I’ve been on a Pride and Prejudice adaptatin spree the last two months. On recommendation from our school librarian, I read the YA book Pride by Ibi Zoboi in January. This is a modern, American version of the classic P&P that depicts a Brooklyn born and raised teen girl as the part of Elizabeth Bennet and a somewhat snooty boy who becomes her new neighbor as Fitzwilliam Darcy. I thought it was a creative parallel to the original story and one that teens and YA lovers alike would enjoy.
The real star of the show I encountered would most definitely have to be Unmarriageable: A Novel by Soniah Kamal. One thing I would advise before reading the book is to preview the section, Pride and Prejudice and Me. In it, Kamal talks about growing up reading British literature and being familiar with Jane Austen and her extremely unconventional views and mockery of the society she was surrounded by. Kamal notes many parallels between 19th century British society and modern day Pakistani society. From families intrusive involvement in marriage to the backstabbing and social climbing of the elite class, it’s fascinating to see how similar the characteristics of these different cultures are.
I thought Kamal did an excellent job of staying true to the overall P&P theme, while managing to make the story her own with the characters she depicts in place of the original cast. They are just as ostentatious and ridiculous as in the classic, but also genuine and loveable in all the most important ways.
Alys Binat (Elizabeth Bennet) is a forward thinking, modern Pakistani feminist, in a love affair with the literary arts and in little need of male attention. She is a teacher at the British School, hoping to inform her young female students of all of the educational gifts at their fingertips (at the chagrin of many a parent, including her own mother).
Her eccentric, exasperating family, made up of five daughters and Mr. and Mrs. Binat are invited to the wedding of the year. This puts Mrs. Binat into a frenzy of preparation – it is the optimal opportunity for her daughters to “grab a man,” get married and be financially set for life.
As the classic goes (if you’ve read it), Alys encounters Valentine Darcee (Darcy, duh) at the wedding, and the story plays out as it will. And it’s absolutely fabulous in all of it’s divergent and similar paths. Nostalgic…yet different.The only think that boggled my mind was how could Alys not see her story was freakishly
All time favorite character? Mrs. Binat – she is SPOT ON. Just as infuriating and insufferable as the original. 🙂
Another adaptation I read a few years ago and LOVED was Eligible: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld. Unmarriageable is still the best, but if you’re a love story fan, I’d give this one a try too.
Happy & healthy reading!
Alexis
