The Secret Diary of Lydia Bennet  is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It is written in diary form from Lydia Bennet’s perspective. The author, Natasha Farrant, assumes that the reader has a good working knowledge of the plot of Pride and Prejudice; without that background, this novel won’t have the same effect on the reader.

Here is the preface page: Hertfordshire, 1811 but really decades behind the modern world because we are in the depths of the English countryside and nothing ever happens.

The opening page: Thursday, 13th June:  I am fifteen years old today, and this journal was a present from Mary. She says I must write in it everyday to improve my mind.

“Whatever for,” Mamma cried, “When she is so pretty?”

Father asked, “Are we certain Lydia HAS a mind?”

“Of course she does!” Mary said. “It’s just not very developed.” 

“Excuse me!” I tried to look down my nose at her, which was not easy because I was sitting and she was standing. “Right now, my undeveloped mind thinks you are extremely rude.”

And so it continues. Funny, feisty, enjoyable. This fresh twist on a classic story will surely appeal to fans of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice.