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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld



If ever there was a Jane Austen variation that was fabulous, this is it. I've read (and reviewed) quite a few of them but this is so very very good. Now I sound gushing!

Liz and Jane along with all the Bennets in a very modern setting. I doubt anyone could get more modern than IVF, lesbian relationships, transgender marriages etc but the basic Pride and Prejudice story comes shining through.

Bingley and Darcy and Caroline are all there, all very modern characterizations but nothing detracting from their original states and this is what made it wonderful reading.

A riveting read, quite a long story, unputdownable. I had to finish it in two days reading putting aside work and everything else.

Storytelling at its best.

Sent to me by Netgalley for an unbiased review courtesy of Random House Publishing Group - Random House. 

14 comments:

  1. Nice review! I just finished this one and while I didn't enjoy it as much as you did I liked the modern twists to the story. Lydia is nicer in this version and I liked that Jane and Liz are older.

    What didn't work as well for me was the romance between Darcy and Liz. It was lacking the spark that I loved in the original novel.

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  2. I'm still undecided whether I approve of modern retellings or not but I'm glad this one had you smitten!

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  3. I've read conflicting reviews about this novel - thank you so much for sharing your enthused response to it.

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  4. I've only read one or two variations and they were just okay to me. I'm thinking maybe I read the wrong ones because you've made this sound mighty good!

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  5. I am curious about this one...I have enjoyed other books by the author, and she has a talent for spinning a story. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy. And thanks for visiting my blog.

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  6. Now I don't know what to think. I've read a few disappointing reviews of the book. Glad you liked it so much and I just may pick it up to see what I think.

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  7. I think a modern retelling would be nice if done well, and it sounds like this was. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  8. First up, mahalo for dropping by my blog. I admire a person who can read surprise books and give them detailed reviews. The modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice sounds so good! I entered the Goodreads giveaway and am happy to see my library has ordered it. I've requested it!

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  9. So glad you enjoyed this read. I think I would need to re-read P&P before reading any of the many retellings.
    I appreciate that you read interesting stories different from my reading. We can share our love of reading with different genres. :-)
    And you share meaningful reviews.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Reading!

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  10. Hi there, looks like a fab book! It would be great if you added your review to the Books You Loved: April collection over at Carole's Chatter. Cheers

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  11. I've read all of Curtis Sittenfeld's books and I think she is a talented writer. I am looking forward to reading this!

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  12. Oh! This really does sound good, Mystica. I will have to add this one to my wish list.

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  13. I don't read many Jane Austen spin-offs but this one has been on my list. I will have to take a look at it.

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  14. I thought Sittenfeld did a great job of bringing everything into modern times; some of the things that make P and P so great are tough to translate to 2016.

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