katreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
A poetic retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in Bushwick in Brooklyn, which tackles the issue of gentrification head-on. I felt a power emanating from Zuri during the whole book - she's assertive as hell and not afraid to call it like it is. The ending is a wonderful mix of acceptance, but also recognition that gentrification is disruptive, and not always good:
"I have always thought of Bushwick as home, but in that moment, I realize that home is where the people I love are, wherever that is."
"Sometimes love is not enough to keep a community together. There needs to be something more tangible, like fair housing, opportunities, and access to resources. Lifeboats and lifelines are not supposed to just be a way for us to get out. They should be ways to let us stay in and survive. And thrive."
"I have always thought of Bushwick as home, but in that moment, I realize that home is where the people I love are, wherever that is."
"Sometimes love is not enough to keep a community together. There needs to be something more tangible, like fair housing, opportunities, and access to resources. Lifeboats and lifelines are not supposed to just be a way for us to get out. They should be ways to let us stay in and survive. And thrive."
alanathehangry's review against another edition
4.0
Passion and authenticity burst from this book. The poetry, the lyrical way the book was written, it was beautiful. Even more so, because I listened to it, so there was a great rhythm and further passion behind the narrator. It was so easy to read because the characters felt so real. The author did an incredible job mirroring the original Pride & Prejudice in new and modern ways. I loved being able to connect the dots from the new to the old.
I feel that Zuri pushed the envelope a little hard with her independence tough girl stuff and loved when she let herself just be her.
I feel that Zuri pushed the envelope a little hard with her independence tough girl stuff and loved when she let herself just be her.
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is contemporary YA re-telling of Pride and Prejudice with the additional plot line fo race, as well as the familiar lines of love and economic differences.
I thought it was well done. I liked seeing the adjustments made to both modernize the story, and reflect that Zuri (the Elizabeth Bennet character) is 17, living in Brooklyn and hoping to find a way to get into college soon.
Obviously, you know how the story ends from the beginning because it’s a re-telling. There are few surprises, but seeing how to story was brought to modern-day high school students watching the gentrification of their neighborhood was thought-provoking.
I thought it was well done. I liked seeing the adjustments made to both modernize the story, and reflect that Zuri (the Elizabeth Bennet character) is 17, living in Brooklyn and hoping to find a way to get into college soon.
Obviously, you know how the story ends from the beginning because it’s a re-telling. There are few surprises, but seeing how to story was brought to modern-day high school students watching the gentrification of their neighborhood was thought-provoking.
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this modern Pride and Prejudice remix. As I was reading, I kept thinking how great it would be to have a high school English class read Austen’s P&P and then this and the great discussions that they would have.
I also HIGHLY recommend the audiobook - I think I loved it even more because of Elizabeth Acevedo’s (The Poet X) wonderful narration. She didn’t just read it, she really performed it and it helped the book come more to life - especially the poetry which I don’t always love reading in YA but was great to hear.
I also HIGHLY recommend the audiobook - I think I loved it even more because of Elizabeth Acevedo’s (The Poet X) wonderful narration. She didn’t just read it, she really performed it and it helped the book come more to life - especially the poetry which I don’t always love reading in YA but was great to hear.
kansas_b's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ciala's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
larryleex's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
_cafeconleche's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
chandraleereads's review against another edition
3.0
I love Pride & Prejudice and love reading new adaptations of it. I wanted to love this book, but in the end it was only okay. I enjoyed the modern setting as well as some of the ways in which plot points and character relationships were updated. However, there simply wasn’t enough build up and tension of the romance between our two main characters. Also, it all felt a bit rushed and lacking in the antagonist department (nobody went off on Zuri and told her she couldn’t be with Darius, Colin wasn’t a creeper, etc). That all said... for anyone who loves a good P & P adaptation it is worth a once over.