Pride by Ibi Zoboi

SynopsisZuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.

Review: Like many others, I really enjoy Pride and Prejudice, so I was intrigued when I heard about a reimagined version with an Afro-Latino main character. I loved Zuri. I loved seeing how hectic her family was, but she was also so grounded. I found her to be extremely impressive. I also loved how the neighborhood itself seemed like a character. Zuri's family and all the others made the neighborhood what it is, but the entire thing felt like its own character. Having Ainsely (Bingley) and Darius (Darcy) be brothers in Pride was an unexpected aspect. I think it was a great idea though because it brings up the complicated consideration of "what happens when two sisters fall in love with two brothers." Ibi Zoboi handled that situation with beauty and grace.

The story stayed true to the Pride and Prejudice we know and love, but it added new layers due to the character backgrounds and the setting. Having it center on an Afro-Latino family brought a rich, new depth to the characters that we aren't used to seeing. One of my favorite things about Pride is how we see Zuri struggle with her narrow world view. She thinks that she knows and experienced so much, but she still falls victim to ignorance. Seeing her grow from that was great. I highly enjoyed it.

Excellent retelling of Pride and Prejudice that exposes the world to new experiences.

4 howls

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