by Ibi Aanu Zoboi
Balzer + Bray, 2018. 289 pgs. Young Adult Fiction
Zuri Benitez has pride in her Brooklyn neighborhood, her family, and
her Afro-Latino roots. But, she begins to feel set adrift when her neighborhood
starts to be “upgraded” and taken over by the upper and middle class. When the
Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri instantly dislikes the two
teenage sons, especially the judgmental and arrogant Darius. In this timely retelling of Jane Austen’s
Pride and Prejudice, Zuri must find her place amidst the changes, from looming
college applications to an unwanted relocation with her family. And will Zuri
find love amidst despite her initial misgivings about Darius Darcy?
This is a fun and interesting take on a classic. I was intrigued by the
characters, but felt that the plot was rushed at times, so there was a lack of
character development. As someone with a biracial family, I recognized many of
the concerns and issues that were presented as things that I think about for my
own children. There is strong language in 2-3 scenes, but otherwise is clean. This
is a good read for anyone who enjoys retellings of classic literature or who is
looking for a new perspective on the world.
TT
1 comment:
Though I too found the pacing a bit rushed sometimes, I really enjoyed this contemporary twist of Pride and Prejudice. I really appreciated how this retelling didn't just focus on the romance (which is fun, don't get me wrong!), but also delved into social issues, like Austen's original did. PRIDE also adds a coming-of-age story feel with Zuri and Janae figuring out what they want from life while remembering their home and heritage. Definitely a must-read for Austen fans or contemporary YA readers.
MW
Post a Comment