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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
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
I am actually having so many emotions about this book. First of all, let me say that the Remixed Classics series is one of my all time favorite ideas. I love taking well known stories and asking: but what if it was queer? what if they weren’t white? what if they weren’t men? This is the third one I’ve read and it’s just as amazing as the others and makes me so excited to read every one in the series.
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. The general idea of the story and the way I’ve seen people interact and react to it has always been interesting to me though and I loved another reimagining of the story, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I also love Gabe Cole Novoa’s writing in general, The Wicked Bargain is one of my top favorite reads so when I saw he was writing this and got approved for the ARC I was so pleased.
The thing that got to me the most, I think, was Oliver’s emotions and desires. The way he just wanted so badly to be himself and fought for it, even though it was so scary to do it. His relationship with Jane and his father got me a bit teary eyed more than once.
Each time Oliver came out, while not always intending to do so, I was braced for it to go horribly, but each time I was pleasantly surprised and reassured by the openness and pride that each character reacted with. I think between how society still reacts to trans people today and the way narratives for characters like Oliver usually go, I was expecting blatant and harsh transphobia. And while there was transphobia, for me the blows were softened by the acceptance of his sister, his father, and eventually Darcy and his mother. That being said, please still take care of yourself and know that there is still transphobia, homophobia, dysphoria, and misogyny that Oliver deals with throughout the book. Know what you can handle as a reader.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. The general idea of the story and the way I’ve seen people interact and react to it has always been interesting to me though and I loved another reimagining of the story, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I also love Gabe Cole Novoa’s writing in general, The Wicked Bargain is one of my top favorite reads so when I saw he was writing this and got approved for the ARC I was so pleased.
The thing that got to me the most, I think, was Oliver’s emotions and desires. The way he just wanted so badly to be himself and fought for it, even though it was so scary to do it. His relationship with Jane and his father got me a bit teary eyed more than once.
Each time Oliver came out, while not always intending to do so, I was braced for it to go horribly, but each time I was pleasantly surprised and reassured by the openness and pride that each character reacted with. I think between how society still reacts to trans people today and the way narratives for characters like Oliver usually go, I was expecting blatant and harsh transphobia. And while there was transphobia, for me the blows were softened by the acceptance of his sister, his father, and eventually Darcy and his mother. That being said, please still take care of yourself and know that there is still transphobia, homophobia, dysphoria, and misogyny that Oliver deals with throughout the book. Know what you can handle as a reader.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Outing, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Infidelity
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