Can a retelling of ‘Pride and Prejudice' possibly work? Well, this novel proves it can. The Austen Project consists of six contemporary authors, each retelling one of Jane Austen’s novels. Just imagine being paired with Pride and Prejudice, where on earth would you even begin? Well…Curtis Sittenfeld, bestselling author of American Wife, has moved the setting to Cincinnati, has included a reality TV show, sex before marriage and increased the ages of both Elizabeth and Jane to 38 and 40 - gulp!
Curtis Sittenfeld has been particularly clever, keeping the essence of the story complete, yet cranking it up to be an eminently readable 21st century relationship story. Mr and Mrs Bennet are an absolute delight (and fright), transferring perfectly and making me both chuckle and cringe, I also have to admit to now seeing Jane Austen’s Elizabeth with new eyes.
So, I embraced the changes as I read, stopped analysing and just enjoyed this thoroughly modern tale.
The titles in the Austen Project series are:
Sense & Sensibility by Joanna Trollope
Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid
Emma by Alexander McCall Smith
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

'Sheer joy...Giddy and glam and a hearty update of Pride and Prejudice' Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist From the bestselling author of Prep, American Wife and Sisterland comes this brilliant retelling of Austen's classic set in modern day Cincinnati. The Bennet sisters have been summoned from New York City. Liz and Jane are good daughters.
| Primary Genre | Romance / Relationship Stories |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
'Sheer joy...Giddy and glam and a hearty update of Pride and Prejudice' Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist From the bestselling author of Prep, American Wife and Sisterland comes this brilliant retelling of Austen's classic set in modern day Cincinnati. The Bennet sisters have been summoned from New York City.
Eligible features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Books with reviews by our Reader Review Panel, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, eBooks of the Month, Romance / Relationship Stories, Fiction, Recommendations, General Fiction
Paperback, , Hardback, Ebook. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
Eligible was written by Curtis Sittenfeld and published by The Borough Press an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Eligible has 514 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.