The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet

A Novel

By: Bernie Su, Kate Rorick

Narrated by: Ashley Clements

Based on the Emmy Award–winning YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

Twenty‑four‑year‑old grad student Lizzie Bennet is saddled with student loan debt and still living at home along with her two sisters—beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. When she records 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, turning the Bennet sisters into internet celebrities seemingly overnight.

When rich and 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. Lizzie’s private musings are filled with revealing details about the Bennet household, including her growing suspicions about her parents’ unstable financial situation, her sister’s budding relationship with Bing Lee, 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.

A truly intelligent modern Elizabeth Bennet

This is a version of Pride and Prejudice that I love. Of the modern interpretations I have seen or read, I find this one to be truest to Jane Austen. This Elizabeth Bennet is bright, funny and a feminist. It is narrated by the actress who played Lizzie in the original series, which won an Emmy Award! She sounds intelligent, and at appropriate times, very funny. I can't enjoy an audiobook if I don't love the voice of the narrator, and I love Ashley Clements' voice. I hope she narrates more books.

It is a truth universally acknowledged...

Read from July 01 to 06, 2014

Loved this novelization of the webseries ("The Lizzie Bennet Diaries") as much as I hoped and then some! I love getting the "behind the scenes" scenes---Lizzie with her parents, more of Dizzie and Jing, and more of Lizzie's thoughts, reactions, and insights on everything that happened, but, most especially, her relationship with Lydia.

And, of course, it was wonderful to hear it all in the voice of Ashley Clements, Lizzie Bennet herself. She did a pretty good job of imitating all of her costars from the series in the major roles. And, of course, her reprisal of the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

It was also fascinating to get more information about Lizzie's "independent study" projects that she mentions from time to time in the webseries and to "see" more of Dr. Gardiner (and to read/listen between the lines to know that Dr. G was probably also playing matchmaker right along with Gigi).

Excellent, excellent way to round out this modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice. Now I want to rewatch the series!

IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE WEBSERIES--do that first! You'll enjoy the book even more afterward.

Except for the Darcy voice ....

This is by far the best modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice I've read and worthy of a listen. I thought the reader/narrator/performer did an outstanding job bringing personalities alive through her vocal inflections and voices with one really disappointing exception. I thought the Darcy voice was overly "computer sounding" and even the modernization of the character didn't paint him as a geek - just an introverted workaholic. But the rest was terrific and well worth the listen.

Lovely, as expected

Just as good as the videos! Definitely something to read along with the videos! Give way more background than the videos can provide, but also just enough that both contents don't over do each other.

Really loved it

Downloaded it for nostalgia! Used to love the YouTube channel and this book did not disappoint! I do wish we could have a sequel showing how happy they are!