A "More Pride, Less Prejudice" Book Rec
A fun summer read you need to check out!
Gabe Cole Novoa is a transmasc writer who writes speculative YA fiction. However, I am personally THRILLED that he veered into the venerated tradition of adapting Pride & Prejudice to give us another delightful version of everyone’s favorite archetypal rom-com.
In this version, our favorite feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is trans. As expected Darcy offends “Elizabeth” in their first encounter, but charms Oliver, the boy, the truest self, in “Elizabeth’s” heart, when the two meet out in public. Does Oliver dare dream of true love? Will he give up the safety and security of a false identity and conventional marriage?
You’re welcome, this might be your favorite book of the summer.
Incidentally, Pride & Prejudice has become something of an accidental obsession of mine. I read the book and watched the Colin Firth miniseries and enjoyed them both, but did not become a superfan overnight.
But then Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld (a modern day take on P&P) was recommended to me by Susan Cheever while getting my MFA. This great read introduced me to the idea that all romantic comedies might actually be some version of P&P. If you haven’t read Eligible, pick it up—also a beach worthy summer book.
Then last year my youngest was cast as Lydia Bennet in her school’s production of P&P, which led us to watch the version of the movie in which Matthew MacFadyen plays Darcy. Friends, PUL-eeeze, I cannot crush on the guy who played Tom in Succession (that pig scene by the fireplace, I can’t unsee it IYKYK). I am Colin Firth all the way. This has become a very fun mother-daughter debate.
And THEN, as this whole P&P thing started to heat up for me. A good friend invited me to take a trip to England for what is called a Pride & Prejudice Pilgrimage. “This September, pilgrims will gather in a small group in Derbyshire, England for a pilgrimage dedicated to author Jane Austen.” We will be staying at an English manor, taking walking tours, and meeting 1:1 with the chaplain who will accompany us. I have as many questions as you do, but I could not resist.
It did not take me more than a minute to sign right up.
For me, one of the great joys in life is going deep on topics I love. Turns out the P&P topic is vast, and I intend to explore as many nooks and crannies of it that bring me joy. Currently, Most Ardently is the bit that lights me up the most.
*****
If something in this post moved you, if you learned something new, if reading this made you feel more empowered to support the trans community, I hope you’ll consider sharing my free newsletter with a friend! My hope is to double my subscribers this month.