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. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.īut 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. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Zoboi manages to retain the foundation of the original, while also taking us somewhere entirely. I have never lived in Brooklyn, but you could feel the setting as another character in this story.

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. Zoboi transforms Pride and Prejudice into a book that has so many great parallels.

But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable. In addition to serving as a symbolic representation of Zuri’s personal evolution, her poetry also hints at Zuri’s own otherness compared to other teens her age in her Bushwick neighborhood. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic. Pride and Prejudice gets remixed in this smart, funny, gorgeous retelling of the classic, starring all characters of color, from Ibi Zoboi, National Book Award finalist and author of American Street.

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