Member Reviews

What a delightful read

I read P&P many times, even the comic verson from Marvel and I feel that this verson is great for chldrens.Maybe the Jane's plot happens to fast but that's all.
The illustrations are great too.

Was this review helpful?

I must say that Sweet Cherry Publishing has done a fantastic job abridging, summarizing and simplifying Jane Austen's version of Pride and Prejudice for children. I loved the idea behind this book. Getting children acquainted with classic authors of all different eras to create appreciation of literature of classics without scaring them of heavy prose and linguistics is wonderful. This was a lovely rendition of one of Jane Austen's most beloved Classics and I cannot see any child not falling in love with literature after reading it. Wonderfully simplified with adorable illustrations it's an excellent start into the excellent world of classics.

I would like to thank Gemma Barder (Jane Austen), Sweet Cherry Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a beautifully child friendly, condensed version of Pride and Prejudice for children to read and will definitely make many young readers fall in love with Jane Austen.
The drawings in the book were simple but charming and the chapters are short and well scripted.
I really look forward to reading more of these books in the future.

Was this review helpful?

I love reading various editions of classic books. This edition of Pride and Prejudice by Sweet Cherry Publishing was enjoyable and a great introduction into classic literature and Jane Austen.

I found this edition was very clear on naming characters and describing them for a young reader. On top of that the book is full of illustrations, of both characters and scenes. The pictures are important as this edition describes more personalities, actions, and writing. This allows the illustrations to fill in the descriptions. I love the colourful and fun cover art as well.

I have read Pride and Prejudice several times, so I did try to read this as if I knew nothing and was experiencing it for the first time. I did come across a few critiques I would recommend. One issue I did find throughout the book was sometimes I felt important characters were mentioned once and not again. So sometimes when they are mentioned I feel a little bit more on that character would be nice or to add them into another scene or two where you can. I also found transitions lacked at times. For instance, Mr. Bennett is out looking for Lydia and then all of a sudden, he is at his home receiving letters about the situation. Also, mentioning how much time has passed between some chapters would be super helpful. I find a little more detail throughout the book would not be bad for a young reader and would make it clearer for them.

I think this is a great introduction to Austen for a young reader, and I believe it would get them excited to read the whole book when they are older. I feel there are some things that need to be changed to make it clearer for a reader who is new to the story. Now, if that young reader is reading it with a parent who knows the story and can answer questions, if the kid asks, I think it is fine.

I received an electronic Advanced Reader Copy from Sweet Cherry Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a great abridged version of the beloved Pride and Prejudice. It included the important plot points. I would like to see a bit more character development that Austen does, but realize this is a shorter version of the love story.

Was this review helpful?

I think this book is really fresh and cute and a nice early intro to a classic many may forget about without such things as this book. The pictures throughout are really nicely done. They’re current and also timeless (trust me here guys) and they don’t distract from the words of the story, but really do ACCOMPANY and ADD TO the story, which I live with younger readers like these. I think this is a great transition to bigger chapter books that isn’t too “dumbed down” or too “babyish” compared to the next level readers they might just not be ready for yet. I’m a fan for sure!

Was this review helpful?

Sweet Cherry is a publishing company that issues many classics for elementary school aged children.  The books are well written and include the most important elements and a flavor of the original.  The stories are also illustrated which I think helps young readers to engage.


This time, it is Pride and Prejudice.  The story is well told, the characters and humor are there and the pages turn. I thnk that the book helps early readers appreciate Jane Austen.  Hopefully, in time, readers of this book will move on to the story in its entirety as written by the author. 


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This children's adaptation of Jane Austen's famous work, Pride and Prejudice, is a lovely introduction to one of Jane Austen's most memorable and iconic stories. This retelling of the famous story contains the familiar elements of the love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. There are even paraphrases of famous T-shirt worthy quotes from the original text. Remember 'a single man of good fortune must be in want of a wife?' - it's paraphrased on page one. As delightful as any rendition of one of Jane Austen's stories can be, the book needs the touch of a story editor and an illustration editor familiar with the time period of the story. For example, Jane would not have danced four dances with Mr. Bingley, especially at the first Assembly. More than two dances would have ruined her reputation as she was not engaged to him! The cute illustrations of the Bennet sisters did not show dresses from the appropriate time period. The fashions of the Regency period were distinctive and it would have only required a little research to raise the waistlines on the dresses in the line drawings and add a few accessories to mark the period. The marketing department might want to get involved because more detailed illustrations could generate sales of paper dolls associated with the series!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I volunteered to read this book, in exchange for an honest review through netgalley. This is a well known classic book. It is well written and the characters are described well. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. My favorite characters is Jane and Elizabeth Bennett. You guys should get this book.

Was this review helpful?

While I have read original and manga comics, this is one of the stories, I enjoy in whatever format. Artwork could have been better but as I said, I could use any excuse to read this again and again.

Was this review helpful?

Many thanks to Sweet Cherry Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a charming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that’s perfect for introducing young readers to classic literature. Though it is abridged, it features all the key characters and events and even some of Austen’s original wit and irony. And there are adorable illustrations throughout.

The text has been simplified in many places to help the intended audience understand the story, but there are a few lines that remain almost exactly the same. Highlights include: “Because a single man of good fortune must want a wife!” “I was thinking about a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman.” “My feelings cannot be denied. You must allow me to tell you how deeply I admire and love you.” and “My feelings and wishes are unchanged. However one word from you will silence me forever.” It was such a joy to see these lines included, and I can just imagine the excitement of a girl who read this in childhood coming upon those moments in the original text.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Barder didn’t skim over or simply cut out Lydia running away with Mr. Wickham. Sometimes abridged classics like this shy away from dealing with the more unpleasant aspects of the original books, and I’m glad that’s not the case here. Including it helps young readers get a full grasp of the story, and it allows for discussions between parents and children about why Wickham is a bad person and the differences between today’s society and the 19th century.

Overall the book is a delight. I can’t wait to buy it for bookish friends’ kids and to see the rest of the set!

Was this review helpful?

This is an absolutely fantastic version of pride and prejudice, the illustrations are exquisite and the text has been simplified to make it easy for anyone to understand the story!

Was this review helpful?

Lovely little book with such sweet illustrations.. Having read the original this took me though the memories and the moments of this iconic story. Leaving the deeper parts for recollection making an enjoyable reminiscent type adventure with my child as we read this.

Was this review helpful?

As the story goes, Mr. And Mrs. Bennett have 5 daughters and the goal of the wife is to get these daughters married to Rich Men! As it unfolds, various misunderstandings and mishaps happen making it interesting to see whether Mrs. Berret's wish is fulfilled.
I had tried reading Pride and Prejudice a couple of years back but couldn't move further a few pages. The reason might be that I don't really read a lot of classics and I ain't yet comfortable with them.
But this book has simplified the story so well. I loved it and completed in a single sitting. The way in which a Classic has been converted into a children's story is amazing. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I regret not reading the classic and will definitely pick up the original book soon!

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute middle grade book. The language was accessible and the drawings were the kind I know would appeal to some of my students.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Sweet Cherry Publishing for an advance reader copy of this book,

This is a cute retelling of a Pride and Prejudice for middle grade children, and a great summary for us adults 😃 if you want to introduce your kids to Jane Austen books, I would definitely recommend it

I loved the illustrations in this book as well .

Was this review helpful?

Barder's Pride & Prejudice adaptation retains the charm of the original, but with clear language that is easy to follow. This would be a great introduction to the story for children too young to follow the complex language of the original, and would leave them eager to read it when they are older, rather than putting them off the complete work.

I am not an Austen purist by any stretch, and think abridged versions of classics are a brilliant way to engage young audiences and introduce them to the classics. However, Darcy's first proposal is my favourite scene in English Literature, so the bar was set high for that chapter! Luckily, this edition does a brilliant job of retaining the humour and awkwardness of the original, echoing Darcy and Elizabeth's lines well.

This edition is accompanied by adorable illustrations which I would love to have in my non-abridged Sweet Cherry Publishing collection.

Was this review helpful?

This was a quick rendition of the original story. I was interested in reading this because I have not actually read the original. It was short, sweet, and to the point. I loved the illustrations!

Was this review helpful?

I love books that introduce children to the great classics.

My own introduction to the classics was through the Classics Illustrated Comic Books. My large collection included favorites The Count of Monte Cristo, Les Miserables, Lord Jim, Ivanhoe, and Jane Eyre. By the time I was eleven I was tackling the novels themselves. When our son was growing up I found abridged paperbacks of the classics which inspired him to read his favorites which included H. G. Wells and Jack London.

What could be better than Jane Austen for young readers!

Pride and Prejudice has been adapted as plays and for movies and television since at least 1890 according to Devoney Looser in The Making of Jane Austen. The bare bones of the plot sequence is so well known by nearly everyone.

This Easy Classics book includes all the expected scenes. But this retelling also catches Austen's irony.

Chapter 1 begins with, of course, Mrs. Bennet telling her husband about the rich man who has moved into the neighborhood a good news. Mr. Bennet is described as reading his newspaper and "growing tired of his wife's excitement." Proclaiming that their daughters may benefit because the single man "must want a wife" causes Mr. Bennett to exchange a smile with Lizzy.

Pride and Prejudice is part of the Jane Austen Children's Stories which includes Emma, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Love and Friendship. The UK edition includes a free audio book download. The series is suitable for children through Middle School.

What a wonderful resource!

The book is fully illustrated.

I was given a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

Was this review helpful?

I just loved this. It is the classic in my opinion anyway but it was adapted so well for younger, less mature, less competent readers. I will be purchasing man copies of this for the libraries in school and recommend it to my friends also. It was just a beautiful read and so thoughtfully adapted. Well done!!!

Was this review helpful?