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Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix
- Remixed Classics, Book 9
- Narrated by: Harrison Knights
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
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Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"The minute I finished, I knew this book had already replaced the original Pride and Prejudice in my heart. Gabe Cole Novoa has infused this timeless love story with so much care for its transgender protagonist, so much reverence for its queer love story, that I’d happily hand him my whole stack of classics to remix. A beautifully crafted novel, and a gift to those of us still looking for a home in literature’s most celebrated tomes.”—Tehlor Kay Mejia, bestselling author of We Set the Dark on Fire
"This triumphant queer and trans retelling of Pride and Prejudice holds and cares for its readers, offering a gentle story during an especially difficult period in history for those outside the norm. The relationship between Darcy and Oliver is tender and rooted in mutual compassion. For every reader who fell in love with Pride and Prejudice but wished it was a little more queer."—Booklist
"There is much this book does well, including the historical details of clothing being used to highlight both Oliver’s discomfort when wearing women’s attire and his euphoric freedom when wearing men’s outfits. ... Queer people living full, happy lives have too often been erased from history, and this book is a fine attempt to paint them back into the picture."—The Bulletin
What listeners say about Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- SpoonieMomOfThree
- 26-05-24
A fantastic queer retelling of a classic
I’m always hesitant about dipping my toes into the proverbial waters of retelling of classics. Even more so when it’s a Jane Austen classic, as I have loved her stories since my early teens.
I was tempted into this audiobook on a friend’s recommendation, and it didn’t disappoint. I read a lot of queer fiction, and was wondering how the original P&P narrative would be reworked and, well, WORK. By changing the locations of some places, and with some wonderful storytelling, the author managed to make an endearingly sweet, surprisingly faithful, and resoundingly well fleshed out story.
I was also (unnecessarily, it turns out) worried that switching between true name/pronouns and dead name/pronouns would be confusing to the reader, but it worked so well. Every time Oliver was addressed as Elizabeth, it was jarring…as is the experience of trans people who are deadnamed and misgendered. It provided the true dissonance that Oliver describes feeling through the story, until he is able to present as his authentic self.
A highly enjoyable book, which will absolutely be placed in my re-reading book rotation.
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- Kim
- 25-01-24
Fantastic!
I love everything Pride and Prejudice, also anything with queer flavour. This ticks all of the boxes and it made me smile from start to finish, so beautifully written and I hope to see more from this author!
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- Anonymous User
- 03-11-24
Incredible
So incredible seeing trans representation being portrayed positively and accurately. The struggles made me feel seen but the difficult topics were approached with care and, at times, humour.
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- Anonymous User
- 16-03-24
Thank you.
I loved this story, the development of Oliver and Darcy's relationship felt just right. Everything felt just right. this wasn't a book I knew I needed but I definitely did.
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- Kindle Customer
- 17-01-24
a spectacular start for the year
an absolute delight for all of us queer historical romance fans. The only criticism I have is that I wish the book was longer. marvelously done! 5/5
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- Annie
- 25-06-24
Stellar story and narration
Absolutely loved this! Very well written and narrated. Bonus points for the happy ending. Definitely gonna recommend this one🥰
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- Holly Riley
- 04-04-24
Brilliant reading of the book and love the story
Love pride and prejudice, but this story plot is just awesome! Definitely looking for more classic remixes
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