From the Bookshelf of Read Between the Wines…

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice

Curtis Sittenfeld

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Nov 19, 2019 Zoe Jackson rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-popsugar-reading-challenge

Book 44 of the PopSugar Reading Challenge: A Retelling of a Classic

I will admit- I've never read Pride and Prejudice before. I watched the Keira Knightley version when I was about 13 and fell asleep about halfway through. I will say I've just never been a huge fan of most "classics". They are difficult for me to read and I spend so much time trying to understand what the author is saying in a single sentence that I end up not seeing the forest for the trees. If that makes me a bad, lazy reader, Book 44 of the PopSugar Reading Challenge: A Retelling of a Classic

I will admit- I've never read Pride and Prejudice before. I watched the Keira Knightley version when I was about 13 and fell asleep about halfway through. I will say I've just never been a huge fan of most "classics". They are difficult for me to read and I spend so much time trying to understand what the author is saying in a single sentence that I end up not seeing the forest for the trees. If that makes me a bad, lazy reader, then call it what you want.

I chose this book for this reading challenge for 2 reasons. First of all, Curtis Sittenfeld is one of my favorite authors. Even though I don't necessarily love all her stories, I adore her writing. I think she is one of the most talented writers of our time. Second, I figured that if I could get a handle on the plot of this book, it might make the actual Pride and Prejudice easier to read. I could at least go into it knowing what to expect from the story.

Well now that I've read this I am not sure I even need to read Pride and Prejudice. The description wasn't kidding when it called this a "modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice"- the actions and mannerisms of the characters, as well as some of the major plotlines, had to have been taken straight from the source material. There is no way some of these things would happen in the 21st century. Things like: a mother being distressed to the point of sexist that none of her 5 daughters are married to wealthy, well-to do white cisgender men (you may think I'm being overly specific, but just read the book); one of said daughters breaking up with a man she had only been dating for a month and then accepting a marriage proposal from him out of the blue when she sees him for the first time since their relationship ended a month later; and another daughter playing a rather disappointing game of cat and mouse with a man who I assume is supposed to be charming rather than annoying (but I'm not convinced by that), ending with a marriage proposal that comes quite literally out of nowhere.

I can see how all of these things were convincing and commonplace back in the 1800s. But today they just seem so ridiculous and unrealistic. I guess I was imagining a more subtle retelling of Pride and Prejudice- saying this was "on the nose" is an understatement. Of course Sittenfeld puts us in the modern day by including things like artificial insemination, CrossFit, dating apps, and country clubs, but underneath it all the whole story was wildly outdated.

I can't give this anything less than 4 stars because Sittenfeld is just such a damn good writer and I blew through this book in less then 48 hours. I wouldn't say I don't recommend it- just be prepared to suspend your perception of reality going into it. ...more

Like · see review

Jul 10, 2016 Ellen marked it as to-read

Oct 11, 2017 Hannah Simpson marked it as to-read

Sep 26, 2020 Amber Weaver rated it it was ok

Jun 23, 2016 Melissa Hudson marked it as to-read

Aug 27, 2020 Anna Collier rated it liked it

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls