The Season

In this contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Megan McKnight (standing in for Elizabeth Bennet) is a college soccer star and tomboy whose mother demands she go through the prestigious Dallas debutante season with her twin sister, Julia, representing Jane. Megan and Julia are debutante royalty—all of the women in their family have been debs—and live on a struggling cattle ranch, which their mother hopes to sell to solve their financial woes. The Dyers, a married screenwriting team, send the twins to party after lavish party, with suitors swirling around them, including two for Megan (Hank, in place of Mr. Wickham, and Andrew, a Darcy figure). The authors paint Megan in broad strokes, portraying her as the unlikeliest of debs and playing up the physical comedy (Megan goes to her first event of the season with a wicked black eye) before giving her a dramatic transformation from clumsy tomboy to polished—but not too polished—debutante. Austen fans will enjoy recognizing classic Pride and Prejudice moments and appreciate the message about staying true to oneself. Ages 14–up. Agent: Simon Lipskar, Writers House. (July)