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!
