The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (an amazing youtube series)

For those who are unaware of the true genius that is The Lizzie Bennet Diaries I will help clear things up. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a YouTube adaptation of bestselling novel Pride and Prejudice. This brilliant series, created by Hank Green, Vlogbrother, and YouTube sensation; is a 100 episode mini series starring the famous Lizzie Bennet. This series is formatted to where Lizzie Bennet, a college student in her last year of study, begins an internet blog in which we are the viewers. It is created to look completely real, as if Lizzie were just another YouTuber doing her job making videos. As the audience we are able to see and hear about everything that happens in her life, which in a 21st century way, mirrors that of Ms. Bennet's in Pride and Prejudice.

To some embarrassment I must admit that I have not, nor do I plan to read the original novel. While I respect it's significance as a classic, I don't think I would be able to get through reading it without forcing myself. I have seen the original movie, however, and even that I didn't enjoy too well. I understand that time period and for that reason I hate it. I hate the idea that a woman's only purpose is to be pretty and find a husband. Yes, Lizzie Bennet is the main point of rebellion, however, I wish she were more so. This wish of mine is fulfilled in the internet series.

One thing I love about the web series is how relatable the characters are. Not only in the obvious sense of a young women living with her crazy family but also in the format of the series. The series uses all sources of media, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, to create the feeling that Lizzie is an actual person. Each video seems as though you the viewer are directly being spoken to. As if Lizzie is your best friend telling you over video chat how crazy her life has been that day. Through Tumblr Gif's and Memes an entire obsession was created. Since the episodes were aired two per week in between episodes the internet would explode with things like the Meme above. You could, through the internet, keep tabs of all the actors daily making this fictitious series come to life.



The series is also much funnier, in my opinion, than the original. The humor in this series is so much less complex then the book that for my generation I feel it's much more appreciated. If that says that my generation is too stupid to appreciate such literature then so be it. The web series is quirky, clevor, and all around keeps you on your toes until the next episode. It has a beautiful mix of humor, drama, and truly serious situations that make this series not just another YouTube thing.





 

In conclusion... The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an amazing series. Being an avid YouTuber who prefers it over TV the argument can be made that I am very biased. However, that doesn't change that fact that Hank Green created an amazing series that is worth watching.