A review by juvonh
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Sittenfeld’s Eligible tries hard to contextualize Austen’s Pride and Prejudice onto a modern mindset of a diverse society. However, it does a terrible job, as the most despicable characters are given sexist and racists voices, yet are never criticized, let alone penalized. Not once is Mrs. Bennet corrected on her outrageously racist and sexist opinions. Instead, her remarks are simply downplayed and ignored. Even when she reacts in an antagonistic fashion towards her son-in-law because of his gender transition, it is Ham who is encouraged to resolve her issues. When Darcy miraculously manages to convince Mrs. Bennet to change her mind, it is by arguing that Ham’s sexuality is a medical issue. Additionally, black characters are seemingly thrown into the picture for the mere purpose of being black and present (though they don‘t gain any agency nor voice). Several times their complexion is named without any consequence. For example, at Bingley’s dinner party, there is an “attractive woman, also black” (118) who Liz immediately presumes to be engaged to Keith (also black). This is of course confirmed. Even the juxtaposition of Lydia’s elopement in both novels is problematic: Wickham’s threateting role in P&P (of a selfish, dangerous character who has it in his power to ruin the entire Bennet family) translates to Ham, a loving and friendly trans character. As a whole, Sittenfeld’s novel reads as a racist and trabsphobic mess.
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