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His Offences Absolved: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
After his dreadful, rejected proposal to his true love, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy receives a letter from her sister. Disgusted by its sentiments, he is spurred to seek Elizabeth again and reveal to her yet another truth she had been blind to—a truth which would absolve him of the last of his perceived great offences against her.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth belong in every world together. His Offences Absolved is based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813). The first draft of His Offences Absolved was written under the name 'mrfitzwilliamdarcy' and titled 'The Unwelcome Letter and Inexplicable Hope.'
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth belong in every world together. His Offences Absolved is based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813). The first draft of His Offences Absolved was written under the name 'mrfitzwilliamdarcy' and titled 'The Unwelcome Letter and Inexplicable Hope.'
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 3, 2023
After Hunsford, Jane wrote to Darcy, and Darcy and Elizabeth consider it a betrayal. It is not quite clear what she wrote but she might have suggested she'd consider marrying Darcy instead of Elizabeth? Bingley proposed to Jane but after finding out about the letter he wants to get out of it. However, he cannot because Mr. Bennet had him sign a contract. (Very clever of Mr. Bennet have a marriage contract waiting. But wouldn't they normally include information about the groom's finances? and Mr. Bennet wouldn't have access to Bingley's details.) Mr. Bingley, Darcy, and Elizabeth are siding with Miss Bingley for once as they all want Jane to break the engagement. There is some disease and some excitement about Lydia's choices.
In theory, I liked the plot bunny that Jane would reveal that she wasn't in love with Bingley and Elizabeth would have to admit that Darcy was right about her after all. But eventually it felt like Jane got a pretty raw deal. Apart from the impropriety of writing a letter to a bachelor, whom did she hurt? Darcy has been approached by ladies before and should be taking it in his stride. Elizabeth had had her chance with Darcy first and told him she didn't want him so why would Jane have thought she cared that someone else does? And Bingley had just left without a goodbye so Jane owed him no allegiance whatsoever. And I thought the author should have let the readers see Jane's letter to judge for themselves but it's just vaguely paraphrased. Elizabeth says she forgives Jane, but does not really. Village gossips are a bit cruel about Jane too. And Bingley comes across as not-so-great, proposing to a woman and starting to wiggle out of it immediately afterwards. He has another potential love interest that comes out of nowhere but nothing comes if it, at least not in this story.
There are some amusing passages but overall this story comes across a little disjointed, like different chapters weren't really sure where the other chapters were going. It often happens in fan fiction: the author writes one chapter at a time and there may be no clear plan so plot threads get dropped and things happen a bit out of the blue, like Bingley's proposal. Somebody is expecting an interesting event and later there are references to "little ones" that apparently belong to the formerly pregnant couple but unless I missed something it's never clear what happened regarding the pregnancy. Did they have twins? Girls? Boys? Both? What was Mr. Bennet's reasoning in having a marriage contract waiting for Bingley? It was never clear. Who is Lady Cassandra and who is her friend who knew Mrs. Younge? It was never clear.
Another round of editing would not have hurt as some wordings and grammar are a little awkward.
In theory, I liked the plot bunny that Jane would reveal that she wasn't in love with Bingley and Elizabeth would have to admit that Darcy was right about her after all. But eventually it felt like Jane got a pretty raw deal. Apart from the impropriety of writing a letter to a bachelor, whom did she hurt? Darcy has been approached by ladies before and should be taking it in his stride. Elizabeth had had her chance with Darcy first and told him she didn't want him so why would Jane have thought she cared that someone else does? And Bingley had just left without a goodbye so Jane owed him no allegiance whatsoever. And I thought the author should have let the readers see Jane's letter to judge for themselves but it's just vaguely paraphrased. Elizabeth says she forgives Jane, but does not really. Village gossips are a bit cruel about Jane too. And Bingley comes across as not-so-great, proposing to a woman and starting to wiggle out of it immediately afterwards. He has another potential love interest that comes out of nowhere but nothing comes if it, at least not in this story.
There are some amusing passages but overall this story comes across a little disjointed, like different chapters weren't really sure where the other chapters were going. It often happens in fan fiction: the author writes one chapter at a time and there may be no clear plan so plot threads get dropped and things happen a bit out of the blue, like Bingley's proposal. Somebody is expecting an interesting event and later there are references to "little ones" that apparently belong to the formerly pregnant couple but unless I missed something it's never clear what happened regarding the pregnancy. Did they have twins? Girls? Boys? Both? What was Mr. Bennet's reasoning in having a marriage contract waiting for Bingley? It was never clear. Who is Lady Cassandra and who is her friend who knew Mrs. Younge? It was never clear.
Another round of editing would not have hurt as some wordings and grammar are a little awkward.
April 1, 2023
unusual premise
A rather unusual premise in this delightful variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by F.D. Woods. I enjoyed it and I hope they keep writing more new stories.
A rather unusual premise in this delightful variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by F.D. Woods. I enjoyed it and I hope they keep writing more new stories.
April 27, 2023
Entertaining, but......
I found this to be a rather strange and quirky tale, filled with melodrama and odd behaviors. After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, Darcy returns to London, and receives a letter in the mail from, of all people, Jane Bennett. Thus begins a series of strange decisions, and actions that are as confusing as they are out of character.
Although the book is written well enough, it's done in a kind of simplistic style. The behavior of some of the characters is just a little off, especially the characters of Kitty Bennett and Charles Bingley. There's plenty of romance, but it's so extremely melodramatic that it's a little silly. The premise is admittedly original, but there's a tone of betrayal throughout that casts a pall over it all. I can't really recommend this book.
I found this to be a rather strange and quirky tale, filled with melodrama and odd behaviors. After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, Darcy returns to London, and receives a letter in the mail from, of all people, Jane Bennett. Thus begins a series of strange decisions, and actions that are as confusing as they are out of character.
Although the book is written well enough, it's done in a kind of simplistic style. The behavior of some of the characters is just a little off, especially the characters of Kitty Bennett and Charles Bingley. There's plenty of romance, but it's so extremely melodramatic that it's a little silly. The premise is admittedly original, but there's a tone of betrayal throughout that casts a pall over it all. I can't really recommend this book.
May 22, 2023
a great read
This starts with Darcy receiving a letter from Jane Bennet offering herself as a replacement. I would have liked to read that letter as it was not in the story. Darcy goes to Longbourn to see Elizabeth and brings Bingley. Somehow he gets engaged to Jane knowing she doesn’t love him. I thought that scene should have been written for me to read also. How Mr Bennet pulled that off was beyond me and it would have made sense for me.
I like stories where Jane is not perfect and this plot was great. Jane is not horrible- just not perfect. Darcy and Elizabeth come together with effort as they should. I’m waiting for the next installment as promised.
This starts with Darcy receiving a letter from Jane Bennet offering herself as a replacement. I would have liked to read that letter as it was not in the story. Darcy goes to Longbourn to see Elizabeth and brings Bingley. Somehow he gets engaged to Jane knowing she doesn’t love him. I thought that scene should have been written for me to read also. How Mr Bennet pulled that off was beyond me and it would have made sense for me.
I like stories where Jane is not perfect and this plot was great. Jane is not horrible- just not perfect. Darcy and Elizabeth come together with effort as they should. I’m waiting for the next installment as promised.
May 10, 2023
Well.
I’m not sure what to say. I got pretty caught up in the grammatical problems here and they bothered me enough to lessen my enjoyment of the book. But that wasn’t the only issue.
This Jane behaves out of character (OOC) and we don’t have any idea why. We don’t get enough of an introduction to understand what might be motivating her and the author doesn’t reveal enough of Jane’s character to ever understand why she does the thing that drives much of the narrative. Instead we are left with Jane basically pleading temporary insanity, because for the rest of the book she behaves in character. I was really frustrated by this inconsistency. The rest of the book is three stars, but as it is right now, I’m sticking with two.
(I rate most JAFF three stars.).
I’m not sure what to say. I got pretty caught up in the grammatical problems here and they bothered me enough to lessen my enjoyment of the book. But that wasn’t the only issue.
This Jane behaves out of character (OOC) and we don’t have any idea why. We don’t get enough of an introduction to understand what might be motivating her and the author doesn’t reveal enough of Jane’s character to ever understand why she does the thing that drives much of the narrative. Instead we are left with Jane basically pleading temporary insanity, because for the rest of the book she behaves in character. I was really frustrated by this inconsistency. The rest of the book is three stars, but as it is right now, I’m sticking with two.
(I rate most JAFF three stars.).
April 3, 2023
A Delightful Surprise
This story was written a little differently than what I expected. It could have been more epistolary since several letters that are the impetus for action are summarised. Characters react to the letters' contents instead of the reader getting to form their own opinions. I found the plot moved quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed the dialogues. I laughed outright at many of Bingley's and Kitty's words and actions. Low angst, and the relationship between ODC is lovely. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This story was written a little differently than what I expected. It could have been more epistolary since several letters that are the impetus for action are summarised. Characters react to the letters' contents instead of the reader getting to form their own opinions. I found the plot moved quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed the dialogues. I laughed outright at many of Bingley's and Kitty's words and actions. Low angst, and the relationship between ODC is lovely. I look forward to reading more from this author.
May 21, 2023
Strange, disjointed story. Jane writes a letter to Darcy that greatly offends him BUT the reader doesn’t see the letter.
In my opinion it’s petty that Darcy’s first thought is to go prove to Elizabeth he was right about Jane without worrying about the ramifications of this.
No attention to proprietary as Lydia’s fiancé lives at Longbourn.
Mr and Mrs Bennet have a baby or two (we don’t find out!). Ugh.
Elizabeth writes Jane off very easily, too easily in my opinion, considering how close they supposedly were.
Do not recommend.
In my opinion it’s petty that Darcy’s first thought is to go prove to Elizabeth he was right about Jane without worrying about the ramifications of this.
No attention to proprietary as Lydia’s fiancé lives at Longbourn.
Mr and Mrs Bennet have a baby or two (we don’t find out!). Ugh.
Elizabeth writes Jane off very easily, too easily in my opinion, considering how close they supposedly were.
Do not recommend.
April 2, 2023
A treasure
This is a a book I will keep and read again. I couldn't believe Jane's betrayal of Elizabeth. Through all time it will always be Darcy and Elizabeth. I believe there is no greater love story than their own. This book focuses on their feelings for each other which is beautiful. It will be a treasure in my library and I believe that Jane Austen would appreciate and approve.
This is a a book I will keep and read again. I couldn't believe Jane's betrayal of Elizabeth. Through all time it will always be Darcy and Elizabeth. I believe there is no greater love story than their own. This book focuses on their feelings for each other which is beautiful. It will be a treasure in my library and I believe that Jane Austen would appreciate and approve.
April 9, 2023
I tried!
I really tried to like this, but it was too farcical for my tastes. And perhaps that was the point, but I couldn’t enjoy it. The technical aspects of the writing were executed quite well, and if you like farce, this is perfect for you. I had to skim through most of it, though.
I really tried to like this, but it was too farcical for my tastes. And perhaps that was the point, but I couldn’t enjoy it. The technical aspects of the writing were executed quite well, and if you like farce, this is perfect for you. I had to skim through most of it, though.
May 11, 2023
I enjoyed this variation on my favourite book. However, there is something big that, in my opinion, is missing.
The premise used to get Darcy and Elizabeth back together is a letter written by Jane to Darcy. I'm not sure why the author made the choice to provide a Darcy's feelings about the letter's contents only. I want to read the letter.
The premise used to get Darcy and Elizabeth back together is a letter written by Jane to Darcy. I'm not sure why the author made the choice to provide a Darcy's feelings about the letter's contents only. I want to read the letter.
June 10, 2023
A mercenary Jane
I really liked this book and will probably read again.
I did not like this Jane; not that I like her Austen character either. But I did, however, love this characterization of Darcy and Elizabeth. I did not even mind Mrs Bennet, too much.
I look forward to the possibility of a 'part 2'.
I really liked this book and will probably read again.
I did not like this Jane; not that I like her Austen character either. But I did, however, love this characterization of Darcy and Elizabeth. I did not even mind Mrs Bennet, too much.
I look forward to the possibility of a 'part 2'.
November 24, 2024
This was a story that blew my expectations out of the water. This author put in so much detail that it made the story even better. The story will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Darcy was incredibly open and honest. Elizabeth too forgiven.
Definitely clean and appropriate for all. Definitely a must read
Darcy was incredibly open and honest. Elizabeth too forgiven.
Definitely clean and appropriate for all. Definitely a must read
April 19, 2023
This story was confounding to me a little.
I will be glad to read to read the second volume.
I will be glad to read to read the second volume.
November 29, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, post Hunsford, is the letter Jane Bennet sends to Darcy an aberration of her behaviour or her real self.
Another story which vastly over emphasises Mary religious devotion.
Another story which vastly over emphasises Mary religious devotion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews