Prom and Prejudice

December 6, 2010
Joining the many authors using Jane Austen as a springboard, Eulberg (The Lonely Hearts Club) updates characters and plot details from Pride and Prejudice to create a clever, modern romance. Tormented since her first day at the elite Longbourn Academy, scholarship student Lizzie, a gifted pianist, dislikes most of her wealthier peers. She particularly loathes smug Will Darcy, but tolerates his presence to appease roommate Jane, who has affection for his best friend, Charles. Blinded by prejudice against the upper crust, Lizzie turns a cold shoulder to Will's friendly overtures, realizing almost too late that his intentions are commendable and the one boy she trusts—a townie named Wick—is a scoundrel. Readers won't doubt that Will and Lizzie will end up a couple, but will still enjoy the merry chase as the Longbourn girls try to find suitable partners before the prom. Although Lizzie's Austenian narration feels rather prim beside the more contemporary dialogue, this parody of 21st-century social mannerisms shows that things haven't changed much in the romance department during the past 200 years. Ages 13–up.

December 1, 2010
Jane Austen for the Gossip Girl set. The latest entry in the wide (and wildly varied) field of Austen takeoffs demonstrates how well the Regency Bard's work translates as contemporary teen angst. Lizzie Bennett is a scholarship student from Hoboken with a chip on her shoulder at Longbourn Academy, a posh Connecticut boarding school where her classmates are rich, rude and hostile. Neighboring Pemberley Academy supplies the boys and the prom drama, giving Lizzie the opportunity to meet her match in haughty Will Darcy. Naturally, the pair's energetic verbal sparring reveals pride, prejudice and affection on both sides. Eulberg's adaptation is faithful without being dogmatic; she successfully translates the essential elements of Austen's narrative into 21st-century dialogue and descriptions and still leaves enough room for play with the details. The twist ending lacks originality (readers will find themselves thinking of several movies and even more books), but originality isn't the point here. Eulberg delivers a fun, frothy romp that delights—and, refreshingly, doesn't involve anyone undead. (Chick lit. 13 & up)

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January 1, 2011
Grades 7-10 Eulberg retells Jane Austens still popular tale of class, love, and danger both emotional and physical. Setting this version in a contemporary Connecticut school for the socially elite, and casting Lizzie Bennett as a scholarship student and musical prodigy, Eulbergs story unfolds along lines predictable both from the original plot and the spate of recent mean rich girls novels. That said, this version does justice to Austen and shows up the utter silliness of kids rich in materialand designer brand namegoods, the moodiness of some males (not often mined in YA literature), and the ways truth can be hidden by both outright lying (on the part of Wick, the villain of the piece) and shyness (both Lizzies and Darcys). This makes, in all, a fairly delightful blend of past and present value systems and social expectations. For those who havent read the original, that will be the obvious next stop; for those who have, theres fun to be had in forecasting how Eulberg will rescript each upcoming scene.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)