Search

Search only in certain items:

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
2012 | Comedy, Drama
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
I love retellings, especially modern-day (3 more)
Some phrases and things lifted straight from the book (Pride and Prejudice)
Shout outs to other Austen books (amongst other classics)
Pemberley Digital's YouTube page features Emma in a modern-day retalling as well - within the same company
Didn't like how the ending didn't complete Lizzie and Will's story as in the books (0 more)
Maybe missed the bus on this one...
  
Pudge & Prejudice
Pudge & Prejudice
A.K. Pittman | 2021 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm not big on romance novels, but when I saw the cover and synopsis of Pudge & Prejudice by A.K. Pittman, I knew that this was one book I had to read. It just seemed so relatable. I'm so happy that I did get a chance to read this book because I have become totally smitten with it!

I thought the plot for Pudge & Prejudice was very well written. It's 1984, and fifteen year old Elyse (nicknamed "Pudge" by her older sister) and her family have just moved to Texas. It's a bit of a culture shock at first, but Elyse learns the ropes quickly. While her beautiful, older sister Jayne has no trouble fitting in at high school, Elyse's body issues complicate things especially when it comes to guys like Billy Fritz. Will Elyse ever be able to get over her looks or will the way she thinks of herself be her downfall?

The plot for Pudge & Prejudice is such a cute one, and it's one I can semi-relate too. (I never had a crush on any of the football players at my school, but I was a chubby teen like Elyse.) Pittman does an excellent job of making the small Texas town that Elyse lives in come to life. I could picture every sight, taste, and smell throughout the book. I just had to open my book, and I was instantly transported. The pacing for Pudge & Prejudice was spot on. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. It held my interest from the very first page. I loved the 1980's references, and I was glad that they weren't overdone like some other books. One thing that I did enjoy about Pudge & Prejudice is that the romance isn't all in your face. It's hard for me to describe, but although there was some romance, it wasn't what the whole book was about. I didn't spot any plot twists, but Pudge & Prejudice is such a fantastic book that it didn't need any plot twists. There was a minor cliffhanger at the end of the book which mentions the summer after Elyse's sophomore year. I'm hoping this will turn into a series because I would love to see what happened to Elyse and her sister Jayne that summer. (I was so sad when the book ended.) I will say that I did find some of the book a bit unrealistic as to who crushes on Elyse. I have never known something like that to happen. Maybe it happens to a small minority, but I never knew it to happen at any school I had ever known. However, this was such a sweet and fun read that I didn't mind. I liked seeing how the story would progress.

Kudos to A.K. Pittman for writing such fantastic well fleshed out characters! I think I knew someone like each character mentioned when I was in school. I could picture each character in Pudge & Prejudice as if they were someone I knew in real life. Elyse was the most relatable character for me. I was her in high school (minus the crush on a football player). I sympathized with her more than any other character I've ever came across in a book. Pittman's portrayal of an overweight teen struggling with self esteem issues was perfect. I loved how sweet Jayne, Elyse's older sister, was. I loved the relationship between between Jayne and Elyse. The way they looked out for each other was really sweet. Charlie was also a really nice guy, and it was interesting to read about his and Jayne's relationship especially when the problem of sports came up. Billy was an interesting character. He's the only one that I couldn't imagine knowing in real life. Perhaps they are unicorns at exist somewhere, but I had never known anyone like Billy when I was a teen (and even now). However, Billy was a complex and great character. I did enjoy reading about him. Lottie was well fleshed out, but she seemed a bit too snobby for my liking. She was way too blunt and what she said about her boyfriend really irked me. She treated her boyfriend horribly. If I was Elyse, I wouldn't have been friends with her for very long, but I understand how hard it was for Elyse to make friends. Unfortunately, I did know people like Lottie in my school. Lydia (Elyse's younger sister) was fun to read about as was Gage although I never really trusted Gage for some reason.

Trigger warnings for Pudge & Prejudice include minor kissing, a mention of sex, a mention of punching someone, cheating, and body issues.

All in all, Pudge & Prejudice is such a cute and fun read. It's got such a relatable plot and a cast full of characters that everyone can relate to. This is one book that I could definitely picture as a successful Netflix series. (I know I'd binge watch for sure!) I would definitely recommend Pudge & Prejudice by A.K. Pittman to everyone aged 13+ that are after a sweet and fun read. This is one book that will leave you smiling long after you've read it.
--
(A special thank you to Lone Star Literary Life for providing me with a paperback copy of Pudge & Prejudice by A.K. Pittman in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
  
40x40

Steve Gunn recommended La Promesse (1996) in Movies (curated)

 
La Promesse (1996)
La Promesse (1996)
1996 | Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"When I graduated from high school, I worked at a video store in Philadelphia with an extensive selection of international films. La promesse became one of my first favorites because of the real, raw quality of the acting and the Dardenne brothers’ brave and unflinching look at racism and prejudice. When I rewatched the film recently, it felt especially meaningful given the ongoing plight of migrants around the world today."

Source
  
EF
Epic Fail
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.25 stars

I'm not sure what it was about this. The storyline and characters...or how closely it resembled Pride and Prejudice (I'm thinking of the film: the Keira Knightley one since it's the only one I've seen). But I really liked it. In fact I pretty much devoured it

It was definitely a fun young adult, modernised version and I wouldn't mind reading more like this or more books by the author.
  
Speak No Evil: A Novel
Speak No Evil: A Novel
Uzodinma Iweala | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Black man living in today USA (0 more)
The last sentence gave me goosebumps
I loved this book so much that once I finished it I started it again.
This book is about guilt, the one that we deserve and the one that we inherit from a society and ideas that don’t belong to us. It’s about being selfish and being selfless, and how words or, more often, silence and prejudice can kill.
I can’t recommend this enough!
  
The Braid
The Braid
Letitia Colombani | 2019 | Contemporary
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Narration (1 more)
Original Story
How can 3 women living completely different lives in at the opposite sides of the world impact so much each other destiny?
The braid is a story about strength and endurance, 3 women who fight for a better life for themselves and the people they love. They all strife to free themselves from prejudice, demeaning laws and the worst enemy we all have, ourselves. Moving and inspiring, I read it all in one go.
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book just never gets old. What is essentially supposed to be a children’s story can be loved and appreciated by anyone. JK Rowling masterfully tackles the issues of friendship and prejudice in this story as a young Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts for the very first time and has to decide who he wants to be. All of the characters are very real with good and bad traits, making them even more likeable and relatable.
  
Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen, John Mullan | 2017 | Essays
10
8.6 (42 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely love Jane Austen's books! Though I did find more enjoyment in Pride and Prejudice, I really liked this one too. The characters were all very strong personalities and there were many instances that I found myself feeling almost overly attached to them (even thought this is nothing new for me). I especially enjoyed the familial bonds throughout the book. They were really profound and strong, something that isn't always touched upon in the more modern novels. If you like novels about women during this time trying to find a way to survive in the world, pick up this book. If you liked Pride and Prejudice, pick up this book. If you are not sure how you feel about classic literature, maybe pick this one up. Basically, if you like a good book, pick this one up. I am very happy that I had to read this book for one of my classes. It gave me a lot of enjoyment, plus a little break from doing all of my other work. I highly recommend this book!
  
40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Eligible in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
Eligible
Eligible
Curtis Sittenfeld | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you thought a modern retelling of [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926]--set mainly in present day Cincinnati--didn't exactly sound like a page-turner, no one could exactly blame you. But, nonetheless, you'd be quite wrong. Sittenfeld's novel imagines the Bennet family in our modern times; Mr. and Mrs. Bennet live in a rambling Tudor home in Cincinnati: broke and somewhat clueless as their house crumbles around them. Mrs. Bennet spends her time clucking around her five unmarried daughters: Jane, Liz, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. The book revolves mainly around the perspective of Liz, a magazine writer in her upper thirties living in New York City. She and Jane, also in NYC, return home to their parents and younger sisters after Mr. Bennet has a heart attack, only to find the house and the family in a bit of a shambles.

The book is amazing. It's been a while since I read [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926], but even I can tell you that the novel does an excellent job of following the original plot without being annoying or cloying. It's [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926] with lesbians and hate sex! The book comes across as familiar yet new, allowing you to ache, laugh, and rage at what feels like a group of old friends.

Mr. Bennet is a trip, even while having a heartbreaking sadness and sweetness at his core (though some of his zingers are priceless). The younger sisters are as (nearly) vapid as to be expected--truly awful at times--for much of the book. But seriously, Lydia and Kitty loving CrossFit? It's awesome. And Liz is wonderful; you will adore this surprisingly realistic and modern Liz, with all of her foibles and issues: a truly modern Liz struggling mightily to keep her family together and afloat.

As for Darcy, well he's as Darcy as ever. Somehow Sittenfeld has managed to truly capture the essence of Austen's Darcy and Elizabeth in her new characters. I don't know how, but it's funny and lovely all at the same time. (Side note: As a woman in her early thirties, will I ever be able to read about Darcy without picturing Colin Firth? I now have a desperate need to watch the BBC/A&E mini-series again.)

Overall, I found this book funny, touching, and compulsively readable. The characters are truly characters: they are fully formed within moments of picking up the book. The city of Cincinnati makes a great guest appearance, with the city playing a prominent role in many scenes (hi Skyline Chili!). If you loved the original, you'll find this updated version enjoyable and imaginative, with a surprising depth behind it. If you've never read Austen's work (and you should), you will still discover a funny, sweet yet weighty story of a family trying to make it in this day and age. Highly recommended (4.5 stars).

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for U.S. publication on 4/19/16. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
  
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe
Melissa de la Cruz | 2017 | Romance
6
5.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was both confusing and interesting. Take everything you know about Pride and Prejudice and just flip it upside-down. The characters are there in theory but you find yourself almost confused by the language of yesteryears mixed in with today's society. This is a book you really need to buckle down and concentrate on, not just an afternoon tea read.

Good for anyone who enjoys adaptions and rewrites brought into our century. But be aware the writing seems old fashioned.