The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet
By Bernie Su and Kate Rorick
Series: Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Touchstone (June 24, 2014)
ISBN-10: 147676316X
ISBN-13: 978-1476763163
Approximate
Lexile: 950
Publisher’s
Blurb:
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.
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.
A
few years ago, my daughter started raving about a YouTube series that was a
modern take on one of my very favorite books, Pride and Prejudice. Not
only did they have videos, but there was a Facebook page, Twitter, even
Pinterest boards from the characters.
I
never did get around to watching them, although I keep meaning to.
But
now I know what happens! (I mean, I know what happens. I’ve read P&P many times.)
This
book followed the original surprisingly well, even allowing for moving it into
the 21st Century. That is both good and bad. On the good side, it’s
so fun to see how the characters have evolved. On the bad side, well, we know
exactly how it will end.
In
fact, that’s been one complaint about this book—people expected it to show MORE
than the web series did. As in, what happened next. Instead, the authors stay
true to the original material even in that regard. (Spoiler: There’s a sequel coming
in September. I have it. I’m not allowed to post a review until the book is
released, however.)
The
book reads well, with a truly conversational tone. I am jealous about how
extensive Lizzie’s diary is. I can barely manage a few sentences a day. Her
horror over the events with Wickham and Lydia is genuine; and the reflection
and self-analysis it prompts are real.
There’s
not really much I can say. I’ve always loved to see favorite stories re-told,
and this fits right into that niche.
Possible objectionable material: Unmarried twenty-somethings
sleeping together, offscreen. A pregnancy scare. Drunkenness. Adult kids
mislead/lie to their parents. Rumors of a sex tape.
Who would like this: Those who like
updated versions of old stories. Anyone who likes Pride and Prejudice. Women
more than men. Those who like romance. Social media fans.
No comments:
Post a Comment