About this book
This Pride & Prejudice retelling brings New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta’s trademark wit and insight to her bright and funny YA debut! It is a truth universally acknowledged that Leela Bose plays to win. A life-long speech competitor, Leela loves nothing more than crushing the competition, all while wearing a smile. But when she meets the incorrigible Firoze Darcy, a debater from an elitist private school, Leela can’t stand him. Unfortunately, he’ll be competing in the state league, so their paths are set to collide. But why attempt to tolerate Firoze when Leela can one-up him? The situation is more complicated than Leela anticipated, though, and her participation in the tournament reveals that she might have tragically misjudged the debaters -- including Firoze Darcy -- and more than just her own winning streak is at stake...her heart is, too. Debating Darcy is bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta’s reinterpretation of beloved classic Pride and Prejudice -- imaginative, hilarious, thought-provoking, and truly reflective of the complex, diverse world of American high school culture.
Censorship history
In 2025, "Debating Darcy" by Sayantani Dasgupta was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to its LGBTQ+ content. This ban was part of a broader trend of challenges to books featuring LGBTQ+ themes, often initiated by local parent-teacher associations and conservative advocacy groups. Specific instances included formal complaints lodged in school board meetings, leading to votes that upheld the bans in districts such as those in Texas and Florida. As of now, the book remains contested in various educational institutions, with ongoing debates about its appropriateness in school curricula.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | LGBTQ+ |