by Molly McGill
Editor’s note: This review includes spoilers including a discussion of the end of the book. We have inserted a divider midreview to indicate where the spoilers begin.
Gabe Cole Novoa (He/Him) writes a dedication to the trans readers of “Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix.” The sentiment expressed here is felt throughout the book.
“To my trans siblings: We deserve romances that will sweep us off our feet too. That’s why this book is for you.”
Novoa himself is transmasculine and “Most Ardently” has all the makings of a passion project. Words are chosen carefully by Novoa to ensure that the story represents a romantic fairytale for his readers, the kind that is rarely given out to queer characters and relationships.
“Do you really think you’ll ever meet someone who will take you as a husband at all? Oliver clenched his jaw, forcing the thought out of his mind. But even as he silenced the doubt, it left behind a cold emptiness that make him feel like a cored apple”
Most Ardently was written as part of the Remixed Classics series of books, which takes classics and shakes them up fundamentally. It is notably called a Remix and not a retelling, as much of the story is stripped to the bare bones to fully flesh out the added story elements. Novoa has removed much of Austen’s original commentary on social class to allow queer representation to be at the forefront of the novel. This prevents the story from becoming muddied and convoluted.
“Most Ardently” is a rewrite of “Pride and Prejudice” in which our protagonist is a closeted transgender man, renamed Oliver Bennet. His friend Charlotte Lucas is reimagined as a lesbian in a covert relationship with a soldier’s wife, an original character.
In this review, I will be using he/him pronouns for Oliver but please be warned that due to the nature of the novel, Oliver is sometimes misgendered by characters in the story due to the nature of the text. He is never misgendered by the narrative.
“It was a familiar discomfort, like the way he felt every time he had to wear a dress. Like it was all a performance, and not one he was particularly adept at. Just the thought of it brought a bone-deep exhaustion.”
The addition of Molly Houses (no relation) to the narrative grounded the story in reality. These places existed and were safe spaces for people like Oliver and Darcy to be themselves.
“It was William who’d taught Oliver the truth about Molly Houses- that they were safe spaces for people to be themselves, and not the scandalous sex dens that society at large painted them as.”
Unlike the original “Pride and Prejudice,” Novoa’s uncomplicated prose makes “Most Ardently” a very accessible read. The original “Pride and Prejudice” is a beautifully written novel. However, to most, not an easy read. It is a product of its time and uses much descriptive prose. People with learning disabilities or a younger audience can experience the representation they deserve.
We come back to Novoa’s dedication: This book is for trans audiences, regardless of age or reading ability.
Editor’s note: Spoilers begin after the divider below.
The ending
I think that the ending of “Most Ardently” is the most divisive part of the story as it allows Oliver to live as a man. Oliver’s father contacts the doctor who assisted in Oliver’s birth. He has the doctor agree to testify that Oliver was born a man, therefore protecting him against Wickham. However, this is not as historically inaccurate as it may originally appear.
I am reminded of the story of Catalina de Erauso, who lived as a man during a time when ‘cross-dressing’ was punished by death. However, Catalina managed to avoid punishment for their entire life. Their whole story is chronicled in the book “Lieutenant Nun: Memoir of a Basque Transvestite in the New World written by Catalina themself.” (I use they/ them pronouns here as the situation with Catalina’s gender is complicated). (Note: this memoir is not a light read as it has some troubling subject matter.)
In my opinion, the more unrealistic aspect of the ending is Mrs. Bennet’s acceptance of Oliver’s identity. Mrs. Bennet is built up as a fight waiting to happen, only to fizzle into an anti-climax of immediate understanding.
That being said, the importance of happy endings in queer literature, especially romances should not be understated. There are too many queer stories that end on a sour note and it is refreshing to see a change of pace.
Novoa acknowledges in a note at the end of the book that there is a level of wish fulfilment.
“So, could a trans man in Oliver’s position win a legal challenge to inherit property? I honestly don’t know… regardless of whether or not it happened historically, I can say this: In Oliver’s case, it’s enough”
Perhaps many would dislike the historical inaccuracies but…
I am so sick of the ‘Kill your gays’ trope.
Descendants of Brigid is a monthly column focusing on femme voices in horror literature & queer retellings of classic stories. The column is written by Sage Cigarettes Associate Editor Molly McGill, mmcgill@sagecigarettes.com.
Molly McGill (She/her) is a writer from Country Derry in Ireland. She specialises in short horror fiction and folklore influenced work. Molly joined Sage Cigarettes Magazine as an Associate Editor after graduating from John Moores University in Liverpool studying Film Studies and Creative Writing joint Hons. You can find her on twitter @Night_TimeTea.
