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Prom and Prejudice

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 7,544 ratings · 1,177 reviews

From the much-buzzed-about author of THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB (already blurbed by Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle, and Jen Calonita), a prom-season delight of Jane Austen proportions.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn A...more

Hardcover, 231 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Point

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Jun 30, 2012 Valerie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, retellings

This is pretty much a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, it has nearly the exact same plot. The names are the same for the main characters and they have the same personalities. There are notable differences though. It is set in modern day, in an elite bordering school, they are younger, and Lizzie doesn't have sisters. Jane is her friend instead of her sister.

The biggest problem I had with this was that some things where hard for me to swallow. I mean why would you throw milk at someone you don'...more This is pretty much a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, it has nearly the exact same plot. The names are the same for the main characters and they have the same personalities. There are notable differences though. It is set in modern day, in an elite bordering school, they are younger, and Lizzie doesn't have sisters. Jane is her friend instead of her sister.

The biggest problem I had with this was that some things where hard for me to swallow. I mean why would you throw milk at someone you don't even know because they are poorer than you? I honestly don't think that would happen. First, I think people usually don't hate you on sight. Second, if they do girls are not so obvious about it. Girls are more secret about it, they use words as their weapons—usually. Lizzie is middle class, which follows better with P&P but she acts like she is poor (or working class). Working class kids don't get piano lessons since the age of four. Granted, she mentions how hard her parents had to work. The other thing I sometimes couldn’t buy was the dialogue. For the most part it was fine but every once in a while words like 'agreeable qualities' and 'foolish' are used. People I know use words like 'nice' and 'stupid.' I kept thinking people don't talk like that. Now I know that it was to play into the Austen kind of feel but it just didn't fit for me.

Now for the good stuff, Lizzie is strong and talented though the bullying does dispirit her. I like it that Lizzie and Will Darcy are into music, it actually plays a significant part later on in the book. Lizzie’s friend Jane is a nice person and so is Bingley and they are not seen as stupid though they don't notice everything that is going on. It's just more that they are distracted. The friendship that Jane and Lizzie had was pretty good. Also, I always looked forward to seeing Darcy. While reading certain scenes with Lizzie and Darcy and even Wick I had to smile. It was fun to see the characters in Austen's novel in this different setting. Eulberg really kept all the things I liked about Pride and Prejudice and added her own stuff, such as Lizzi's piano playing. The ending was good and sweet which is what I was hoping for.

Though I prefer other Austen adaptations I had fun reading Prom and Prejudice. For a teenage version of Pride and Prejudice it wasn't half bad.(less)

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Mar 05, 2012 Devon Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wowzers, reviewed-on-blog

Absolutely adorable!!! Any one that knows me knows that my all-time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, so when I saw that Prom and Prejudice offered to retell that story through teenagers, I plucked that book from the bookshelf quicker than Caroline Bingley could snatch a couture dress from the designer's hand.

Lizzie Bennet is one of two scholarship kids going to an all-girl school, and unfortunately on the wrong end of permanent hazing by her less than thrilled rich classmates. So it's not s...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Jessie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-ya, re-read, christina, austen-inspired

So excited that the release date got moved up! This wasn't supposed to be out until January.

It was strange. Normally, when I read Pride and Prejudice I am siding with Elizabeth the whole way. In this case, Elizabeth Eulberg gave us Darcy's perspective so well that I was mad at Elizabeth instead. Will Darcy was completely swoon worthy!

That being said, Prom and Prejudice was a light happy read with Pride and Prejudice as its skeleton. You'll recognize most of the characters from Pride and Prejudi...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

There is something about the way Elizabeth Eulberg writes that speaks directly to me! I loved The Lonely Hearts Club and I absolutely LOVE Prom and Prejudice!! First of all, it is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorites. Second, Lizzie, is a concert pianist who plays Rachmaninoff! Perhaps some of you don't know who Rachmaninoff was (watch the movie Shine, you will understand what the Rach 3 is after that). To me is is one of the best piano composers ever. His works are extremel...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-rak-wishlist

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Release Date: January 1, 2011
Pages: 288

My Rating: A
Ages: 11 and up

Synopsis:
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeonin...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Kailia rated it 5 of 5 stars

An author’s debut book could be really good. So expectations are set. Then that author’s sophomore book comes out and you being to read it. Now that was the case with me and Prom & Prejudice. I loved Elizabeth Eulberg’s The Lonely Hearts Club and it set high expectations for her second book. When I heard about Prom & Prejudice, I got really excited. First of all, I love, love Pride and Prejudice. And I love Darcy. And Elizabeth is a great author. So, I was expecting a lot from this book....more An author’s debut book could be really good. So expectations are set. Then that author’s sophomore book comes out and you being to read it. Now that was the case with me and Prom & Prejudice. I loved Elizabeth Eulberg’s The Lonely Hearts Club and it set high expectations for her second book. When I heard about Prom & Prejudice, I got really excited. First of all, I love, love Pride and Prejudice. And I love Darcy. And Elizabeth is a great author. So, I was expecting a lot from this book. Luckily, it delivered!

Prom & Prejudice was a cute, quick, and fun read. Best of all? It followed Pride and Prejudice a lot! I loved how the main characters had the same names as Jane Austen’s characters. Elizabeth Bennett, or Lizzie, was such a feisty, independent, and strong girl in this novel. Sure she had moments that made her crazy, or angry, or something else, but she’s a teenager! I loved Jane and Charlotte too! Jane was just the same sweetheart from Austen’s book but she was Lizzie’s best friend instead. Lydia was just as I had remembered her!

Darcy and Charles were my two favorite guys in this book. Actually, I even liked Collins and how his character was just like I had expected him to be. Charles Bingley was a total sweetheart. I loved him! He was sweet, loving, nice, and yes, an idiot. Who hasn’t fallen in love with William Darcy from Austen’s book? I loved the Will Darcy of this book. I also liked how from Pride and Prejudice, Lizzie and Darcy don’t start off on the best terms. Their slowly evolving relationship from enemies to friends to more was a nice touch. It helped develop both Lizzie’s and Darcy’s characters in this book!

The plot flowed well. The fact that prom was the main theme of this novel was also a great idea. Eulberg was able to stay true to the original story but also add in her own thoughts and ideas. It worked really well and I enjoyed reading this book a lot! All in all, Prom & Prejudice was a great read. I finished it in one sitting. I found myself smiling and laughing with the quirky comments and dialogue.

Read this book! I'm sure you're going to enjoy reading every bit of it. And when it ends? You're going to want more!(less)

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Dec 27, 2010 Sophie Riggsby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-tell-others-youre-my-fave, chemistry-101

I approach any re-telling of Pride and Prejudice with a lot of caution. Why? Because it's one of my Go-To-Books. You know those books; they are the ones that you read over and over again for comfort, predictability and to re-capture that moment of "that did NOT just happen"?

But what Elizabeth Eulberg did with Pride and Prejudice makes me want to shout things like "perfect" and "brilliant" and "go, run, buy it now". In Prom & Prejudice, the protagonist, Lizzie, is a girl in a very elite boar...more I approach any re-telling of Pride and Prejudice with a lot of caution. Why? Because it's one of my Go-To-Books. You know those books; they are the ones that you read over and over again for comfort, predictability and to re-capture that moment of "that did NOT just happen"?

But what Elizabeth Eulberg did with Pride and Prejudice makes me want to shout things like "perfect" and "brilliant" and "go, run, buy it now". In Prom & Prejudice, the protagonist, Lizzie, is a girl in a very elite boarding school and she's there as a Scholarship Student based on her incredible musical ability. And here's where Elizabeth's style of writing really takes off. She illustrates the prejudice Lizzie faces with such quick, touching and cringe-worthy moments that you feel like you want to reach out and help Lizzie in any way you can. As a reader, I understood Lizzie's stubborn pride and her feelings of not fitting in and just wanting to get through it all for the sake of her talent.

The plot sticks closely to the original's even maintaining some of the familiar quotes. And yes, all the major characters are there but there are delightful twists that showcase the modern feel of the book.

Now, the romance. The reason I re-read Pride and Prejudice is for the romance. Sure the character studies are interesting but oh, the perfectly paced romance is what I really want to experience. Once again, Elizabeth gives the reader that push and pull between Lizzie and Darcy. Those moments of misunderstanding. Those moments of "that did NOT just happen". Like here from page 88 when Darcy asks Lizzie to dance with him:

I was in a daze on the dance floor. It was like having an out-of-body experience. I found myself going through the motions, but also looking around trying to figure out where the ambush was coming from. Darcy slipped his arms around me, with much more ease than Colin had, and before I knew it, we were in something approximating an embrace. Darcy was several inches taller than me, and he leaned his head down so our eyes locked.

I was face-to-face with the enemy.

Did you sigh along with me or shake your head knowing what Lizzie felt? I had to give you a taste of Lizzie's voice because I understood her from page one and she drew me in with her logic and stubbornness.

As a busy mom of three, I have very little time to myself and I can honestly say that I finished Prom & Prejudice in a day. I just couldn't put it down. So go to your favorite bookstore and if you're in a mood for a well written, romantic read be sure to pick it up. I loved Elizabeth's style so much that I turned around and downloaded her first book, Lonely Hearts Club , to my ereader. And now, I can sit back and read what is surely another well written story.
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May 07, 2011 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

Unlike the majority of girls who attend Longbourn Academy, an elite and expensive all-girl prep school, Elizabeth Bennet is not wealthy, not high society, and not obsessed with prom. As a scholarship student, Elizabeth is a social pariah. Each day she has to face taunts, pranks, insults, and seclusion. But instead of dwelling on her lack of friends and acceptance, Elizabeth spends her time maintaining a satisfactory grade point average, working at Java Junction, and practicing the piano. As you...more

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Feb 13, 2011 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

I couldn't resist a retelling of Pride and Prejudice!! (although I have to admit I haven't read the original in it's entirety.... yet. Although I do own three different copies of it.)

If I had to use one word to describe this novel it would be, cute! It was a very quick read too. This is a great way to introduce young readers to the story of Pride and Prejudice. It's easy to read and very fun. I'd say this one would even appeal to middle grade readers.

Lizzie is a lovable protagonist, with her har...more

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Sep 12, 2010 D.J. added it

What I liked most about Prom and Prejudice was how Ms. Eulberg incorporated the characters from Jane Austen's beloved novel into her own story and made them new, yet familiar. It was fun seeing how the new set of characters were related to each other and what kind of relationships they shared. The characters' actions will be familiar to most, but for people unfamiliar with Pride and Prejudice, they may seem dramatic or overexaggerated.

Lizzie makes for a great narrator and even though I wanted to...more

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Nov 07, 2011 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, sequels

I really enjoyed this various of P&P. There are many books out there like this one, but I think Prom and Prejudice is a great one.
I liked how Eulberg had Lizzie talk out loud about her feelings and what she was thinking. Although Austen did this in her own way, Eulberg added it in a very direct way. I found this refreshing.
Prom and Prejudice is a nicely put together review of P&P. Definitely not as long as the original but it hits all the important parts.
I also liked how Eulberg made...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Gemma rated it 4 of 5 stars

I imagine this would be a very fun book to write; all froth and frills, with cute dialogue and adorable characters and a plot that’s already pretty much planned out for you, thanks to Jane Austen. You’d get to indulge the cutesy, girly-girl side of you and write a book that is absolutely intended to be the written equivalent of a chick flick and nothing more, and then you get to seal it all with a shiny pink cover with a pretty dress emblazoned on it.

For the record, it’s a well-done chick flick...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, teen, favorites-2011

Jane Austen is fantastic, but you probably already know that. She is such a popular author that her books have generated hundreds of spin-offs. Whether its adding sea monsters to Sense and Sensibility, or writing about the married life of the Darcys and Bingleys, everyone seems to have a take on Austen’s beloved books. Above all, I enjoy it when these spin-offs are clever; and this one is very clever. [return][return]As you might have guessed from the title this is a P&P adaptation. Lizzie i...more

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May 31, 2013 Macy J rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book I read this quarter was Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. I really enjoyed reading the story of the main character Lizzie. The story takes place in New York at a very prestigious high school that strives to be the best. Lizzie ends up standing out among all the students enrolled at school not because of who she is or what she does, but by how she got there.

From the very first day at Longbourn Academy, Lizzie experience a lot of harassment for being a scholarship student. At the s...more The book I read this quarter was Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. I really enjoyed reading the story of the main character Lizzie. The story takes place in New York at a very prestigious high school that strives to be the best. Lizzie ends up standing out among all the students enrolled at school not because of who she is or what she does, but by how she got there.

From the very first day at Longbourn Academy, Lizzie experience a lot of harassment for being a scholarship student. At the school, if you were a scholarship student that meant that in order for you to have been accepted, you would’ve had to earn it prior to attending. For all those other students who could attend, simply because their parents were rich and owned a successful business, being a scholarship student made you worthless and seem low class. Even though Lizzie wasn’t low class, students typically didn’t want to be seen with her because they feared it could damage their reputation. I really found this concept to be interesting. It really shows how judgmental people can and will be not only in school but also out in the real world. Since I don’t go to an academy school, things are a little different but not by much. Even here at school people will intentionally not give others a chance because of how the other person dresses, who they hang out with or because of where they live. When Lizzie met one of the new students at the academy, he’s reaction was not so well once she told him she was a scholarship student, “Darcy grimaced at the word scholarship. It looked like the mere mention of us charity cases caused a migraine.”(21) This was one of the many struggles Lizzie had. In a world of elite people, she was the one who stood out, and not in a positive way.

One of my favorite parts of the novel was how relatable it is. It takes place at your typical high school and is filled with a variety of people. Being in high school, I was able to pick up on some of the underlying hints and jabs the author made at what it was like to be in high school. One of the differences I noticed in the book was that it is very focus around prom. Because it is a very high class school, prom is another way for all the girls and guys to outdo each other and try to compete to who looks the best or who has the better date. All year they prepare for this special night of their lives. Every girl has to have a designer dress and if you don’t, you’re looked at as low class and inadequate. The author used a lot of detail and emotion to express how important it was to look your best, “...it’s considered by many to e the social event for the future members of high society. Longbourn girls don’t go to the mall to get their dresses. No, they boast couture from designers whose names adorn their speed dial.” (1) The level of extreme that took place in order to prepare from prom was unimaginable.

The way that everyone in the book interacted was really interesting. It allowed me to imagine something so real and relatable. With this particular school, it’s hard for me to really imagine what all happened because it’s almost foreign to me because I’ve never experienced anything like this. But, I did notice that they way they communicate is very similar. If someone is out of place and doesn’t “fit it”, those who think they’re better will intentionally make the other person miserable and make them feel unwanted. In high school, the same thing does occur but not as harsh. People will always be judgemental and sometimes there isn’t much that can be done to stop it. This was one of the aspects I really enjoyed about the book because it is very real and personal. Whether you’ve experienced it or have just witnessed it, you can feel the pain that comes with the harassment Lizzie had been put through.

Overall, I’d give the book four out of five stars. The author was able to create a well written story about the struggles of a young girl and because of that, it made the story more enjoyable because it was so easy to relate to.
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Apr 11, 2013 Ricqui rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: yalsa-book-list-2013

I think I'm "Pride-and-Prejudice-Adaptioned' out. That or this book and I didn't click. It does happen every once in a while.
Lizzie, a middle-class rising star pianist, stuck in an elitist high-end boarding school that OBSESSES about prom, battles her way through the semesters. She deals with not fitting in because of her status, boys who she lumps all into one group (except one), and a friend who she feels she needs to look after.
Her character actually really bothered me. I can't quite place...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, nice-guys-finish-first, retellings, ya

I should be enthralled by Prom and Prejudice. After all, I'm always complaining about how retellings lose some key details from the original, and Prom followed the book to a tee. The adaption was more of a translation to modern-day than a retelling. But while doing so, its "translation" forced it to lose some of the charm of the original book. Prom Lizzie lacks some of the spunk she has in Pride, and because the book is so short, a lot of the other minor characters lose some of their importance...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Nuut rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-or-high-school

THERE IS ONE ULTIMATE TRUTH. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S A RETELLING, IF THEY ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR ANYTHING. AND THE TRUTH IS....

Okay, I've always wanted to use this pic. It's awesome, isn't it?

Hm, bad things first, and then I'll swoon. So, the reason why I gave only four stars is... This book is TOO much like the original. Okay, I get it, it's a retelling, but even the characters have the same names and everything! It didn't have any new turns in it. If you saw or read P&P then it didn'...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Kaylee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Prom & Prejudice Book Review
By: Kaylee LaVack

In Prom and prejudice Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn Academy on a scholarship isn’t interested in the fancy clothes, or pretty shoes. She feels like she isn’t treated fairly because she lacks the fancy clothes and shoes. Her best friend Jane who isn’t a scholarship student, you would think that she would be snobby to scholarship students too, but she is the nicest person at Longbourn Academy unlike the other girls that attend. Lizzie still...more Prom & Prejudice Book Review
By: Kaylee LaVack

In Prom and prejudice Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn Academy on a scholarship isn’t interested in the fancy clothes, or pretty shoes. She feels like she isn’t treated fairly because she lacks the fancy clothes and shoes. Her best friend Jane who isn’t a scholarship student, you would think that she would be snobby to scholarship students too, but she is the nicest person at Longbourn Academy unlike the other girls that attend. Lizzie still has the hardest time at Loungbourn despite her friend Jane. When she walks through the hallways the other (snobby) girls start throwing bananas, sandwiches, drinks, strawberries, etc. Things began to change for Lizzie after meeting a Pemberley Academy boy, named Will. Will was a scholarship student until he was kicked out, due unfair rumors. When Lizzie meets Will for the first time she feels an instant connection. After hanging out a few more times Lizzie starts to feel better about herself. The next time a girl picked on Lizzie she stood up to them and said, “I am just a normal girl trying to go to school just like the rest of you, I should be treated fairly and I will be from now on.” Lizzie felt so confident about herself she didn’t care what people thought about her, and since she didn’t care anymore they all stopped picking on her. The main problem was Lizzie just needed her self confidence and Will helped with that, by giving her support.
I think that the plot is very believable because everything seems to fit into the story smoothly and I was never confused. Also, the author has a very nice voice in the book with the characters and the different settings. The plot is very entertaining and the author always kept me on the edge of my seat to see what happened to Lizzie next. There also was some foreshadowing in the beginning and some parts at the end, which made the book, sound a whole lot better that it would have without it.
There were many characters I could relate to in this book (Prom and Prejudice). The one I could most relate to was Lizzie. I could relate to her the most because, I see people like Lizzie (smart, not as rich as everyone else, etc.) always getting picked on or made fun of because she doesn’t have the nicest clothes or things. That makes me really mad when people say that kind of stuff, it’s like back off! Just because you don’t have the nicest clothes or cutest boyfriend does not mean you need to pick on someone else to make you feel better about yourself or your life. It won’t work, because you will still feel the same (or maybe even worse) about yourself no matter what you do to another person or say to another person. I also believe that the author developed these characters very well. I believe this because she added very nice dialogue and I could hear the voice in almost every one of the characters. Making them sound realistic and believable as if I were there with them.
I would rate this author’s style three, because sometimes she would jump from one problem to the next and it was hard for me to keep up on at some points in the book. The voice I would rate a four as it was a lot better than the style, but she could have added more humor in the voice. It was mostly serious and I think that the book could have been better if there would have been some more humor in the chapters or characters voices. Overall the author Elizabeth Eulberg successfully developed characters with strong descriptive voices. She also had a very different, but unique style in this book.
In conclusion my book was Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. The main problem was that Lizzie Bennet was having a hard time because all the other girls at Longbourn Academy were picking on her because she doesn’t have the best clothes or the cutest boyfriend. The solution was all Lizzie needed was self confidence to stand up to those girls and say, “just because I don’t have the best clothes or cutest boyfriend, doesn’t mean I don’t matter and that you need to treat me no different than you would a rich girl.

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Mar 05, 2013 Ceilidh rated it 2 of 5 stars

Everyone knows something about “Pride and Prejudice”, even if it’s only fragments of a plot or character they’ve gleamed from a TV show or internet review or Googling pictures of a dripping wet Colin Firth. The iconic story of social standings, misunderstandings and the oft-imitated Lizzie and Mr Darcy has had an indelible impact on literature at large, particularly YA and romance (two genres which are heavily entwined). The chances are that you have seen or read at least one version of the stor...more Everyone knows something about “Pride and Prejudice”, even if it’s only fragments of a plot or character they’ve gleamed from a TV show or internet review or Googling pictures of a dripping wet Colin Firth. The iconic story of social standings, misunderstandings and the oft-imitated Lizzie and Mr Darcy has had an indelible impact on literature at large, particularly YA and romance (two genres which are heavily entwined). The chances are that you have seen or read at least one version of the story, be it through the diary of Bridget Jones or the undead twists of Seth Graheme-Smith. Elizabeth Eulberg, former publicist to one Stephenie Meyer, brings her own twist to the table, through the scope of a privileged boarding school, where connections are key and the end of year prom is the highlight of the social calendar. So far, so typical for the tale. However, where Eulberg’s book fails in the same way countless Austen re-imaginings before it have failed.

High schools, on the surface, seem like an ideal setting for a modern day Austen re-telling. Many of the social mores and expectations present in the original tale translate surprisingly well to the heightened teenage stakes so commonly found in teen comedies and dramas. “Clueless” stands as arguably the most effective adaptation of “Emma” because it understands how to remain honest to the source material while still leaving enough wriggle room to allow for necessary deviations. “Prom and Prejudice” does none of that. It takes the shallowest reading of the source material imaginable and joins the dots to form a coherent and recognisable adaptation of the story, but with none of the wit, charm or social commentary of the original. Eulberg is so desperate to be as honest to the plotting of the original work that she ends up regurgitating each plot point and leaves behind something that’s not particularly enjoyable (although it’s a very quick, mindless read) and incredibly dull. While a re-telling of something as iconic as “Pride and Prejudice” requires some faithfulness to the material, with a basic understanding of what Austen was trying to discuss, simply recounting it with a few minor contemporary changes is utterly pointless.

There’s no spark to this tale at all. Lizzie is a scholarship student at a prestigious school, where she is bullied mercilessly for not being as privileged as her classmates, while Darcy is the wealthy boy from the nearby boys’ school who she takes an immediate dislike to. The stakes just aren’t there for this story – prom invites aren’t exactly marriage proposals, and the author totally failed to make me feel the importance of the social workings of this world. Just being told that prom is important is not enough. It didn’t help that all the snooty rich bullies Lizzie went to school with were as fully developed as the villains from the Tintin comics. None of the teenagers in this story talk like teenagers: They talk like lazy Austen rip-offs read by twenty something adults. The dialogue feels so completely at odds with how the rest of the book is written. The style jumps from colloquial teenagers to 19th century formality as found in the summaries of Spark Notes. Given that the novel is set in America, yet everyone talks like Regency England, I can’t help but think Eulberg was forced to rush this book out by an impatient editor.

Overall, “Prom and Prejudice” is a fluffy and quick read that I finished in about 3 hours, including tea breaks, but as an Austen adaptation, it is decidedly underwhelming, the shallowest take on the source material imaginable. There are glimmers of potential within the story – tackling the saturation of consumerism amongst the teenage generation, the American class system – but they’re ignored in favour of showing how this book is so totally like Austen but with a modern twist, and in the end it feels patronising and irritating. If you want an Austen re-telling that actually manages to balance fluff and satire in a modern setting, take “Clueless” every single time.

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Jan 19, 2013 Daniela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Orgullo y Prejuicio es uno de mis libros favoritos, por eso no le tenía mucha fé a esta especie de adaptación a nuestra época.

La historia se situa en una escuela elitista, dónde Lizzie tiene una beca musical y sus compañeras que tienen fondos con millones la maltratan por tener menos. A pesar de esto, ella sigue estudiando sin importarle el comportamiento de las otras, y logra forjar una amistad con Jane y Charlotte -otra chica becada. La relación de Jane con Charles y la invitación a una fiesta...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Prom and Prejudice
Genre: Romance
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

The novel “Prom and Prejudice” by Elizabeth Eulberg, if full of drama, fun events, and a plot you never say coming. The main character, Lizzie, attends a private school for ladies of membership. As Lizzie is on a scholarship, other than the rich and famous kids that attend as well. Lizzie’s best friend Jane also attends this school as they were best friends from the start. As the two girls attend a gathering of the Longbourn and Pemberley...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Samy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When Lizzie Bennnet attends Longbourn Academy on scholarship, she had no idea what she was walking into. From the first day, slushies were thrown in her face. This was minor; however, compared to the other torture she went through after that. Nair in her shampoo, the girls messed with her razor so it gave her a nasty cut up her leg, and other horrible things. The things that keep her in the school, is the reason she’s there, the enriching music program. Lizzie is a piano genius, her mother splur...more When Lizzie Bennnet attends Longbourn Academy on scholarship, she had no idea what she was walking into. From the first day, slushies were thrown in her face. This was minor; however, compared to the other torture she went through after that. Nair in her shampoo, the girls messed with her razor so it gave her a nasty cut up her leg, and other horrible things. The things that keep her in the school, is the reason she’s there, the enriching music program. Lizzie is a piano genius, her mother splurged for lessons and since then Lizzie had been a prodigy. Her financial position had always challenged her though. I admire her for that. That she managed to make herself amazing from the old piano she used that always needed tuning but had ‘character’. This shows that, ‘Success… It’s what you do with what you got.’- Leroy Van Dyke. Lizzie definitely did what she could with what she got. She threw herself into her studies and music, constantly challenging herself to do better. When she was a part of the music scholarship at Longburn Academy, she was more than happy. This is mostly why she stays at Longburn, even after the torture the other girls make her go through. Her music teacher is fantastic as is the piano; it’s no wonder why Lizzie is gradually becoming the top musician of her school! Another reason Lizzie stays at Longburn, is her loyal friend Jane, and Charlotte. Although Jane isn’t a scholarship student, she’s the only one paying that isn’t mean to Lizzie. She’s Lizzie’s roommate and always makes a point of being nice to her. Whether it’s lending a beautiful dress for a meeting, or telling her the best way to get a stain out, Jane is Lizzie's loyal friend. As is Charlotte, but Charlotte is also a scholarship student who felt guilty because Lizzie’s arrival took some of the bullying off her back.
When Jane’s crush, Charles Bingley, returns from vacation, Jane is delighted. They immediately spark up a romance. Meanwhile, Lizzie is forced to deal with Charles friend, Will Darcy. When Will doesn’t like Lizzie at first, she assumes it’s because she’s a scholarship student, and discards him as a self-centered, pompous jerk. Just like the rest of Longburn, but in guy form. But as Lizzie begins to get to know Will, she sees she was wrong to assume. The reason Will was judgey about scholarship students, is because he was once friends with one and he cheated him. The friend had broken into his house and stole jewels, money, and Wills trust. After that Will had judged scholarships based on that, as Lizzie had judged Will based on her previous hatred with the Longburn girls. As the two learn to trust together, they open their eyes and see everything isn’t what you think it is. Will sees how much Lizzie is bullied, which he hadn’t noticed before, and Lizzie sees that not all rich people were snobby brats. As their relationship develops, her piano work is affected –for better. Lizzie begins to gain control of her and who she is, and it shows in her playing. She scores a solo spot in the concerto, and whenever she’s not with Will, she’s practicing. For Lizzie I think Will represents new possibilities, change, and hope. The girls at Longburn might not have thrown roses at her after the show, but Lizzie didn’t need them too. She stopped caring what they thought about her, did to her, and said to her. She grew strong and wouldn’t let anything they did hurt her.
I think Will and Lizzie will be a great couple, they’ve accomplished so much together that even though this was just a book, I felt like they were a real life couple. I know that because of this, Lizzie will be able to surpass any challenges Longburn has to offer; whether their academics, physical, or mental, Lizzie is a wall you cannot knock down. Because of this, I admire her, because I was bullied in 6th grade and did not handle it as well as she did. It’s made me stronger, like Lizzie, and although I didn’t have some perfect boyfriends swoop down and save me, I got over it. Life will always throw you challenges, how you move on from hem is your choice. I chose to not meddle in tears. This is why I really liked this book.
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Sep 24, 2012 michelle mielru rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: foreign-novel

Banyak orang bilang ini seperti versi ringan dari cerita "Pride & Prejudice" tapi aku bahkan tidak tahu itu buku apa -___-

Saat aku lagi penaaaaatt banget dari segala kerjaanku, sampai nggak bisa mikir, akhirnya mataku tertuju pada novel yang baru dibeli sama adikku. Baca awalnya sedikit, oke, lumayan menarik.

Novel ini sangat ringan dan singkat, bolehlah untuk orang yang tidak suka membaca novel dengan alur berbelit-belit dan penuh konflik.

Yang kusukai dari karakter novel ini:
- Lizzie, cewek...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Khairunnisa Putri rated it 4 of 5 stars

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I'm not really a fan of this kind of book but there's something in this book that made me keep reading and reluctant to put it down before I'm done. I actually like the main issue, about the big prom and the whole poor-rich things. It's neatly written.

I like the characters. Jane seems so real for me, she's kind and always says good things about people but inside she has that negative thought but rarely speak it up. It's not like she's hypocrite or something, it just...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Blair Mirth rated it 4 of 5 stars

★★★★.5

Thoughts/ Review:

I know it is somewhat of a crime to have not read the original Austen Classic “Pride and Prejudice” but I decided that before embarking on that journey I would fit one more re-telling in. I have enjoyed the month immensely so far and reading Prom and Prejudice only made my quest to devour the original even more tempting.

From what I believe from reading this book, it is a modern retake with subtle uses of both language close to the original era and scenes inspired from the...more ★★★★.5

Thoughts/ Review:

I know it is somewhat of a crime to have not read the original Austen Classic “Pride and Prejudice” but I decided that before embarking on that journey I would fit one more re-telling in. I have enjoyed the month immensely so far and reading Prom and Prejudice only made my quest to devour the original even more tempting.

From what I believe from reading this book, it is a modern retake with subtle uses of both language close to the original era and scenes inspired from the novel itself. When I first started the novel I was enthralled by the relationships I had learned about from reading Wickham’s Diary, so it was exciting to see Wick come back into play with Elizabeth’s take on Pride and Prejudice and to be also introduced to a wonderful cast of characters who I fell in love with almost instantly. Yes even Caroline has her purpose in this story.

The story is simply told but yet has its intense moments. For me this was a fun and quirky read that was an introduction to the classic and a fantastic novel in itself. I am not one for being a fan of prom type related books as I think I am a little beyond that mind set, but I enjoyed the tension and the events unfolding around it and was so glad that it did not dominate the entire storyline. Yes, this book was about prom, but it was so much more than that and I learned so much from it.

Oh and the romance, squeals. Now I am a big romantic at heart, but I do suppress it a lot however Prom and Prejudice mStay tade me fall in love with romances again and this is one of the prime examples of young adult romance at its best. How the plot thickened and the relationships progressed. I loved learning about Mr. Darcy and seeing him in a whole new light and how Lizzie’s prejudice against Mr. Darcy was explored as well as his own prejudice against her. I loved how the modern setting left room for a different type of courting, but I believe still stayed true to her inspiration from Austen.

There were times when I got annoyed with Lizzie, being the headstrong girl that she is. But I understand why so many people have fallen in love with these characters over generations. Even Jane and Charles, their sweet simple relationship darkened by the jealousy of Caroline made me laugh and feel like crying at the same time. It was weird reading a book and smiling while at the same time I felt like crying because it was both so cute and such a brilliantly told story.

My only real beef with the story was it was a little slow in some parts, but that did not trouble me enough not to enjoy the story. And I think, no I know that I may have a little wee crush on Mr. Darcy. But who can blame me, right? Stay tuned for later this month [fingers crossed] when I read and review the original. For now though I would certainly recommend this book to anyone as it reads well as a re-telling and as a book in its own rights.

I am giving this:

★★★★.5

Java Junction Coffee’s
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Aug 05, 2012 Sherri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-the-love-of-jane

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I generally loathe Pride and Prejudice spinoff books which begin with those 6 immortal words, and I should probably be ashamed to admit that I've read so many of them. That said, a few have charmed their way into my heart. Prom and Prejudice made the cut for me.

Set at a girl's prep/finishing school, the main character is a "scholarship student" forced to navigate the ridicule and unkindness of a majority of her fellow affluent schoolmates. Along her p...more

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Jun 20, 2012 The-vault rated it 3 of 5 stars

By Elizabeth Eulberg Grade: B+

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date. After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London. Lizzie is happy...more By Elizabeth Eulberg Grade: B+

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date. After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London. Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles's friend, Will Darcy, who's snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk - so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

I am a big Pride and Predjudice fan and this book was a great pleasure to read. This was a modernization that I am not ashamed to stand by just because it was so fun. I probably wouldn't reccomend it to Jane Austen herself but if you want to see Pride and Prejudice played out in a fun and delightful way you should read this book. Now, I think I was able to appreciate it mostly because I've already read Jane Austen's book and different versions of movies countless times. Those who haven't read it may also enjoy it for what it is or they may be confused and wonder what all the fuss is about throughout the story.

The author of this book incorporated not only the story elements of the story but also the lines that characters said. They were minor changes, and I was a little disappointed about that until I realized that I was reading a modernization and some things had to be different. I did see some subtler plot elements that corresponded with the original story and for that I give this author a standing ovation.

Hopefully, if you know your Pride and Prejudice you will be able to pick up on them too. And for that reason I won't spoil them but once in this review. And this is the next thing I will talk about.
What I did find a little surprising was that besides just knowing the story of P&P. Eulberg also knew what it was about. The story ended with Lizzie realizing that while Darcy may have judged her without knowing her at first, he stopped himself and tried to actually get to know her. But she had made her own judgments too and those she didn't back down from them till much later. That is what P&P is about and it's not like Jane Austen came right out and said that.

I wouldn't suggest this book as an easy way to get into P&P. There may be some other spin-offs that could help you with that but not this one. The feel of the book is not the same as Jane Austen's. There was a lot of similarity, yes, but the balance has definitely been thrown off. This book to me is a great way for Jane Austen lovers to have a break from old English and enjoy some new twists to a legend of a novel.

Originally reviewed at : www.the-vault.co.cc (less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

Now available in paperback, PROM & PREJUDICE is a cute, clever update of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet is a scholarship student at Longbourn Academy who has a disastrous first meeting with her best friend's boyfriend's best friend Will Darcy at a joint-school dance. Elizabeth Eulberg's second novel follows the original closely, but makes several wise changes. For instance, Mrs. Bennet is no longer an embarrassing matchmaking mama, but a hard-worker who made sur...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

Title: Prom and Prejudice
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Length: 231 pages
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
My Rating Scale:
1 Star= I flat out hated it/terrible/I wanted to scratch my eyes out.
2 Stars= I didn’t like it
3 Stars= It was okay/I moderately liked it
4 Stars= I really liked it, but it wasn’t totally perfect
5 Stars= Holy literary gods! I LOVED this book!

Plot Summary:
Prom and Prejudice is similar to Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice but more modernized. Lizzie Ben...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Brianna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Here's the thing about Elizabeth Eulberg's books: they are immensely readable. I can easily sit down and read right through them in one sitting. However, I don't find her characters very likable. Lizzie Bennett, although strongly based on Ms. Austen's original, is always so prickly that it's hard to sympathize with her. It's almost as if Eulberg was intending to put the reader in Darcy's place.

I was also confused by some of the adaptation choices. Eulberg freely changes the character relationshi...more

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About Elizabeth Eulberg

The short and sweet version:
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to Syracuse University and then making a career in the New York City book biz. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick. In researching The Lonely Hearts Club, she tried swearing off boys forever. It didn’t work. She did, however, learn how to play Rachma...more The short and sweet version:
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to Syracuse University and then making a career in the New York City book biz. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick. In researching The Lonely Hearts Club, she tried swearing off boys forever. It didn’t work. She did, however, learn how to play Rachmaninoff’s Eighteenth Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini on the piano while writing Prom and Prejudice, so she’s not a total slacker.
The long and babbling version:
I was born in the small town of Portage, Wisconsin and am the youngest of four children. My father owned a clothing store, called (appropriately enough) Eulberg’s, that had been in my family since 1929. My mother was a teacher then stayed at home with us kids until I was old enough to go to school. She eventually became a high school librarian…at the high school I attended! (And no, she did not play favorites. Ever.)

Growing up, three things dominated my life: traveling, music and reading. I still have passion for all three today.

Traveling:
Every summer my parents packed us all up in a van, complete with a tent that slept six—and we travelled for two weeks to a different parts of the country. Being the youngest child, there are many pictures of me crying in numerous historical landmarks across the United States: Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon—you get the idea. Of course, as soon as I was able to appreciate these trips, my parents decided to stop doing them. Something about us wanting to spend more time in the campsite pool than site-seeing…

My love of travel prompted me to become a foreign exchange student the summer between my junior and senior year of high school (if you do it in the summer – no homework!). I lived in the tiny village of Bühler, Switzerland and got to travel all around Switzerland. I also studied abroad my junior year of college in London. I have since travelled extensively around Europe, been to Australia (twice!), New Zealand, Argentina… I have a lot more places that I want to go and think Chile is going to be next on my list, but I also really want to travel around the countryside of Ireland since I’ve only been to Dublin. So many places…

Music:
My mother had me begin taking piano lessons when I was five since, she says, I banged on the piano more than my two older sisters who were taking lessons. Music became my main obsession throughout childhood. I started playing the clarinet when I was in fourth grade and even played the drums in marching band in high school (how cool was I?). A few years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to play the guitar. I still keep up with the piano, although I’m nowhere near the level I was in high school and continue my quest with guitar lessons to become a full-out rock star (some day!). It was my love of music that led to my career in publicity… but more on that in a bit.

Reading:
The first book series that I remember becoming enthralled by was the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. I think I was in second grade when I got one of the books from the library. I was hooked instantly and followed Betsy from the first book to the last, Betsy’s Wedding (I always laugh when publishers say kids don’t want to read about adults). I also remember reading Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and, of course, Little Women. I say “of course” about Little Women since my mom wanted me to be called Beth, after the character from the book (oh, and I have a sister named Meg). But alas, I never went by Beth. I prefer Elizabeth (and still do).

My next reading craze happened when I started reading the Sweet Valley High series. My mother always encouraged us to read. While some people would prefer their children to read more “literary” books, my mother didn’t care. She was just happy I was b(less)

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Quotes from Prom and Prejudice

“It's very easy to get a boy to leave the room.
It's much harder to get him to leave your thoughts.” — 184 people liked it

“It was bad enough to see friendship and love in terms of politics. But seeing it in terms of business was even worse.” — 29 people liked it

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