Monday, December 19, 2011

Review of Pride and Popularity


Jane Austen’s books have been rewritten countless times, but not like this. Gone are the complicated courtship rituals and subtleties of old English society, but that hardly means there aren’t any similarities between then and now.

Pride and Popularity drops you right into the middle of the modern teenage life filled the same problems Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy faced in their day, just funnier. Chloe Hart is determined not to fall for the superstar of her hometown because she’s positive she knows the real him better than the other star-struck, drooling girls. Her quest to ignore him entirely turns her entire life upside down.

Pride and Popularity can best be described by two words, in my opinion. Super Cute. The characters are very entertaining all around. I could see people I’ve grown up with or met along the way that reminded me of Ethan, Cassidy, Kylie, and even Taylor. You feel like you’re surrounded by your friends as soon as you start reading.

Being a rewrite, there were some parts of the book that followed Austen’s original work closely, and others that diverged. Overall, I thought Jenni did a great job of working in those parts of the original that fit with her characters and leaving those that didn’t. Needless to say, there were no impromptu piano recitals for dinner guests (although I’m sure Jenni would have made that a hilarious experience if there were) or guided tours of palatial mansions.

Working in the original disgrace between Wickham and Lydia was handled very nicely in the book without having to cross over into the typical graphic tragedy seen in many books and movies today. That was a theme carried throughout the book. No obscenities, sex, graphic violence, or things that are just plain disturbing. Pride and Popularity was a fun, light read that left you feeling happy and hopeful in the end.

The beginning of the book was rather teenage-girl-gooey-and-gushy (so be prepared if you’re not a fan of super mushy stuff), but for the most part it wasn’t carried through the book to that level. Chloe determines right away that she isn’t going to one of those girls. Or at least she thinks so. The main character is a teenage girl, and we all know that means lots of emotion, drama, and goof ups, but it was all presented in a way that keeps you laughing. I loved the humor in this book. Following Chloe through her last years of high school and her quest to not be the next brainless girl on Taylor’s arm is great fun, a book I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

Would I recommend Pride and Popularity? Yes, have fun reading! You’ll laugh all the way through.

Who would I recommend this book to? Teenage girls (of course), and anyone looking for a fun read without the typical language, violence, and all that other stuff.

So go get your copy and dive in to this fun, heartwarming book. Happy reading!

Get your copy of Pride and Popularity in Paperback or Kindle

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