Let me start off this review by saying: I LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. I have seen almost every movie and TV adaptation, and read almost every variation/sequel book. It is one of my literary obsessions. \Pride by Ibi Zoboi is a modern retelling of the classic story. For any fellow die-hard Austen fans, the basic plot points and characters are all there, but as it says on the cover, this is a (much needed) remix. And before I just start unintelligibly start typing, let’s get to the review!
Zuri Benitez is a teenage girl living in Bushwick (Brooklyn). She is very protective of her family, her friends, her neighborhood, and her roots. She is amazing!. She is willing to get in anybody’s face if she thinks they are disrespecting her, her neighborhood, her family/friends, or how she lives her life. And that includes Mr. Darius Darcy. Fellow Jane Austen fans, you will not be disappointed with the banter that happens between Zuri and Darius. From the first moment they meet, they go at each other. Zuri lets her opinion of Darius be known right off the bat and I LOVE IT! But let’s get back to Zuri for a minute.
Zuri is about to go into her senior year of high school and has her mind set on going to Howard University. The problem is she can’t figure out how to write her admissions essay. She can write poetry just fine, but an essay is a little bit tougher for her. But she figures since her sister, Janae, is coming home from her first year of college, she will be able to get some help from her.
Cue the new neighbors moving in across the street. The newly renovated mansion across the street.
Ainsley and Darius Darcy are just about everything the Benitez family isn’t, They have money, have gone to the best schools, and have never experienced much of the hardships that people in Zuri’s neighborhood have come to expect. How could they possibly get along?
Well, love doesn’t exactly follow the rules. Ainsley and Janae hit it off from the moment their eyes meet. Unfortunately, Zuri is not happy about it. Janae and her have plans. To hang out, to plan their futures, to not let any man get in their way. But the pull of love is too much for Janae, and Ainsley and her start to date.
And when Zuri tags along on trips to the park or goes and gets Janae when she thinks she’s spending too much time at the Darcys’ house, she ultimately gets stuck talking to Darius (It is so hard not to smile when writing this). They don’t really get along, but there is definitely something there. They connect even if they don’t realize it at the time. It is a feels overload. There was a lot of me smiling at my computer.
Zuri’s poetry is also sprinkled throughout the book and it gives the reader great insight into Zuri’s thoughts and feelings and what might be coming in future chapters. I really loved that writing poetry was her creative outlet.
And don’t worry Pride and Prejudice die-hards, all your favorites are here as well. Marisol is Zuri’s middle sister and she is the money/finances girl. She knows how to make money and she revels in the process. We don’t see much of her but when we do, she does not disappoint. I really enjoyed this take on Mary. Then there is Kayla and Layla, the twins. There are just as boy-crazy as Kitty and Lydia ever were. There is Charlise, Zuri’s longtime friend, and Colin, the nephew of Madrina, the woman who owns the building Zuri and her family live in. There is snobby Carrie (you can probably guess who that is). And there is Warren.
I don’t want to give too much away because even for a die-hard Austen fan, I was surprised by which character was who and how they acted in this world. I will say that Warren is very likable from the start, but he may not be what he seems. This is a Pride and Prejudice remix, after all. First impressions aren’t everything.
I think my favorite section of the whole book is when Zuri goes to visit Howard University by herself. It’s the first time we really get to see her be vulnerable. She’s never really left her neighborhood and now she is venturing to this place that she’s never been but also might want to make a home out of one day soon. It is beautiful to see the school through her eyes. And her visit to Busboys and Poets made me want to visit it even more than I did before reading this. And, of course, Darius shows up…
Besides the main characters, Madrina is probably my favorite character. She lives in the same apartment building as Zuri, owns the building actually, and uses the basement as her workspace. She is a little bit of everything. A fortune teller. A spiritual guide. A counselor. And the person Zuri confides in the most. If I had to compare her to anyone in the original story, I would say Aunt Gardner, but that doesn’t really do Madrina justice. She is lively and fun and so wise. People from the neighborhood come to her to learn something about their lives. She believes the spirits speak to her and based on all the things she gets right, I do not doubt that. She is a beautiful character and I wish I had someone like her in my life. Madrina is the one who tells Zuri that she is about to fall in love. Little does she know who it is.
There is so much in this book that I love that it’s hard to put it into words. Pride covers gentrification, class, race, gender, and even what happens when you have to move on from a place you’ve known for so long. There are the classic misunderstandings that Pride and Prejudice is so known for but with modern twists. Darcy’s letter is a text message and you would think a text would be less meaningful but the way Ibi Zoboi writes it, it’s so perfect. It means something to Zuri to learn the truth from Darius, so it means something to the reader too.
Ibi Zoboi also gives us the fight many Austenites have always wanted. Darius vs. Warren. Come on, the only thing missing from Pride and Prejudice is Darcy punching Wickham in the face. Ibi Zoboi answered every Pride and Prejudice superfan’s prayers.
Pride is a fun, romantic, and emotional story (I cried, to no one’s surprise) that’s been waiting to be written for too long.I am giving Pride by Ibi Zoboi 5 out of 5 stars
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About the author
A Relevant Retelling!
I loved this story. While there were multiple elements of Pride and Prejudice, I enjoyed the modern twist that brought up very important issues. Our experiences and circumstances shape us in a way, whether we are trying to fit into our environment or trying to purposely stand apart from it. While we may share parts of our cultural identity with others, that doesn't always make us the same. This book took on thoughts around cultural identity, socioeconomic status, and what we think it means to be black, rich, etc. How we judge whether someone is enough, or whether they meet our standard of a cultural identity. There is also this underlying idea of accepting and being proud of who you are, but also not being afraid of change that is inevitable.Another topic I thought was beautifully handdled was the many facets of gentrification. This is a real and relevant issue, because many of us disregard what is different, or history that may not include us, yet is still so important. We tend to just want to improve things the way we think they should be improved (which is not always the best for everyone else).Which leads me to one of my favorite parts of this book, the family dynamics of the Benitez's. They celebrate their culture identity, and the history of their neighborhood. They treat neighbors as family, and truly care about others. They support each other in such a beautiful way. Honestly, the connection is just inspiring. I would definitely recommend this book!
Top reviews from other countries
Lennie Reads
Fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2020
Lennie Reads
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2020
I will always be a fan of a P&P retelling because it's such a beloved story to me but this adaptation was top notch.
The story was familiar yet fresh, Zuri embodied Elizabeth so well and I absolutely loved Zuri's family.
The romance between Zuri & Darius was modern, fun and very realistic.
However the main stand out parts for me where the community aspect. I felt that this story was more of a love story for Bushwick than a romance between characters.
When I went to New York a few years ago we actually stayed in Bushwick, and even used the same subway line so I had a Very vivid image in my head. (Swipe for a picture of me at Halsey Station).
I also Adored the celebration of different cultures, especially the Latinx cultures. The rich tapestry of cultures, heritage, food, community, passion, expression, language, pride, love and being unapologetic about who you are and where you come from.
Everyone should read this book.
Content Warnings - Classism, Gentrification, Minor Racism
Images in this review
Leelee
The best REMIX of Pride and Prejudice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2020
