Prawn and Prejudice

by Belinda Roberts

Genres: Jane Austen

First published March 10, 2009

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this book off the Goodreads giveaway and loooooved it! Jane Austen fans will really appreciate this book. I read it while away at the lake for a weekend and it was so great and at times LOL funny that I read it in one sitting. I recommend it to all who love a good chic lit, and especially Jane Austen fans.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book on the beach and it really made me laugh! It's great to put you in the holiday mood - Jane Austen fans will love it! It looks really pretty too! It is amazing how closely it originates to the original - each chapter is the same. So, if you don't win it, buy it! Trust me, you will love it!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was brilliant! A wonderful combination of Jane Austen's classic story set today in a picturesque seaside town in England, of her formal language with modern phrases and subjects - but the same young people, the same excitement and tension of young love, the same snobbishness and ambitious parents as there were in Jane Austens time. The same plot but today! Its witty and frothy and clever and I was laughing out loud. What would Jane have thought? - I think she would have loved it - especially the puns and saucy touches - she loved to shock! But that's English humour for you. And England too, all politeness and buttoned up restraint but underneath....! Well - do read it!

[Christine Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book, and I am still not sure why. Except that if a Jane Austen adaptation gets gifted to me, I feel obliged to read it. This one was bought by a friend in a charity shop which seemed to have an enormous pile of them ready for the Jane Austen Festival. I think thede might be many good reasons why there were so many copies of this book in a charity shop. It was certainly an interesting take on the classic, and I did finish reading the whole thing... which is saying something.
Darcy almost falling off the edge of the cliff during the classic scene at the end of P and P where they declare their love... and his letter to Elizabeth in the middle of the book being a message in a bottle which she gets soaking wet?!?
It was a book, that much is true.

[Cydnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a win on Goodreads [thanks!:] I was excited when I found out I had won this book, it looked like a fun adaptation. Unfortunately, it took me a while to get through it. It just never 'hooked' me. The premise was enjoyable- descendants of the original Bennet family in a English seaside resort town. My favorite character was Mr Bingley - he was quite daffy, but charming.
The main reasons that I had a difficult time with this book were:
1. The juxtaposition of original dialogue against modern.
["Why, I am all astonishment" vs. "Oh, she is the hottest tottie I
ever beheld".:]
2. Too many typos [every/ever, set too/set to, chocked/choked,
loose/lose, etc...:] Did anyone proof-read?
3. Inconsistency with names. [Mrs Forster and Colonel Foster. Caroline
Bingley is only referred to as such once, all other times she is
Cazza:]
4. There were a lot of references that I can only assume to be
commonplace terms to a Brit, but they were lost on me.

If you are looking for a mindless quick read, there was nothing too offensive ["Meanwhile, Mr Bennet returned from Newquay having thoroughly investigated the lapdancing clubs, his hair wild and unkempt, his eyes rolling with a crazed look and a curiously happy smile on his lips, but with no Lydia.":] then you might enjoy this. If you are in love with the original Pride & Prejudice, some of the plot changes may drive you crazy.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

due to a new born this book took me longer to read than normal. It would have normally been a day read, but kept getting interrupted. Overall I really enjoyed the premise, it was a fun quick read, and moments had me laughing out loud! For me there were times the book seemed to be undecided way it wanted to go, to stick to a strict retelling of the story, or a modernization. Much of the old time language was kept, and then suddenly there would be text language etc that would remind you it is set in modern time. The premise was believable, and the characters enjoyable. There were things that were a little hard to swallow, but as a fun summer read I would recommend it. Especially if you enjoy the basic story that every Pride and Prejudice movie ever covers, because this books nails them as well!

[SL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am mad on Austen and LOVED this book! I am sure Jane would be very happy to know her creations are alive and kicking on the English seaside! Yes, it is a mix of old and new, but that is what made me laugh out loud! Although the book is a funny read, it also captures the undercurrent of tension and desire thats flows so deep in the original.

Thank you Belinda - it has saved all my birthday present dilemmas! I have given it to all my uni friends and even the non-literary boys (who never pick up a book - let alone an Austen) find it "gripping" - what an achievement!!!!!! Many were seen giggling away on the banks of the river at Henley Regatta this year!

When's the next one???? Xxxxxxx

[Linzie Aucote · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny and modern day pride and prejudice set in Salcombe in Devon. it did make me giggle but if you've not read the original then this may be wasted on you.