Review: Pride and Prejudice: A Retelling by Laura Wood

In this retelling of the Jane Austen novel, Woods manages to successfully rework the text for a young, modern audience. This is not a modern day version of Pride And Prejudice, rather a modern language reworking. The storytelling is simpler and contemporary yet successfully retains the feeling of the classic. Each sentence has been brought firmly into 21st century language, with fewer word-heavy lines and helpful contextual explanations that guide the reader, yet still feels true to the language and era of the original.

We are treated to all the beloved scenes from Pride And Prejudice; the balls are particularly vibrant. Characters are well rounded, with Mrs Bennet showing her contrary notions particularly well, and Mr Darcy as intriguing a figure to us as he is to Lizzie. Tensions between the pompous old world of Lady Catherine and Lizzie’s modern outlook feel familiar and relatable.

Much of the interior musings and day-to-dayness of the original has been omitted, making the story feel a bit rushed in some places. This results in the time between some events, particularly between the proposal and the visit to Pemberley, feel as though they are happening more suddenly than originally intended. Overall this is an excellent modernisation that keeps the soul of Jane Austen’s novel as its core. 

This edition is dyslexia-friendly with specially designed font and paper colour for accessibility.

Patricia Hayes