I received this for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su, Kate Rorick Published by Simon and Schuster on 2014-06-24
Pages: 400
Goodreads
A modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice based on the Emmy Award-winning phenomenon, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.There is a great deal that goes into making a video blog. Lizzie Bennet should know, having become a YouTube sensation over the course of her year-long video diary project. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries chronicled Lizzie’s life as a twenty-four-year-old grad student, struggling under a mountain of student loans and living at home with her two sisters—beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. What may have started as her grad student thesis grew into so much more, as the videos came to inform and reflect her life and that of her sisters. When rich, handsome Bing Lee comes to town, along with his stuck-up friend William Darcy, things really start to get interesting for the Bennets—and for Lizzie’s viewers. Suddenly Lizzie—who always considered herself a fairly normal young woman—was a public figure. But not everything happened on-screen. Luckily for us, Lizzie kept a secret diary. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet provides more character introspection as only a book can, with revelatory details about the Bennet household, including Lizzie’s special relationship with her father, untold stories from Netherfield, Lizzie’s thoughts and fears about life after grad school and becoming an instant web celebrity.Written by Bernie Su, the series’ executive producer, co-creator, head writer, and director, along with Kate Rorick, the novelist, TV writer, and consulting producer on the series, the novel features a journal-entry format and design, complementing the existing web series, while including plenty of fresh twists to delight fans and new readers alike. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet expands on the phenomenon that captivated a generation and reimagines the Pride and Prejudice story like it’s never been done before.
My Thoughts:
Obviously I was thrilled when I first heard about this book. I mean, more Lizzie Bennet Diaries?!? Yes, please!!!! I love all things Pride & Prejudice but have a specific fondness for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I watched the videos religiously on youtube and jumped right on the kickstarter. I have t-shirts and buttons and all that good stuff. I even met some of the creators/stars at LeakyCon when it was in Chicago. So, yes, I am a fangirl. Keep that in mind as you read what I have to say.
Why did I want to read it?
Clearly I loved the videos. In the book, I was really looking forward to getting a glimpse of what Lizzie was thinking “off-screen.” There was so much from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice that just didn’t quite make it into the videos. I wanted to see what they were able to work into the book. I was also excited to revisit the events of the videos and get more of Lizzie’s personal thoughts that maybe didn’t make it to the videos!
What did I think of it?
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet was just exactly what I wanted it to be. It brought back all the feels and excitement of watching the videos while giving a greater insight into Lizzie’s thoughts. I really loved Lizzie’s voice in the web series so it was such a treat to get more from her and to see her (and many of the other characters) more fully developed.
I highly suggest watching the web series before reading the book (Whoa! Crazy talk!!! Normally I would always say read the book first!!) There were many times when Lizzie would reveal something and a lightbulb would go off in my head connecting it with the videos and a certain incident or character. These little epiphanies served to enhance both the book and the videos. If I reader hasn’t watched the web series I think they would be a little lost. They certainly wouldn’t get the whole effect!
Basically, if you’ve watched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries you need to read The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet. If you haven’t watched them, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?! Here’s the first one to get you started:
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook
Yay, I’m glad you liked this, Heidi. I thought it was adorable. I definitely agree, I think it best to watch the web series first. But if you are a fan of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (and who isn’t?) you can’t go wrong with the book.
Courtney @ Courtney Reads A Lot
I loved this video series! What a wonderful tribute to the original novel! I’m sad to say that I have yet to finish the videos, but I was close. I don’t know what happened or why I stopped. I guess life got in the way, and I was distracted and never returned to them, but I really need to and your post makes me want to all the more. I had not heard of this book until your review, and I may just have to read it. It sounds absolutely delightful, and like a wonderful way of continuing this beloved series. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention! Great review! 😀
Gwen
Warning… this is going to be a paragraph of compliments! I discovered your blog through looking at the back of Shadow and Bone, which I am re-reading now in preparation for Ruin and Rising, and am so happy I did! When I first reached your homepage, I was super excited to see a review of both The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet and Ruin and Rising, and a recommendation for Dragon Slippers! After looking around a bit more, I realized how perfect your interest in books, although much broader than mine, coincides with my own. I adore Maria V. Snyder, Cinda Willams Chima, Kristin Cashore, Tamora Pierce, Sarah J. Maas, Marissa Meyer, and the list goes on (and on and on). I also love your audiobook recommendations (I adore audiobooks), and recommend to you the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren, my all-time favorite (I loved Monstrous Beauty as well). I am also immensely jealous about that huge list of pictures of you with some of my favorite authors and idols. You are a much bigger and better blog than our (me and my sister) little blog, and you are super inspiring. Thus, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogging Award: https://gwenkatelibrary.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award
Thank you for your lovely blog and wonderful reviews! They make me want to get a Facebook just so I can like them all! ~Gwen
Heidi
Thank you so much, Gwen! I will check out the Bloody Jack audiobooks. People keep telling me how great they are 🙂
Also, after checking out your blog we certainly do have similar bookish tastes! Happy reading this summer.