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Stuck Up & Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice
101 Plays1 month ago
What if Pride & Prejudice was a young adult novel set in Australia and Los Angeles? What if Darcy and Bingley were famous actors visiting Sydney for the summer? And Elizabeth isn’t falling for their celebrity mystique like the rest of her family? Melinda and Stefanie discuss the art of performance, reboots, and striving for authenticity in a world obsessed with image and social media, in Stuck Up & Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice.
Links & Mentions
You can listen to Angourie's podcast The Community Library.
If you're curious which bookstore Dorian didn't want to visit to get swamped by tourists, Stefanie thinks they're referring to The Last Bookstore in LA.
If you need subtitles or a transcript, these are available through Apple Podcasts. Please note, they are auto generated so we apologise in advance for it not correctly understanding our accents on certain words.
As always you can find us (and our memes) on Instagram @janeaustenremixed and you can contact us via janeaustenremixed@gmail.com.
Join us every second Monday to hear all about a new adaptation of our favourite classic novel. Next episode we will be reading Love, Lovecraft & Mr Darcy by Violet King. If you're reading along, we encourage you to buy secondhand or support your local independent bookshop, where possible.
Recommended
Transcript
Content Warning & Book Introduction
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey all, before we start this episode of Jane Austen Remixed, a content warning for this week's book, Stuck Up and Stupid by Angari and Kate Rice. This book contains mentions of domestic violence and physical and emotional abuse. There is only a little detail given, but several actions are implied. We won't go into depth into any of these issues, but they will be referenced as they relate to the book's plot and themes.
00:00:25
Speaker
If this might be uncomfortable for you, please feel free to give this episode a skip. Otherwise, let's begin.
Exploring the YA Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
00:00:31
Speaker
Hey, Stephanie. Hey, Melinda. What if I told you that Pride and Prejudice was actually a young adult novel set mostly in Australia, that Darcy and Bingley are famous movie stars, and the novel uses Hollywood to comment on how deceiving first impressions can be?
00:00:48
Speaker
Well, I guess that makes sense. After all, celebrities are the new upper-class aristocracy? Boo.
00:01:11
Speaker
Welcome to Jane Austen Remixed, the podcast where we examine the glamorous and glittering world of Pride and Prejudice adaptations. I'm Melinda. And I'm Stephanie.
Meet the Authors
00:01:21
Speaker
This week's book is called Stuck Up and Stupid and was written by Anne Gowrie Rice and Kate Rice.
00:01:27
Speaker
It was published in 2023 by Walker Books. The authors are mother and daughter. Kate is an Australian playwright and Anne Gowrie is an actor you may recognise.
00:01:38
Speaker
She starred in the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, The Ladies in Black, episodes of Black Mirror and the Mayor of Easttown and the adaptation of the Mean Girls musical. She also hosts a podcast called The Community Library.
00:01:50
Speaker
She's a busy girl. She's very busy and very talented. Yeah, very talented. I loved her in Ladies in Black. Well, I mean, she's an awesome Betty Brandt in the Spider-Man movies, but I really liked her in the Mean Girls musical. I thought that was a really great adaptation.
Critiquing the Book's Blurb
00:02:04
Speaker
I haven't seen it, so I can't comment. Here is the blurb if you would like to read the book before listening to the episode. The only thing worse than cleaning up after celebrities was having to watch her family try to impress them.
00:02:18
Speaker
When a party of young Hollywood stars and influencers arrives at Pippi Beach for the summer, Lily, unlike her overly enthused mum Lydia, is unimpressed.
00:02:28
Speaker
As Lily suspects, the Hollywood types are superficial and arrogant, especially Dorian Khan, the most famous of them all. She is soon to discover that first impressions can be deceiving.
00:02:42
Speaker
Is that the whole blurb? That is the whole blurb. It's actually quite short. It's it's super short, but also it it feels like it's missing a sentence. Like a, but as she gets to know him...
00:02:53
Speaker
She realises that impressions can be deceiving. My main issue with that blurb is it doesn't make the book sound enticing at all. The non sequitur makes me think that the book isn't going to be any good because there's a chunk missing from the blurb. But that is my own issue. LAUGHTER I hadn't noticed that.
00:03:13
Speaker
I must have read the blurb before I read the book, but it wasn't the reason I picked it up. You picked it up because it was written by Anne Gowry, right? I picked it up because I had a work colleague that I was chatting to and said, oh, we're doing this adaptations podcast. And she said, you do realize there was one done recently that was set in Australia. And I was like, ah, yes, please. Great recommendation. Interesting that that is how we've come to the book, because I think if either of us had found it, we probably wouldn't have read it based on that blurb.
00:03:39
Speaker
Yeah, maybe not. yeah there you go. Things you forget from different perspectives, hey?
Revised Edition & Blurb Comparison
00:03:45
Speaker
Yes. but Editing Melinda here. After recording and editing this episode of Jane Austen Remixed, a new edition of Stuck Up and Stupid was released and the blurb has been changed.
Why So Many YA Adaptations?
00:03:57
Speaker
We'll post pics comparing the two on our Instagram at Jane Austen Remixed.
00:04:03
Speaker
And now it's time for some spoiler chat. This is the first young adult or YA adaptation of Pride and Prejudice to be featured on Jane Austen Remixed. There are actually a lot of YA adaptations of this novel, which makes me wonder why.
00:04:18
Speaker
There are probably a few reasons, but here are two that I've thought of. First, the ages of the characters in that original novel are in the young adult range. Elizabeth is 21 and Lydia is not yet 16. In a modern adaptation with characters that age, a YA novel makes sense.
00:04:35
Speaker
Yeah, it definitely
Next-Generation Characters
00:04:36
Speaker
does. And it has always seemed quite curious to me that there are so many YA versions out there, but I think you're right. The ages make sense. Secondly, setting Pride and Prejudice in a high school or a university or a college makes sense too.
00:04:50
Speaker
These settings are great places for the characters to meet new people like the Bingley's or the Darcy's or the Wickham's that are outside their established social circle. And that's a little bit harder as you get older.
00:05:01
Speaker
The only place really you're meeting new people these days is if you like start a sport or a new job. It makes a lot more sense to have it in like a college. Especially people in different socioeconomic circles as well. I think you kind of end up in your own sort of silos and it's a good breakout of those, of course, but I think as you get older, it's a lot harder. Definitely.
00:05:19
Speaker
Now, there is something quite fun about Stuck Up and Stupid that I'm going to get Stephanie to read a quote for. She's going to read out this
Australian Setting & Character Parallels
00:05:28
Speaker
section so that you can all learn about this cool and spoilery feature together. So this is towards the beginning when we are introduced to the characters for the first time.
00:05:37
Speaker
Within minutes, Lydia was on the deck in her best bikini, eyes glued to the telescope. Mum, admonished Lily, they'll see you. I'm counting on it.
00:05:49
Speaker
Six years ago, Lydia and her two girls had come to her older sister Jane's beach house at Pippi for a family Christmas and never left. Lydia felt that it was only fair. Jane had practically sleepwalked into a high-income interior design career, then selfishly topped it off with a wealthy husband.
00:06:08
Speaker
And what were sisters for if not to share their good fortune? Lydia was determined to make this the best summer ever, to make it clear to her sisters that they missed out.
00:06:19
Speaker
Especially Elizabeth, who, as a successful children's author, with a husband even wealthier than Jane's, was the richest.
00:06:31
Speaker
Oh, okay.
Plot Locations & Hollywood Elements
00:06:33
Speaker
Okay. Really? So yes, the main characters in Stuck Up and Stupid are the children of the Bennett sisters. That's crazy. Okay. That's super fun.
00:06:47
Speaker
So this makes this book a legacy sequel, rebootquel, you know, that movie or streaming show that brings back original characters that we all love, but the story focuses on the next generation of characters.
00:07:00
Speaker
Let me introduce you to everyone. Please do. Lydia has two children, Lily and Rosie. She's a single mum having left the girl's father since he had, quote, failed in pretty much every respect as a partner and a reasonable person, end quote. That tracks. Gotta to love some Wickham shade. yeah yu it's Lily is our next generation Elizabeth and Rosie is our next generation Lydia. It is a little funny to me that Lydia and Wickham had a child who is an Elizabeth, but that's by the by.
00:07:31
Speaker
They live at Pippi Beach, a fictional isolated beach community near Sydney. It's one of those places where rich families have weekend homes and a small group of permanent residents stay year round.
00:07:43
Speaker
Lily is 18 and Rosie is 15. Lydia, Lily and Rosie live in Aunt Jane's beach house. They live there rent free and Lydia works a little bit cleaning houses, but not too much so it doesn't interfere with her social life.
00:07:57
Speaker
Some things never change. Aunt Jane has two children with Uncle Charles. Kate and Martin are our new Kitty and Mary. Martin's barely in the story, so this is his only mention. Classic.
00:08:11
Speaker
Kat is 13 and is best friends with Rosie. They are all about boys, fashion, social media, and celebrity spotting. Our last important next Jenna is Juliet, our Jane. She's the only child of Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Fitz. Juliet is staying at Pippi Beach for the summer.
00:08:31
Speaker
Lily and Juliet have just finished school and are taking a gap year, as is Lily's best friend, Nicola, who is our next generation Charlotte. The story takes place in three main locations.
00:08:42
Speaker
Pippi Beach, which is our Longbourn Netherfield Hertfordshire stand-in. In the United States, specifically Los Angeles, which is our Hunsford Rosings section.
00:08:53
Speaker
And Melbourne for our Pemberley arc. That's some faraway places. and you'll see how it all fits together. On to our story.
00:09:04
Speaker
Casey Brandon, or Mr Bingley, is an American movie star arriving at Pippi for Christmas by the Beach. Casey and his entourage turn up to community drinks to meet everyone. With him are his sister, Cecilia, an influencer who manages his social media accounts, so that's our Caroline, who her friend, Yumi, a stylist who is basically just there.
00:09:27
Speaker
And to everyone's surprise, movie star Dorian Khan. While Casey is a newer star, Dorian is stratosphere famous. And he's also Australian.
00:09:39
Speaker
He starred in a teen spy franchise, which made his name, has an Oscar nomination, and is currently the star of some moody black and white ads for expensive watches that pop up sometimes to humorous effect. So he's Chris Hemsworth. Yeah.
00:09:54
Speaker
That's probably a good comparison. Yeah. From an Australian perspective anyway. He's been in a franchise. He just definitely does not have an Oscar nomination though, but he does shill for expensive watches. Dorian's big insult to Lily at this party is calling her suburban, but that doesn't stop him at the next week's social drinks, starting up a conversation with her.
00:10:13
Speaker
After some small talk, he invites her to dinner at the cliff house they're renting. Lily declines and Dorian slinks off to be teased by Cecilia for having a crush on a boring local.
00:10:26
Speaker
Casey asks Juliet to join them for dinner. She agrees, but ends up rolling her ankle walking up the stairs to the house. It's quite good. It's well done. Lily goes to visit her and confirms that it's bad enough that there's no way she can get home for the near future. Sorry, it just reminds me, I saw a tweet the other day and it was like, there's nothing like rereading Wuthering Heights to remind you that if you rolled your ankle at a neighbor's house in the 1800s, you were stuck there for the foreseeable future. Which is what is happening in a book set in 2023.
00:10:58
Speaker
There's lots of stairs. We've all been there. We've all been You've also mentioned that quote before, which I find very interesting. Have i Yeah. it's It's just one of my favourite things and I think about it a lot. And so Juliet is installed at the Cliff House for our Netherfield arc.
00:11:13
Speaker
It's fairly short. It's quite compact. It's only an awkward visit from Lydia and two dinners. But what it does allow is Lily to observe the Hollywood crew up close. She thinks Casey is lovely and notices Dorian is watching her a lot. She listens particularly to Dorian's accent, who, despite being Australian, sounds quite posh.
00:11:35
Speaker
She concludes it's part of the performance and his carefully maintained image. Which is fair. He's a movie star. Yeah, they all have managed images. Yeah. It's going something that comes up a little bit throughout this episode. Right. Okay.
00:11:50
Speaker
Lily also notes Cecilia really likes Dorian. and is desperate for his attention, like she's performing for him. Dorian sees through it though, at one point saying if he joined her, he'd deprive her of her audience. ha That's excellent characterization.
00:12:08
Speaker
Juliet's ankle improves, so she's carried down from the cliff house and of course has developed a large crush on Casey. After
Social Events & Themes of Authenticity
00:12:15
Speaker
Christmas, the family get a visit from a family acquaintance who they haven't seen since they were young.
00:12:22
Speaker
Wilson Collins. So he's Charlotte's son. Of course. Oh my God. He lives in Los Angeles with his mum.
00:12:33
Speaker
Charlotte divorced his dad about 15 years ago and married a property developer. wellll go get him, Charlotte. Yes. And Charlotte has reinvented herself as a socialite who wears white linen and has one of those Instagram pages. You know the ones.
00:12:49
Speaker
No, Charlotte, no. Lily Nicola are taking a gap year trip to LA and will be staying with Charlotte and Wilson when they get there. Okay, this makes more sense now. I was really wondering how they were going to fit LA into this, but that makes a lot of sense. Okay. And also the whole Hollywood thing. We'll get to that too. Yes, yes, yes. And Wilson is a character. he starts telling everyone about his life in LA, especially his important job with famed movie producer, Stacey Black. The stars he's met, the houses he's visited. He's the kind of guy who, when his phone rings, says, I'm sorry, this is New York. I have to take this.
00:13:29
Speaker
ah Charlotte, I'm sorry, you should have beaten this out of him. Figuratively. It sounds like he's a lot more Mr. Collins than he is Charlotte, unfortunately. And I think being in LA has probably brought out his worst tendencies. LA does that to people.
00:13:45
Speaker
So I think this is actually a really solid adaptation of the name dropping image obsessed Mr. Collins. And when he starts hitting on Lily, she decides to gently ghost him to avoid a big confrontation.
00:13:57
Speaker
Good idea. Our Wickham story begins with the arrival of some backpackers to Pippi Beach. Our new Wickham is a backpacker named Alex King. He sits next to Lily at a party and they start talking.
00:14:11
Speaker
Hang on. One of the OG potential victims of Wickham in Pride and Prejudice has the surname King. Mary King, isn't it? Oh yeah, I didn't even realise that connection. yeah That's great. Yeah, Mary King is... Yeah, yeah. Because Elizabeth is like, maybe we should say Mary King is safe. And she was right.
00:14:31
Speaker
But it's also really sad that if she's safe and her son turns out to be an awful human being. So let's pretend that Mary King is not his mother. Definitely not his mother. No. So Alex explains that he and Dorian attended the same English boarding school.
00:14:48
Speaker
They started auditioning for parts together around age 14. Dorian got the role in the teen spy franchise and they were both cast in a period drama. Alex says Dorian felt threatened by him, so got him fired from the movie.
00:15:02
Speaker
He lost his agent and hasn't worked as an actor since. They went to an English boarding school? i thought he was meant to be Australian. Okay, so he is Australian. There's this whole backstory about how Dorian's parents, his father is originally from Geelong and I'm guessing his mother is English and when they went separated, his mum went back to England and they did boarding school in England. Okay.
00:15:25
Speaker
Next, it's time for the biggest event on the social calendar at Pippi Beach, the New Year's Eve Sports Day and Talent Show. If you have ever been to a small town in Australia where this is a thing, these communities take this tradition incredibly seriously.
00:15:45
Speaker
It is basically our Netherfield Ball stand-in. Okay. Wow. I can't say I've ever heard of a small town New Year's Eve talent show.
00:15:55
Speaker
And my parents are from a small town. While as I have experienced this, they had a New Year's Eve talent show, which I never participated in and never went to because I'm an introvert. But the New Year's Day sports day was appointment viewing for everybody in the caravan park and who lived nearby and in the surrounding suburbs. Like this was a big deal.
00:16:21
Speaker
Wild. I'm learning things about my own country. Look, maybe it's not everywhere, but I feel like the places where they have one, it's very serious. Yeah, yeah, I can imagine.
00:16:32
Speaker
The Hollywood contingent turn up to watch the events. Dorian talks to Lily and they're civil until Lily brings up Alex. Alex, of course, isn't there. The talent show is sufficiently cringey. Then the real New Year's Eve party begins.
00:16:45
Speaker
Nicola makes out with a backpacker, Rosie is loudly screaming, and Lydia is twerking on two guys at once. It's that sort of party.
Character Development & Misunderstandings
00:16:53
Speaker
How do you twerk on two guys at the same time? I was not interested in finding out the mechanics.
00:16:59
Speaker
No, no, I don't think I need to know either. Moving on. Lily feels self-conscious about the behaviour of her beloved community with the outsiders watching. It's like it's Pippi, but they're being more out there than usual performing for their Hollywood visitors.
00:17:14
Speaker
On New Year's Day, the family is surprised to see Casey and his entourage packing up and heading back to Sydney due to an emergency. On New Year's Day. Casey runs up as they're leaving and says a passionate goodbye to Juliet and turns away.
00:17:28
Speaker
There's one final text from Cecilia saying they had so much fun hanging out. But that's it. Wilson also heads home, promising to see Lily and Nicola in six months. It's now time for the gardeners to arrive.
00:17:42
Speaker
Who do you think might be the gardeners stand in in this story? Oh, I have absolutely no idea. Surprise me. All right. Well, it's Lily's most reliable and least dramatic aunt, her aunt, Kitty.
00:17:58
Speaker
oh Yes. i love this for Kitty. Who is Kitty married to? Is it someone nice? Kitty and her partner, Hannah, live in Melbourne.
00:18:09
Speaker
Yes! Representation! Kitty offers for Juliet to stay with her on a mini break in Melbourne to visit museums, art galleries and plays and help heal her broken heart after Casey Brandon left town.
00:18:23
Speaker
Soon, it's the end of summer. School starts and everyone heads back to work, leaving Pippi quiet again. Lily has just finished school, so being without a routine is super weird for her. She also doesn't know what she wants to do with the rest of her life, which is causing her some anxiety. Gotta to love that end of school dread. I remember it well. Like it's a really relatable story beat. It is, yes.
00:18:47
Speaker
It comes into play a little bit later, which is great. Okay. The months drift by and it's now time for Lily and Nicola to head to America. Los Angeles is the main stop on their trip and it's also the Huntsford-Rosing section of this adaptation.
00:19:03
Speaker
Both girls are wowed by Charlotte and Wilson's house and the guest house that they're staying in on their own, which is two stories tall. Does it have shelves in the closet? Don't say that. I really wish they did. That would have been a great reference.
00:19:19
Speaker
Wilson is in his element, showing off. They get invited to dinner with Stacey Black, who is Our Lady Catherine, at an exclusive restaurant. Dinner with Stacey and her daughter, Inez, is disappointing, despite all the celebrities that Wilson is covertly pointing out in the room. Stacey is super rude, on brand, and Inez stays on her phone the whole time.
00:19:43
Speaker
Yeah, that's ah that's a fun way of doing the one silent sickly Anderberg, making her completely introverted and just absorbed in her phone. I like it.
00:19:53
Speaker
That's a nice yes update. Lily and Nicola spend their time in l LA being tourists. One day, Wilson decides he wants to show them the quote real Hollywood, but it's being in a car with him while he runs errands.
00:20:07
Speaker
Nicola, however, is absolutely enthralled. She loves all of the Hollywood stuff. Oh no, Nicola. Not Wilson. Yeah.
00:20:18
Speaker
When they arrive at Stacey's production offices, Lily finds Dorian there and his assistant, Franklin. Dorian invites them to a classy casual pool party at Stacey's home the next day.
00:20:32
Speaker
So the whole classy casual thing is clearly from Stacey Black and yeah not from Dorian. But Wilson is so image conscious that that he gives the girls his credit card and tells them that they need to go buy specific outfits at these specific boutiques in order to fit in at the party.
00:20:51
Speaker
Incredible, incredible. That's so on brand for Mr. Collins. When they arrive at Stacey's place, the house is pretty, but Lily wishes she was at home at
Proposals & Modern Adaptations
00:21:02
Speaker
Pippi.
00:21:02
Speaker
Lily chats to Franklin about her life there, and then at Stacey's overbearing insistence, she ends up performing a song on the ukulele. She happens to mention in conversation, and because Stacey Black is the producer, she goes, no, no, you need to show me what you can do, and Lily doesn't want to. It's this whole scene. It's very funny. The ukulele. The most embarrassing of all instruments. The performance is okay.
00:21:27
Speaker
Lily enjoys herself, but that's about it. Dorian tells Lily that she's different. She doesn't care what the people around her think in a world where performance is everything. And now it's time for the Collins proposal.
00:21:42
Speaker
The Collins proposal? The Collins proposal? My God, I thought we skipped over that. No, it's a little bit later in this adaptation. Wilson gives Lily an expensive gift, which Lily tries to reject, but basically this is Wilson declaring he wants her to stay in l LA with him, so he has not paid attention to the gentle ghosting from earlier.
00:22:04
Speaker
Lily says she's not interested, but he does not listen. Wilson has planned their lives out. It's not like she's going to college or uni, so she doesn't have any plans.
00:22:16
Speaker
She can get a job with Stacey, they can move in together and buy their own place. I love that he's as delusional as his father. Lily literally has to scream no at him before he starts paying attention.
00:22:30
Speaker
wow Yeah, also on brand for men in Hollywood. She spends the next week avoiding Wilson until he sends her a massive delivery of flowers. So Lily has to enlist Charlotte to help him stop.
00:22:45
Speaker
What's interesting is Charlotte's quite kind in this adaptation and is kind of just pops in and out. She's not really there. But Charlotte is on her son's side here, which I find really interesting.
Revelations & Plot Twists
00:22:58
Speaker
I mean, obviously a parent is going to be on their son's side. But Charlotte's like, oh, but he loves you so much. It's like, sweetie, he's delusional. I'm sorry. As the mother of a son, I'd be giving him a slap upside the head and saying, she said no, we're going to take no for an answer. Leave the girl alone.
00:23:15
Speaker
Yes. Well, Charlotte does eventually get there, but I think she thinks that Lily likes him. So it's like, oh, I can tell him to back off, but it takes a little bit. Ish. Yeah, it's a bit, it's a bit icky.
00:23:27
Speaker
The next day, Lily gets a text from Dorian. Dorian got her number from Stacey Black, who apparently got it from Wilson because Wilson is just handing out her phone number. He asks if she wants to go see the Griffith Observatory.
00:23:41
Speaker
Oh, nice. Yeah, I've never been, but Lily has been desperate to go to the observatory. But Nicola, because she's all about the Hollywood stuff, hasn't been interested.
00:23:52
Speaker
So Lily goes with Dorian. It's very romantic. Well, they're accompanied by a security man, Dorian's like security guy. Nice. Really, really ramping up the romance there. Yeah. And they go to a special roped off area that's just for them.
00:24:06
Speaker
They walk around making small talk until Dorian insults her family and an awkward frostiness settles in. Lily thinks it's a weird outing, but Nicola is convinced that he likes her.
00:24:17
Speaker
And Nicola's right. Nicola takes up all of Wilson's invitations to press junkets and movie premieres, while Lily sneaks off to art galleries and museums. Dorian ends up joining her one time. He mentions there's this cute secondhand bookstore that she'd probably like and offers for Franklin to take her there tomorrow. So Franklin is his assistant.
00:24:38
Speaker
Franklin is our fits, right? Yes, that's correct. Nice. Lily loves spending time with Franklin and is amazed by this bookstore. Franklin admits Dorian would have loved to come, but there are too many people and he'd be recognized.
00:24:51
Speaker
He then explains the dangers of that level of fame, how exhausting it is being watched all the time with the risk of things getting out of hand. Franklin praises how Dorian handles it and says he's been a huge help to Casey Brandon as a mentor. And that Dorian had saved Casey from being taken advantage of by a dangerous fangirl at Pippi.
00:25:15
Speaker
Yeah, apparently Juliet is dangerous. why um Sure, Jan.
Impact of Social Media & Celebrity Culture
00:25:21
Speaker
It's kind of a nice adaptation of the Fitz putting his foot in it though, adding the fangirl element to it. It's a nice adaptation and also the characterisation of her as a fangirl as opposed to a gold digger is a nice touch. That's a nice build in this like celebrity space. I do think it's funny, though, that in l LA he'd be reticent to go anywhere because, like, there's famous people everywhere in LA.
00:25:45
Speaker
Like, super-duper ultra-famous people just, like, wandering around. I find that part interesting. I know that they, like, would go somewhere with, like, a body man, but you go to a bookstore.
00:25:56
Speaker
The bookstore sounds like it's almost a a tourist location. I'm not really sure. Like it doesn't go into detail, but it's a secondhand bookstore. Yes. Okay. I have been to that bookstore. There is a secondhand bookstore in downtown LA that you probably wouldn't go to as a famous person because I was there as a tourist. Yeah, that makes sense. Oh, there you go. I didn't realize it was actually after a real place. I just thought it was It's called like the last bookstore in l LA or something.
00:26:23
Speaker
We'll look it up and put it in the show notes. We'll put it in the show notes. It's really fun. Back to the story. Lily makes her excuses to Franklin and heads home. She walks into the guest house and hears what is described as thumps and giggles coming from upstairs.
00:26:37
Speaker
So yes, Wilson and Nicola are together. Gross. Lily asks Nicola, why Wilson? Nicola says she likes him and sees him as a way out of her dead end job and pippi.
00:26:49
Speaker
He's offered her a job and a
Character Resolutions & Personal Growth
00:26:51
Speaker
life of glamour and she deserves it. Now, really interesting and different characterisation of Charlotte here. It's not like the Charlotte we know at all.
00:27:01
Speaker
No, it's very different. It works as a Charlotte in that Charlotte has to be pulled from the story. So from a plot mechanic, it works. But from a character perspective, it's so different that even though she's our next generation Charlotte, she doesn't act like our next generation Charlotte.
00:27:20
Speaker
Yeah, it's definitely a different take on the Charlotte character, but also it makes it a little less clear why they're friends in the first place if she is so shallow and Lily's so down to earth. Well, I think they all live in that community together. So they all live at Pippi Beach together. So I think a small community, if you're around the same age, it probably makes sense that they're all friends.
00:27:44
Speaker
There are a few allusions too throughout the rest of the story that Nicola has a very different outlook on life to what Lily does. Yeah, which is does map correctly onto Elizabeth and Charlotte in the original because Charlotte has a very different outlook. She's very practical and she's marrying for security and that's something that Mr Collins can provide to her.
00:28:05
Speaker
It's interesting that the adaptation here is the different outlook on life is she wants, I suppose it is still a form of security. She wants money. She wants to get out of- And money is- A form of security. Yeah.
00:28:18
Speaker
Nicola and Wilson leave Lily brooding. And if the evening couldn't get any worse, she gets a text from Dorian saying he's outside and can they talk? Great timing, Dorian. Great timing. Perfect timing.
00:28:31
Speaker
Lily storms out there, ready to give Dorian a piece of her mind about Juliet. Dorian asks if she's okay, and then, not reading her reaction, asks her to stay in LA.
00:28:42
Speaker
He can't stop thinking about her, but she's barely out of school, so I think he's like 22 or 24 or something like that, we're around that age. yeah She doesn't know what she's doing with the rest of her life. She lives in a beach commune and her mother is a house cleaner. They're his insults. It's quite interesting.
00:28:59
Speaker
My guy. hi guy. So for the second time in a few weeks, Lily is asked to stay in l LA by a man. Though at least this time Dorian hasn't planned out the entirety of their lives.
00:29:11
Speaker
She's asked to stay in LA by another man who points out that she is young and directionless. Great. Still not an upgrade. Not much of an upgrade anyway. So while this is the first time that Dorian is declaring his feelings, he has at least tried to talk to Lily several times. He hasn't been completely aloof, but he also hasn't communicated well. Lily asks, are you serious? And Dorian says, yes, even though it's bonkers and a relationship would be complicated. i mean, he's not wrong. He's not wrong, but still. Lily calls Dorian out for insulting her and her family.
00:29:44
Speaker
Now what's interesting about this adaptation? There's no letter. Oh, okay. So how does this get addressed? Well, Dorian and Lily just keep arguing.
00:29:55
Speaker
Oh, really? Okay. Yeah. Dorian explains some of his history with Alex King. What Alex said was true. They acted together. Dorian got the main franchise role. but felt guilty because Alex was the second, so he just missed out.
00:30:11
Speaker
So he got Alex a few smaller jobs in other films. is it But Alex kept demanding more and more money and was turning up to set drunk. Dorian was paying for a lot of Alex's life, so for his rent and things like that, but Dorian decides to cut him off because he's just taking advantage. So Alex moves on Stacey Black.
00:30:35
Speaker
Wow. So this is our Georgiana. Like she isn't our stand-in for Georgiana, but there is no Georgiana in this scandal. Okay. Okay. I'm intrigued. Explain.
00:30:50
Speaker
They start a relationship and Alex, quote, treated her like garbage, put her in the hospital, and between us we paid him a fortune to stay out of our lives forever. Okay.
00:31:03
Speaker
End quote. Ooh. Ouch. Okay. So I think I'm glad that it is not Dorian's sister involved, an adult, but still awful.
00:31:15
Speaker
Awful. That's horrendous. Lily is, of course, thrown by what Dorian has shared, as we all were, so turns her attention to him breaking up Casey and Juliet.
00:31:26
Speaker
Dorian says it was just a summer fling. Lily brings up what Franklin said about blackmailers and stalkers and asks if Dorian really thought that about her and Juliet. Dorian says no, but he was worried about leaks to the media from her mum, Lydia.
00:31:43
Speaker
Yeah, that is something Lydia would do. Lily is mortified because she realises it's true. She finishes the argument by saying, he's still the problem. He's smug, entitled and conceited, and with that, Dorian leaves.
00:31:58
Speaker
Yeah, okay, fair. I like that it's a discussion, not like a follow-back with a letter or an email. i like that they hash it out all in one go.
00:32:09
Speaker
And sure, it still ends the same, mine Yeah, there is at least interaction. They're able to talk backwards and forwards so they both know where each other stands. And that tracks really well with how this adaptation has been going so far with them having more conversations and more freely able to chat about stuff. So yeah, I like it. We've discussed this before. This is the big issue with as soon as you translate Pride and Prejudice into a modern setting, they can communicate and they should be communicating. And what if they're not?
00:32:39
Speaker
After a cathartic cry session, Lily takes some action. She writes down the things that both boys told her and starts doing some internet sleuthing. She can only find two news stories, one about Dorian visiting someone in a hospital during some filming, and one about Alex being cast and then replaced in that independent movie.
00:32:59
Speaker
Lily realises the only way to find the truth is to talk to Stacey's daughter, Inez. She chats to Inez at a screening and turns the conversation to Alex King. Apparently, Stacey met and fell in love with Alex.
00:33:12
Speaker
He moved in and started spending her money while cheating on her. Great. When Stacey confronted him about the cheating, they fought and Alex pushed her down some stairs, breaking her arm.
00:33:26
Speaker
Yeah, dirt heavy. Dorian and Stacey paid Alex off to keep quiet and to keep the story out of the news. Why? That doesn't make any sense.
00:33:38
Speaker
It wouldn't have ruined her reputation. it would have just ruined his. do you think so? Yeah. She got pushed down the stairs. All I can think of is that as a female producer in Hollywood, there would be something said about her.
00:33:56
Speaker
I think Alex would get out of it scot-free or maybe not scot-free, but I think he would come out of it being like, oh, well, she was being awful. Like, i think there would be a spin to it.
00:34:06
Speaker
Possibly. i mean, Me Too hasn't gone that well, has it? It's a horrible situation all around. Yeah, it is. No good way to segue out of that. But Lily then flies home without Nicola, and she's relieved to be finally home away from the superficial wonderland.
00:34:23
Speaker
Lily fills Juliet in on all the drama, and they agree that they can't share the info about Alex because it would ruin Stacey. Lily also learns that Rosie wants to join the backpackers, including Alex, on a trip to Queensland.
00:34:37
Speaker
Lydia has said no, but she soon caves thanks to Rosie's teenage persistence. But in a twist, Lydia's decided that she's going to go with them.
00:34:49
Speaker
Okay, maybe a Lydia has learned from her own mistakes? Perhaps. Lily tries to persuade them both to stay home, but her mum has made up her mind. Lily got to go away.
00:35:01
Speaker
Why can't Rosie and I? Because Rosie is a child and the backpackers are adults. As Lydia and Rosie head to Queensland, Lily heads to Melbourne to visit her aunt Kitty.
00:35:12
Speaker
And it's time for the Pemberley arc. Excellent. Lily accompanies Kitty and Hannah to museums and plays, distracting her from all things Hollywood, until Hannah receives an invite from a friend to visit a new film set, the set of Dorian Khan's new movie.
00:35:28
Speaker
Well, Lily only agrees to go once it's confirmed that Dorian won't be on set the day they're visiting. Lily is surprised how nice everyone is on the film set, despite the performative nature of what they're doing.
00:35:41
Speaker
Lily, Kitty and Hannah watch the stunt team film their scenes. This isn't the fancy parties or social media presence obsessed actors, but the real teamwork of creating and storytelling. And Lily is mesmerized.
00:35:55
Speaker
Yeah, film sets are amazing. And the whole crew, they start talking about like the stunt people, the actors. Hannah's friend says Dorian's the reason that the set is so welcoming and teamwork focused, that not every set is like that.
00:36:10
Speaker
Of course, then Lily runs into Dorian. What a surprise. Massive shocker. Lily is mortified, convinced she looks like a stalker. Yeah, low key. Low key she does. This is more weird than Elizabeth turning up to Pemberley. Yeah. Yes, exactly. And especially after what he said in l LA as well. Yes, yes.
00:36:32
Speaker
Dorian, though, is super friendly to all of them. He introduces the group to his older sister, Sigrid. Okay. So we have a Georgiana.
00:36:43
Speaker
She's just not involved in the scandal. okay. Sigrid's visiting from the UK and is super bored on the film set. So Lily and Sigrid make plans to go visit some museums next week once Kitty and Hannah return to work. Cute. The ultimate twist here would be that Sigrid and Lily hit it off and they become the couple.
00:37:03
Speaker
Spoiler alert, that doesn't happen. I can't keep that ruse up. There's no way I can keep a straight face and have that continue. Lily and Sigrid spend the day exploring libraries, parks and museums and end up drinking wine on a rooftop bar.
00:37:17
Speaker
They have a heart-to-heart about Lily's future and her not knowing what to do. And Sigrid's like, there's no point worrying. You'll be fine with whatever you end up choosing. It's actually really sweet.
00:37:28
Speaker
That sounds lovely. I love that Sigrid is on the same wavelength as Georgiana. Supportive and lovely. Yes, definitely. She's like the older sister or parental figure almost that Lily doesn't have in Lydia. Yes, awesome.
00:37:42
Speaker
Sigrid suggests that Lily join her back at the apartment so that they can order in food. But when they arrive, the whole gang is there. Casey gives Lily a massive bear hug. Cecilia gets Lily's name wrong. And Dorian is there too. Sigrid did not get his message about the change of plans. So it's a complete surprise to everyone.
00:38:01
Speaker
Lily offers to head home, but everyone insists that she stay, except for Cecilia. Cecilia asks what everyone is wearing to the movie premiere the following evening. A changing conversation clearly meant to exclude Lily, so Dorian invites her to attend. Bad move, Cecilia. Yeah, you can't pull focus like that.
00:38:21
Speaker
The movie premiere is an experience. Dorian and Casey are swamped by people. Cecilia tries to cling to Dorian's side, but a PR ah manager skillfully removes her. Brilliant. No starting rumors that she's the new girlfriend. And now that Lily knows him better, she can see how uncomfortable Dorian is with the attention and marvels at how well he performs in this setting.
00:38:45
Speaker
She then watches the group walk the red carpet. And Steph, I have a quote for you to read out that explains how it all goes. Lily hung to the side, trying to get away from all the cameras and flashes.
00:38:57
Speaker
The noise was deafening and the magical aura around the stars drew light, eyes, microphones and all conversation. They moved in a halo created by everyone else's attention. Every single person there, even Stacey Black, was self-consciously playing a supporting part.
00:39:15
Speaker
Yet, at that moment, as she hung back, Dorian was actually looking at her. Their eyes met across the confusion in a smile that everyone saw but few understood.
00:39:26
Speaker
Cecilia followed his gaze and smirked. So nice of you to show her all this, she murmured. Poor thing, though. She looks very out of place. Dorian turned on her. She is.
00:39:36
Speaker
And he drifted back towards the cameras, leaving Cecilia with the obviously nonsensical impression that he thought being out of place in this crowd was a good thing. Any thoughts?
00:39:47
Speaker
In these days, with every red carpet appearance being dissected on TikTok, there's no way, there's no way that that smile wouldn't have been picked up on and blasted all over social media with everyone everyone immediately going, who is this girl? Dorian's got a new girlfriend. He's got this other girl hanging around as a ruse, Cecilia, but it's actually that girl over there.
00:40:10
Speaker
That's an interesting take. It sounds like she is very much not visible to in the whole thing. So yes, okay, smile. I mean, she's about to attend the movie premiere and they're all going to sit in a group, I'm assuming. So maybe there would be an extra. But for the purposes of the story, one sees it. Because there's so many fans and everything there, someone would absolutely have just gotten like phone footage of her hovering off to the side.
00:40:34
Speaker
Quite possibly, yeah. After seeing the movie, the group heads back to the apartment to celebrate, but Lily doesn't stay long. She's convinced she might start a fight with either Cecilia or Stacey Black. Dorian invites her to join him at the theatre the next evening, and Lily says yes.
00:40:49
Speaker
But their theatre date is not to be, because Lily gets a frantic call from Rosie. Lydia's at it again.
00:41:00
Speaker
so yes, Rosie explains that their mother has run off with Alex King. oh my God. She just can't help herself. Also, I'm just so glad it's not Rosie. Yes. So I was filled with this absolute existential dread that this whole book was going to be Rosie, was going to be the one that runs away. And she's 15. And yes, that is the same age as Lydia in the original story. And the age gap is gross there. It's way less acceptable now than it was even then.
00:41:29
Speaker
Yes. And it is heaps creepier once you modernize everything. Yes. Because yeah, we have about a 15 year old who... is underage. So thankfully not a problem. We side skirted that and it's our OG Lydia who runs away. Lydia up to her old tricks.
00:41:48
Speaker
Oh God. So she's just left Rosie with a bunch of strangers? She's just left Rosie. She's got no money and Lydia isn't answering her phone. Oh my god Lily hears Dorian arrive for them to go to the theater and gives Kitty the phone to help calm Rosie down.
00:42:05
Speaker
Lily cancels on Dorian and explains what's going on. Dorian offers to help. He says he'll send his private plane to pick her up. He can afford whatever she needs and no one needs to find out. I was going to say, surely he's got an offer for a private jet at some point. Yes.
00:42:20
Speaker
And that point is now. But Lily gets upset. She doesn't need his money. He's trying to control the situation and Lily doesn't want that. Lily also isn't totally broke or friendless and she doesn't need him to save her.
00:42:34
Speaker
She adds in her head it would have been nice if he'd emotionally supported her, but he doesn't. So it's an interesting take that she turns down all of the help. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Like that's a really nice thing to do.
00:42:49
Speaker
Just be like, hey, I can help. It is nice. I think given Lily's background as a character and because she's the responsible one in the family, i think she's got a lot of pressure on herself to fix things and she has to be the one to sort stuff out. And yes, someone who is a little bit more mature might go, hey, someone is offering me a really nice thing here. But we'll talk about it a little bit later. It's kind of nice that the women save themselves in this story.
00:43:22
Speaker
I agree. This is just my personal stuff coming into this. But someone being like, here, let's work through some solutions as opposed to being like, how do you feel about this? I'm like, now is not the time for feelings. Now is the time for solutions. Yes. So i think while Lily is looking for solutions, I think Dorian and her aren't going out or anything. I mean, they sort of, they they haven't had that conversation, right? Like yeah they were going on a date to the theater that evening. So something might have happened, but they aren't really friends either. They've they done a couple of outings. They don't really know each other. yeah There's no ongoing textings.
00:43:58
Speaker
Like there's nothing like that. There's just been a few swapped. I think knowing what she knows about what Alex has done to him, i think she just sees him throwing money at it as kind of guilt thing. They're also the poor branch of the family. Lydia is living rent free in the aunt's beach house. So I think there's that. No, I can fix myself.
00:44:19
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. Interesting. I feel like, yeah, maybe just hearing broad strokes of a story sort of you miss that a little bit. Yeah, you definitely do. I think it makes a lot more sense. Unfortunately, though, we can't go into every detail in the podcast. No, no, we can't. We can't go into every detail. Sorry, guys. If there's ever any non sequiturs, that's why. i'm sure it makes more sense in context. And you know, i am a massive proponent of women saving themselves. But at the same time, I'm just like, you've just been given access to a private jet.
00:44:49
Speaker
Just take it. So Dorian wishes her luck and he leaves. Lily and Kitty organise to get Rosie home. Lily tells Kitty that Alex has done this before, going after women and using them for their money, but they both know that Lydia doesn't have any.
00:45:05
Speaker
At that moment, Lydia calls Lily. She tells Lily to stop nagging her about Rosie. Rosie wanted to be left behind, so that's not her fault.
00:45:16
Speaker
Good, good to see that Lydia has learned some important lessons becoming a mother. Yep. Lydia shares that Alex is giving her everything right now and she's in love. And after everything she's done for Lily and Rosie with no help, she's putting herself first and they're getting married. Okay, cool. What a phone call to make at a time like this. What a phone call to make to your 18-year-old daughter.
00:45:42
Speaker
Yeah, fix it. I've abandoned my 15 year old in a different state to where we live and where you currently are and sort it out. Yeah, it's not my fault. I'm just hashtag living my best life. The thing that I do love about this is that Lydia hasn't changed and no one is trying to redeem her because sometimes female characters are awful and they are allowed to be awful and to stay awful. Women contain multitudes.
00:46:10
Speaker
Yeah. So we're going to pause the story right here because we do need to discuss Lydia. This is our OG Lydia transplanted into the modern day. I think she's in her 40s now. The book says Lydia is around 20 years older than Alex. And I think Alex is around 22, 24, that kind of age.
00:46:28
Speaker
But like you said, she hasn't changed. She's left George Wickham, but she is definitely still Lydia. Lydia covers a few different characters in this story. She's definitely a Mrs. Bennet, encouraging the girls to flirt with the boys and go after the rich guys. She is her mother's daughter.
00:46:44
Speaker
She definitely is. And she blames both Lily and Juliet when they let Wilson and Casey, quote, get away. e Okay. Well, Mrs. Bennet does that with Mr. Collins, right? like a modern context, it's... In a modern context, it's a bit different, but adaptation-wise, yeah. yeah It tracks, but it's still icky.
00:47:04
Speaker
But Lydia is also Mr. Bennet. She doesn't set boundaries for her daughters. Yes. Yes. our issues with Mr Bennett rise to the surface. But she is also still Lydia.
00:47:18
Speaker
She wants the girls to have boyfriends and says at one point she's worried that they're missing out on experiences that she had, even though, as Lily points out, those experiences left massive scars.
00:47:31
Speaker
Just because you suffered doesn't mean your children should suffer in the same way. That's not growth. That's awful. I don't know if she necessarily means suffered, but like, why haven't they gone out with anyone yet? But it's a two edged sword, right? They're both, both elements are mentioned. This Lydia is self-obsessed, loud, parties, drinks and flirts with everyone. Now, to be clear, none of those things are bad, but she doesn't take responsibility for herself or for her daughters. And at early forties age range, I think that's a bit of a problem. Yeah, definitely.
00:48:04
Speaker
Throughout the book, she coasts by on her sister's generosity. Jane, Elizabeth and Kitty all say that they've bailed Lydia out multiple times. And while Lydia is always responsible for her own actions, she doesn't seem to be facing consequences because her sisters make things go away. And we're going to see how this plays out in the resolution.
00:48:23
Speaker
I'm intrigued. It is interesting to see the aftermath because i know there must be a huge amount of guilt for Elizabeth and Jane that their baby sister, they may not like her very much, but she ended up with a monstrous predator and it's an awful situation to be in. i can see how they would then spend the rest of their lives kind of scrambling to save her from herself, which again, given her personality, doesn't do her any favours.
00:48:51
Speaker
But that's why Jane offers her the beach house rent free, right? Exactly. But yes, it's that pattern of behavior. Yeah, never addressing your issues. So you just keep repeating yourself. And back to the story. Lily texts Dorian on her flight home, wishing him luck on the film. And Dorian replies saying he's sorry that they didn't get to say goodbye.
00:49:10
Speaker
Lily arrives in Sydney at her Aunt Elizabeth's house to see Rosie has arrived safely. Jane and Lizzie are there. And while Lily wants to get home to Pippi so Rosie can get back to school, her aunts want them to stay with Jane.
00:49:22
Speaker
They don't want the girls living at Pippi by themselves. And while they know Lily is responsible, they aren't sure what Lydia is going to do next. Yes. Plus also, Lily is 18.
00:49:33
Speaker
She can't become Rosie's mother. No, exactly. And what's cool is that Jane and Elizabeth are actually taking responsibility for their nieces. Yes, this is great. They're stepping up, which we know that they would do because their characters are very responsible.
00:49:48
Speaker
Now, I have a quote for Steph to read out here, which I think kind of explains some of that resolution that we're talking about. Elizabeth says, quote, Jane and I have been bailing Lydia out of scrapes since she was 15, and it's just not sustainable anymore for us or her. This is Lydia's choice. She has to deal with the repercussions and bear her responsibilities. It's not for you, meaning Lily, or us to fix.
00:50:12
Speaker
So yes, that's kind of the direction that we're heading in for the resolution. Good. Good. It's about time. They're all learning an important lesson here. Because also, Elizabeth and Jane, as much as it pains me to say it, they need to take responsibility for their part in this occurring as well. Because I know that everything they would have done for Lydia would have been coming from a good place, but it is driven by guilt and it's not done her any favours.
00:50:37
Speaker
Absolutely none. So the girls move into Aunt Jane's place. Rosie starts attending the fancy private school that Kat goes to, and Lily just feels lost. After a pep talk from her Aunt Lizzie, Lily decides to do what needs doing, so she heads up to Pippi Beach to check on the house.
00:50:55
Speaker
While she's up there, Lily learns that some Americans want to make a movie at Pippi Beach. They want to buy out the whole community for exclusive access for three months.
00:51:06
Speaker
Now, Pippi Beach is so isolated that everything comes in via ferry, so you can't actually drive there. So what's that going to do to the people that live there all the time? What's it going to do to the environment?
00:51:19
Speaker
And Lily has discovered her spark and something to do. Excellent. After an internet search confirming that Stacey Black and Dorian have nothing to do with the film, she starts researching and creates a comprehensive document to submit to the council to prevent filming.
00:51:35
Speaker
And now she's got an idea of what she wants to do with her life. I love it. It's a great moment of positivity given everything else that's come before. Four weeks to the day after running away, Lydia shows up at Jane's door alone and asks if she can return to Pippi. No.
00:51:54
Speaker
Well, no one mentions Alex, but after conversations between the sisters behind closed doors, Lydia and her girls are allowed to return to Pippi, but Lydia is paying rent this time. Good.
00:52:06
Speaker
Rosie is overjoyed to be back at her school, and Lily is surprised how easily they slip back into their routine as if nothing has happened, until one night, Alex calls her mum's phone.
00:52:17
Speaker
After Lydia rejects it twice, Lily picks it up to give him a piece of her mind. Alex tries turning on the charm, which, ew. He's after money, and Lily firmly tells him that they are not helping him. Also, they don't have any money. Also that.
00:52:32
Speaker
Lydia takes on the role of the responsible adult, which kind of freaks Lily out. One day she disappears to the city and is gone all day. Lydia tells Lily later that she'd spent the day with the police making a statement.
00:52:45
Speaker
Alex had hit Lydia and the word abused is used. Oh, ouch. There's no other detail given. That's all we get. Good for Lydia. Good for Lydia. Lydia says that he won't stop hurting people until someone stops him. So that's what Lydia is doing.
00:53:00
Speaker
Yes, I love this arc. Take an abuser off the streets. And between her and another woman that he was seeing while he was supposedly with Lydia, they have enough evidence to prosecute.
00:53:11
Speaker
Great. The book is vague about what happened, but what's important is that Alex King will be charged with whatever he did. That's great. This is awesome. This is a great build into the story. It's not a straightforward adaptation of the Wickham scandal like we've kind of discussed, but it works. It works because it is hard to do a straightforward adaptation to modern times that doesn't have a cultural overhang like in Unmarriageable, for example.
00:53:36
Speaker
So I think that this is an excellent way of doing it because there is that culture of secrecy around domestic violence. And as we've already touched on, it can really blow back on the women involved.
00:53:49
Speaker
So this is a great build and a really interesting interpretation of the Wickham storyline. It is, yeah. And just a spoiler alert, Dorian doesn't help at all. Lily's aunts get Rosie home and support Lydia through whatever she's doing to stop Alex.
00:54:04
Speaker
There's no threat to anyone's reputation. Lydia already has one, but her actions do cause significant harm to her relationships with her girls. And she has to own that and work on that.
00:54:15
Speaker
This is good. We want to see some some character growth in Lydia that doesn't involve her being completely absolved of her past. We want to see her grow as a person and take responsibility for her actions. This is fantastic. It really is. I really enjoy it.
00:54:31
Speaker
And back to the story. Lily has decided to enroll in an environmental science degree after her experience defending Pippi Beach because her proposal was successful. The council has viewed it favorably, but the production withdrew the application before it could be assessed.
00:54:46
Speaker
There is a bit of drama one day when a helicopter arrives. Usually they only arrive in medical emergencies. But it's Stacey Black and she's here to roast Lily.
00:54:58
Speaker
And Lily doesn't know why. so apparently it was Stacey's movie, but her name didn't appear publicly anywhere on it. ah And they're the ones that wanted to film it, Pippi. It was going to star Dorian.
00:55:10
Speaker
But Dorian refused to take part if it was filmed at Pippi. I knew it. Yes. So this is Dorian stepping in to save Lily and her family that we'd normally get in the Wickham, but we're getting it here instead. Yes.
00:55:24
Speaker
I like it. Stacey wants to convince Lily to tell Dorian to do the movie at Pippi. Lily says no, and she fights for Pippi again, even after Stacey tries to buy her off with a massive cheque and cheques for everyone in town.
00:55:38
Speaker
That's not the point, Stacey. Sometimes those things that money can't buy. Stacy calls her a nobody from nowhere. Ooh, sick burn, Stacy. And poison to Dorian's life and career.
00:55:54
Speaker
So dramatic. So LA. Yeah, it's it's a bit OTT. Lily tells her off and says, Pippi matters. Now everyone sees the exchange because they'd all come out of their houses because helicopter, medical emergency, what needs to be done? But no one knows what's discussed, so it all dies down.
00:56:10
Speaker
Of course, until our pal Wilson shows up for a family lunch to spill the secret. He tells Lily in front of her whole family that she needs to stay away from Dorian and Lydia bursts out laughing because when has Lily seen Dorian?
00:56:25
Speaker
Lily hates Dorian. Here's where the Mr. Bennett characterization comes in. I like it. Yep, it's great. Soon it's Christmas time again and news comes that a certain two actors are returning to the Cliff House.
00:56:38
Speaker
When they arrive, Casey charms everyone and Dorian remains quiet. Later that night, Juliet and Casey go for a walk and decide to start going out. Cute. Casey wants Juliet to join him on the Gold Coast while he films a movie next year.
00:56:52
Speaker
But Juliet has university to go to. She's not going to sit around with him all year, but she will fly up on weekends to see him. Good girl. The next day, Dorian shows up and asks Lily to join him on a walk.
00:57:04
Speaker
Lily shares that she's going to study environmental science and thanks Dorian for standing up to Stacey. Dorian is angry at Stacey for blaming Lily like that. He also apologises for not warning her who Alex King really was.
00:57:17
Speaker
Then Dorian asks if she still feels the same way she did in LA, and if she does, he'll leave. And Lily answers by kissing him. Aww.
00:57:30
Speaker
We love a man who learns from his mistakes. Yes. Dorian admits that he was awful, more learning, and Lily apologises for being judgmental. Later that night, when Julia and Lily say they're both going to the Cliff House for dinner, Lydia is confused.
00:57:46
Speaker
No daughter of mine is going to sell herself out for fame and fortune. She gets to have this real Mr. Bennett mama bear moment here and it's kind of sweet. That's very cute. The relationship isn't even official on social media yet. There has been a running joke with Lydia. Yeah.
00:58:03
Speaker
That things have to be official on social media. So she gets to throw this line in. It's very funny. ah The most amazing Gen X vibe there. I love it. Yes.
00:58:14
Speaker
Rosie and Kat, of course, squeal because it's Dorian Khan. And Rosie finds a new post on Dorian's social media. Two pippi shells sitting side by side arranged in a little heart.
00:58:28
Speaker
Aww. Cute. The story ends with everyone being happy in the moment. Lydia is happy her family are all together and that these budding relationships are starting.
00:58:38
Speaker
Perhaps Dorian and Lily and Juliet and Casey won't be together forever, but they're together now. And that means that their stories will always be connected. This is a YA book set in the 2020s. No one is getting married straight away.
00:58:51
Speaker
Excellent. Excellent. I love the additional note that maybe they won't be together forever, because realistically, they won't be. But that doesn't make it any less special. We're just going to live in the happy world that when this book ends, they are together and that's all that matters.
00:59:06
Speaker
So there is one main theme I want to discuss in this book, and it's first impressions or performance versus authenticity. You may have noticed I've repeated the words perform or performance a lot in this episode. In fact, I've used the word perform 21 times. but But who's counting? I am.
00:59:27
Speaker
But that's because the book does. Using performance to show when people are being fake or over the top contrasting with the characters who are being authentic.
00:59:38
Speaker
Pride and Prejudice is about first impressions or performances and how characters show or disguise their real nature. Whether it's quite literally a character showing off their skill or lack thereof at the pianoforte, Wickham performing the role of the gentleman, or Elizabeth trying to make out Darcy's true character at the Netherfield Ball, the characters are always trying to see each other for who they really are.
01:00:01
Speaker
And translating that to a setting about actors, Hollywood, and the sycophants that surround them is such a cool idea. In an industry about performing, how do you see and know what's truly real?
01:00:14
Speaker
I love it. It's such an excellent translation. And I think adding the the lens over this for y a is also really interesting because I feel like that is potentially like a lesson for younger readers to learn. It's probably like a life experience that they don't have. I don't mean to say sound like paternalistic, but these layers of artifice that can occur.
01:00:37
Speaker
It's a really great translation of the lessons that Austen was trying to impart in her original book. Absolutely. So let's first discuss our performers. Cecilia shows off to Dorian to attract his attention, but he sees through it.
01:00:52
Speaker
She clings to the status that both her brother and Dorian provide. She also manages Casey's social media. So she's responsible for his online image. We don't get to see his socials, but I do wonder how much they differ from who the true or real Casey is.
01:01:09
Speaker
That would be super interesting to see. Maybe that was a layer in the book that they just had to maybe strip out because it was getting a bit heavy or a bit clunky. Potentially. I imagine it's probably a lot of branded posts. So many. Here I am with my athletic greens. Here I am with my vitamin gummies. Here I am at this gym that is sponsoring me. I can only imagine.
01:01:32
Speaker
Our next performer is Wilson Collins. He takes pride in his status and his proximity to power. He is so wrapped up in the industry. Lily feels sorry for him, but Nicola gets swept up and ends the novel having broken up with Wilson, but she is chasing the industry as well.
01:01:50
Speaker
Really? That's an interesting addition that she breaks up with him. Yes. We love that because he doesn't seem great, but also don't love that she's chasing the artifice.
01:02:03
Speaker
Yeah, so she kind of ends up sort of in a weird middle ground, but she's still performing, I think. I i would put her more definitely on the performer's side. Yes, yes. And of course, let's not forget Alex King, who plays the romantic hero role or the victim role, but he's really the villain.
01:02:17
Speaker
And these characters are contrasted to the ones who are authentic. Casey is always open and welcoming wherever he is, and while Dorian seems to be closed off behind a performance and an accent, he is acutely aware of the fakeness of people around him and is drawn to Lily because she is open and honest. Lily says how she feels all the time and is repelled by the shininess of Los Angeles.
01:02:40
Speaker
And even though it's a place where people are being paid to perform, the film set is one of the nicest environments in the book. It's in Melbourne during the Pemberley arc that Lily finally sees the real Dorian and Dorian sees clearest Lily's authenticity and they can finally really connect.
01:02:57
Speaker
I feel like that contrast of the film set and the artifice of LA is really talking to Angauri's personal experience with having to be part of this LA glitter fest and then actually being on the set with the people that make it tick. So, you know, your runners, your makeup artists, your stunt people, your all your camera crews, your sound guys who are down to earth and just doing a job, a job that they love and is super creative and is a very different world that they move in and exist in.
01:03:30
Speaker
And it also makes that contrast right between, if we go back to the original, Lady Catherine is upper class and people treat her like she's special and she's of that rank, but she's not a nice person. While as Darcy, he walks the walk, right? And it's that comment between class. And I think that that is being translated. Yeah.
01:03:48
Speaker
I think it's translated really well. Yeah. There is also a clash of performance versus authenticity when it comes to Pippi Beach. It is seen as an authentic and untouched natural paradise. And when that is threatened by Hollywood, everyone fights to protect Pippi.
01:04:03
Speaker
It's a great adaptation of this theme and I think it makes the book much richer. Yeah, definitely. It's got a lot of layers. Like an onion. Or a parfait. Always don't like parfaits.
01:04:15
Speaker
In the morning, I'm making waffles. And with that, it's time for the book's rating. Stuck up and stupid is Austin approved. The plot and the characters we love are here, and the story explores some important themes.
01:04:29
Speaker
We've just been through how wonderfully the theme of performance and authenticity is wonderfully adapted to this new setting. For a book that is set in the modern day, the main plot beats of Pride and Prejudice are mostly here and well adapted for the new context.
01:04:40
Speaker
I also love the inclusion of the OG Bennett sisters. The Lydia is still the one that causes the scandal is a great twist for a YA adaptation. especially when Rosie is so young.
01:04:52
Speaker
Agreed. But thanks to the advantage of her sisters, they now have the resources to come to their own rescue. And actually, none of the female characters are left with bad men in this novel.
01:05:03
Speaker
From our original characters, Lydia and Wickham have split, as have Charlotte and Mr. Collins. By the end of the book, Nicola has split from Wilson, and Alex is getting prosecuted.
01:05:14
Speaker
The quote, widespread male rat baggery, end quote, is not tolerated in this book. None of the bad men end up with their version of a happily ever after.
01:05:25
Speaker
Good. We love to see it. I also love how cozy this book feels to me. Pride and Prejudice, but in Australia. Having grown up around the beach and similar small coastal communities, this one hit me in the feels. There's even an AFL joke in the first two chapters.
01:05:43
Speaker
I love it. Yes, AFL or Australian Rules Football is a great sport and it's one of several football codes that battle to be called football in Australia, depending on where you live.
01:05:55
Speaker
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Jane Austen Remixed. We love exploring this wonderful corner of the literary world with you. Please share the podcast with your friends, family, literary fans, and other Janeites. And we would love it if you would leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you are listening. This helps us reach other fans of Pride and Prejudice and build our community.
01:06:16
Speaker
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01:06:28
Speaker
Join us in two weeks when we examine Love, Lovecraft and Mr. Darcy by Violet King. And now, for the most important question that we've all been waiting for, Melinda, does this Darcy dive into a lake?
01:06:45
Speaker
No, Dorian Khan does not dive into anything, which is weird for an adaptation set at the beach. And there's a pool party. Yeah, there's lots of swimming and pier jumping, but never with Dorian. Lily does dive into the ocean in front of him at one point, but it's during the netherfield part of the story.
01:07:06
Speaker
I'm not sure, but that's probably the closest we've got and it would be a gender-swapped version of the lake dive anyway. See you next episode.
01:07:25
Speaker
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