What do you think?
Rate this book
Callous and Cruel: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
When newcomers to the area become all anyone can talk of, Lizzy Bennet had never thought her fate would be tied up with one, tall, dark, and potentially unpleasant gentleman.
But when events conspire to force them together, and Lizzy’s family secret is exposed, what will the inscrutable Mr Darcy think of them all?
Fitzwilliam Darcy has found little of merit in this hamlet of a town, bar that of the beautiful and spirited Elizabeth Bennet. When the moment comes for him to accept how utterly judgemental he has grown, will he hold to his rigid upbringing? Or will this one bright lady teach him what is true value?
Authors This is a story that canvases domestic violence as a result of mental health. There is incidents of violence, and should this be a potential trigger, I would offer a caution to be considerate to the reader’s needs. Healing is a journey, not a destination.
But when events conspire to force them together, and Lizzy’s family secret is exposed, what will the inscrutable Mr Darcy think of them all?
Fitzwilliam Darcy has found little of merit in this hamlet of a town, bar that of the beautiful and spirited Elizabeth Bennet. When the moment comes for him to accept how utterly judgemental he has grown, will he hold to his rigid upbringing? Or will this one bright lady teach him what is true value?
Authors This is a story that canvases domestic violence as a result of mental health. There is incidents of violence, and should this be a potential trigger, I would offer a caution to be considerate to the reader’s needs. Healing is a journey, not a destination.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
15 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 15, 2024
violent Mr. Bennet
3.5 stars rounded up.
Parental violence at Longbourn. Difficult to read because of the subject. Nothing in the plot makes the story interesting enough to read about the violence. The story tries to be careful to not be graphic and yet only succeeds to water down the emotions that the Bennet family must be going through. At one point Lizzy is almost killed but the characters emotions seem almost calm.
I shan’t read it again.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Parental violence at Longbourn. Difficult to read because of the subject. Nothing in the plot makes the story interesting enough to read about the violence. The story tries to be careful to not be graphic and yet only succeeds to water down the emotions that the Bennet family must be going through. At one point Lizzy is almost killed but the characters emotions seem almost calm.
I shan’t read it again.
June 1, 2024
Shows promise
An interesting premise and a capacity for compassionate characterisation are marred by ungrammatical writing and poor punctuation. MS Word grammar checker would correct most of these.
There were a few threads left loose.—spoiler alert—just what happened with Jane and Bingley? Why introduce the Mary, Richard, Anne triangle in the Epilogue, when there is no attempt at resolution?
Trigger warning: the descriptions of physical abuse are potent. Yet they are entirely appropriate within context. It is here we see some of the most insightful and compelling passages.
An interesting premise and a capacity for compassionate characterisation are marred by ungrammatical writing and poor punctuation. MS Word grammar checker would correct most of these.
There were a few threads left loose.—spoiler alert—just what happened with Jane and Bingley? Why introduce the Mary, Richard, Anne triangle in the Epilogue, when there is no attempt at resolution?
Trigger warning: the descriptions of physical abuse are potent. Yet they are entirely appropriate within context. It is here we see some of the most insightful and compelling passages.
June 9, 2024
brave take
I respect Ms Bishop for tackling such a troubling topic. There are a few glaring plot holes. First, gossip among servants in different houses was mentioned; how, then, did the Lucases never know what the Bennets had endured after the accident?
The Phillipses certainly knew Mr Bennet had lost his faculties (hence Mr Phillips being one of the girls’ guardians). But do the Phillipses know about the Bennets’ trouble, as they lived in the same town with the same gossiping servants? It’s hard to believe they wouldn’t have. If that were so, why would they not have apprised Gardiner of the abuse years ago?
If guardianships had already been transferred, why didn’t the Bennets move to the dower house?
Finally, Darcy’s eyes are repeatedly referred to as having eyes the color of bark. I’ve not seen that descripor before, and let’s not do that again
I respect Ms Bishop for tackling such a troubling topic. There are a few glaring plot holes. First, gossip among servants in different houses was mentioned; how, then, did the Lucases never know what the Bennets had endured after the accident?
The Phillipses certainly knew Mr Bennet had lost his faculties (hence Mr Phillips being one of the girls’ guardians). But do the Phillipses know about the Bennets’ trouble, as they lived in the same town with the same gossiping servants? It’s hard to believe they wouldn’t have. If that were so, why would they not have apprised Gardiner of the abuse years ago?
If guardianships had already been transferred, why didn’t the Bennets move to the dower house?
Finally, Darcy’s eyes are repeatedly referred to as having eyes the color of bark. I’ve not seen that descripor before, and let’s not do that again
March 20, 2025
A good story with a hard subject
I have enjoyed 3 books by this author now. Many reviews of her books are long and complain of editing issues the whole length. Perhaps these issues have been fixed as I noticed none of it. Most every P&P variation I've read has some grammar and editing issues, as I said , I did not notice anything to speak of.
As to the story, it was well written, kept my interest to the end. The subject was emotional even though I've not experienced such abuse.
The only complaint I have is the Bingley's storyline was left unfinished, especially as to Caroline. This does not stop me from recommending this book.
I have enjoyed 3 books by this author now. Many reviews of her books are long and complain of editing issues the whole length. Perhaps these issues have been fixed as I noticed none of it. Most every P&P variation I've read has some grammar and editing issues, as I said , I did not notice anything to speak of.
As to the story, it was well written, kept my interest to the end. The subject was emotional even though I've not experienced such abuse.
The only complaint I have is the Bingley's storyline was left unfinished, especially as to Caroline. This does not stop me from recommending this book.
February 16, 2025
This variation had potential and I enjoyed the first chapters well enough. When the characters leave Meryton to go to London, the story loses all interest to become a bland tale of wedding preparations, in my opinion. I personally found the prose of Aaliya Bishop sometimes hard to understand, and I am not only referring to the odd missing word or the faulty punctuation (this story is in need of a good editing). The turn of phrases sometimes sounded strange to me, but I am not a native English speaker so 🤷🏼♀️
June 16, 2024
This variation has a very serious subject, that of domestic abuse and mental illness. The subject is handled well. I liked Darcy and Elizabeth and their relationship.
However, the problems with the editing and lack of proofreading are frustrating. At times, it is difficult to read because of the “ungrammatical writing and poor punctuation” as another reviewer accurately described the writing style.
I recommend it if you can tolerate the lack of editing and proofreading and the way the narrative sometimes transitions to a new scene without warning. 3.5-stars rounded up.
However, the problems with the editing and lack of proofreading are frustrating. At times, it is difficult to read because of the “ungrammatical writing and poor punctuation” as another reviewer accurately described the writing style.
I recommend it if you can tolerate the lack of editing and proofreading and the way the narrative sometimes transitions to a new scene without warning. 3.5-stars rounded up.
July 15, 2024
Very Powerful
As a survivor of the abuse that derives from a parent with what is now known as percussive lobel disorder, This powerful book danced on the edge of triggering my PTSD.
It is a great story and I am very glad to have read it. It does need a post note reminding people to seek help rather than stay in such dangerous situations.
As a survivor of the abuse that derives from a parent with what is now known as percussive lobel disorder, This powerful book danced on the edge of triggering my PTSD.
It is a great story and I am very glad to have read it. It does need a post note reminding people to seek help rather than stay in such dangerous situations.
June 1, 2024
A sweet ending
Hard to read knowing there is such hurt in the world. But the ending is heartwarming.
There is still so much hurt in the world but it’s even sadder to see the allusion knowledge of the abuse yet no offered help, rather only self interest.
Hard to read knowing there is such hurt in the world. But the ending is heartwarming.
There is still so much hurt in the world but it’s even sadder to see the allusion knowledge of the abuse yet no offered help, rather only self interest.
June 3, 2024
Unusual
A darker theme in this variation that still has moments of joy and unity between our girls of the Bennet family. Sadly I am sure this happened all too often in families and still does today. I did enjoy this story and their struggle to rise above and escape.
A darker theme in this variation that still has moments of joy and unity between our girls of the Bennet family. Sadly I am sure this happened all too often in families and still does today. I did enjoy this story and their struggle to rise above and escape.
April 18, 2025
4.25*
This is not your usual JAFF fair - it deals with some weighty issues which I was very saddened to read in the afterword was from personal experience. That explained why this was more poignant than most in this genre. It was moving.
So don't pick this up if you are looking for an angst free fluffy read (don't worry, ODC still have their HEA).
This is not your usual JAFF fair - it deals with some weighty issues which I was very saddened to read in the afterword was from personal experience. That explained why this was more poignant than most in this genre. It was moving.
So don't pick this up if you are looking for an angst free fluffy read (don't worry, ODC still have their HEA).
October 7, 2024
This author has a unique take on her plots they may not be for everyone but I find her stories well written well plotted and really interesting.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews