I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Kate Rorick
Published by Touchstone
Publication Date June 24, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Genres: General Fiction
Goodreads
Based on the Emmy Award–winning YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
Twenty‑four‑year‑old grad student Lizzie Bennet is saddled with student loan debt and still living at home along with her two sisters—beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. When she records her reflections on life for her thesis project and posts them on YouTube, she has no idea The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will soon take on a life of their own, turning the Bennet sisters into internet celebrities seemingly overnight.
When rich and handsome Bing Lee comes to town, along with his stuck‑up friend William Darcy, things really start to get interesting for the Bennets—and for Lizzie’s viewers. But not everything happens on‑screen. Lucky for us, Lizzie has a secret diary.
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet takes readers deep inside Lizzie’s world and well beyond the confines of her camera—from the wedding where she first meets William Darcy to the local hangout of Carter’s bar, and much more. Lizzie’s private musings are filled with revealing details about the Bennet household, including her growing suspicions about her parents’ unstable financial situation, her sister’s budding relationship with Bing Lee, the perils of her unexpected fame, and her uncertainty over her future—and whom she wants to share it with.
Featuring plenty of fresh twists to delight fans and new readers alike, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet expands on the web series phenomenon that captivated a generation and reimagines the Pride and Prejudice story like never before.
Fond of:
I thought The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet was a nice, modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Even though I know it was based on The Secret Diaries of Lizzie Bennet YouTube series it was still a little reminiscent of Disney’s Lizzie Maguire. I also liked how the author incorporated places into this retelling. i.e. Pemberley and Grace Church Street both becoming Communications Businesses. Charlotte who is a dependent creature in Austen’s novel becomes a strong independent woman who doesn’t fall into romance with Mr. Collins, ewww.
Not Fond of:
For me, the wording between this novel and Pride and Prejudice was too similar. I felt like George Wickham had been plucked from Austen’s novel and was parading around in a speedo. By this I mean that I didn’t feel there was much originality to the characters other than modern garb and a sex tape.
Final Thoughts:
One must put aside her Jane Austen pureness and state that overall, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet was a fun read, for Austen fans and those who are just looking for an enjoyable book.
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