A Fun Summer Read: Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway
 |
| Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits Jane Austen Takes the South, Book One by Mary Jane Hathaway Copyright 2013 Howard Books ISBN: 9781476777504 |
This hilarious Southern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice tells the story of two hard-headed Civil war historians who find that first impressions can be deceiving.
Shelby Roswell, a Civil War historian and professor, is on the fast track to tenure—that is, until her new book is roasted by the famous historian Ransom Fielding in a national review. With her career stalled by a man she’s never met, Shelby struggles to maintain her composure when she discovers that Fielding has taken a visiting professorship at her small Southern college.
Ransom Fielding is still struggling with his role in his wife’s accidental death six years ago and is hoping that a year at Shelby’s small college near his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, will be a respite from the pressures of Ivy League academia. He never bargained for falling in love with the one woman whose career—and pride—he injured, and who would do anything to make him leave.
When these two hot-headed southerners find themselves fighting over the centuries-old history of local battles and antebellum mansions, their small college is about to become a battlefield of Civil War proportions.
With familiar and relatable characters and wit to spare, Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits shows you that love can conquer all…especially when pride, prejudice, love, and cheese grits are involved! -
See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Pride-Prejudice-and-Cheese-Grits/Mary-Jane-Hathaway/9781476777504#sthash.Iv3BLzH6.dpuf
My Thoughts:
Pride and Prejudice is one of the most well known novels in the world and it's no wonder it's still so popular 200 years after its publication. Jane Austen certainly knew what she was doing when she introduced Darcy to England and the rest of the world. As a result of its popularity, there have been many Austen inspired spin-offs courtesy of modern day authors -- some have become great successes (who knew P & P & Zombies would be a bestseller!?) and some have flopped. Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway is one of the most recently released stories based upon the classic tale and I'm happy to say I think it's a great success!
As a history fan, Austen fan, and general fan of all things warm and fuzzy (except wool sweaters -- those are itchy), this book satisfied the yen for a light-hearted contemporary romance. After a slew of mediocre publications, Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits had just the right amount of sass to make me chuckle and a fair share of excitement to keep this reader flipping through the chapters. Shelby Roswell and Ransom Fielding (That name. I die.) are definitely two characters after my own heart. Both history lovers and Civil War buffs, I couldn't help but feel a part of their story. The journey from loathing to love was certainly entertaining and not without a few bumps. Hathaway does a great job of using the characteristics of Lizzie and Darcy while still creating her own unique and original Christian storyline that I just couldn't get enough of.
Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits is one of my favorite stories and I'm so excited that books two and three are being published this year! No long wait between books in a series is always a plus. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does with Mr. Knightley and Captain Wentworth and those other Austen classics that we know and love.
~ My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ~
Happy Reading!
Pride and Prejudice is definitely a classic worth revisiting, and one has to love a book with lots of laughs!
ReplyDeleteIf all retellings were as good as this one, I'd say keep them coming! :-)
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this one, Renee. I'm already eager to see about the Emma book. :)
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling the whole series is going to be loads of fun!
DeleteSounds perfect. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, juju! :-)
ReplyDelete