celynnamarie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taytayhilly's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kibbles15's review
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an interesting take on Jane Austen's <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. It takes the well know story and puts it in contemporary Pakistan. It was definitely a creative take on the story. I did find the book to be a bit long winded and it catered a bit toward people already familiar with the culture in Pakistan. That being said, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Cursing
leslielikesthings's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It stayed very close to the original, which translated well to contemporary (well, 2000-2001) Pakistani culture. The one thing that really didn't work for me was the bizarre relationship to the original novel that the characters had - many of them were familiar with the novel and referenced it numerous times without any acknowledgment that they were living out the story. If this wasn't such a straightforward adaptation with the plot being followed almost exactly and character's names being near exact Pakistani analogues of the original character names then that might have comes across more as fun, cheeky meta references. As it was, it was bizarre and jarring every time it happened.
Aside from that, it was a solid and enjoyable retelling, 3.5 stars.
Aside from that, it was a solid and enjoyable retelling, 3.5 stars.
pnelson384's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from NetGalley to review, and enjoyed it! This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in a Pakistani setting. The characters were varied, and there were many that I could see in my own life here in the U.S., proving once again how universal families and relationships are. There is much to think about with the expectations forced on us as women, as members of families, and as members of communities, and with the changeable nature of what is acceptable based on your station in society or who your family is. I enjoyed this book and the author is skilled at bringing the reader to the setting of the story and making you feel like you understand what it is like there.
raisingself's review against another edition
5.0
Soniah gave us so much in one book. It is more than a reimagining of a much beloved classic tale and characters. It expanded. It captivated. It asked questions that continues to be hard for women. Pride and Prejudice within another culture that honors that culture and P&P equally well. I enjoyed this tale, it’s the sort that you can’t put down until you hit the end and you remember with fondness. I tend to hate modern remakes but I loved this one.
shanviolinlove's review against another edition
4.0
Fun idea! We've all seen retellings of the classic Jane Austen romance, and a Pakistani approach is unique and eye-opening. Delivering the same socio-economic pressure of marriage upon girls in twenty-first century Pakistan that haunted girls in nineteenth-century England, Soniah Kamal's novel is at times almost a scene-by-scene retelling. At others, it is its own story, showing the result (and complications of) postcolonialism in a country trying to navigate its own culture and history in the context of British influence. The novel's protagonist, Alysba Binat, teaches English literature to the Pakistani elite; it is a job she landed on account of her favorable accent, having studied abroad. She interprets her world through the famous opening line of P&P, which she constantly rewords.
One thing that I find interesting is how well acquainted Alysba is with the novel, and yet there seems to be no revelation of the glaring obvious: that she is in P&P. Even the suitors "Darsee" and "Wickaam" (quotations in lieu of italics for emphasis) who fulfill the roles of their British counterparts. I do agree with what the novel is calling into question: will the western world ever be familiar enough with non-western literature to locate equivalents, the way this novel has located a Pakistani equivalent of Austen's novel? Perhaps. I would like to have seen this novel be a little less heavy-handed in "the moral of the story," and the repetition of the opening line was so frequent that it stopped being merely a motif and almost seemed like a narrative crutch at times. But all in all, fantastically entertaining and fresh story. I'd recommend it to Austen lovers worldwide!
One thing that I find interesting is how well acquainted Alysba is with the novel, and yet there seems to be no revelation of the glaring obvious: that she is in P&P. Even the suitors "Darsee" and "Wickaam" (quotations in lieu of italics for emphasis) who fulfill the roles of their British counterparts. I do agree with what the novel is calling into question: will the western world ever be familiar enough with non-western literature to locate equivalents, the way this novel has located a Pakistani equivalent of Austen's novel? Perhaps. I would like to have seen this novel be a little less heavy-handed in "the moral of the story," and the repetition of the opening line was so frequent that it stopped being merely a motif and almost seemed like a narrative crutch at times. But all in all, fantastically entertaining and fresh story. I'd recommend it to Austen lovers worldwide!
becca13's review against another edition
5.0
This is an impressive reinterpretation of Pride and Prejudice. It's very true to the original, yet set in a completely different time period and culture (2000s Pakistan), and it works.
My only criticism (probably taking it down to 4.5 stars) is that it was a bit too meta at times. The protagonist is a huge fan of P&P, and it's often mentioned, but no-one notices they're basically living in the novel.
My only criticism (probably taking it down to 4.5 stars) is that it was a bit too meta at times. The protagonist is a huge fan of P&P, and it's often mentioned, but no-one notices they're basically living in the novel.
azahller's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Unmarriageable describes itself as "Pride & Prejudice in Pakistan" and aims to be a book that appeals to those familiar with Jane Austen and Pakistani culture as well as those who lack knowledge of either. Personally, I have some familiarity with Pakistani culture but none with Jane Austen. This book follows Alys Binat as she tries to navigate the world as a single 30 year old who is content to focus on her career (unfortunately for her, nobody else is content with her situation).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and through it learned that my favorite movie, Bridget Jones's Diary, is also a P&P retelling (felt very silly realizing this). I thought the characters were charming and fun, and the story remained interesting to me even when I knew the direction we would go.
I will say that I found all of the names very confusing, but I do understand this is partially cultural. The story revolves around a lot of wedding events involving extended family and each character had both a formal name and nick name mentioned and at times used interchangeably. At first, this lead to rereading a few sections to make sure I followed along. Around the 25% mark I hit my stride with identifying characters and was able to proceed with ease. My only other critique is that the names are bit corny now that I know the names of the P&P characters, but there is also something incredibly charming about this fact.
I really loved this book as a P&P retelling, but do take my opinion with a grain of salt. I'm only familiar with other retellings and not the original work itself. I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a light and fun romance with some social commentary and a strong FMC. This made me want to read P&P as well as any additional retellings I can get my hands on!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and through it learned that my favorite movie, Bridget Jones's Diary, is also a P&P retelling (felt very silly realizing this). I thought the characters were charming and fun, and the story remained interesting to me even when I knew the direction we would go.
I will say that I found all of the names very confusing, but I do understand this is partially cultural. The story revolves around a lot of wedding events involving extended family and each character had both a formal name and nick name mentioned and at times used interchangeably. At first, this lead to rereading a few sections to make sure I followed along. Around the 25% mark I hit my stride with identifying characters and was able to proceed with ease. My only other critique is that the names are bit corny now that I know the names of the P&P characters, but there is also something incredibly charming about this fact.
I really loved this book as a P&P retelling, but do take my opinion with a grain of salt. I'm only familiar with other retellings and not the original work itself. I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a light and fun romance with some social commentary and a strong FMC. This made me want to read P&P as well as any additional retellings I can get my hands on!