I get incredibly excited whenever I come across a new retelling of Jane Austen novels, especially when it is one that transforms my favourite of all her novels, Pride and Prejudice.

I think the best part of the way different authors play with the story and satire Austen first shared with the world in 1813 is the way it demonstrates the eternal relevance of what she was writing about. Social class, family issues, money problems, friendship and sisterhood, appearances not being what they seem: both pride and prejudice are as relevant today as they were over two hundred years ago.

So I was really pleased to be asked to take part in the book tour of Nikki Payne’s new novel, Pride and Protest – thank you to Berkley for gifting me a copy of this brilliant book!

Payne has transformed the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, taking it to modern-day Washington D.C., addressing themes of race, class and gentrification. Our heroine is Liza B., a radio DJ (the only one who gives a jam!) who is determined not to let Pemberley Development to take her neighbourhood and turn it into expensive condos that will push out the local community.

Our hero is Dorsey Fitzgerald, acting CEO of said development company, who finds Liza both frustrating and alluring as he deals with his own uncomfortable space at the head of the company when he would rather be in charge of the philanthropic legacy his adoptive mother left behind.

Of course, they come to blows when they first meet: Liza is sneaking in to an event, mistaking Dorsey for a waiter as she tries to get her handmade protest signs in.

Right from the off, Payne does a fantastic job of portraying cultural and social clashes, exploring the worlds of the Black Bennet family and Dorsey’s experience as a Filipino man adopted by white parents.

I really don’t want to give anything away – even though we know and love the Pride and Prejudice storyline – but what I really loved about Payne’s book is, in order for the two characters to get over their pride and their prejudices, she portrayed them doing actual proper work to understand each other in a meaningful way. Austen’s blueprint of self-development is mapped out perfectly in an original, important, and most of all, entertaining story.

There were many brilliant takes on Austen’s original characters to choose from as a favourite (aside from our hero and heroine!), but I think what I liked best was Payne’s portrayal of Mr and Mrs Bennet. Here, Liza’s mother is the bull-in-a-china-shop Bev, and the counterbalance is her Grandma, who gets to utter one of the best lines when Liza rejects our Mr Collins equivalent.

Romantic, creative and embroiled in the spirit of Pride and Prejudice without feeling shoehorned in to the plotline of the original novel, this is one of the best retellings of my favourite novel I’ve read in a long while, and I hope you enjoy it too.

Thank you to Berkley and Penguin Randomhouse for gifting me a copy in exchange for review.