The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: June 24th 2014
Publisher: Touchstone
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary, Retelling, Pride and Prejudice, Classics, Family Drama, Sisterhood, Love, Humor
BLURB:
Based on the Emmy Awardwinning YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
Twenty-four-year-old grad student Lizzie Bennet is saddled by student loan debt and still living at home along her two sisters – beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. When she starts recording her reflections on life for her thesis project and posts them on YouTube, she has no idea The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will soon take on a life of their own, becoming an online sensation and turning the Bennet sisters into internet celebrities, seemingly overnight.
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. But not everything happens on-screen. Lucky for us, Lizzie has a secret diary.
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet takes readers deep inside Lizzie’s world and well beyond the confines of her camera — from the wedding where she first meets William Darcy to the local hangout of Carter’s bar, and much more. Providing revealing details about the Bennet household, including Lizzie’s growing suspicions about her parents’ unstable financial situation and her sister’s budding relationship with Bing Lee; her anxieties about life after grad school, the perils of her unexpected fame; and her uncertainty over her future… and whom she wants to share it with.
Featuring plenty of fresh twists to delight fans and new readers alike, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet expands on the web series phenomenon that captivated a generation and reimagines the Pride and Prejudice story like never before.
REVIEW:
Frankly, I’m pretty convinced that every single fan of the sweeping classic Pride and Prejudice should watch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries videos, then read this companion novel… and vice versa, as you prefer it.
Pride and Prejudice is, as I very likely may have mentioned it before, my most loved classic, and my not having had the chance to peruse them all means absolutely nothing. This contemporary retelling did it justice on every aspect. Even the writing is formidable.
The relationships between characters are the gist of the story, basically. You know that, if you’ve read the classic. It’s not about the mystery (what mystery?), the secrecy, the romance, or the setting. It’s about the sisterhood and interactions between sisters, it’s about the momma bear who wants the best for her children, it’s about seeing with hazy eyes, and than, admitting we were wrong from the start, trusting blindly and learning from our mistakes.
It’s… so beautiful. So raw. So relatable. Don’t tell me you’ve never, ever misjudged someone. That can’t be possible. Because we’re humans. I know I have. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet is the type of contemporary I could, and want, to always read. There’s family drama, a slight touch of honest and pure romance and humour to keep everything lightened up, making this a more than pleasurable read!
Can I just end this review by saying that the person who had the idea of retelling my favourite classic through videos and a diary novel is a genius? Also, thank you. I’ve enjoyed myself so, so much with both of these creations.
Also, this:
Get him 😉
Hit or Miss Books 
I love P&P so I definitely need to read and watch these! I keep thinking about it but have yet to squeeze them in. I’m so glad you loved this Lola!
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I’ve been wondering about the videos and this book. Thanks for the great review Lola! I’m going to check them out.
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I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice but I think I should. Or maybe just check these out
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The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet is my favourite Youtube show! I need to hurry up and read the book!
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Pride and Prejudice is my favorite classic too. I just never get sick of that one. And i agree, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and the accompanying book are so much fun. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I think it was Hank Green’s idea to make videos about Lizzie Bennet. Hank Green and his wife Katherine.
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I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t get into classics! I don’t know if it’s the tone of the novels, but whenever I go to read one, I immediately put it down. I’ve tried to read Pride and Prejudice a dozen times and I end up stopping right at the same mark. (when they’re home after the ball talking about the Darcy guy lol). With that said, I’m adding this to my TBR and picking it up ASAP! Since I can’t for the life of me get into P&P, I’ll read this book, then watch the web series on youtube! Thank you for sharing this Lola, I would have never known about it 🙂
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I’m following the YT channel… although I’m still stuck on the early episodes. The show is very entertaining!
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Love, love this YouTube series. Some days, I still re-watch them. I do have the book, but I’ll have to see when i can squeeze it in. lol.
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ok, so I know I’ll have to read Pride and Prejudice first other wise I feel like I won’t appreciate a retelling as much (fear not, it’s on my to read list!) but this book sounds so adorable and lovely, and THERE’S A YOUTUBE SERIES? *runs to go subscribe to said channel*
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Pride and Prejudice is quite literally the only Austen novel I tolerate and like. I’m more of a Charlotte Bronte girl, really *shrugs* I haven’t heard of the Youtube series, but I’m going to remedy that soon! I love the cover, too! I’ve always wanted to see Lizzie’s POV of her relationship with Jane and her father, especially. She was his obvious favorite, yo. Great job, Lola 😀
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I’m so sad because I stopped watching the series in the middle, so I have absolutely NO CLUE where I am. But man I am very glad you enjoyed this! I’m also really glad to hear that this isn’t just the video series in book form!
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