The Secret Diary Of Lizzie Bennet
Kate Rorick and Bernie Su
As I may have mentioned before (maybe more than once) I am a huge fan of the web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (just go watch – that link is a complete playlist) which is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. So what we have here is a novelization of a web series based on a novel. By any rights this should be a heinous cash in on the success of the show but somehow it turns out to be an entertaining read and offers a behind the scenes perspective that doesn’t just flesh out events but puts a new spin on things. Obviously it’s definitely not in the same league as a piece of literature as Austen’s original work.
Rorick, who is the principal writer here, wrote for the show and that results in a good translation of the characters and their personalities to the printed page. (Bernie Su was the chief writer, showrunner and director for the series and such wrote much of the material)
Overall, while the book is fun and has a couple of great moments, it doesn’t spark fully into life and frankly in places it must be really confusing for anyone who hasn’t seen the webseries. Also some of the puns don’t work if you haven’t read Pride and Prejudice.
I missed Ashley Clements – her performance as Lizzie in the show was extraordinary – and something is lacking without her to bring it to life. I guess that means I’ll have to buy the audiobook to see if her narration can take the story to another level.
As a fan I’m glad I don’t feel let down by the book and I look forward to the discussion on twitter and tumblr about some of the revelations the book delivers. If I’m being honest I suspect this is a real fans-only affair.
Rating: B+
The latest Toby Daye book’s blurb promises to change her world forever. We do get some meaty revelations but nothing as shocking as the first reveal about Toby’s mother earlier in the series (at least for my money).
