Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix
Ratings25
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings25
Average rating3.9
In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This bittersweet Pride & Prejudice remix follows a trans boy yearning for the freedom to live openly, centering queerness in a well-known story of longing and subverting society’s patriarchal and cisheteronormative expectations.
London, 1812. Oliver Bennet feels trapped. Not just by the endless corsets, petticoats and skirts he's forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society's expectations. The world—and the vast majority of his family and friends—think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone's wife.
But Oliver can't bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family's home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It's during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to "Elizabeth" at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart. And not to mention incredibly attractive.
As Oliver is able to spend more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares begin to hope that his dream of love and life as a man could be possible. But suitors are growing bolder—and even threatening—and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: Settle for safety, security, and a life of pretending to be something he's not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love, and a life that can be truly, honestly his own.
Reviews with the most likes.
Overall this was very sweet and I think the premise of Darcy being queer but feeling forced to marry a woman is a great explanation for his overall ~deal~. I did catch myself being like “wow Mr. Bennet is remarkably accepting of trans identity for a Regency era man....” but then I remembered an interview I'd read with, I think Alexis Hall? someone who said something like “all we want for queer historical romance is the same suspension of disbelief for straight historical romance, like it's very unlikely that a governess would blissfully wed a duke so why can't we embrace the duke being queer and happy?” and you know what? Yeah!
I think probably for the presumed target audience of younger queer readers they will be more likely to just accept and enjoy the story. which they deserve!!
So, like... this isn't THE Pride & Prejudice, but it's OUR Pride & Prejudice.
(In all seriousness, this was incredibly fun to read despite the fact that I knew what was going to happen.)
A queer retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel, “Pride and Prejudice.” Set in the 19th century, it offers a fresh perspective by focusing on a romance between a non-binary character and another person of the same gender, while staying true to the themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth that are central to Austen's original world:
Good Parts:
1. Unique and Fresh Perspective:
- The retelling through a queer lens is one of the book's strongest features. By introducing non-binary and same-sex relationships into a historically heteronormative setting, Novoa breathes new life into the familiar narrative. This inclusion not only provides representation but also explores the nuances of identity and love in a historical context.
2. Faithfulness to Austen's Themes:
- Novoa adeptly retains the core themes of “Pride and Prejudice,” such as class disparity, pride, and societal norms. The dynamics between the characters and the challenges they face in overcoming prejudices are thoughtfully reinterpreted in this new context.
3. Engaging and Rich Prose:
- The writing style is both engaging and rich, capturing the essence of Austen's prose while also being accessible to contemporary readers. The language used effectively conveys the time period and the intricacies of social interactions.
4. Strong Character Development:
- The main characters are well-developed, with the protagonist showing a compelling arc of growth and self-discovery. The exploration of gender identity and the internal and external conflicts faced by the characters are handled with sensitivity and depth.
Bad Parts:
1. Pacing Issues:
- The novel sometimes suffers from uneven pacing. Certain sections, particularly in the middle, can feel slow or overly detailed, potentially detracting from the overall flow of the story. This can make the book feel longer than it is, especially during less action-packed scenes.
2. Predictability:
- For those familiar with “Pride and Prejudice,” the plot developments can be predictable. While the unique elements of the retelling add fresh interest, the overarching storyline follows closely to the original, which might lessen the sense of suspense or surprise for some readers.
3. Secondary Characters Underexplored:
- Some of the secondary characters, while interesting, do not receive as much development or exploration as they could. This leaves certain aspects of the story feeling a bit shallow or rushed, especially in comparison to the richly developed main characters.
4. Historical Accuracy vs. Modern Sensibilities:
- While the book is set in the 19th century, some readers may find the modern sensibilities and language used by the characters somewhat anachronistic. This blend of modern and historical elements may not always feel seamless, occasionally pulling readers out of the immersion in the period setting.
Series
8 primary booksRemixed Classics is a 8-book series with 8 primary works first released in 2021 with contributions by C.B. Lee, Bethany C. Morrow, and 7 others.
