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?
Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan. Pride & Prejudice is my favorite so I was excited to read this modern day retelling by Elizabeth Eulberg. A few pages in a burst into laughter as I realized all the characters in the book & places in the book were named after those in the original book. Lizzie attends Longbourn Academy, Darcy attends Pemberley Academy - their places of residency in the original Pride & Prejudice. Nearly the whole cast of characters was present from Lizzie, Jane & Lydia to Darcy, Charles, Caroline, Georgiana, Wickham, Charlotte and Mr. Collins. I noticed Mary & Kitty were left out but they were given a "cameo" appearance near the end. Having come to love all these characters in the original story it was fun to see them in this modern retelling.
Really cute and super clean, Prom & Prejudice is sure to delight fans of Jane Austen who enjoy young adult literature. I'm not sure I would have loved this as much as I did if I hadn't read Pride & Prejudice and seen the movies multiple times. I got a kick out of Eulberg's characters and the twists she added to modernize the story. All the elements I loved from the original version were present in this story.
I must admit Darcy in this retelling lacks much of the appeal the original Mr. Darcy holds, perhaps because he is still a teenager he just falls short when compared to the original Darcy. That said this was still a fun, humorous read I enjoyed.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: ARC Tour
Welcome to Author Elizabeth Eulberg!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.
Interview:You have a new book Prom & Prejudice coming out - What can you tell us about it?Prom and Prejudice is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Instead of the English countryside and searching for husbands, my book takes place at a prestigious Connecticut boarding school where the characters are obsessed with prom. It definitely has nods to the original, but has its own twists. If you’re going to retell something (especially a classic like Pride and Prejudice - no pressure!) you have to make it your own.
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?iPod - I need to have music around me at all times, I can’t even walk three blocks without listening to my iPod.
Guitar – I’m guessing this desert island doesn’t have an electrical outlet, so I’d have to create my own music once the batteries run out!
Notebook – So I could write.
What is one book everyone should read?The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of my favorite novels. It is such a powerful book, and while it is narrated by death, the message you take away from it is hope. If you haven’t read it yet – do it, NOW.
What is the last book you read?I’m really behind on my to-read pile, but it would be Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It was for book group and I can’t believe I never read it before.
What is the last movie you saw?Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 – I got my Imax tickets weeks ahead of time. Amazing!
If you were a superhero what would your name be?Oddly enough, a friend and I created alter egos for one another years ago. I’m Bionic Betty! (Although I don’t go by Betty!)
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?Flying – it would make everything so much easier, especially with all the new TSA rules.
When you were 12 years old what did you want to be when you grew up?Musician – I still want to be a rock star!
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby
If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?John Lennon
Which fictional character would you most like to meet?Mr. Darcy
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?Bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese
Is there anything you need in order to write? (ie Chocolate, quiet, music) Music!
Night owl, or early bird?I have my late nights, but usually I’m an early bird.
One food you would never eat?I’m allergic to melon (I know, random!) so I never eat that.
You have won one million dol
I picked this one up this week - I've heard good things and I'm sure it won't disappoint. Great review.
I'm reading P&P at school at the moment and loving it. This looks like so much fun! Will definitely give it a read. Thanks for the review :)
Cool. Can't wait to read it!
I have the lonely hearts club on my wish list. For now I will stick with that (because my wishlist is huge) but if I like that one, I might read this too. It sounds like fun :)