The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet

May 19, 2014
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries creator Su and series writer Rorick do a fantastic job of translating the Emmy Award–winning web series into novel format. In this modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, readers peek inside the diary of Lizzie Bennet as she records videos documenting her life for her graduate thesis while living in smalltown central California. The Bennet household is buzzing with the news that rich medical student Bing Lee has moved to town. Lizzie’s sister Jane begins a tentative romance with Bing while Lizzie juggles her wild-child sister Lydia, Bing’s snobby friend William Darcy, and a possible romance with the handsome George Wickham. After turning down a lucrative job offer from Ricky Collins to make corporate how-to videos, Lizzie begins shadowing companies for her thesis and learns that first impressions are not always correct. This book hits all the high points of Austen’s most famous novel in satisfying ways (Darcy’s confession, Lydia’s bad choices), while updating it for the digital age. Though the videos are the catalyst for the novel, readers need not have viewed them to enjoy this story. Fans of the Web series and newcomers alike will be satisfied.

In this modern-day retelling of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, narrator Ashley Clements brings all the iconic characters to life. As a companion to the Emmy Award-winning "Lizzie Bennet Diaries," this audiobook gives listeners a glimpse of Lizzie's diary and personal thoughts. Clements portrays Lizzie, a 24-year-old grad student, in an even, practical voice. She gives Mrs. Bennet a Southern drawl and portrays Lizzie's sisters as angelic and innocent (Jane) and snarky and immature (Lydia). While this is a humorous retelling, the characters are true to the original story, and Clements does an admirable job of keeping the spirit intact. Darcy, who is portrayed in a deep, slightly stilted voice, has incredibly awkward interactions with the characters until his relationship with Lizzie evolves into the much anticipated romance. E.N. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

September 15, 2014

In a modern-day update to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, 24-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet is in her final year of grad school, living at home with her parents and two sisters, Jane and Lydia, and trying to survive her mother's pressures on her to marry. She starts a video blog that turns the sisters into Internet celebrities, but not everything happens on-screen--especially once Bing Lee and William Darcy come to town. Luckily, Lizzie also keeps a secret diary. Ashley Clements, lead on the web series of the same name, does a fantastic job voicing the characters, and the book goes beyond the events of the web version, offering more hijinks and Austen-inspired fun. VERDICT Recommend to fans of the web series and listeners who enjoy modern-day Austen retellings such as the movie Clueless.--Jessi Brown, Huntington City-Twp. P.L., IN

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