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Respect and Respectability: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
When Mrs. Bennet passes away, Mr. Bennet is left with the responsibility of raising four young children alone. Without delay, he promptly seeks the aid of Mrs. Blackwall, a nearby lady of gentle birth but modest means, to assume the role of governess. With her assistance, the Bennet daughters grow into fine young ladies that any father would be proud of. Year after year, Mr. Bennet grew more dependent on the calm companionship of Mrs. Blackwall, until a sudden realisation hit him: he was deeply in love with her. The couple wedded and the new Mrs. Bennet fit seamlessly into the family.
When the Netherfield party arrives, the Bennets and those in the neighbourhood are all anticipation. Jane Bennet instantly captures Mr. Bingley’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters. Mr. Darcy, however, manages to cause even greater offence than he did in Jane Austen’s tale by insulting one of Elizabeth’s sisters.
When Wickham arrives, will Elizabeth believe his lies or will she see through his charming facade? Will Elizabeth's distaste for Mr. Darcy's arrogance blind her to the person he truly is beneath his haughty demeanour? Can one comment ruin any hope of a relationship, making Elizabeth view Mr. Darcy a cruel man unworthy of respect or sympathy? Find out in Respect and Respectability.
When the Netherfield party arrives, the Bennets and those in the neighbourhood are all anticipation. Jane Bennet instantly captures Mr. Bingley’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters. Mr. Darcy, however, manages to cause even greater offence than he did in Jane Austen’s tale by insulting one of Elizabeth’s sisters.
When Wickham arrives, will Elizabeth believe his lies or will she see through his charming facade? Will Elizabeth's distaste for Mr. Darcy's arrogance blind her to the person he truly is beneath his haughty demeanour? Can one comment ruin any hope of a relationship, making Elizabeth view Mr. Darcy a cruel man unworthy of respect or sympathy? Find out in Respect and Respectability.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 23, 2024
Nice, but a bit bland
Mrs Bennett dies in childbirth after having four daughters, so Mr Bennett hires a woman to be governess and to help him raise them. Mrs Blackwall is motherly, sensible and kind. Therefore the girls are educated, accomplished, mannerly, and kind. Mr Bennett eventually marries her, and becomes a better man and father. The Netherfield party arrives, Darcy delivers his infamous insult at the assembly, but this time it's towards Kitty and Elizabeth overhears, cementing her poor opinion of Darcy as arrogant and unfeeling. When she's nursing Jane at Netherfield, Elizabeth takes Darcy to task about his poor manners, he apologizes, and they strike up a friendship which leads to more complicated feeling between them.
Since the Bennett family isn't cartoonishly dysfunctional, it has a ripple effect resulting in relationships and situations differing widely from canon. Mr Bennett is a good man who loves his family and saves for their futures. Mrs Bennett is calm and sensible, so she doesn't throw her daughters at any men. The usual villains appear, but they're handled without much fuss. Unfortunately there's not much romance, and the interactions of ODC seem circumspect and tentative. When the inevitable declaration does happen, it seemed sudden to me, not well developed. I was missing more romantic chemistry between them.
I like this author. The book is very well written and well edited. I recommend it for a light and bland story about better Bennetts.
Mrs Bennett dies in childbirth after having four daughters, so Mr Bennett hires a woman to be governess and to help him raise them. Mrs Blackwall is motherly, sensible and kind. Therefore the girls are educated, accomplished, mannerly, and kind. Mr Bennett eventually marries her, and becomes a better man and father. The Netherfield party arrives, Darcy delivers his infamous insult at the assembly, but this time it's towards Kitty and Elizabeth overhears, cementing her poor opinion of Darcy as arrogant and unfeeling. When she's nursing Jane at Netherfield, Elizabeth takes Darcy to task about his poor manners, he apologizes, and they strike up a friendship which leads to more complicated feeling between them.
Since the Bennett family isn't cartoonishly dysfunctional, it has a ripple effect resulting in relationships and situations differing widely from canon. Mr Bennett is a good man who loves his family and saves for their futures. Mrs Bennett is calm and sensible, so she doesn't throw her daughters at any men. The usual villains appear, but they're handled without much fuss. Unfortunately there's not much romance, and the interactions of ODC seem circumspect and tentative. When the inevitable declaration does happen, it seemed sudden to me, not well developed. I was missing more romantic chemistry between them.
I like this author. The book is very well written and well edited. I recommend it for a light and bland story about better Bennetts.
September 12, 2024
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” Confucius, The Sayings of Confucius
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: mature teen due to discussions of an adult nature. The SBRB was in town and doing his thing. Yeah, he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He also meted out his revenge on Darcy and his sister.
>>Angst Level: slight but manageable
>>Cover Art: Beautiful cover choice
>>Source: borrowed from KU 9-31-24: I volunteered to leave a review. I first read this last year as it was posted on the forums. Many changes in the story altered the direction of several matches for the Bennet girls. Prologue + 26 chapters + epilogue
>>Trope: [1] 1st Bennet wife died in childbirth along with the 5th babe [2] 2nd Bennet wife: He married the governess [3] Non-Jane/Bingley match
A lot of Austen's canon account was rehashed throughout the story. I will admit to skipping over dialogue or actions that I already knew. The story had changed a lot from the unpublished version. Names were changed and marriages were switched up making the story fresh and yet, familiar. The storyline followed the Austen account fairly closely. With a different Mrs. Bennet at Longbourn, the girls grew up to become gentlewomen under good regulation.
“A true gentleman is one that apologizes anyway, even though he has not offended a lady intentionally. He is in a class all of his own because he knows the value of a woman’s heart.” –Shannon Alder
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: mature teen due to discussions of an adult nature. The SBRB was in town and doing his thing. Yeah, he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He also meted out his revenge on Darcy and his sister.
>>Angst Level: slight but manageable
>>Cover Art: Beautiful cover choice
>>Source: borrowed from KU 9-31-24: I volunteered to leave a review. I first read this last year as it was posted on the forums. Many changes in the story altered the direction of several matches for the Bennet girls. Prologue + 26 chapters + epilogue
>>Trope: [1] 1st Bennet wife died in childbirth along with the 5th babe [2] 2nd Bennet wife: He married the governess [3] Non-Jane/Bingley match
A lot of Austen's canon account was rehashed throughout the story. I will admit to skipping over dialogue or actions that I already knew. The story had changed a lot from the unpublished version. Names were changed and marriages were switched up making the story fresh and yet, familiar. The storyline followed the Austen account fairly closely. With a different Mrs. Bennet at Longbourn, the girls grew up to become gentlewomen under good regulation.
“A true gentleman is one that apologizes anyway, even though he has not offended a lady intentionally. He is in a class all of his own because he knows the value of a woman’s heart.” –Shannon Alder
November 2, 2024
I loved it!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. When Mrs. Bennet passes away, Mr. Bennet is left with the responsibility of raising four young children alone. Without delay, he promptly seeks the aid of Mrs. Blackwall, a nearby lady of gentle birth but modest means, to assume the role of governess. With her assistance, the Bennet daughters grow into fine young ladies that any father would be proud of. Year after year, Mr. Bennet grew more dependent on the calm companionship of Mrs. Blackwall, until a sudden realisation hit him: he was deeply in love with her. The couple wedded and the new Mrs. Bennet fit seamlessly into the family. When the Netherfield party arrives, the Bennets and those in the neighbourhood are all anticipation. Jane Bennet instantly captures Mr. Bingley’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters. Mr. Darcy, however, manages to cause even greater offence than he did in Jane Austen’s tale by insulting one of Elizabeth’s sisters. When Wickham arrives, will Elizabeth believe his lies or will she see through his charming facade? Will Elizabeth's distaste for Mr. Darcy's arrogance blind her to the person he truly is beneath his haughty demeanour? Can one comment ruin any hope of a relationship, making Elizabeth view Mr. Darcy a cruel man unworthy of respect or sympathy? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. When Mrs. Bennet passes away, Mr. Bennet is left with the responsibility of raising four young children alone. Without delay, he promptly seeks the aid of Mrs. Blackwall, a nearby lady of gentle birth but modest means, to assume the role of governess. With her assistance, the Bennet daughters grow into fine young ladies that any father would be proud of. Year after year, Mr. Bennet grew more dependent on the calm companionship of Mrs. Blackwall, until a sudden realisation hit him: he was deeply in love with her. The couple wedded and the new Mrs. Bennet fit seamlessly into the family. When the Netherfield party arrives, the Bennets and those in the neighbourhood are all anticipation. Jane Bennet instantly captures Mr. Bingley’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters. Mr. Darcy, however, manages to cause even greater offence than he did in Jane Austen’s tale by insulting one of Elizabeth’s sisters. When Wickham arrives, will Elizabeth believe his lies or will she see through his charming facade? Will Elizabeth's distaste for Mr. Darcy's arrogance blind her to the person he truly is beneath his haughty demeanour? Can one comment ruin any hope of a relationship, making Elizabeth view Mr. Darcy a cruel man unworthy of respect or sympathy? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
August 27, 2024
Overall, it's a good read.
I like the subtle differences between the original works and how this story twisted and changed the events. Jane, having a previous love interest, changed the story made for an interesting read. The lack of relationship building between Darcy and Elizabeth was disappointing. I immediately hated the quick resolution of the misunderstanding. I actually said out loud, "I hate that." One of the reasons I read P&P variations is for the development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, and it just wasn't present in this book. Overall, the story was entertaining and well written, excluding one duplicate paragraph, I would not hesitate to read this author's works again.
I like the subtle differences between the original works and how this story twisted and changed the events. Jane, having a previous love interest, changed the story made for an interesting read. The lack of relationship building between Darcy and Elizabeth was disappointing. I immediately hated the quick resolution of the misunderstanding. I actually said out loud, "I hate that." One of the reasons I read P&P variations is for the development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, and it just wasn't present in this book. Overall, the story was entertaining and well written, excluding one duplicate paragraph, I would not hesitate to read this author's works again.
September 23, 2024
Great start disliked the end
I really enjoyed this book all the way to near the end. However, I have a personal pet peeve for accusations and the outcome of Darcy's accusations against Elizabeth at the end ruined the whole book for me.
I felt she deserved to be more hurt/ angry at his behaviour. And his reasons were not sufficient for me. Not with the level of coldness he displayed.
Charters were written well and I really enjoyed the plot line. For others this would be a fantastic book for myself that one part rubbed me the wrong way.
I really enjoyed this book all the way to near the end. However, I have a personal pet peeve for accusations and the outcome of Darcy's accusations against Elizabeth at the end ruined the whole book for me.
I felt she deserved to be more hurt/ angry at his behaviour. And his reasons were not sufficient for me. Not with the level of coldness he displayed.
Charters were written well and I really enjoyed the plot line. For others this would be a fantastic book for myself that one part rubbed me the wrong way.
December 30, 2024
3.5 stars
It’s a good plot , but soooo much regurgitation of the original story. I wanted more of the new. I wish there were disclaimers for those of us who have been reading JAFF for a while.
Yes, there were some changes in some of the characters, and some divergence in plot, but there were so many other parts paraphrased from the original. I was disappointed. A good effort though, and perhaps if I hadn’t been reading JAFF for two decades I would’ve been more entertained.
It’s a good plot , but soooo much regurgitation of the original story. I wanted more of the new. I wish there were disclaimers for those of us who have been reading JAFF for a while.
Yes, there were some changes in some of the characters, and some divergence in plot, but there were so many other parts paraphrased from the original. I was disappointed. A good effort though, and perhaps if I hadn’t been reading JAFF for two decades I would’ve been more entertained.
September 15, 2024
Not my cup of tea...
Unfortunately, once it was revealed that Georgians had married Charles Bingley, I was turned off. Never liked the idea of those two marrying. Georgians marrying someone from trade?! And too many situations that were left without the proper resolutions they deserved. No, did not enjoy it at all. Sorry!
Unfortunately, once it was revealed that Georgians had married Charles Bingley, I was turned off. Never liked the idea of those two marrying. Georgians marrying someone from trade?! And too many situations that were left without the proper resolutions they deserved. No, did not enjoy it at all. Sorry!
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December 23, 2024I published Respect and Respectability: Susan Price at Mansfield Park in 2019. I'm flattered that Clarissa Joy Thomas titled her book the same, but don't get the two confused. Her subtitle is A Pride and Prejudice Variation. As such, it plays musical chairs with Austen's characters and plots. I don't know why. I certainly didn't.
September 17, 2024
Very low angst, no Mrs Bennet or Lydia, a more open Darcy, Mary is married first, characters seem to just disappear from the story, etc.
October 1, 2024
To forgive
Partly lovely. Mr. Darcy would not have jumped to the conclusion of where the rumor began. Even when they were not friends, Darcy always respected and trusted Elizabeth.
Partly lovely. Mr. Darcy would not have jumped to the conclusion of where the rumor began. Even when they were not friends, Darcy always respected and trusted Elizabeth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews