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Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
21 reviews
bootrat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
I was trying to get hold of this book for MONTHS (it was out of stock from the publishers), and I finally got a copy today.
Did I read the entire book in 4 hours? Yes.
Did I nearly cry in the middle of a bookshop/cafe?
Yes.
Am I fundamentally changed forever by this adorable queer reimagining of my favourite book?
Yes.
There were a few changes from the source material in this book (aside from the obvious), some of which made sense to the story and some of which didn't.
- Longbourn is in London in this, with Netherfield just on the outskirts. This change made sense for Oliver to be able to visit places as himself, and to escape his life as Elizabeth easily. This change takes some getting used to, as the original Elizabeth Bennet is very much a country girl, but I'm not mad about it. (Conversely, the Gardiners live at "Gracechurch", which is a house/estate in the countryside, and near to Pemberley, rather than in London.)
- Oliver, and therefore all the other characters (except Georgina?), are younger than in the original novel. Oliver is only 17, where Elizabeth was 20, and other characters are varying numbers of years younger too. I don't know why this change was made, or why it was needed, so I wasn't a fan of it.
- Wickham's backstory, and the way in which he was a villain, and his history with Darcy, were all changed. Some of these changes made sense to the story that was being told, and were needed, but some didn't. I didn't like it.
- Collins isn't a parson, and isn't under the patronage of Lady Catherine, he's just ?? A Guy? Seems to be a gentleman, with his own house/estate, but there's no clear reason for this change. He's still known to Lady C, and is invited to Rosings occasionally, but the relationship is different. This is another change I didn't understand the need for, so I didn't like it. Also Anne DeBourgh just fully doesn't exist.
- Lastly there's one continuity error?? Wickham refers to a character (we never meet) as Genevieve, but she's later referred to Liliana?? It's not addressed at all, and we don't find out whether Wickham was just lying about her name or if this was just a case of the author fully forgetting what they'd already named the character and unintentionally renaming her.
Despite that (long 😅) list of changes, I absolutely adored this book. 100% recommend to anybody looking for a queer romance story with a happy ending, whether you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice or not.
Did I read the entire book in 4 hours? Yes.
Did I nearly cry in the middle of a bookshop/cafe?
Yes.
Am I fundamentally changed forever by this adorable queer reimagining of my favourite book?
Yes.
There were a few changes from the source material in this book (aside from the obvious), some of which made sense to the story and some of which didn't.
- Longbourn is in London in this, with Netherfield just on the outskirts. This change made sense for Oliver to be able to visit places as himself, and to escape his life as Elizabeth easily. This change takes some getting used to, as the original Elizabeth Bennet is very much a country girl, but I'm not mad about it. (Conversely, the Gardiners live at "Gracechurch", which is a house/estate in the countryside, and near to Pemberley, rather than in London.)
- Oliver, and therefore all the other characters (except Georgina?), are younger than in the original novel. Oliver is only 17, where Elizabeth was 20, and other characters are varying numbers of years younger too. I don't know why this change was made, or why it was needed, so I wasn't a fan of it.
- Wickham's backstory, and the way in which he was a villain, and his history with Darcy, were all changed. Some of these changes made sense to the story that was being told, and were needed, but some didn't. I didn't like it.
- Collins isn't a parson, and isn't under the patronage of Lady Catherine, he's just ?? A Guy? Seems to be a gentleman, with his own house/estate, but there's no clear reason for this change. He's still known to Lady C, and is invited to Rosings occasionally, but the relationship is different. This is another change I didn't understand the need for, so I didn't like it. Also Anne DeBourgh just fully doesn't exist.
- Lastly there's one continuity error?? Wickham refers to a character (we never meet) as Genevieve, but she's later referred to Liliana?? It's not addressed at all, and we don't find out whether Wickham was just lying about her name or if this was just a case of the author fully forgetting what they'd already named the character and unintentionally renaming her.
Despite that (long 😅) list of changes, I absolutely adored this book. 100% recommend to anybody looking for a queer romance story with a happy ending, whether you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice or not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The suicidal thoughts aren't explicit, or particularly mentioned much in the story, Oliver just says at a couple of different points that he would rather die than live a certain way. While that is often hyperbole, or a throwaway comment, it's clear that this character means it literally.river_jean_sterling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexism, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Outing, Homophobia, and Misogyny
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
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Outing, Classism, Deadnaming, and Sexism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Incest
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Lesbophobia
essieruth's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Outing
Minor: Classism and Suicidal thoughts
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Stalking, Deadnaming, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia
curiosityp's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kelsea_'s review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.25
This was a wonderfully charming book! Oliver’s internal struggle and the trauma of being misgendered is not overlooked, but the author is sensitive with the topic, crafting this sweet story about the bravery of sharing who you really are. For anyone who likes classical retelling, this is a must read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
mirandyli's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An adorable quick read that is a queer, trans retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The author also provides some historical context on queerness and transness in that era. I'm looking forward to reading other retellings in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, and Homophobia