Okay. So. Confession time.
I’m a book nerd. My degree is in English. And I can’t stand Jane Austen. I mean, I absolutely hate her books, most notably Pride & Prejudice.
I know, I know. This is blasphemy! But it’s just not my cup of tea. When it comes to “the classics” I prefer stuff written in the 20th century (like The Great Gatsby or Catcher in the Rye), and when it comes to literature in general, I’m a contemporary gal. I can wax poetic about the genius of Stephen King. But Jane Austen makes me want to gouge my eyeballs out because I just find it so freaking boring.
That said … I actually thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Eulberg’s Prom & Prejudice, a refreshing modern twist on Austen’s classic tale.
It’s not easy taking a classic period piece and placing it in modern times, but Eulberg makes the societal drama work by setting her story in a prestigious New England boarding school. Because if there is any place in modern society where someone can make a big fuss about who has money, who doesn’t, and who is taking whom to prom — it’s in a snotty boarding school.
In fact, it was seeing how Eulberg adapted and modernized Austen’s novel that I found most captivating. Because I’m still not a fan of Pride & Prejudice — so those aspects that remained true to the source novel still irked me to no end (and that’s no fault of Eulberg’s). And while I had a pretty good idea how the book would end (anyone with an ounce of knowledge about Austen’s novel would), I had a BLAST seeing how Eulberg would get her characters there in this modern twist.
Eulberg approaches her updated retelling with a fresh eye, and seeing how her version plays out in a realistic, contemporary setting is what makes Prom & Prejudice such an enjoyable read. Both Austen fans and non-fans alike will find plenty to enjoy in this sweet, charming novel.
Filed under: Book of the Month, Book Review
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There’s no rule that says you have to like Austen. I happen to love her, but I don’t see the appeal of graphic novels. What I’m saying is, it takes all kinds. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on Austen, but we both agree that Elizabeth rocks!
Yes, definitely! (And I love that we don’t always agree on things!)
Oh thank god I’m not the only one. I’ve never been able to get through one of her books.
I thought I was the only English grad/teacher that hated Jane Austen. I seriously do not get what people like about her writing style. Love the gouging eyeball comparison, so true in my case. I do love contemporary fiction, as well, but surprisingly I really loved reading Jane Eyre. I actually did not even want to read this novel, but I’m glad there is hope that I may actually like it!