Rating: 
Summary: Enough already
Review: The knock-off Pride and Prejudice retelling was done well enough in Bridget Jones's Diary. Let's leave well enough alone, shall we? I don't know why Melissa Nathan decided that Jane Austen needed her help because this story's been done. It's utterly predictable and not that compelling. If you're looking for a silly book on a rainy day, this is an easy read. But it offers nothing new to either Austen's work or the first modern retelling a la Helen Fielding.
Rating: 
Summary: A Definite Keeper
Review: Somehow I missed reading P&P during my years at a girls' school; no matter, I read it after loving this book. I have very few "keepers", but this is one. A great read I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: A witty parody worthy of the original.
Review: As a retired teacher who has taught PRIDE AND PREJUDICE several times and who considers it one of the greatest of all novels, I found this modern tale to be a delightfully clever reworking of the familiar plot. The device of placing the characters in the cast of a theatrical adaptation of Austen's novel works very well. Of course, those familiar with the original will know in general what is coming, but Ms. Nathan is quite skillful in creating a fine balance; the correlation of incidents is clear, but the transfer to modern situations gives them a new twist which is both believable and unexpected. There is plenty of originality in the plot to keep it from being just a copy. The dialogue is witty and fresh. The characters are well drawn, especially Jasmin/Lizzy, Harry/Darcy, and George/Jane. The development of the relationship between Jazz and Harry, while predictably following Austen's model, is well-motivated and consistent with the personalities and backgrounds of the two main characters. Those who are familiar with PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will certainly get more from Nathan's novel, but there is no reason why it should not be very enjoyable to those who know nothing of the original plot. My main problem while I was reading the novel was the temptation to look ahead and skim later passages to see how the author was going to handle certain key situations that I knew were coming. I hope that readers of this work will be led to read (or reread) Austen.
Rating: 
Summary: Jasmin Field is Excellent
Review: I have to admit, I only read PP and Jasmin Field because it was an update of P&P, my favorite book. It does follow the P&P plot ot a point where you wonder why the characters aren't picking up on it. *But* I think that's because they are so caught up in their problems/feelings that they aren't seeing the big picture. I think this book is wonderful! It was a delight to read, and the characters are well-written. (I love the idea of Lizzy as a sarcastic columnist) Melissa Nathan does an excellent job of holding to the P&P story line. (I liked it much better than Bridget Jones as a P&P update - BJD is great in it's own right) Harry Noble - the Mr. Darcy of PP and JF - is adorable just like Darcy in P&P. I kept picturing Colin Firth as Harry (because everyone knows Colin Firth *is* Mr. Darcy) I really enjoyed this book. Please don't let your prejudice that 'only Jane can write Jane' keep you from this book - it may not be Jane, but it's well worth the read ;)
Rating: 
Summary: only for passionate jane austen fans
Review: Well, I don't really like to give books reviews that don't have at least 4 stars, you know that old saying from our moms, if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all. But, I felt compelled.
I read the whole book only for one reason, and that was the "device" the author used to tell her story. I am a passionate fan of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, so the parallels with that book kept me reading this book. However, if you are not a fan, I can't think of any reason to read this book. I never felt conncected with anyone, and can't say I even liked anyone very much. I had a few chuckles over her character comparisons with the origionals of Ms. Austen's, but otherwise, not much there.
Rating:
Summary: Cute, quick, enjoyable...
Review: Having never read Pride and Prejudice, I was at a slight disadvantage when reading Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field. However, that did not limit my ability to enjoy it. It did spark my desire to read the original Pride and Prejudice. Melissa Nathan's tale is well-written, and enjoyable, albeit a bit predictable. The most enjoyable aspect of this quick read are the characters. While they are a bit predictable, the strength of Jasmin Field is reassuring. Her quick wit, and sharp tongue make for some very interesting scenes. The book's characters apparently parallel those of Pride and Prejudice, and this is evident in the presentation of the play in the book. While it's not a very original piece, it was and enjoyable, quick, light read. I will definitely be purchasing Pride and Prejudice now!
Rating:
Summary: Cute and quick read.
Review: Jasmin Field is woman who is out of place at times in this world and decides to change some things in her life. Jasmin or Jazz as everyone calls her works for a trashy tabliod paper and lives with her flatmate Mo, and spends more time with her sister George. Then she trys out for a play about PRide and Predjudice. Luck would have it she gets cast in the lead part. From there her life changes a lot. She meet the great Harry Noble the director of the play. Gilbert a man she uses to work with and now can't stand. Her friends seem to play a large role in this story and have a bit more know about them then you get to know about Jasmin. Overall the ending of this book was good. sort of predictable.
Rating:
Summary: Cute and forgettable
Review: I adore the real Pride and Prejudice, and it's primary imitation, Bridget Jones. This book was good in its own right. However, when the author attempts to copy things straight out of Jane Austen, it gets annoying. There are whole sentences copied from P+P!! Also, there are some bad tries at making the plot too similar to P+P...like when "darcy" intervenes on behalf of his best friend, who happens to play Bingley, and convinces him not to go out with "Eliza's" sister, "Jane" anymore. Hello! Make your own story up!! If you can't originate, don't imitate. At least the writing in its own right didn't stink. Despite all this, it was okay for a quick relaxing read in the bathtub.
Rating:
Summary: Like an illiterate, Sweet Valley High-ish take on Austen
Review: Rarely does fluff offend. Melissa Nathan might pride herself on being an exception. Don't get me wrong, I was looking forward to what was pitched as a "lighthearted romp" and losing myself in a Bridget Jones knockoff--I loved Bridget Jones Diary, its sequel, Clueless and the original Austen. But certainly I'm not meant to turn my brain off entirely while reading... or am I? Should I have ignored the fact that there was nothing original, inspired, or well-written in this retelling of a familiar tale? Come on, reappropriation is not a synonym for pilfering. Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field rekindles the teenage romance genre in the thin disguise of being an intelligent, witty satire. Predictable, insulting tripe that heavily borrows (read: steals) from Austen, it follows the obtuse Jasmin Field and her inane, one-dimensional friends around as they participate in the stage play of Pride and Prejudice. Let the drollery and hijinks begin! (Shall I feign surprise at its plot twists?) Perhaps more annoying than the author's lazy plot is the actual writing style. Like other reviewers have commented, it is cutesy and puerile, features stilted dialogue, and reeks of something one might pen if they were 13 (example, it is not enough that Jasmin is referred to by her given name. No, she must known by all as "Jazz." Likewise, all other characters are given cutesy-pooh nicknames) That said, if the nuances of the characters had been done more intelligently, perhaps I would be more forgiving. Instead, Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field has not only been heaved into a dusty corner, but has made me impassioned enough to actually write a review to publicly rid myself of its mind-numbing foulness.
Rating:
Summary: Bridget Jones meets Jane Austen
Review: When New Brit chick lit collides with classical English literature, you must find this book after the dust settles. Jazz is the new Lizzie Bennett, and Harry Noble is perfect as Mr. Darcy. Mellissa Nathan brings to light not just the most obvious, but also the subtle characteristics of Austen's characters. Jazz and her sister and best friend audition for a new production of P&P, directed by the great Harry Noble, actor extrodinaire. An initial overheard conversation sets Jazz's opinion of him firmly. Her sisters, George and Josie, the handsome and charming Wills, Harry's best friend Jack, Jazz's best friend Mo, and a oily former colleague complete the books cast of characters, and correspond perfectly with P&P charaters. I don't think that Nathan either watered down or fudged the original story. Jazz and Harry are as strong as Lizzie and Darcy, only the setting changed. Even the sense of humor was as subtle and clever as Austen's own. Definately a must-buy.
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