I could be convinced that "Eligible" is an entirely appropriate, maybe even brilliant, modernization of Pride and Prejudice, but not that it's a particularly enjoyable read. The uncomfortable truth: it's far easier to dismiss or digest the parodied vulgarities and shortcomings of generations past than of generation present. But even beyond that (and there's a lot of that to get beyond — jokes, teasing, innuendo, etc., about sexual orientation, obesity and weight, Jewish heritage, race, and more, set the tone for the crass, silly Bennetts) the interpretation seems off. The "villians" of Pride and Prejudice, for example, are oddly represented or missing, which makes Liz Bennett and her family seem even more fraught and vapid and Darcy seem less generous in his efforts.

The modernization isn't completely miserable or off-key, though. I think it's spot-on to put the Bennetts among the Country Club set in the Midwest, and Mr. Bennett is as acerbic and mildly useless as you could hope. Jane as a placid yoga instructor and Darcy as a neurosurgeon both make sense to me. The younger Bennett sisters are energetically ridiculous and crass, as you would expect. And, yes, Bingley could easily be a good-natured, stupidly rich guy who lets himself get talked into a version of "The Bachelor."

The book is well written but overly long, the wit is more snark than sparkle, and none of the characters are people I would enjoy being around much or feel compelled to read more about.