Lizzy Bennet's Diary: Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Gr 5–8—Well before graphic novels became popular with children, Williams was offering graphical versions of classics with her retelling of Don Quixote (1993), which she followed with versions of myths, legends and folklore, including The Canterbury Tales (2007) and Robin Hood (1995, all Candlewick). Here she offers Pride and Prejudice in an illustrated diary with elements of a scrapbook. Williams incorporates invitations and letters (sometimes abridged but in the original language of the novel) as fold-out additions to Lizzie Bennet's narrative. The text, which is skillfully written, retains the spirit of the novel and is true to the plot. The writing is crisp and spare as a diary might be. The illustrations are delightful. Williams includes miniature portraits of some of the key characters, including the diarist herself. The other illustrations reflect beautifully the time and place of the novel. Among the tiny drawings are those of birds, flowers, fashion, the waistcoat Lizzie is sewing for her father, food, people, places, and things. Williams's feathers, leaves, and flowers are drawn so expertly that they beg to be touched. Photos and maps are also effectively incorporated into the diary. Readers who love Pride and Prejudice, and appreciate graphic novels, will savor the book, and any reader who hasn't read the original is likely to be motivated to do so.—Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Library