Rating: 
Summary: Unoriginal but Mildly Amusing Read
Review: This was not a great book. The only reason I'm rating it three stars is that it was light and fluffy enough to keep me entertained on a rainy Sunday -- otherwise I would say its a 1.5 to 2 stars, tops.My main problem with Nathan's book is that it lacks any originality. Its one thing to update a classic like Pride and Prejudice -- but Helen Fielding just updated this story in her wickedly funny Bridget Jones Diary. And Fielding did a much better job, creating modern new characters within the classic story arc. Nathan doesn't bother to do this -- EVERY character in her book acts exactly as the original characters in P & P did -- and her whole book comes off as an underdone retread. Noble and Field (Nathan's Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett) even talk much as the original characters from Austen's P & P did -- making the dialogue stiff and anachronistic. By far the worst part of the book is the implausible contrivance that puts the herione, Jasmin, playing the lead of a major London play. Nathan tries to explain this by saying that "ordinary" people are acting, and actors would make up the audience . . . but almost everyone other than Jasmin is an actor. And why would anyone want to see a play of non-actors anyway? It makes no sense. Even more disturbing, not only is Nathan ripping off Fielding's idea (to update P & P), she tends to use BJD lingo -- "f**kwit," "stick insect." This only adds to the flat, unoriginal tone of the book. Like I said, this is a fairly mindless, mildly entertaining read, but there are better, similar books out there. Try BJD or the original P & P before you waste your time . . . or money . . . on this book. The original P & P is by far a more entertaining, exciting read, which original, life-like characters.
Rating: 
Summary: pleasant update of the classic
Review: Because Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of my very favorite books, I was both excited and skeptical about Melissa Nathan's debut novel -- wanting it to be good, but not wanting to set my expectations too high. I was pleased to find the style and the contemporary retelling worked well. The author has a quiet humor that works nicely, and the characters were interesting. The Darcy-update, actor Harry Noble, is a likeable and compelling lead; the female protagonist, Jasmin 'Jazz' Field is also nicely written. The book is not flawless. While Austen was always consistent in her POV -- we consistently saw and heard and thought the same things Elizabeth Bennett saw and heard and thought -- the text here is sometimes jarring in its change of perspective, even between paragraphs. The occasional cussing is also disconcerting. There are some clumsy, and unnecessary, contrivances to make the story mirror Austen's exactly. Despite those problems, I enjoyed the book very much and was excited when the protagonists finally 'found' each other, just as I am each time I re-read the original. Nathan is a gifted writer, and I will definitely read her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice!
Review: Having been repeatedly disappointed by P&P "sequels" or other such attempts to copy Austen's genius, I was remarkably surprised by the delightful parallel plots, the quirky jokes, and downright loveable characters! Mo makes a delightful Charlotte while George is certainly a good modern spin on Jane. I would definitely shop for yet more books by Melissa Nathan and I'm generally a hard sell. 100% recommendation for fans of a quality romantic comedy!
Rating:
Summary: We are all saying the same thing as reviewers for this one!
Review: I don't know why I'm reviewing, after reading the others. We are all saying the same things, feeling the same things. This is a good read---its a complete, modern copy of the classic Pride and Prejudice. Its almost disappointing for the lack of originality. But it is humorous and well written. I was saddened that she thanked so many people but forgot to thank the women who put her on the market: Jane Austen herself. The story is about Mr Darcy and Lizzy Bennett enacted in a theatrical play for breast cancer that plays one night only. But the characters are played by modern versions of themselves---got it? Lizzy doesn't have quite so many sisters this go around and as you can tell, shes a journalist. I must say this story was all very cleverly thought out for all that it is "used" material. What would the writer write next? A "Wuthering Heights" rewrite? Or something entirely original?
But all in all--I was put off by all the reviews here of all the P&P sequels. But I just kept coming across this one. It didn't look bad and I was desperate for a read the other night! And, thank goodness, it wasn't bad at all. Disappointing in its unoriginality, yet refreshing British humor and insight into my fave book and characters. Neat storyline. Interesting how the family can be scandalised in this century...Better written than Brigit Jones, in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: AN INNOVATIVE, ENTERTAINING READ - WITH A MAJOR CAVEAT...
Review: How could I not read this modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice? The allure of spending more time with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was simply too great to pass up, and, in many ways, Melissa Nathan did not fail me. Her writing is crisp and fast-paced. Her settings are inspired - the ofttimes clashing worlds of theater and journalism cleverly defining the personalities of the main characters: Her Darcy character is a celebrated, aloof actor and her Elizabeth is a journalist, a cynical observer of life and society. Her characters are likeable, and what happens to them teases me along to the final denouement.
But to be totally candid here, I must offer some constructive criticism. I believe Ms. Nathan fell into her own trap. She told the story of Pride and Prejudice too well to the point of practically retelling the original book. It became apparent to me when Harry Noble (Mr. Darcy) first proposes to Jasmin Field (Lizzy,) and Ms. Nathan allows them to act and react exactly as their characters do in the theater production - and they don't consciously recognize this!?? Perhaps there was one reference to this fact, but it was quickly brushed aside and ignored. And this borrowing from the original happens again and again throughout the last half of the book; tidy little coincidences that anyone who knows P & P well - as these two characters surely do - would scoff at and realize they weren't being honest. And in a way, neither was Ms. Nathan; she was not adapting from Jane Austen but purloining, and, thereby, shorting us an otherwise delicious read. Afterall, if I want to read P & P, I shall pick up the real thing. For Pride and Prejudice and Jasmin Field, I had hopes for better.
I do recommend this book. The girl has talent. And I do hope that Melissa Nathan writes another one. I sense that she can be truly original when she puts her mind to it!
Rating:
Summary: I've you've never read the real Pride and Prejudice...
Review: ...then Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field will delight! I admit I have never read the original classic by Jane Austen (no wet noodles, please), so all the events written in PPJF were a complete surprise. Reading the reviews before me, it seems there were many who were looking for a good knock-off. Since I've never read the former, I have no idea how well the parallel is drawn; my review will only observe PPJF by itself. It all starts with a play: an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice performed by a bunch of non-actors for a celebrity audience in order to earn money for breast cancer research. Jasmin (or Jazz if you're her friend), sister George and best pal, Mo, are all auditioning in front of the criticizing and directing eye of Academy Award winner, Harry Noble. Things get started on a rocky path, and as soon as rehearsals begin, Jazz can't imagine seeing the pretentious and callous Harry Noble any more than she has to. There are many side stories in this novel involving many of the characters: the ins and out of co-star love, love with your enemy, tabloid scandals, the search for the truth behind an unpleasant personality, the reality of an ideal marriage, and self-realization. The novel weaves well together and is very readable and fun. The ending was a little too rushed and tidy for my taste, but I still had a great time reading this book. As mentioned before, I've never read the original Pride and Prejudice, so I don't know how Nathan's contemporary version compares. As a stand-alone novel, I was very pleased with what I read and glad that I didn't recognize the characters from a previously told story. Lighthearted, simple, and great weekend entertainment, Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field is a exciting teaser of more things to come from Melissa Nathan.
Rating:
Summary: Of course it's not Jane, but you should know that.
Review: I love Jane Austen, but I'm not the type of fan that automatically looks upon the authors of the sequels and adaptations as automatically evil. This book makes no pretense about trying to be anything other than what it is, which isn't deep earth shattering literature. But it's good. If you like Pride and Prejudice, and the BBC miniseries, and you look on this type of adaptation thing as a testament to the universiality of the book, rather than with immediate disdain, then go for it. I thought it was very well updated for the times, and I could very easily see Jazz being exactly a modern day Lizzie. I read it rather quickly, and though he's not Darcy, I found the Harry Noble character very appealing. So if you're a Austen fan with an open mind, I would definitely say go for it.
Rating:
Summary: well done
Review: I really enjoyed this book, read it all in one sitting. It's a modern chick-lit-ish version of Pride and Prejudice. I was impressed by how the author interpreted the elements of P&P in the modern day world. Another reader blasted Jasmin Field because she's not as virtuous, witty or intelligent as Elizabeth Bennett. Well, neither is Bridget Jones. Besides, this is a modern-day interpration, you know? Sure, Jasmin Field is not as witty or articulate as Elizabeth Bennet, but then, who is? Her salient feature is that she doesn't fall for Harry Noble for his fame, good looks, acting ability, or charm - she finally likes him for his integrity and generosity and great character. It's the same with Bridget Jones and Mr. Darcy. Both Jasmin and Bridget fall in love with the hero's character, and their ability to see past the outer material trappings of the heroes is what makes them special. I think the same goes with Elizabeth Bennett. It's not Elizabeth's wit that endears her to the reader, it's her heart of gold, and that's what the heroine in this book has. The style of writing is very clear and easy to read (no pretentious to Austen's style), and the plot was very cleverly done. Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Great for fans of Pride and Prejudice!
Review: Having been repeatedly disappointed by P&P "sequels" or other such attempts to copy Austen's genius, I was remarkably surprised by the delightful parallel plots, the quirky jokes, and downright loveable characters! Mo makes a delightful Charlotte while George is certainly a good modern spin on Jane. I would definitely shop for yet more books by Melissa Nathan and I'm generally a hard sell. 100% recommendation for fans of a quality romantic comedy!
Rating:
Summary: What a fun book!
Review: When I found this book, I had heard of some of my reading buddies read it before and they seemed to have enjoyed it! And this book is just darling! It's fun and funny and just great! I could have kept reading it again and again! Jasmin Fields, a writer, meets her sister George and her flatmate, Mo, at an audition that Harry Noble is happening to produce in. Somehow, she auditions and get the part of Lizzy. However, she had heard Harry Noble call her the "ulgy sister" so it inflamed her and ignited her to do her audition perfectly and thus, there's the book. The more she worked with Harry Noble, the more she finds him infuriating. And this is just a tip of the iceberg. Her life ends up being full ~~ Mo falls in love with another journalist, George falls in love and out. Their youngest sister struggles with a "perfect marriage" that Jasmin has based her columns on. And so forth. Sometimes, there is hilarity in the stories and struggles ~~ and sometimes there is profound thought to be found ~~ it is just an entertaining story and one that makes you wish for a sequel. It's a great winter read ~~ fun and fast and easy to read ~~ yet it still keeps you thinking after the last page is turned. 12-23-03
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