Pride, Prejudice and Jasmine Field by Melissa Nathan: A 21st Century Look at Jane Austen's Classic

Are you looking for a great book to read during spring break? Like you, I have read many of Jane Austen's original novels as well as the updated versions. However, Melissa Nathan's Pride, Prejudice and Jasmine Field is among my favorite of them all. If you are looking for a light, fast, funny book to take with you on your travels this spring break. It is originally clever version of Jane Austen's beloved story. Die-hard fans will love this version. Jasmine Field is a 21st Century independent woman who works as a reporter for a woman's magazine called Hoorah! Jasmine (Jazz) is a great woman who doesn't take life too seriously. She is not man crazy like her friends her only love right now is being a reporter for her magazine.

Jasmine decides on a whim to try out for a charity production of Pride and Prejudice at the Gothic church in London. It is to be directed by Academy Award winning actor Harry Noble. Jasmine is left with a bad impression of the great Mr. Noble when he inadvertently causes her to be late for a meeting with her sister and roommate Mo right before the audition. This happens when he is let off the train first so that he can leave the station without being harassed by his many fans.

Jazz overhears Noble in his office, laughing at her looks to his friends. She auditions then leaves and is later shocked to learn she has landed the lead role in the play of Elizabeth Bennet. Noble drives Jazz hard during rehearsal and is always watching her. She talks disparagingly about Noble to anyone who dislikes him as much as she does. All the while never suspecting her life is beginning to imitate the play.

I was very pleased how Jane Austen's style and voice came through in Melissa Nathan's version. She has a quiet sense of humor, which works well in the retelling of this famous story. Melissa Nathan respectfully follows Jane Austen's plot of Pride and Prejudice. All the characters are present and accounted for except for one difference. The difference being she twists some facts to accommodate the 21st Century audience.