The latest addition to The Austen Project is a fun twist on Pride and Prejudice

There’s pride, there’s prejudice, and there’s also text break-ups, reality tv, ‘hate sex’, Bitcoin, jogging, and Ivy League schools in Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld’s fabulous, frothy take on the Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice.

The brilliance in Sittenfeld’s rendering of Pride is that she stayed absolutely true to the story (a ridiculous social-climber plots to marry-off her five daughters to suitable, wealthy men), and yet made it very much her own.

All five girls had then gone on to private colleges before embarking on what could euphemistically be called non-lucrative careers, though in the case of some sisters, non-lucrative non-careers was a more precise descriptor.

The story is set in Cincinnati (Sittenfeld’s hometown) and we find Liz as a magazine journalist; Jane, a yoga instructor; Mary doing her third online masters degree; and Kitty and Lydia gadding about eating high-protein meals and attending CrossFit.

The endearing elements of Pride – the ridiculousness of Mrs Bennett; the parrying between Darcy and Liz; the insightful, ever-polite snipes – are still there. Darcy is updated as a neurosurgeon and Mr Bingley (Chip) is fresh from appearing on ‘Eligible’, a ‘Bachelor’-like reality tv show (which everyone claims not to watch).

“Did you really never watch Eligible when Chip was on?”
“She’s never watched any of Eligible,” Liz said. “She’s like a unicorn.”
“Oh, Chip’s season was fantastic,” Charlotte said. “There was an actual physical fight involving ripped-out hair extensions.”

The lessons in love are updated but unchanged – Liz, interviewing a prominent feminist (a reimagined Lady Catherine de Bourgh), is told “There’s no shame in devoting yourself to another person, as long as he devotes himself to you in return.”

Likewise, Sittenfeld doesn’t shy away from updating the ‘prejudice’ elements of the story, taking jabs at the hypocrisy and absurdity inherent in our current ‘politically correct’ society –

…if Liz had learned that anybody in her social circle in New York had eloped with someone transgender, she’d have greeted the news with support; she might have even felt that self-congratulatory pride that heterosexual white people are known to experience due to proximate diversity.

Some Austen fans will detest this book (it’s vulgar! It’s all too obvious!) but keep in mind that it’s not intended to replace Pride, or better it – I’m sure Sittenfeld is happy to leave the one-upmanship to Mrs Bennett. I thoroughly enjoyed Eligible for what it was – light and entertaining.

4/5 Delightful fluff.

I received my copy of Eligible from the publisher, Random House, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Note that Eligible is part of The Austen Project, in which 21st-century authors retell Austen’s novels in a contemporary setting.

I had my doubts that a modern day Pride and Prejudice would be able to provide a fresh and fun update while maintaining razor sharp wit and satire. Sittenfeld was able to do just that with Eligible. The plot maintains its integrity with updated relevance and the characters remain themselves despite their modern sensibilities. It was a fun breezy read and I feel as though people who might not "get" Austen will have better insight after reading Eligible.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a booklover in possession of a good library must always be in want of another good book and that is exactly what you get when you pick up a copy of Eligible; Curtis Sittenfeld’s modern day take on the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice.

To begin with I wasn’t sure if it was my love for the original story that made me like Eligible. Was I enjoying so much because I could associate characters and events with those of Pride and Prejudice. Over the course of reading Eligible I realised that it mattered not one iota. I was just really enjoying Sittenfeld’s writing.

Sittenfeld explores family dynamics, modern day problems and the role of gender in modern society. Overall, Sittenfeld has managed to do what most would believe to be unachievable; she has made Pride and Prejudice her own.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld is available now.

For more information regarding Curtis Sittenfeld (@csittenfeld) please visit www.curtissittenfeld.com.

For more information regarding Random House (@PenguinRHUK) please visit www.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

I was unable to properly download this book. Too bad since I normally love this author!

I am a huge fan of the source material (as so many are) so I was super excited to be able to read this retelling. I found that the modernizations worked in some instances (aging up the characters) and in others, not so much (the characters were a lot less likable than their original counterparts.) I liked Liz okay and found myself most relating to her when she had moments of realizing how wild her family truly was and having to take control in situations because of it.

I enjoyed reading it, but there were things I would change: the chapters were almost too short. It felt choppy. The book itself could've been tightened up and seemed to go on for about 50 (or more...) pages too long.

I have not read many Austen retellings. I didn’t enjoy the Bridget Jones movie and I wasn’t a huge fan of Pride Prejudice and Zombies. I keep meaning to pick up other retellings but it just seems that nothing can really compare! However, Eligible is a wonderful quirky, fast paced, and exciting retelling of Pride and Prejudice.

I feel like Sittenfeld was extremely true to the original story while still adhering to everything modern. I will say however, that Pride and Prejudice wasn’t so bad for its time…but in the harsh reality of modernity I realize that everyone was pretty awful, and all of the situations were just as bad!

Although, I have discovered my love for Darcy moves through the ages pretty smoothly. I just adored Darcy in Eligible just as much as in P&P. I was thrilled when Lizzie and Darcy got a whole lot more talking scenes, and even steamy scenes in Eligible.

My biggest complaints are that the adorable Bingley seemed a whole lot more pathetic in Eligible and ALL of the Bennet sister (minus Jane of course) were absolutely AWFUL! I couldn’t stand any of them. Though they are obviously self-absorbed and immature much like the original book, there was a level of cruelty with this modern retelling that I found unbearable.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I hope Sittenfeld will continue retelling all my favorite classics!

I received this novel for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way effects my opinions. My thoughts are, as always, my own.

I tried to give this a go on three separate occasions, figuring my inability to get into the story at all might be a current mood. But, after a year, I still just don't feel it.

Eligible is a well done modern spin on the classic Pride and Prejudice. The story still feels fresh and new despite the reader knowing the outcome of the characters. Curtis Sittenfeld managed to create a humorous tale about the Bennet girls' preparing for their parents financial doom. All the while the parents are avoiding and ignoring their problems. Each girl comes to life with their own personalities and story lines. Mr Darcy is the lovable but gruff character you have come to know through many Pride and Prejudice iterations. This is a fun book to get lost in.

My favorite book and movie is Pride and Prejudice. I must admit I was very hesitant to read and see what this book had to offer. I love the humor just as Jane Austin had done with quit wit and great story lines. It is a great treat for anyone who is romantic at heart. If you need a good book to waste a weekend with I would grab this one and have a great time lost in a book.