Pride

Every girl from the hood needs to listen to this

Beautiful in every way! This is the love story I would have loved to have as a kid growing up in the hood. Zuri would have made Elizabeth Bennett proud in this updated, and very much needed, Pride and Prejudice remix. If you’ve dealt with gentrification, going on to college, moving from your hometown, moving from the hood to a more wealthier neighborhood where you may feel like a fish out of water than this will touch you in a way you won’t expect. Honestly, the last few chapters had me in near tears.
Acevedo did a marvelous job as the narrator. Every character had a distinct voice, and I never had to guess who was speaking. Lastly, I love how multifaceted Zoboi’s characters were. She shows the many faces of the black community through her characters. I felt like I was seeing my own family. Read it. Read it. Please Read it.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Happy to see publishers finally publishing stories

SO I’m not a P&P purist, in fact I’ve never even read it. I think it’s because me, as a poor, black Latina raised in an inner city neighborhood, ive never felt like those classic romances spoke to me. I just can’t relate to old classics at all, no matter how many readers tell me it’s the best book they ever read.

Pride on the other hand was a retelling that awakened my senses and spoke to me on so many different levels. Ibi is definitely one of those slept on writers in the we need diverse books conversation. Her books are fantastic probably more moving to me that Daniel Jose Olders “Shadowshaper” or Angie Thomas’s The hate you give. Maybe it’s because I relate more to her characters. The way she describes them resemble me more than anything and the only other author that’s been able to accomplish that for me is Veronica Chambers, another slept on Afro-latinx author.

This story was a book that spoke my language, both Spanish and colloquial English spoken in urban areas. Zuri was me and I was Zuri. I loved that she was Haitian and Dominican!!!

The story was sort of heartbreaking since gentrification affects entire families and ultimately affected hers but I loved that she fell for this square, rich kid. It’s usually the other way around where the guy is from the other side of the tracks. So it was refreshing to see a hood girl, one who was me when I was 17, with these big dreams and goals. I think the only thing that drove me nuts about her was that she was so hard on everyone. It took her so long to let her guard down and let someone she her softness. I think there’s this pressure that black girls have to be stronger than girls of other races, I would’ve love to see her show her vulnerability sooner.

Either way it was a great love story and a great story in general. I love to see two black teens from different socio-economic backgrounds fall in love. I just love seeing black kids fall in love in general 😍

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Soft and gooey as honey this story of love

What a fantastic story love, home, family and friendship. What truly made most enjoyable was the story told through Elizabeth Acevedo’s voice. I binged it like I do a great Netflix series and was sad when it ended knowing I’d finished it. I will definitely read more of Ibi Zoboi books and lesson to more of Elizabeth Acevedo’s readings.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A beautiful-told modern Pride and Prejudice

I love Pride and Prejudice. It’s one of the only classic novels I really like, and the 1995 TV show with Colin Firth is the best. So, modern day version of P&P with black characters? Sign me up! This has all things I love: political commentary, enemies-to-dating, strong sister relationships. It was fun to see how the characters of Ms. Austen’s novel were adapted, and it WORKED. Ms. Zoboi’s prose is beautiful and flowing, and it sounded amazing on the audiobook. My only problem was that Zuri was just too defensive. She was very resistant and fierce, even when the situation didn’t call for it. I did love the ending though: bittersweet and hopeful.

Two worlds collide

I know girls like Zuri, trying to hold onto who they are and afraid of who they know they can become. This book is less about the love story and more about family, community, opportunities, and change. Elizabeth Acevado is an amazing narrator and made fall love with the possibility of what this story could be.

Unique retelling

I’m a huge Jane Austen fan and I’m sort of obsessed with Pride and Prejudice so reading this book was on my list, I wasn’t expecting to love this book the way I did! It was so fresh, funny and endearing... I loved the narrator, she brought the story to life, so when is the movie coming? 🤩

Amazing

This was an amazing book! Well written and the narrator was one of the best I have ever heard! The balance of poetry and story was impeccable. I felt like I was there with them in Brooklyn. I hope there is more to come!

Great book

I loved this book from being to end!! Zuri was a firecracker! A bit hood but in a good way.

The Power of Pride

Growing up myself in a neighbor that has new comers moving into it, I can relate to this story. I too cherish porch conversations and knowing my neighbors. The rich history and traditions of a place "others" never valued, but now that it's cool to live urban they want to rewrite the rich narrative to fit their level of comfort.

I also relate to the value systems and experiences of both main characters. The boldness of Z and the otherness of Darius. I grew up with more worldly experiences, but still have pride in the local love of neighborhood flowershops, stores and churches.

Read it and read it again! It's worth it!

Pride

I loved this book ! I recommend it to anyone! It's a great update of Pride and Prejudice!