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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While following very faithfully to the original, this modern adaptation does manage to bring some freshness to this beloved tale. I particularly liked the take on Edward’s traumatic upbringing and his reasons for spurning Elinor.
However, I had to keep reminding myself it actually wasn’t set in Regency England because of how closely it followed the original plot. Frankly, even the characters constantly had to remind each other they were living in modern times because of how archaic most of the issues seemed. Being so loyal to Austen’s story didn’t do this one enough favors to be completely worth it.
However, I had to keep reminding myself it actually wasn’t set in Regency England because of how closely it followed the original plot. Frankly, even the characters constantly had to remind each other they were living in modern times because of how archaic most of the issues seemed. Being so loyal to Austen’s story didn’t do this one enough favors to be completely worth it.
It's amazing how easily the story translates to modern times
I really wanted to like this book but it just didn't work. I think that sticking with the original is the way to go. It lost the heart of the original. I didn't like the characters or where the story went. It wasn't worth the time.
Enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. What's relevant and relatable in Austen's novels are the characters and their relationships to each other. Since Trollope focused on such a literal translation, some of the action in this novel felt forced and unlikely in today's world. However, I liked the writing style and enjoyed the dialogue very much.
why ... why ... why!?
Joanna Trollope is actually a really wonderful writer; this book did not do her justice. I spent the entire time wishing I was reading the original and having mental images of the movie. Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet filled my head as I read this book.
Skip this read and just go back to Austen. Twitter, Facebook, text-messaging, 4x4's, Range Rovers ... all of them have no place in this book. The story itself is classic enough that Trollope should just have written about sisters dealing with the death of their father and moving forward.
Also - I was so annoyed with reading about how only Eleanor felt the need to find a job. Seriously? A very frustrating read.
Joanna Trollope is actually a really wonderful writer; this book did not do her justice. I spent the entire time wishing I was reading the original and having mental images of the movie. Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet filled my head as I read this book.
Skip this read and just go back to Austen. Twitter, Facebook, text-messaging, 4x4's, Range Rovers ... all of them have no place in this book. The story itself is classic enough that Trollope should just have written about sisters dealing with the death of their father and moving forward.
Also - I was so annoyed with reading about how only Eleanor felt the need to find a job. Seriously? A very frustrating read.
Not the AGA-saga I'm used to reading from Trollope. No, this is Austen, totes updated! Which means there's no need to recap the plot, because really, if you haven't read the original or seen one of the movies (I recommend the 1995 Ang Lee version)... I'm still trying to decide if I like the idea of Marianne desperately texting Wills, or Margaret checking Twitter. One thing that did occur to me was the last name of Sir John's family: Middleton. When Austen wrote the original that name wasn't quite as freighted as it is now, and given the way the characters are obsessed with position, at times I expected Pippa's name to be dropped!
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
It was okay. I was helped along by knowing the plot ahead of time from seeing the movie (reading the original is now on my list.) The characters were hard to keep track of (every character called the same person by a different name) and the plot line was confusing. I didn't like the writing style and it felt like the modernity was thrown in in weird places. Almost like she was writing the story and then remembered there needed to be some proof of this taking place in the 21st century. I'll keep reading The Austen Project books to see how other authors re-write Austen, but this one, at least, can't compete with the original.
Not as clever or ingenious in its updating as the P&P version. It almost could have been Austen's, except for the inferior prose & occasional mention of Twitter. But still, entertaining (bc the original is entertaining)!
Lots of fun; a very easy read. I suspect Trollope was influenced as much by the Emma Thompson play as by the Austen book, especially in her portrayal of Margaret.