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jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
Most Ardently is an interesting queer take on Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. I admit that I picked this one up without reading the synopsis, so I was only aware that it was Novoa’s own spin on a classic that happened to be queer. It was certainly a surprise to discover that Elizabeth Bennet in this retelling is actually Oliver Bennet, a trans teenage boy. This decision to have a trans protagonist made it that Novoa added another complex layer to the existing discussions about gender dynamics in the original novel. It was interesting to see how Novoa’s queering of Pride & Prejudice impacted the direction of the story, which was simultaneously familiar yet not, as a result of having to attend to what it meant to be queer during the Victorian era. I thought Novoa handled this pretty well without getting too caught up in the details to lose the plot. I did feel that Oliver’s thoughts were a bit repetitive once you’re further in the novel, but this might not bother everyone.
Also, a warning to trans readers: Considering the time period and the protagonist being trans, it shouldn’t come as a complete surprise that transphobia is rampant in this novel. There’s very frequent deadnaming and misgendering, which is critical in the development of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Outing, Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
evarinya's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Dysphoria, and Sexism
Moderate: Outing, Transphobia, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
eleos01's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, Sexism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Incest, Classism, and Outing
ziggyreadz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
i didn’t dislike Most Ardently as much as i was disappointed in it. for what it was (a fanfiction - and i don’t use that word derogatorily, but descriptively - which aims to inspire trans youth), it was fine. i had a fun time with it, especially in the beginning. but as the story progressed (at a break-neck pace!), i felt like that spark of hope i had for this story got lost along the way.
i want to stress that nothing about this book was “bad,” per say - just very boring. it doesn’t work as a stand alone at all, as the characters have no depth or personality. i was especially disappointed with Darcy, who i had really wanted to see in another light. but his complexities and quirks were erased in favor of ease.
overall, it was a story i think i’ve outgrown. when i was a teenager discovering i was trans, this may have worked better for me. but i feel like while stories like this (uncomplicated, happy stories of coming out and finding love) are needed for younger trans people, trans people are owed more interesting explorations of the trans experience and how it ties into history. i get that that would have been a very different story, and not one the author was trying to accomplish, but i suppose i was let down from expecting a complex and historical narrative.
0.5 was added for enjoyment. this book was easy to get through and fun to read.
one pet peeve - the author really likes using the word “boy” when “man” would be more expected. i don’t know whether it’s a gender euphoria thing for him or if he assumed it would be for his audience, but it’s jarring and takes you out of the story, at least at first.
i want to stress that nothing about this book was “bad,” per say - just very boring. it doesn’t work as a stand alone at all, as the characters have no depth or personality. i was especially disappointed with Darcy, who i had really wanted to see in another light. but his complexities and quirks were erased in favor of ease.
overall, it was a story i think i’ve outgrown. when i was a teenager discovering i was trans, this may have worked better for me. but i feel like while stories like this (uncomplicated, happy stories of coming out and finding love) are needed for younger trans people, trans people are owed more interesting explorations of the trans experience and how it ties into history. i get that that would have been a very different story, and not one the author was trying to accomplish, but i suppose i was let down from expecting a complex and historical narrative.
0.5 was added for enjoyment. this book was easy to get through and fun to read.
one pet peeve - the author really likes using the word “boy” when “man” would be more expected. i don’t know whether it’s a gender euphoria thing for him or if he assumed it would be for his audience, but it’s jarring and takes you out of the story, at least at first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Outing
Moderate: Transphobia
its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was so beautiful!! I loved Oliver so much and it’s so nice to see historical romances about trans people. Trans people have always existed and I think this book does an amazing job at representation in an accurate, yet uplifting way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Stalking and Classism
james_orion's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
as a gay trans man who had a hyperfixation on pride and prejudice a few months ago this book feels like it was written for me. I had a fantastic time listening to the audiobook and just enjoying this story. Oliver's conflict with Charlotte was a really strong point for me and their queer identities enhance their perspectives in a different way that I really enjoyed. the romance was so cute and I really liked the scenes early on with Darcy and Oliver.
This might have been more apparent with the audiobook but I felt like the word 'boy' was really overused, and while they were teenagers I think using the word 'man' would have been less jarring and weird for me On occasion it was very confusing why Oliver was acting a certain way with darcy. I think it was supposed to convey that he was conflicted about him but in reality it ended up being confusing why onw moment they were flirting and the next oliver was thinking about how much he didn't like Darcy. I think this is a fault of trying to stay too true to the original work, in P&P Elizabeth and Darcy misunderstand each other often but Oliver and Darcy here don't really do that? it feels like Oliver just wildly swings back and forth on Darcy at times. Also I wish this story had dived a bit more into class issues more along the lines of the original, there are hints of it (Bingley and Darcy being able to afford books that would be a huge luxury to Oliver, and Charlotte living in near poverty compared to the rest of our main characters) but I would have really loved to see these things explored more.
All in all I really enjoyed this story and I had such a fun time listening to it!
This might have been more apparent with the audiobook but I felt like the word 'boy' was really overused, and while they were teenagers I think using the word 'man' would have been less jarring and weird for me On occasion it was very confusing why Oliver was acting a certain way with darcy. I think it was supposed to convey that he was conflicted about him but in reality it ended up being confusing why onw moment they were flirting and the next oliver was thinking about how much he didn't like Darcy. I think this is a fault of trying to stay too true to the original work, in P&P Elizabeth and Darcy misunderstand each other often but Oliver and Darcy here don't really do that? it feels like Oliver just wildly swings back and forth on Darcy at times. Also I wish this story had dived a bit more into class issues more along the lines of the original, there are hints of it (Bingley and Darcy being able to afford books that would be a huge luxury to Oliver, and Charlotte living in near poverty compared to the rest of our main characters) but I would have really loved to see these things explored more.
All in all I really enjoyed this story and I had such a fun time listening to it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Outing
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Homophobia
im_basil's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing, and Stalking
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
roseleebooks's review
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This was a lovely retelling. I really enjoyed Oliver as a character and the insight into his struggles in 1800s English society. I would qualify this as a cozy read for me due to the comfort of it being a Pride and Prejudice retelling, though it does explore some themes that may be difficult for some readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexism