Pride

"Finished January 11"

"#romance #contemporary #youngadult #bipoc #classic #remiX"

"A Jane Austen revamp that works, even if you know nothing about the orignal. Set in modern day Brooklyn/Bushwick, Pride pulses with the vibrant multicultural energy of a neighborhood in transition. ZZ Benitez is the 2nd of 5 daughters of a Haitian mother and Dominican father, (unlike their antecedents these parents get along). Sweet natured, brainy sister Janae is a freshman at Cornell, while ZZ, a rap poet and rebel, longs to explore a wider world yet is fiercely protective of a community threatened with gentrification. Naturally she is not pleased when the embodiment of this gentrification, the wealthy “bougie” black Darcy family moves in across the street.<br/><br/>If you know the plot of P&P you can figure out the rest: Janae falls for the eldest Darcy boy, while ZZ is both attracted to and repelled by his brother, the seemingly snobbish Darius. A mysterious suitor with shady connections to the Darcy’s will show up, a little sister will get in trouble, there will be family embarrassment at a big party, and (temporary) heartbreak all around.<br/><br/>What makes this story special is that it is far more interested in ZZ’s journey of self discovery than in romance. Her epiphany comes not during a visit to Pemberley, but by glimpsing the mind expanding possibilities of Howard university. Her rudeness to the Darcy’s, ( and she is rude indeed) stems from her defensiveness about social class but also a legitimate fear that families like hers are being erased by wealth and privilege. ZZ’s pride in her origins and her community is justified, but she needs to learn how to express it in meaningful and constructive ways.<br/><br/>A lively and enjoyable “remix” with vivid well written characters."

"This was a modern spin on the original "Pride & Prejudice" novel & while I believe most YA readers would enjoy this book, I thought it was a bit flat in characterizations & storyline. I didn't exactly like the main character, Zuri, for the fact that she was always ****** all the time. She was way over the top in angst type teenager emotions. The other characters were rather dull with barely a change in emotions. This was a short read, hence no chance to flesh out the characters too much. I didn't hate the book nor did I love it...it was just ok."

"right now im reading “the historian” and “song of achilles” and they’re both brilliant!"

"People don't talk about this version enough. I think it just as good of how it bring the original version lesson and new lesson such as genefication to light. "

"DNF: just not for me. I prefer her originals over this retelling."

"Its inspiring "

"Wow!!! Mic Drop. Mind blown."

"Okay this was a fun read. Not sure what I expected from it truthfully. It didn’t blow my mind but the writing was beautiful. I can see why this is a Pride and Prejudice “remix” sometimes people have to remember that we are all human. We all say and do things without thinking or knowing what someone else is going through. ZZ definitely had a temper but I know she just cared for her family and didn’t want things to change."