the addressing conventions of IX century England can be confusing for modern readers, but I don't think anyone who isn't at least a little familiar with Jane Austen novels (or at least the movie adaptations of her novels) would be reading this book, so I don't see any reason for characters to be calling each other by FIRST NAME as if they're very very intimate, when in fact they've only just met and/or have animosity towards each other.
Below is spoilers for more specific parts that personally peeved me, might get nitpicky:
In general, how Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham were rewritten to be real big baddies, and their nearly comical villanous "death" at the end of the novel... They weren't complex characters in the og novel either, but I feel like there's a missed opportunity for making really "evil" characters look back at themselves and realize their mistakes. Also did the author forget that Mr. Collins is a clergyman? He doesn't just "tell boring stories" to the Bennets, he recites sermons! Making them say terribly misogynistic things to Oliver was... a choice, a choice which genuinely made me uncomfortable and made me root even more for some kind of redemption arc where they become embarrassed of themselves, instead of punished but never changing their ways of thought. Speaking of Mr. Collins, what happened with Charlotte after his and Wickham's schemes are revealed? In general, I think this book was way too short to follow all the little plotlines that were introduced. How did the Bennet sisters react to Oliver coming out? Will Mr. Bingley ever find out too? I would've gladly read a 100 or more pages just to give the plot some breathing room. And speaking of villanous figures, I was kind of hoping for Madam De Bourgh to be rewritten in favour of her nephew's queerness... that's just wishful thinking on my part, and I didn't detract any points for it, but I feel like it's another big missed opportunity... - Not a spoiler, but in general this book is written in a very fanfiction-esque language which really took me out of the immersion at times... I wasn't expecting it to fully imitate Jane Austen's prolix style, but certain metaphors and locutions were really out of place.
There isn't much tension in the midpoint and, as mentioned in the spoilers, the plot didn't have enough breathing room. I feel like the lack of any real tension might be because of that as well. This book would've benefitted from a 100 or so more pages, and I would've gladly read those and possibly given a higher rating.
Graphic: Misogyny, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One of my favorite parts of this retelling is the way that it provides an explanation beyond plot convenience for Darcy to have inconsistent reactions to Oliver. Instead of Darcy being hot and cold to someone who seems to be the same person, his reactions around Oliver as a girl are impacted by getting to spend time with Oliver as a boy and maybe starting to fall for him. For those not familiar with the original story, this stands on its own and doesn't require any prior knowledge in order to make sense.
I enjoyed this as a retelling and as its own story, a great addition to the Remixed Classics series!
Graphic: Dysphoria, Classism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse