caramelcopp left a rating...
I really loved the approach to transness in this novel. As a trans dude, the accuracy of dysphoria and the escalating nature of dysphoria when you’re misgendered after you’ve began to pass was incredible. I would say this is the single most accurate book I’ve read depicting my own trans masc experience (dreams about top surgery included). Besides that, the retelling of Pride and Prejudice was fun, Darcy was actually exactly what I would expect from a slightly younger version of himself and I loved how a lot of elements of the original were remixed. As far as retellings go it doesn’t hit all the same notes as the og (but I didn’t love the og so that’s okay). Regardless it’s a very feel good story representing both queer and trans joy in an atmosphere where we’ve been taught not to expect it. Of course the accuracy isn’t perfect, but in my opinion it’s worth sacrificing some realism in order to bring joy to a place it rarely is seen. There are enough heart breaking tragedies about the realities (and often horrors) of the queer and trans experience in unwelcoming places, and thankfully this is not one of those.
caramelcopp finished a book

Most Ardently
Gabe Cole Novoa
caramelcopp commented on a post
As a trans dude, I really appreciate how accurate this story is to the experiences of dysphoria and the way that dysphoria increases after a person is used to being gendered correctly and is suddenly misgendered. This might be the most accurate depiction of the trans masculine experience I've ever read (makes sense since the author is a trans dude himself). On another note, I really like how accurate the characters are! Especially Darcy feels very much like a slightly younger version of the original character. Of course it isn't perfectly or even that close to the original (and isn't historically accurate), but as my professor said, there's a place in this novel for trans and queer joy that is simply feel good and that doesn't need to be tainted by the historical realities. Lol I know I'm rambling a bit but I am really enjoying this novel.
Post from the Most Ardently forum
As a trans dude, I really appreciate how accurate this story is to the experiences of dysphoria and the way that dysphoria increases after a person is used to being gendered correctly and is suddenly misgendered. This might be the most accurate depiction of the trans masculine experience I've ever read (makes sense since the author is a trans dude himself). On another note, I really like how accurate the characters are! Especially Darcy feels very much like a slightly younger version of the original character. Of course it isn't perfectly or even that close to the original (and isn't historically accurate), but as my professor said, there's a place in this novel for trans and queer joy that is simply feel good and that doesn't need to be tainted by the historical realities. Lol I know I'm rambling a bit but I am really enjoying this novel.
caramelcopp commented on a post
It has become clear that the author apparently thought in P&P when they walked to Meryton (2 miles) they were walking to London (24ish miles). I love rewrites and adaptations, and I usually don't care about being loyal to source material, but paying attention to the setting basics really feels like the minimum in a story like this where the premise (Netherfield being let at last to Bingley, introducing himself and Darcy to the story) do rely on the period specific mechanics of gentry having country estates far from the city and homes in London for the season. How can Bingley disappear to London causing Jane to doubt their future when that's apparently a minute or two away?
caramelcopp is interested in reading...

The Wicked Bargain
Gabe Cole Novoa
caramelcopp is interested in reading...

Band Sinister
K.J. Charles
caramelcopp commented on caramelcopp's update
caramelcopp started reading...

Most Ardently
Gabe Cole Novoa
caramelcopp TBR'd a book

Dragonfall (Dragon Scales #1)
L.R. Lam
caramelcopp TBR'd a book

Nicked
M.T. Anderson
caramelcopp paused reading...

Lord of the Flies
William Golding
caramelcopp commented on a post
I fear I may be in the minority when I say that I actually like Victor’s character…
Post from the The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch forum
I keep forgetting that in narrating this, Lydia is at most 17. I swear I keep imagining her as like at least 29. More and more just hearing how her life has gone has made me rethink how silly she was in Pride and Prejudice. Of course she was loud and silly- she was 15!
caramelcopp made progress on...
Post from the The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch forum
I’m reading this for a class on Jane Austen as an extra adaptation to give a presentation on and I know I’m early in but the sheer closeness to the source material so far is impressive. Dialogue is taken from Pride and Prejudice and Lydia is NOT likable despite being the main character (or at least any more likable than she is in the original). Her older self is kind of a whiplash, she’s still silly but also has an air of authority and power that I could never associate with her. However that’s after the events of Pride and Prejudice so I can’t say that it’s really changing anything.