Eligible is Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate Curtis Sittenfeld’s fifth novel. It is a hilarious modern version of the classic story Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
In Eligible, we find that the Bennet family lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. All five of the Bennet women are currently living at their parent’s home after their father’s recent heart attack. Jane and Elizabeth have both been living in New York City. Jane is a yoga instructor and lives on the Upper East Side. Lizzie has been writing for feminist fashion magazine and lives in Brooklyn. Mary has never left home and is working on her third online master’s degree. Kitty and Lydia also live at home and spend most of their time at CrossFit workouts. Mrs. Bennet is consumed with her ladies’ clubs and galas.
Of course, as in the original novel, Mrs. Bennet is very concerned with her daughters being married. The Bennet family goes to a Fourth of July picnic, where they meet Chip Bingley. Mr. Bingley was recently the star on the television show, Eligible which is a dating show where 25 women try to convince the star to marry her. Also at the picnic, is Fitzwilliam Darcy whom Lizzie does not find charming. But first impressions can be wrong.
An updated and hilarious version of the classic Pride and Prejudice. You will find yourself laughing out loud while reading this book. Available in print, large print and audiobook.
If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, you might also like these other adaptations: