PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND JASMIN FIELDS: A BOOK REVIEW
Nathan, Melissa. Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field. Piatkis, Britain, 2002.
Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Fields is yet another modern version of Pride and Prejudice. Although not as well-written and popular as Bridget Jones this very modern story relies much more closely on the plot of the original. The main characters too, especially Jasmin, have much more similarity to the original characters. This book is not nearly as funny or as enjoyable as Bridget Jones but it is a clever story and very likeable.
When the story begins Jasmin, a journalist, becomes roped into reviewing the play of Pride and Prejudice for charity. Elusive and gorgeous movie star, Harry Noble based on Darcy, acts his role in the play. Jasmin's sister, George, plays Jane's role both in the book and in the play.
Jasmin, of course, hates Harry to start with. She thinks him extremely arrogant, snobbish and vain. When she ends up playing Elisabeth's role next to him, however, she begins to see a different, warmer and kinder side to his character. As in the original this takes a long time and involves his help in a scandal that could affect Jasmin's career and her family.
Jasmin makes a much better modern Elisabeth than Bridget. Bridget, although very likeable, lacks self-esteem and confidence and is very needy. Her main concern is finding a man. Ironically these characteristics are perhaps much more prevalent in some ways today in modern women than in Jane Austen's heroines. This is why many women identified with rather ditzy Bridget.
Jasmin, who is a little on the curvy side but doesn't care; is much more interested in her career than finding a man and certainly doesn't lack confidence or self-esteem. She does share Elisabeth's main flaw - she is quick to judge other people and has a strong belief that she is correct in her judgments.
Harry is a warmer character than Darcy in Bridget Jones who was rather stiff until almost the very end.
I would take issue with the character based on Mr. Wickham in this book. He is much wicked than the original which is a mistake because even at the end of Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones the Wickham-like characters retained their charm. It is false charm but charm nonetheless. This character is actually quite hateful.
The plot of this novel is very clever and ingenious, being based on a play within a play. It is interesting to see how the twists and turns of the story in the original is changed into modern form. Melissa Nathan manages to pull them all together at the end very deftly which is not easy.
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