YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

Zuri 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.

Chapter 8(view spoiler)[ So far I like that Zuri and her sisters are close and she loves everything about her area of Brooklyn. I am from Brooklyn myself so there's a big connection there. Zuri is definitely judging Darius as being bougie but I think he's just out of his normal element. Obviously there will be a romance between them. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13(view spoiler)[I wonder what's the beef between Warren and Darius. It sucks that Jhene (sp? ) and Ansley broke up. I thought they were cute. I do like the flirting between Warren and Zuri but something about Warren almost seems TOO smooth. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20(view spoiler)[I love what was brewing between Darius and Zuri in the car until it got ruined. Disgusted at Warren for taking pictures of Darius little sister! (hide spoiler)]


Finished(view spoiler)[ I enjoyed this love letter to Brooklyn and light on gentrification. I Zuri was a hard ass but soft in the middle and I like Darius for her. It was cute. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting August 8th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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Started!

(view spoiler)[I love the Brooklyn setting. Zuri is kind of annoying me. Even though the Darcys are richer, Zuri is being such a snob saying that Brooklyn isn't Brooklyn anymore yada yada. Is she Lizzie? She hates Darius but we all know how that ends.. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 8

(view spoiler)[Warren is smooth but I'm pretty sure he's Wickham, aka bad news. I'm guessing Warren stole money from the Darcys or something. Either way, he's shady and no good. I'm not sure why Janae and the other guy broke up. Can't remember if that parallels the original Pride and Prejudice.

Zuri goes to visit Howard and loves it. Kinda creepy that Darius followed her there. I think hes there to warn her about Warren.. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 15

(view spoiler)[So its kinda like the book that they happen to be at the same social function. And Darius is warning Zuri about Warren. The social class differences are heavily referenced in this book. It's still a relevant issue today. Even with Darius' grandmother, that was totally like the book. I just want Darius to throw on the charm big time and sweep Zuri off her feet (hide spoiler)]
Ch 23

(view spoiler)[Ew Warren is a creep taking pics of Zuri's little sister. Zuri and Darius finally got over their differences, even if they don't completely see eye to eye. It's sad that Zuri had to move away from her "home." (hide spoiler)]
End