This book feels about 10 years too late for what it's trying to say about gentrification, especially in Bushwick. ( )

This was required reading for my son and after talking to him about it I decided to read it for myself. I am a sucker for a good Pride and Prejudice rendition, so I had high hopes. Sadly, it was a major let down and I honestly wouldn’t have finished had my son not needed my help with his report.

Zuri’s attitude grated on my nerves to the point that I caught myself groaning with annoyance on more than one occasion. She comes across as extremely crass and judgmental, which bothered me a lot while I was reading. There is even a part where she actually admits to herself that she’s being judgmental! You think?? The only thing that redeemed Zuri for me was her poetry. The girl could write, and I enjoyed these moments that were sprinkled throughout the story, most likely because her snarky sour sass attitude was better articulated and wasn’t full of malice and shade.

The last quarter of the book was the best and truly what redeemed this novel for me. Once Zuri got over herself and started growing that’s when I started hearing her voice. Before this, her voice was so screeching that I couldn’t take this young girl seriously. Take the prejudice and judgmental statements out of it and I think I’d like it a lot better. The author seems like she could be a decent writer, but with how it’s obvious she has an agenda I would be scared to take a chance on another one of her stories.

This is a tale that has been told so many times throughout the years, and truth be told there is better out there. This was a painful journey to nowhere and this is time I can never get back. The only true positive is that my son got a passing grade on his report. ( )

2.5 stars

i feel like i wasn’t able to buy into darius and zuri being together even tho once they are it’s kinda cute. there’s also unresolved stuff like their fight at carrie’s party that just disappears and im like ?? wasn’t that kind of important that he acts like a whole different person around his white friends?? idk there were points i found zuri mildly annoying but overall it kept me entertained enough. ( )

This is a modern-day, Brooklyn-based, Afrolatinx YA retelling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. I really liked this book. I loved picking up on all the twists on the original story (Benitez = Bennet, Charlize = Charlotte, Colin = Mr. Collins). It's actually a pretty close retelling, despite the modern Brooklyn setting. Zuri, who is Dominican and Haitian American, has such a strong, confident voice. She has dreams and goals and writes slam poetry. It was soul-affirming to have a(n Afro)latine protagonist and family star in this book; they all loved each other and were there for each other no matter what. I also loved the Madrina character, who as far as I can tell takes the role of the Bennets' aunt character. She's a warm and loving Boricua Santeria priestess who counsels Zuri on her problems. I didn't think Darius had the same character arc as Mr. Darcy, as his and Zuri's interactions weren't the same as Mr. Darcy's and Lizzie's. He just chilled out some and fixed his face. The first person present tense this book is written in will also put some readers off, but it does keep us firmly in Zuri's viewpoint as she is the narrator. Anyway, I really liked this book and you should read it.

Read the full review, including trigger warnings, at https://fileundermichellaneous.blogspot.com/2022/02/book-review-pride-pride-prej... ( )

Love love love this book!!

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was perfection. Brought the emotion to life throughout the story.

Pride and Prejudice has always been a comfort read/watch for me. This spin on it was fantastic. Took all the themes I loved about the original and gave them a modern spin. The added poetry was one of my favorite parts. While a few scenes brought tears to my eyes, many made me laugh out loud.

I also love the commentary on gentrification, hit home as we watch it happen all over Austin. Zuri's growth throughout the book was raw/honest, and I couldn't help but be sucked into the emotional rollercoaster she was on.

You'll love this book if you love enemies to lovers, retellings and social commentary in your fiction.

Notes: Own Voice ( )