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A review by sarahreadingstats
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After having watched Bridgerton I was eager to read the books and I do agree with similar reviews that the two are vastly different from one another. For example, Anthony knowing about the ruse from within not even 24 hours of it being established, Mr Featherington being dead already, no Queen Charlotte or Prince Freidrich involvement and so much more, but i do think all these additionally storylines make the show much more interesting than the book (which is very focused on the relationship and nothing else).
There is of course the r*pe scene which plays out also differently from the show, in the book Daphne has a confrontation with Simon then after understanding the truth, has s*x with him with the intention of having a child -> I understand relevant to the time r*pe was probably not that uncommon but I do think it was glossed over in the book quite a bit, and forgiven very easily, highlights if the gender roles were reversed? The double standard? … you catch my drift.
Simon is also very much a red flag of a man, in their first encounter he threatens to strangle her, he’s overly cocky and sexualises Daphne to the point where their relationship is purely sexual with the foundation of ‘we’re friends because we laugh and make jokes about society’.
The epilogue was a sweet conclusion and seeing Simon accept a son was nice but I have to say the show is much more engaging in terms of the multitude of storylines, the family bonding etc.
+ 0.5 stars for improving my vocabulary, a pro and a con considering every page I was having to google what certain words meant (I now have a Bridgerton glossary in my phone)
There is of course the r*pe scene which plays out also differently from the show, in the book Daphne has a confrontation with Simon then after understanding the truth, has s*x with him with the intention of having a child -> I understand relevant to the time r*pe was probably not that uncommon but I do think it was glossed over in the book quite a bit, and forgiven very easily, highlights if the gender roles were reversed? The double standard? … you catch my drift.
Simon is also very much a red flag of a man, in their first encounter he threatens to strangle her, he’s overly cocky and sexualises Daphne to the point where their relationship is purely sexual with the foundation of ‘we’re friends because we laugh and make jokes about society’.
The epilogue was a sweet conclusion and seeing Simon accept a son was nice but I have to say the show is much more engaging in terms of the multitude of storylines, the family bonding etc.
+ 0.5 stars for improving my vocabulary, a pro and a con considering every page I was having to google what certain words meant (I now have a Bridgerton glossary in my phone)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape