Real World: Bennets
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Modern Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
SETTING: Cincinnati, Ohio 2013
SERIES: The Austen Project #4
SYNOPSIS:
The Bennet sisters grew up in an eight bedroom mansion, belonging to the Cincinnati Country Club, and are supported in part or in full (Mary, Kitty, and Lydia) by their family’s money. Liz and Jane, now in their late thirties and living in New York, are called home when their father has a serious heart issue and fall. And they remain in Cincinnati for several weeks to aid with their father’s recovery and recuperation. While in Cincinnati the sisters meet Chip Bingley, who everyone but Jane recognizes from his appearance on the dating reality television show, Eligible and his standoffish, supercilious neurosurgen friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy. And as you might expect, given that this is a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, there is some instant attraction, some terrible first impressions, and an abundance of family drama…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Thoughtful Modernizations: I thought having the Bennet’s facing a fast-dwindling inheritance and steep medical bills was a clever way to translate Mr. Bennet’s lackadaisical management of Longbourn and its entailment. I also thought Mary being a career student, Lydia and Kitty being Cross Fit fanatics, Mrs. Bennet having a shopping addiction, and Chip Bingley being a reality TV star all thoughtful choices that worked out well. And I felt the reason for Chip leaving town and where he went were just brilliant!
- Not A Carbon Copy: Seeing some unexpected developments such as: Liz’s unrequited affections for her married friend, Lydia’s seemingly healthy relationship, and Jane’s efforts to achieve her life’s goals to be such interesting new twists to the story-line. It left some of the plot unpredictable. In addition, I loved seeing some differences with the Mr. Wickham, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Collins characters. Lady C was awesome!
- Real and Readable:. This story showed the Bennets in a very real-world style – flaws, foibles, and warts! And the issues they go through are ones many readers can sympathize and relate to – taking care of your parents, unhealthy relationships, adulting problems. Even though this book is almost 500 pages and 181 chapters, with short chapters, lively pacing, and snappy dialogue – it was still a fast page-turner!
- Cincinnati and Reality TV: I loved learning about a new city I haven’t explored yet, and I appreciated how the author gave a clear descriptions of the city, mentioned significants landmarks and sites, and also poked fun at living in/being from Cincinnati. In addition, I thought the Reality TV tie-ins hilariously entertaining and very fitting. I mean the Bennets would make a smashing reality-TV show, don’t you think?
WHAT I WAS AMBIVALENT ABOUT:
- Interactions Between Darcy and Liz: (SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT) I liked the moments where Liz unburdened her family drama and concerns to Darcy, even if all he did was lend a sympathetic ear. And I didn’t mind the “friends with benefits” twist to their relationship. But I did not like the new insults said in Darcy’s first declaration (yikes! remind me, why does he like Liz again?) and I thought the latter developments of their relationship progressed a little too quickly.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Less Likable: It is a shame to say, in general I found many of the Bennets less likable. I don’t mind their usual flaws and quirks, but the apathy of the younger Bennets, their cruelty and lack of concern for each other, and their free-loading! was disheartening. And I really did not like seeing Mrs. Bennet be intolerant and racist…it increased my aversion to her character tenfold.
NOTE: Some uses of profanity and adult situations, best suitable for readers over the age of 14.
CONCLUSION:
Given that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Val McDermid’s Northanger Abbey and heard some not-so-favorable comments about Eligible, my expectations were a bit low for this tale. But I surprisingly ended up enjoying this story more than I thought I would.* It isn’t a Darcy/Elizabeth centric tale that will grab and satisfy all Pride and Prejudice fans, but it is an honest look at family, human nature, and modern society that feels in the realm of Jane Austen’s style.
*My reading experience of Eligible was enhanced by reading this story alongside blogger friend Candy of So Little Time! Thanks for the fun, Candy! I hope we do it again soon!
**Anyone know what happened to the other Austen Project stories? This one came out 3 years ago… I thought there would be one for Mansfield Park and Persuasion too?
Read this a while ago and absolutly loved it
That’s great to hear, Wendy!
I haven’t read this one although it’s on my list! I do prefer my Darcy and Elizabeth to be the main characters and to mostly be in love so I’m not sure at the moment. I’ve no doubt I will get round to it at some point though.
Thanks for sharing your views Meredith. It certainly helped.
I am glad the review helps! Thanks so much for checking it out, Glynis! Yes, I a do agree though – I prefer stories that feature the the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth more and in a better light.
Very insightful review, Meredith. I’ve been on the fence about reading it and your opinion does help. It just may not jump to the head of the line though. Hope you and Mr. Bingley are safe!
Thank you, Carole! I think this one is a little more liked than the others in this series, so it might be a good one to try.
Yes, this hurricane didn’t cause too much damage here, thankfully!
Always love your honest reviews
denise
Thank you, Denise! I appreciate your kind words.
I agree with your take on this book. Of the Austen Project books that have come out so far, I think this one is the best in some ways—it certainly works as a novel in its own right, though less well, as you suggest, if you come to it hoping for an Austenish tone. ( liked the first half of MacDermid’s NA but not thought the second half just got silly; and I won’t say what I thought of the S&S or the Emma in polite company.) So often people translating Austen into a modern setting feel they have to exaggerate the characters’ personalities and make them more, to use my grandmother’s word, vulgar. It’s a pity. Thanks for your excellent review!
Thanks, Abigail. I enjoy hearing your take on this series. I agree about the exaggeration trend…and yes – some of these characters don’t need to be any more vulgar! 😉
Excellent review, Meredith. I hope you and your Mr. Bingley are safe. I always think about you when there is trouble off the east coast. Keeping you in our prayers.
Thank you, Jeanne! This storm wasn’t so bad by time it got here, thankfully! You are so sweet to think of us!
I enjoyed this book a lot. I watched the bachelor shows a few years with a group of friends so I’m familiar with the how silly that world is, so i got quite a few laughs from that connection. I agree with you on the darcy/elizabeth latter relationship being a bit quick. I did find the ending with Mary pretty funny. It reminded me of an 80s movie ending, where the person walks off holding a boombox over their head haha!
btw you are really good at writing book reviews and thoughtfully organizing ideas. Maybe that’s why you have your own website, huh? 🙂 btw happy anniversary coming up!
Wasn’t that part done so well? I really enjoyed those scenes and felt they were pretty true-to-reality.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for remembering our upcoming anniversary!! Writing reviews does not come easy for us…
Sadly, I have been remiss about picking up any of the Jane Austen project series. I want to read them, but get distracted. I enjoyed getting your take on this one. Sounds like it really did well as a modern story.
I can understand that, Sophia! I’m sure it doesn’t help that some books in this series haven’t gotten the most favorable reviews. Thanks for checking out my thoughts this one – I look forward to hearing yours when you get the chance to read it!
I definitely think reading this story with you made the experience much more enjoyable! Yes, let’s do it again soon!
I agree with you about Liz and Darcy’s relationship. It was much too quick. I did enjoy the Bennett family drama! Great review, Meredith!
Thanks, my friend! It was great fun to read with you and share thoughts almost instantly together! I’m glad we both enjoyed this one more than we thought we would!
Great review as always. I did read and review this book also. It is one I enjoyed.
Thanks, my friend! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this one too!
I read the one based on S&S and the NA one. Hated the S&S one. NA was ok but was expecting more from this project.
I’ve just seen on Austen Variations that you’re in the path of Dorian. Hope you and Mr Bingley keep safe.
Yikes, I don’t know if I have heard one positive thing about the S&S book in this series! You don’t seem to be alone in your opinion, Teresa!
We were lucky this time! *whew*
Hi Meredith,
I started reading this novel in spanish (at last one translated in my language! I like to read in english but it’s easier in my own language ) but I left it in the first chapter because I didn’t like how the author “changed ” the “spirit ” of the characters. I’ve read modern adaptations and I found the similarities with the originals ones but I didn’t like this version.
At least you were more patient than me and ended up enjoying the story! LOL
Hi Teresa! That is great that you can find this book in Spanish, but so sad that this ended up not being to your liking!
It is interesting to compare this to other modern P&Ps…in some ways it feels a little different.