posted on 24 Jan 2022

Pride and Prejudice, a retelling by Laura Wood

I am not a huge fan of Jane Austen but I can nevertheless appreciate her witty storytelling technique with its forensic examination of a privileged section of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century society. The retelling of her most popular novel to engage present day young readers was always going to be a challenge for an author. As with all the books in this series that we have reviewed on the Letterpress Project website ( here and here), there is the need to focus on plot rather than descriptive details because of the relatively short format.

The overriding theme of the original novel is about relationships and marriage within the social constraints and expectations of the time, so it needs to be approached as an historical novel.  I was trying to imagine the outrage of young teenage readers as they realised that the five Bennett sisters were of little value to a family unless they married rich husbands. The first few chapters make this very clear and strip the story down to the brutal fact that the parents have to present their daughters in the marriage market to be effectively ‘sold off.’ But, as anyone who has read the original novel or watched popular film and TV adaptations fans will know, Lizzy  Bennett is the one very strong female character that has agency and she is well drawn in this version.  She is intelligent, witty and fiercely faithful to her family and friends.

Wealthy Mr Darcy is renowned for his devilish good looks and lack of social graces in contrast to the more ordinary but affable Mr Bingley who makes a big impression on the eldest sister, Jane:

‘He is sensible, good humoured, lively – and I never saw such happy manners!'

I find Darcy’s evident weariness with the need to party, make small talk and enjoy dancing rather appealing, but he is clearly a snob. When Lizzie first overhears him talking about her in a disparaging way, she makes fun of him, but would she have swooned at this early stage if he had said something more flattering? 

Despite their many differences and clashing personalities, the well- known love story between Lizzy and Darcy unfolds. Readers will reflect on the definition of an ‘accomplished’ woman which includes knowledge of music, modern languages, singing, drawing, dancing and reading extensively.  Lizzy seems to tick all the boxes for Darcy but will she ever forgive him his many faults? As the plot thickens she learns something about his background that makes him seem to be a true villain.

The author also succeeds in portraying the silly, ambitious Mrs Bennett and her stoically, sensible, wise husband and made me wonder again at the likelihood of such a contented marriage. Mr Collins, the relative who is set to inherit the Bennett fortune is an endearing minor character. I rather liked his enthusiasm for everything and his honesty about the benefits of using flattery and being relentlessly positive:

‘I do sometimes amuse myself with planning such little elegant compliments that may be used on later occasions’.

Well done once again to the innovative publishers, Barrington Stoke for commissioning this fine, concise retelling of a dramatic novel from a bestselling, award-winning author that will be enjoyed as an engaging love story by many young readers.  I had forgotten quite how many potential romances and scandals filled the original novel and these are all covered, albeit briefly. The focus on multiple flirtations, fashion and general family intrigue will probably appeal more to a female audience and I realise that much of the content is like a story from the ‘Jackie’ magazines that I used to devour in the late 1960s.

It has encouraged me to hunt out my copy of the original novel which was on a high shelf in the back room and I am relishing re reading.

Karen Argent

January 2022