Pride & Popularity (Jane Austen Diaries)

by Jenni James

[sstaley]

I love most re-tellings of Pride and Prejudice. Jenni James has created a modern, teen version of Pride and Prejudice that will delight any Jane Austen fan. Chloe Elizabeth Hart is the main female character of this fun tale. She is a normal teenage girl dealing with the ups and downs of high school life. For many years there has been one boy who has become the bain of her existence. Taylor Darcy Anderson is the most popular boy in school and he wants to recruit Chloe into his fan club. Chloe doesn't like the antics of the popular crowd and resists being assimilated into his group of admirers. This scenario is the basis for so many humorous things that happen in the novel.

Jenni James has written a very engaging character in Chloe. This teenage girl is more mature than some adults. At the same time, she is very much written with a teenage voice. The characters are all very real and the situations are things that happen in every high school across America. It is a lot of fun to see the cat and mouse chase happening between Taylor and Chloe. The only thing I couldn't relate to was how strict Chloe's Mom was. I may have to get with it and start practicing being more strict before my daughter starts dating in three years. As in the original Pride and Prejudice, I liked the main character's father better than the mother.

I recommend that Pride and Popularity be read together with mothers and daughters. This is what I plan to do. I loved this book and truly look forward to reading the rest of The Jane Austen Diaries. The next book in the series, Northhanger Alibi, will be released in November 2011. I am giving this book 4 stars for being a fantastic read!!