#but the Storygraph allows quarter stars ratings hihi

[lenskij]

Soniah Kamal: Unmarriageable

Review • 4.75/5

Pakistan is a perfect fit for a modern retelling of the beloved Pride and Prejudice. The characters were beautifully human, and their motives were so perfectly clear: why did Mrs. Binat insist so much on her daughters getting married? Why was it so upsetting for her, that Alysba declined Dr Kaleen's proposal? Why did Sherry instead agree to marry him? And why was it a true family emergency, when Lady ran away with Wickaam?

Unmarriageable was obviously written for a foreign (Western) audience, and the feminist Alysba was an excellent medium for explaining the culture for those in the unknown. The reader never once forgot where the story is set: the endless description of food and clothes made sure of it.In addition to the P&P plot, the book also discusses the influence of English culture (colonisation) in Pakistan, with a special attention to how society values English literature more than local literature. I also loved the tongue-in-cheek references to P&P.

Because this is a retelling, the book assumes the reader is familiar with P&P from before. And although I knew how the book would end (spoiler alert: Alysba and Darsee will obviously end up happy together), I was drawn in by the characters' warmth and energy. I enjoyed this book immensely.

#my first review in months wooo #the library's plastic cover made it difficult to make a good pic of the book but i like my reviews with a picture #i had so much fun reading this like 'heehee here comes darsee with that godawful proposal' #it's not fully 5/5 because it didn't really reach the emotional weight i want my 5/5 books to have #but the Storygraph allows quarter stars ratings hihi #anyway thank you for reading!! #book review #booklr #liz reviews #soniah kamal #unmarriageable #pride & prejudice