Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix

Overall this was very sweet and I think the premise of Darcy being queer but feeling forced to marry a woman is a great explanation for his overall ~deal~. I did catch myself being like “wow Mr. Bennet is remarkably accepting of trans identity for a Regency era man....” but then I remembered an interview I'd read with, I think Alexis Hall? someone who said something like “all we want for queer historical romance is the same suspension of disbelief for straight historical romance, like it's very unlikely that a governess would blissfully wed a duke so why can't we embrace the duke being queer and happy?” and you know what? Yeah!

I think probably for the presumed target audience of younger queer readers they will be more likely to just accept and enjoy the story. which they deserve!!

Almost mid.

meant to read p&p and this back to back w a fire island watch but this came in from the library first w/ p&p far behind so i. read it first. shameful etc etc. and can i say. i think ppl having mixed feelings on this book was rlly fair. most of the side characters are kind of just there and im not even familiar w the original. also i kind of thought darcy and oliver should have had a little more beef & tension than what was there. but. i quite liked it regardless so! 3 stars! 

A queer retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel, “Pride and Prejudice.” Set in the 19th century, it offers a fresh perspective by focusing on a romance between a non-binary character and another person of the same gender, while staying true to the themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth that are central to Austen's original world:

Good Parts:
1. Unique and Fresh Perspective:
   - The retelling through a queer lens is one of the book's strongest features. By introducing non-binary and same-sex relationships into a historically heteronormative setting, Novoa breathes new life into the familiar narrative. This inclusion not only provides representation but also explores the nuances of identity and love in a historical context.

2. Faithfulness to Austen's Themes:
   - Novoa adeptly retains the core themes of “Pride and Prejudice,” such as class disparity, pride, and societal norms. The dynamics between the characters and the challenges they face in overcoming prejudices are thoughtfully reinterpreted in this new context.

3. Engaging and Rich Prose:
   - The writing style is both engaging and rich, capturing the essence of Austen's prose while also being accessible to contemporary readers. The language used effectively conveys the time period and the intricacies of social interactions.

4. Strong Character Development:
   - The main characters are well-developed, with the protagonist showing a compelling arc of growth and self-discovery. The exploration of gender identity and the internal and external conflicts faced by the characters are handled with sensitivity and depth.

Bad Parts:
1. Pacing Issues:
   - The novel sometimes suffers from uneven pacing. Certain sections, particularly in the middle, can feel slow or overly detailed, potentially detracting from the overall flow of the story. This can make the book feel longer than it is, especially during less action-packed scenes.

2. Predictability:
   - For those familiar with “Pride and Prejudice,” the plot developments can be predictable. While the unique elements of the retelling add fresh interest, the overarching storyline follows closely to the original, which might lessen the sense of suspense or surprise for some readers.

3. Secondary Characters Underexplored:
   - Some of the secondary characters, while interesting, do not receive as much development or exploration as they could. This leaves certain aspects of the story feeling a bit shallow or rushed, especially in comparison to the richly developed main characters.

4. Historical Accuracy vs. Modern Sensibilities:
   - While the book is set in the 19th century, some readers may find the modern sensibilities and language used by the characters somewhat anachronistic. This blend of modern and historical elements may not always feel seamless, occasionally pulling readers out of the immersion in the period setting.

Gabe never lets me down. 10/10 i adored this. it also led me down the rabbit hole of consuming every queer historical romance i could get my hands on. 

3.5

not officially rating this one because I'm glad young queer people get to read books about themselves and I am starting to recognize that I, personally, need to stop reading books for teenagers. there was a lot I appreciated here from the perspective of a queer trans dude, but Oliver's experience is pretty far removed from my own and I honestly found being in his head a little irritating sometimes. grateful that this exists though. 

The Remixed Classics series ([b:Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix 59251247 Self-Made Boys A Great Gatsby Remix (Remixed Classics) Anna-Marie McLemore https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1655071538l/59251247.SY75.jpg 88888397], [b:Teach the Torches to Burn 61484873 Teach the Torches to Burn Caleb Roehrig https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660239591l/61484873.SY75.jpg 88888448], e.g.) is laudable in its efforts to provide queer teens a chance to see themselves in some of the our most revered white cishet classics, but judged on its literary merits alone, Most Ardently falls short. The dialogue veers awkwardly between 21st century ally-ship and snippets of Austen's original prose. A romance between a gay Darcy and a transmasc Elizabeth/Oliver is an interesting choice, but most of the 19th century gender dynamics wittily dissected by Austen are lost in translation. The characters are inconsistent; Mrs. Bennett hews closely to her Austen behavior for 95% of the book, only to undergo a complete personality transformation at the story's climactic scene. If you want to read a cute historical romance between two boys, this isn't a bad novel, but in its well-intentioned efforts to provide a queer experience, it sacrifices most of the meaningful themes of the original. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.