About the Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, Eligible tackles gender, class, courtship, and family as Curtis Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR AND THE TIMES (UK)
This version of the Bennet family--and Mr. Darcy--is one that you have and haven't met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help--and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.
Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master's degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won't discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane's fortieth birthday fast approaches.
Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip's friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .
And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.
Praise for Eligible
"Even the most ardent Austenite will soon find herself seduced."--O: The Oprah Magazine
"Blissful . . . Sittenfeld modernizes the classic in such a stylish, witty way you'd guess even Jane Austen would be pleased."--People (book of the week)
"[A] sparkling, fresh contemporary retelling."--Entertainment Weekly
"[Sittenfeld] is the ideal modern-day reinterpreter. Her special skill lies not just in her clear, clean writing, but in her general amusement about the world, her arch, pithy, dropped-mike observations about behavior, character and motivation. She can spot hypocrisy, cant, self-contradiction and absurdity ten miles away. She's the one you want to leave the party with, so she can explain what really happened. . . . Not since Clueless, which transported Emma to Beverly Hills, has Austen been so delightedly interpreted. . . . Sittenfeld writes so well--her sentences are so good and her story so satisfying. . . . As a reader, let me just say: Three cheers for Curtis Sittenfeld and her astute, sharp and ebullient anthropological interest in the human condition."--Sarah Lyall, The New York Times Book Review
"A clever, uproarious evolution of Austen's story."--The Denver Post
"If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it. . . . Sittenfeld makes an already irresistible story even more beguiling and charming."--Elle
"A playful, wickedly smart retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice."--BuzzFeed
"Sittenfeld is an obvious choice to re-create Jane Austen's comedy of manners. [She] is a master at dissecting social norms to reveal the truths of human nature underneath."--The Millions
"A hugely entertaining and surprisingly unpredictable book, bursting with wit and charm."--The Irish Times
"An unputdownable retelling of the beloved classic."--PopSugar
About the Author :
Curtis Sittenfeld is the bestselling author of the novels Prep, The Man of My Dreams, American Wife, and Sisterland, which have been translated into twenty-five languages. Her nonfiction has been published widely, including in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and Glamour, and broadcast on public radio's This American Life. A native of Cincinnati, she currently lives with her family in St. Louis.
Review :
"Even the most ardent Austenite will soon find herself seduced."--O: The Oprah Magazine
"Blissful . . . [Curtis] Sittenfeld modernizes the classic in such a stylish, witty way you'd guess even Jane Austen would be pleased."--People (book of the week)
"[A] sparkling, fresh contemporary retelling."--Entertainment Weekly
"[Sittenfeld] is the ideal modern-day reinterpreter. Her special skill lies not just in her clear, clean writing, but in her general amusement about the world, her arch, pithy, dropped-mike observations about behavior, character and motivation. She can spot hypocrisy, cant, self-contradiction and absurdity ten miles away. She's the one you want to leave the party with, so she can explain what really happened. . . . Not since Clueless, which transported Emma to Beverly Hills, has Austen been so delightedly interpreted. . . . Sittenfeld writes so well--her sentences are so good and her story so satisfying. . . . As a reader, let me just say: Three cheers for Curtis Sittenfeld and her astute, sharp and ebullient anthropological interest in the human condition."--Sarah Lyall, The New York Times Book Review "Bold and brilliant."--Glamour
"A clever, uproarious evolution of Austen's story."--The Denver Post
"If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it. . . . Sittenfeld makes an already irresistible story even more beguiling and charming."--Elle
"A playful, wickedly smart retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice."--BuzzFeed
"Sittenfeld is an obvious choice to re-create Jane Austen's comedy of manners. [She] is a master at dissecting social norms to reveal the truths of human nature underneath."--The Millions
"A hugely entertaining and surprisingly unpredictable book, bursting with wit and charm."--The Irish Times
"A delightful romp for not only Austen devotees but also lovers of romantic comedies and sly satire, as well . . . Bestselling Sittenfeld plus Jane Austen? What more could mainstream fiction readers ask for?"--Booklist (starred review)
"Endlessly amusing . . . Her take on Austen's iconic characters is skillful, her pacing excellent, and her dialog highly entertaining. . . . Austen fans will adore this new offering, a wonderful addition to the genre."--Library Journal
"An unputdownable retelling of the beloved classic."--PopSugar
"Sittenfeld adeptly updates and channels Austen's narrative voice--the book is full of smart observations on gender and money. . . . A clever retelling of an old-fashioned favorite."--Publishers Weekly
"The modernization of this classic story allows for a greater and more humorous range of incompetency and quirks; for example, Mrs. Bennet now has Valium and online shopping to distract her from constant anxiety. These familiar characters must deal with issues far beyond class and the all-important institution of marriage; everything from sexuality to racism to eating disorders and single parenthood factor in. And it's all written in a giddily charming blend of nineteenth-century novel-meets-twenty-first-century casual swearing. . . . Delight in this tale for its hilarious and endearing family drama."--Kirkus Reviews
Even the most ardent Austenite will soon find herself seduced. O: The Oprah Magazine
Blissful . . . [Curtis] Sittenfeld modernizes the classic in such a stylish, witty way you d guess even Jane Austen would be pleased. People (book of the week)
[A] sparkling, fresh contemporary retelling. Entertainment Weekly
[Sittenfeld] is the ideal modern-day reinterpreter. Her special skill lies not just in her clear, clean writing, but in her general amusement about the world, her arch, pithy, dropped-mike observations about behavior, character and motivation. She can spot hypocrisy, cant, self-contradiction and absurdity ten miles away. She s the one you want to leave the party with, so she can explain what really happened. . . . Not since Clueless, which transported Emma to Beverly Hills, has Austen been so delightedly interpreted. . . . Sittenfeld writes so well her sentences are so good and her story so satisfying. . . . As a reader, let me just say: Three cheers for Curtis Sittenfeld and her astute, sharp and ebullient anthropological interest in the human condition. Sarah Lyall, The New York Times Book Review
Bold and brilliant. Glamour
A clever, uproarious evolution of Austen s story. The Denver Post
If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it. . . . Sittenfeld makes an already irresistible story even more beguiling and charming. Elle
A playful, wickedly smart retelling of Jane Austen s Pride and Prejudice. BuzzFeed
Sittenfeld is an obvious choice to re-create Jane Austen s comedy of manners. [She] is a master at dissecting social norms to reveal the truths of human nature underneath. The Millions
A hugely entertaining and surprisingly unpredictable book, bursting with wit and charm. The Irish Times
A delightful romp for not only Austen devotees but also lovers of romantic comedies and sly satire, as well . . . Bestselling Sittenfeld plus Jane Austen? What more could mainstream fiction readers ask for? Booklist (starred review)
Endlessly amusing . . . Her take on Austen s iconic characters is skillful, her pacing excellent, and her dialog highly entertaining. . . . Austen fans will adore this new offering, a wonderful addition to the genre. Library Journal
An unputdownable retelling of the beloved classic. PopSugar
Sittenfeld adeptly updates and channels Austen s narrative voice the book is full of smart observations on gender and money. . . . A clever retelling of an old-fashioned favorite. Publishers Weekly
The modernization of this classic story allows for a greater and more humorous range of incompetency and quirks; for example, Mrs. Bennet now has Valium and online shopping to distract her from constant anxiety. These familiar characters must deal with issues far beyond class and the all-important institution of marriage; everything from sexuality to racism to eating disorders and single parenthood factor in. And it s all written in a giddily charming blend of nineteenth-century novel meets twenty-first-century casual swearing. . . . Delight in this tale for its hilarious and endearing family drama. Kirkus Reviews"
Praise for Curtis Sittenfeld and "Eligible"
If there exists a more perfect pairing than Curtis Sittenfeld and Jane Austen, we dare you to find it. . . . Sittenfeld makes an already irresistible story even more beguiling and charming. "Elle"
Sittenfeld is an obvious choice to re-create Jane Austen s comedy of manners. [She] is a master at dissecting social norms to reveal the truths of human nature underneath. " The Millions"
""
A delightful romp for not only Austen devotees but also lovers of romantic comedies and sly satire, as well . . . Bestselling Sittenfeld plus Jane Austen? What more could mainstream fiction readers ask for? "Booklist" (starred review)
Sittenfeld adeptly updates and channels Austen s narrative voice the book is full of smart observations on gender and money. . . . A clever retelling of an old-fashioned favorite. " Publishers Weekly"
""
Novelists get called master storytellers all the time, but Sittenfeld really is one. " The Washington Post"
Sittenfeld is popular but intellectual, accessible but mysterious and, above all a perspective chameleon with an uncanny ability to enter the minds of callow prep school outcasts and devotedly compromising first ladies alike. NPR s "All Things Considered"
[Sittenfeld] is a master of dramatic irony, creating fully realized social worlds before laying waste to her heroines understanding of them. . . . Her prose [is] a rich delight. " The Boston Globe""
Praise for Curtis Sittenfeld
"Sisterland"
""
Novelists get called master storytellers all the time, but Sittenfeld really is one. "The Washington Post"
Psychologically vivid . . . "Sisterland" is a testament to [Sittenfeld s] growing depth and assurance as a writer. Michiko Kakutani, "The New York Times"
"American Wife"
A gripping epic of public and private lives . . . a gem. " Good Housekeeping "
""
Terrific . . . an intelligent, big-hearted novel about a controversial political dynasty. "Entertainment Weekly"
"Prep"
"Prep" conveys the inner world of an entirely typical teenage girl with remarkable warmth. . . . One of the most tender and accurate portraits of adolescence in recent memory. " San Francisco Chronicle"
Hilarious . . . a richly textured narrative. " The New Yorker"
"The Man of My Dreams"
[Sittenfeld] writes with humor, intelligence, insight and heart. She s also as good at sharp social satire as she is at tender mercies. " The Boston Globe"
Pure, elegant prose; true, perfect dialogue; and emotion so searing it might just leave a scar. " The Miami Herald""
