Pride / Prejudice

September 21, 2009
No Cliff's Notes required for this classic, recast by Herendeen (Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander
) with a bisexual backstory that would have had the Regency author blushing. Though Herendeen claims she's merely unearthed the “hidden” story from clues already written into the original, what unquestionably occurs in this unlikely redo is erotic, witty and as often silly as refreshing. Here, Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy match wits and sexual appetites while engaging in same-sex relationships, she with older-and-wiser Charlotte, he with younger and pliable Charles Bingley, who struggles with his attraction to Elizabeth's sister, Jane. Sure, the permutations make the already complicated plot even more convoluted, but the sex—hokey as it is with all the pulsing and throbbing—helps ease the prideful misunderstandings and ignorant prejudices.

October 1, 2009
Herendeen is to be commended for her daringly original interpretation of Jane Austen's masterpiece. Its exploration of an alternative sexuality as motivating factor in the behavior of the major characters offers brilliant insights into the psychology behind the beloved classic. However, it is a disappointing performance after her impressive debut, "The Brotherhood of Philander". The wittily wicked dialog and sensual imagery have lost their sparkle to a more awkwardly mechanical style that tells rather than shows this complex tale of love's triumph over social conventions. While psychologically more compelling, Herendeen's second novel lacks the wit, humor, and sheer panache of her first book. VERDICT Although Austen fans might be intrigued by the novel's clever premise, even the hardiest of them will be put off by the image of Darcy and Wickham shattering a window during a youthful game of baseball.Cynthia Johnson, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

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