Stuck Up & Stupid (Angourie Rice & Kate Rice, Walker)

Stuck Up & Stupid is the debut novel from a mother-daughter writing team: actor Angourie Rice and playwright Kate Rice. With a familiar yet fresh narrative, this contemporary YA reimagining of Pride and Prejudice follows Lily as she navigates the turbulent transition from high school to young adulthood. The possibilities of her future spill out before her, but the only thing she is certain of is her home on Pippi Beach, New South Wales. When a party of Hollywood stars and social influencers descends on their secluded island for summer, the community is giddy with excitement. Lily, however, is not so enamoured by the standoffish, handsome film star Dorian Khan and his friends. Echoing Austen’s themes of class, gender, friendship and family—mixed with the complexities of modern dating—this retelling injects new life into an old favourite. Trading 19th-century rural England for the sandy beaches of Sydney, Melbourne and LA, Stuck Up & Stupid builds on Austen’s celebrated characters, as fame, social media status, wealth and the meddling of wicked Wickham-like characters all play a role in influencing the relationships in this book. Much like Elizabeth Bennet, Lily learns about the consequences of hasty judgments and that some first impressions perhaps deserve a second chance. This enemies-to-lovers romp for readers aged 12+ is perfect for fans of Austen adaptations Clueless, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Eligible. It’s worth noting that the book uses the word ‘stupid’ in various contexts, which may be seen as insensitive or offensive by some readers; however, with whip-smart dialogue and sparkling charm reminiscent of Nina Kenwood’s books, this duo is an exciting new voice in the genre.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Erin Coyle is a writer, reviewer, and bookseller. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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