Worthy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Julia Winter

391 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite tropes is ‘Elizabeth is not a Bennet’. Another trope I enjoy is, ‘the Bennets have well-connected relations’. That is the case in this variation.

I loved this novel! For me, the writing was visually descriptive with intriguing new twists to canon that added a new flavour into the mix. The original characters created were ones I would enjoy being related to. As the book description states, the Bennets of Longbourn have been estranged from two sets of relatives…Mr. Bennet’s heir, and his mother’s family.

“We must choose husbands with more thought than choosing ribbons for our bonnets. That is the greatest duty, to treat the wedded state with the due reverence it deserves.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Collins is the first relative they meet. In essentials, he is mostly to canon. But there is a different twist to his tale that I thought very realistic. As to the next set, the Palmers of Wingham Hall in Kent, a letter has been received from Mr. Bennet’s estranged Aunt Iphigenia (Iphy) asking for a reconciliation. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kent with Elizabeth Bennet and then eventually with Jane Bennet when she joins them.

“Not a look beyond politeness, no hint of being conscious of who he was. She gave him back his indifference in full measure.” (quote from the book)

As Mr. Bingley never leases Netherfield Park, the meeting between Jane and himself is different. Caroline Bingley’s claws are well and truly out. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Palmer are great friends with Bingley and their interactions and banter were well developed. However, this Mr. Darcy is much more taciturn, reserved and prideful. He still has his insult to Elizabeth and his disastrous proposal. Both have pride and pedestals to come down from.

“Saying nothing, sir, would be the path of wisdom and enlightened self-interest. One does not wish to be such a poor creature as to be constantly complaining against life’s reverses.” (quote from the book)

Wickham lays his charm on Elizabeth, but his actions and Mrs. Younge are all related to Georgiana. What drama ensued there! Elizabeth was brilliant!

I finished this book several days ago and struggled with how to best to express my thoughts. I can't seem to bring them together cohesively. There were so many things I loved, and so many moments I found so satisfying; especially how Aunt Iphy is described. It created such a vivid picture in my mind. I feel I am doing more rambling than justice to it.

I adored Ms. Winter’s debut novel, “The Mistress of Netherfield’, and this one is just as ‘Worthy’. I highly recommend it.