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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An exciting concept and sweet story overall. The best written aspect of the novel is the emotionality of the characters, especially Oliver. You're with him and his thoughts the entire book, and you truly feel for in his plight; the devastation and agony of having to be in a body that doesn't feel like yours and the mental turmoil that comes with that state of being. At the same time, you experience his moments of joy and relief that he gets to have with him. But the reading of the novel gets tedious because of how much the author hammers on the same point over and over, and over again, with the same language in how said point is expressed/written, and it makes the narrative a tad repetitive and unintering the more the story goes. A lovely tale, all the same.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Dysphoria, Classism
I enjoyed reading this book, it’s cute and nice to see a trans adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. If you have read the original though or watched it you may be thrown off a bit since not all of the details parallel (it is an adaptation after all). Personally I was a bit confused why it was set in London since the original is in the country side, but I guess it’s to make it convenient to a have access to queer spaces like the Molly House in the book? They had landmarks from London so at least it was grounded in the setting but I was just a bit confused considering my familiarity with the original. Some of the assumptions about gender laws and Oliver inheriting his home kinda gave me pause too, like how would he not face social rejection publicly transitioning in the 1800s when people knew his previous appearance, but I guess some historically interpretation is reasonable, my boy needs a win. . If you’re not too particular over historical details this is a cute queer and trans interpretation of a classic novel, a quick and worthwhile read.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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:
No
i wish i hadn't read this book and forced myself to finish it despite my increasing frustration with the characterizations and eyeroll inducing plot. if you're in the middle of reading this book and seeking reviews for affirmation to stop reading, take this as the sign to drop it. it doesn't get better and i wholly hated my experience reading this book. now excuse me as i go rewatch the bbc series to cleanse myself of this mess. (also go see my reading journal entries if you want more pointed thoughts. i did give up writing anything towards the end because i hate how much of a hater this book makes me but it's just so fucking bad)
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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 ⭐️ this book warmed my Jane Austen loving heart. Compulsively readable and adorable from beginning to end. Were there plot holes? Yes. Did parts of it feel unrealistic? Sure. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the beautiful representation of LGBTQ romance in Austen-times.