Posts
Pride and Prejudice gets remixed in this smart, funny, gorgeous retelling of the classic, starring all characters of color, from Ibi Zoboi, National Book Award finalist and author of American Street.
Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.
When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.
But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.
In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant re-imagining of this beloved classic.
Review:
It is a fact, universally acknowledged, that if I hear of a book based on a Jane Austin novel, then I will obviously want to read it. When I heard about the book, Pride, by author Ibi Zoboi, I immediately jumped on the waitlist at my local library. Of course, this is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but with a modern twist. Set in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwhick, this story of class, love, and misunderstanding is wildly entertaining.
What I Liked:
Narrator:This book is narrated by none other than Elizabeth Acevedo, writer of the stunning prose book, The Poet X! Elizabeth is known as a powerful performer of poetry, and her narration is full of passion. She perfectly embodies Brooklyn Pride.
Setting:
Although I have never been to New York, and didn't know anything about the neighborhood the author was writing about, I could easily envision
Bushwhick. This is a neighborhood filled with people who look out for each other. But, as reassuring as this is, it also means that everybody knows your business. I love all the details of the block where Zuri lives. From people visiting on each others' stoops, to block parties, to the local Bodega, this seems like a vibrant place to live.
But the neighborhood is becoming gentrified. Wealthy people, both black and white, are buying up properties, spending serious money to renovate their new homes. This is deeply troubling to Zuri, who sees the character of her cherished neighborhood changing.
Characters:
As with the original, the main characters, Zuri Benitez and Darius Darcy, form the heart of the story. I think Darius is far more likable in this version. Where Darcy hides his shyness with a prideful demeanor, Darius is much more confident. But he walks a tightrope between being a private school student, and trying to remain authentic to his heritage. He doesn't really fit into either world. Among his peers at school, he will always be the token African-American. When he moves to Bushwhick, he's accused of not being "Black enough". The poor guy can't win.
As for Zuri, I love that she is so focused on getting into college. I also enjoy how much Zuri loves her neighborhood. Her plan is to go to Howard University and then return to Bushwhick. She is not out to find a boyfriend. But Darius and she just seem to click.
Aside from the two main characters, there are numerous characters that match up with the original Jane Austin piece. There is Zuri's loud mom, her reserved dad, and her four memorable sisters. Warren (the George Wickham character) remains a charming snake. The scandal that he is involved in is updated with a very realistic situation.
Story:
The story itself closely follows the main plot of Pride and Prejudice. There is a block party in place of the country dance, the instant attraction between Darius's brother Ainsley and Zuri's sister, Janae, the party where the family's actions cause so much embarrassment that Ainsley drops Janae, and even Darius's pompous grandmother makes an appearance.
But, what make this story really special is the added themes of neighborhood, and belonging to a group. Zuri's neighborhood is changing. Old homes are being bought out by rich outsiders and turned into McMansions. Longtime residents are being forced out as rents rise. This is a real problem facing many areas.
What happens to you when your family moves to a different area? Will you remain connected, or lose your sense of who you are? These are important themes for this contemporary book.
Rating:
Release Date: September 18th, 2018
Author: Ibi Zoboi
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Length: 304 Pages
Audio Book Publisher: Balzer + Bray and Harper Audio
Audio Book Length: 6 Hours, 7 Minutes
Genre: YA Fiction
Source: Public Library
Format: Audio Book
Recommendation: A highly entertaining retelling of Pride and Prejudice. The addition of modern issues such as gentrification, and trying to remain true to your heritage elevate this story beyond a simple rehashing of a classic.
