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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
ninjamuse's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria, Misogyny, and Transphobia
marmaladereads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Absolutely swoon-worthy retelling of Pride and Prejudice with Oliver Bennet as a trans boy and Darcy as a gay boy. Oliver is not out in society or to his family so there is misgendering and deadnaming throughout, some intentional and some unintentional, but the romance is just as sweeping and swoony as the original and ultimately this is a story of familial acceptance and finding love without compromising who you really are. I absolutely melted at the dynamics between Oliver and Darcy, especially their moments alone as their true selves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
amanda_reads89's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Deadnaming
Moderate: Outing, Sexism, and Misogyny
raybudbury's review
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I’ve never actually read Pride and Prejudice; have only seen the Keira Knightley film.
Honestly? This is now my Pride and Prejudice. I loved Oliver. I like the author really makes it feel authentic to how some trans people feel w/ gender dysphoria and the emotional turmoil of hearing people use their deadname / wrong pronouns imo. Or my own feelings as a nb person that struggles w mine own identity and how I want ppl to see me. Idk I felt like it was an authentic trans experience being written,, hard to explain KAOAPSM.
It’s sweet, funny, emotional but can be triggering for some (in that Oliver gets deadnamed frequently as he isn’t out to everyone in the book) but the author states that at the top which is great.
Honestly? This is now my Pride and Prejudice. I loved Oliver. I like the author really makes it feel authentic to how some trans people feel w/ gender dysphoria and the emotional turmoil of hearing people use their deadname / wrong pronouns imo. Or my own feelings as a nb person that struggles w mine own identity and how I want ppl to see me. Idk I felt like it was an authentic trans experience being written,, hard to explain KAOAPSM.
It’s sweet, funny, emotional but can be triggering for some (in that Oliver gets deadnamed frequently as he isn’t out to everyone in the book) but the author states that at the top which is great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming
Moderate: Classism, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Transphobia
chrisb913's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Classism
whomever_0's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
It's cute, it's sweet, it's pride and prejudice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Dysphoria
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm not gonna lie: I was beyond excited for this book from the moment I heard that there would be a Pride & Prejudice installment of the remixed classics. And that excitement only grew with everything I learned about it leading up to the release. (Plus, this cover!!!)
That is to say, my personal hype made way for a very large possibility that I'd be disappointed if this wasn't executed well. But that wasn't the case at all. I love the original love story, and fell in love with this version as well ♡
And there's just something so special and beautiful about reading stories with trans joy in a historical setting.
(I do have so many more thoughts and things I love about this book, but words are failing me right now.)
That is to say, my personal hype made way for a very large possibility that I'd be disappointed if this wasn't executed well. But that wasn't the case at all. I love the original love story, and fell in love with this version as well ♡
And there's just something so special and beautiful about reading stories with trans joy in a historical setting.
(I do have so many more thoughts and things I love about this book, but words are failing me right now.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Misogyny, Sexism, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Transphobia, Classism, Outing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Stalking
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
dalek_caan's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute read! Both emotional and upbeat, it definitely stayed closer than I was expecting to the original story. All in all a fun book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Outing