Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix

De: Gabe Cole Novoa

Narrado por: Harrison Knights

In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This bittersweet Pride & Prejudice remix follows a trans boy yearning for the freedom to live openly, centering queerness in a well-known story of longing and subverting society’s patriarchal and cisheteronormative expectations.

London, 1812. Oliver Bennet feels trapped. Not just by the endless corsets, petticoats and skirts he's forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society's expectations. The world—and the vast majority of his family and friends—think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone's wife.

But Oliver can't bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family's home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It's during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to "Elizabeth" at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart. And not to mention incredibly attractive.

As Oliver is able to spend more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares begin to hope that his dream of love and life as a man could be possible. But suitors are growing bolder—and even threatening—and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: Settle for safety, security, and a life of pretending to be something he's not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love, and a life that can be truly, honestly his own.

The Remixed Classics Series
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore
My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.

Lovely!!

What a charming read! As a trans man myself, whose favorite book happens to be Pride and Prejudice I am utterly charmed by this retelling. It’s well done, well crafted and an all around pleasure to read! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

Perfect remix of a perfect classic

absolutely in love not only with the story, but with the narrator as well. if you love the swoony nature of the original P&P you will adore this. The majority plot centers around Oliver's battle between being true to himself and the social pressures placed on him based on how others viewed him. Darcy and his romance is sweet and beautiful, and pairs very well with the main plot. overall I adored this and it is now my new favorite version of P&P.

blown away

I'm so upset that I didn't read this book sooner. it was fantastic. so emotional and wonderfully written

Very accurate portrayl of the transmasc experience

I cried a few times because of how relatable Oliver is. I can only hope my story ends as well as his.

Sweet

A very sweet story that deals heavily with dysmorphia, and gender biases. You need to suspend disbelief in several places in order to fully enjoy the fantasy of the tale. To be totally honest, I've never read (or watched) Pride & Prejudice so I wasn't impacted by changes made to the story. I'm in full support of having more trans love stories like this in the world.

Brought me to tears

The writing in this story truly expressed the emotions that a trans man goes through while having to parade as someone he is not. I cried multiple times while listening to the love that was shown to our dear Oliver and felt the euphoria of acceptance through his eyes. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book and look forward to more works from this author. The characters are lovable, real, and filled with a life that can only be written by someone with real passion for their work. I knew I would adore this book from the moment I saw it and yet, I was surprised by just how much it affected me. My little trans soul was healed a little more by every word.

Podia ter sido mais Criativo

Repensar um clássico não é nada fácil, mas dava pra trazer mais criatividade ao invés de repetir cenas de orgulho e preconceito

Emotional View of trans-masculinity

I enjoyed this remix very much so overall. The struggles faced by Oliver and the quiet, meaningful victories he made on his path to truth were inspiring and heartfelt. I felt the ending wrapped up a bit quickly, and as the author noted in the epilogue (spoilers) I’m not sure a person in Oliver’s position could have pushed for such an inheritance realistically, but for the purposes of this telling it was the resolution my heart wished for truthfully. I would highly recommend this book.

Kudos to our narrator as well for a connected, genuine-sounding performance of this interesting cast of characters. Lovely range displayed across genders, ages, and classes.

Represented trans person so well

Love the representation and clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Gave modern twist to those lenses.

amazing book

beautiful story with amazing queer and trans representation!! The historical context was so interesting and very cool to read about as well