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A Variation on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice #2
A Tapestry of Lives, Book 2: A Variation on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Witty and intelligent, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has vowed that nothing but the deepest love shall tempt her into matrimony, a tenuous prospect for a poor gentlewoman in 19th century England. She rejects an unexpected offer of marriage from wealthy Mr. Darcy, only to realize that he is just the sort of man to whom she might entrust her heart. After sharing the story with her father, Elizabeth returns to London and finds herself unexpectedly in Darcy’s company once again. With A Tapestry of Lives, Jean Sims weaves a fresh story around two of Jane Austen's most beloved characters. Set along this new path, will the couple manage to reconcile their differences and plan a life together while enduring the foibles of family, friends, and British high society?
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2015
About the author
Jean Sims
9 books10 followersJean Sims was born in Seattle and currently lives in Iowa City with her two cats, Oliver and Ernest. She received a B.A. from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, accomplishments that have left her keenly aware of just how much she doesn’t know. When not chained to her computer, she enjoys running, gardening, and dreaming up new ways to evict the family of squirrels currently residing in her attic.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 18, 2015
I am always amazed at how many authors can take Jane Austen’s beloved story and combine their well-researched historical knowledge to create a new reading experience for a well-read Jane Austen Fan Fiction reader! Ms. Sims continues the journey of our beloved couple as they enter the period of their betrothal and establish the foundations of their relationship, as well as their relationships with each other’s family members.
This continues to be a series where Darcy and Elizabeth face a modest amount of angst between themselves, yet face numerous difficult scenarios with their surrounding family and friends, which creates a different type of story from many of the other published variations and sequels. Some reviewers felt the addition of several new characters and their detailed back stories took away the focus from the Darcy and Elizabeth relationship. I would concur that while there are less intimate and romantic scenes between the couple when compared with other series, this continues to be a series that offers many fresh and intriguing stories, which I believe, adds strength to the overall series. Ms. Sims also continues to use Jane Austen’s own lines in original and meaningful ways.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennett share a witty and honest relationship throughout the book, starting with the marriage settlement, which I found hilarious. Darcy’s relationship with Colonel Fitzwilliam continues to be well crafted and enjoyable, though it’s not a focus in the series. The Gardiners continue to play a prominent role in Darcy md Elizabeth’s lives, as they serve as mentors on many fronts for the young couple. The Earl of Matlock and his family, also play prominent roles throughout series.
Throughout this book, we witness the growing love, respect and trust that serve as the cornerstones of Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. New traditions are created as we experience the two families come together in a variety of ways. There are many surprises in store for the reader, which I sat back and enjoyed tremendously. I was moved watching Darcy and Elizabeth try to grow into two strong, independent people who learned to be open and honest with each other in an attempt to curb future misunderstandings within their own relationship.
This continues to be a series where Darcy and Elizabeth face a modest amount of angst between themselves, yet face numerous difficult scenarios with their surrounding family and friends, which creates a different type of story from many of the other published variations and sequels. Some reviewers felt the addition of several new characters and their detailed back stories took away the focus from the Darcy and Elizabeth relationship. I would concur that while there are less intimate and romantic scenes between the couple when compared with other series, this continues to be a series that offers many fresh and intriguing stories, which I believe, adds strength to the overall series. Ms. Sims also continues to use Jane Austen’s own lines in original and meaningful ways.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennett share a witty and honest relationship throughout the book, starting with the marriage settlement, which I found hilarious. Darcy’s relationship with Colonel Fitzwilliam continues to be well crafted and enjoyable, though it’s not a focus in the series. The Gardiners continue to play a prominent role in Darcy md Elizabeth’s lives, as they serve as mentors on many fronts for the young couple. The Earl of Matlock and his family, also play prominent roles throughout series.
Throughout this book, we witness the growing love, respect and trust that serve as the cornerstones of Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. New traditions are created as we experience the two families come together in a variety of ways. There are many surprises in store for the reader, which I sat back and enjoyed tremendously. I was moved watching Darcy and Elizabeth try to grow into two strong, independent people who learned to be open and honest with each other in an attempt to curb future misunderstandings within their own relationship.
June 27, 2015
I loved this book. It was a real page turner and as you can see, I read it over two days!! There are a lot of details in this book, background information is supplied on how the characters are linked and overall it is s very satisfying read. Have just started book three in the series.
September 17, 2021
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
I remember reading this a very long time ago on a fan fiction site and thoroughly enjoying it. I finally bought the volumes over time, as they are three separate books. I have decided to write only one review for all three.
"Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me"
(Rodgers and Hammerstein)
The above lyrics came to mind while reading Book One which starts after the disastrous Hunsford proposal and Elizabeth is back at Longbourn. Mr. Bennet is shaken out of his obliviousness by the shocking discovery that his youngest daughter has developed into a young woman, but her brain still has to catch up! He has also been approached by Elizabeth to deny Lydia's request to go to Brighton. In such circumstances as these, Mr. Bennet gives more weight to Elizabeth's insight, especially as he comes upon her in the garden reading a letter that he soon learns was written by a man. It is here where this delightful story diverges and takes us on a journey of enlightenment, revelations and reflections for our beloved characters. It is in this volume where Elizabeth and Darcy meet again and get to know each other better.
"...Fitzwilliam found himself stretching his intellect as he had not done since university; he felt like an old clock that had sat unused on the mantle for years but was finally wound up again and ticking, its works a bit gritty but running smoother every minute." (quote from the book)
Book Two Continues with Elizabeth and Darcy's courtship and more revelations. We all know Lady Catherine must have her share in the conversation, and we are not disappointed. However, Lady Catherine is soon shocked speechless after she harangues Elizabeth 'in the prettyish sort of wilderness' at Longbourn. There is also a new twist in Lydia and Wickham's story as well. I would have to say, I quite liked it, and Miss Caroline Bingley is her usual cheerful self!
Book Three is the final volume and a very satisfying one at that. With the change in marital status of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, we get to see how their married life unfolds with the start of their honeymoons and life in general. How certain characters fared and how the Darcys dealt with them. There were still those who wore blinders, namely; Caroline Bingley. Her fate was inevitable, but I do wish a letter had been received telling of her whereabouts later on in life. I actually could have done without the one on Wickham, as I felt it was to far-fetched
This is a well thought out variation encompassing the characters of Pride & Prejudice along with varied and interesting original characters created by this author. All-in-all, this was a satisfying saga that gave me many pleasurable hours. I look forward to it reading again in the future. It is also one I recommend.
October 6, 2019
What I found absolutely delightful in the first book is getting a bit tedious in the second. This book's pacing is fairly close to glacial. It begins in early August of 18xx and ends on or about September 15 18xx [Reader note I had no reason to think this was taking place any other than the default 1811-12 but at the end it is revealed that Jane and Bingley are taking their wedding trip to Paris AND that Napoleon is on St. Helena. This means it is definitely past 1815 since he didn't reach St. Helena until October of that year and it was a 10 week trip which means it would be 10 weeks for anyone to report he had arrived. Additionally I think the Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815) might have been a major plot point to at least the Colonel and his father so it has to be 1816 or Later).
During this 6 weeks or so Lizzy and Jane go shopping, Lydia creates a kerfuffle and many more secrets of the deBoughs, Darcys and others are revealed There's a lot of talking, lots and lots of talking Caro tries to act up but fails repeatedly as does Lady Alamada.
Really that's about it. Mostly clean, mostly low angst, well written slog fest.
During this 6 weeks or so Lizzy and Jane go shopping, Lydia creates a kerfuffle and many more secrets of the deBoughs, Darcys and others are revealed There's a lot of talking, lots and lots of talking Caro tries to act up but fails repeatedly as does Lady Alamada.
Really that's about it. Mostly clean, mostly low angst, well written slog fest.
March 26, 2022
the testament of Pride and Prejudice
Some of the questions answered
How did Wickham become Wickham?
How did Darcy’s father die?
Why are the Gardiners so like the members of The Ton?
How are Lydia and Lizzy alike and what it meant for Lydia?
Many others stories are told.
Some of the questions answered
How did Wickham become Wickham?
How did Darcy’s father die?
Why are the Gardiners so like the members of The Ton?
How are Lydia and Lizzy alike and what it meant for Lydia?
Many others stories are told.
November 9, 2015
I've read both Books 1 and 2, and both books have the same strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side (and the reason for 4 stars instead of fewer), these are very, VERY well written compared to most fan fiction. I also thought the basic storyline was unusual and creative - I always enjoy when the story goes in a direction other than anticipated. The books are broken up well, with Book 1 leading up to Darcy and Elizabeth being engaged, and Book 2 leading up to the weddings of the sisters.
The same quality that probably inspired the name "Tapestry of Lives" is what I found detracted the most from my enjoyment. The author frequently meanders from the main story to go back in time and explain the back stories for virtually all the major characters and many of the not-so-major characters. In doing so, she introduces multiple tangent stories (and additional characters within them) that don't have anything to do with the main story. I can understand an author creating these histories for herself while she was writing since it would be helpful in making the characters live in her imagination, and I know actors often do this as an exercise when they're trying to get under the skin of a role they're playing, but all it did for this reader was destroy the flow of two otherwise really good books. By the time the writer jumped forward in time to the main story, I often had to backtrack to remember what was happening. Both books also felt very long because of that.
I'll probably go ahead and get Book 3 when it comes out because there is so much to appreciate here, but if the author continues with the same approach as in the first 2 books, I may skip the segments that go back to previous years!
The same quality that probably inspired the name "Tapestry of Lives" is what I found detracted the most from my enjoyment. The author frequently meanders from the main story to go back in time and explain the back stories for virtually all the major characters and many of the not-so-major characters. In doing so, she introduces multiple tangent stories (and additional characters within them) that don't have anything to do with the main story. I can understand an author creating these histories for herself while she was writing since it would be helpful in making the characters live in her imagination, and I know actors often do this as an exercise when they're trying to get under the skin of a role they're playing, but all it did for this reader was destroy the flow of two otherwise really good books. By the time the writer jumped forward in time to the main story, I often had to backtrack to remember what was happening. Both books also felt very long because of that.
I'll probably go ahead and get Book 3 when it comes out because there is so much to appreciate here, but if the author continues with the same approach as in the first 2 books, I may skip the segments that go back to previous years!
June 14, 2020
Great series! I love all the books within this trilogy and have re-read them more than once. Pacing is excellent, story flows well.
July 27, 2017
This is a Pride & Prejudice retelling published in three volumes, and the three volume bit is probably my biggest beef with this story, as it was obviously only done in order to milk more money out of the story, as it could easily have been condensed to two volumes, or one long story... anyway.
Overall, I actually really enjoyed this story. Volume One begins with Elizabeth at home just after her trip to Hunsford. In this story, when Elizabeth goes to her father and asks him to not let Lydia go to Brighton, her father initially blows her off, like he does in the original, but then begins to wonder if she has a point. He goes to find Elizabeth in the garden, and they discuss not only Lydia, but also Mr. Darcy's letter, which Elizabeth lets him read. This sets the groundwork for a few changes around the Bennett homestead. Next, when the Gardiners postpone their trip to the Lakes, it's because Mrs. Gardiner is pregnant, so Elizabeth goes to London to help around the house. There, she runs back into Mr. Darcy again, and their relationship begins to develop from that point forward.
I really enjoyed the characterizations in this version. No one was wildly evil or ridiculously perfect. While people like Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley were pretty obnoxious, it still felt within the realm of plausibility. Both Darcy and Elizabeth were well-drawn characters who changed and grew throughout the story. I also really appreciated how Sims made some of the other characters more sympathetic - while Mrs. Bennett is no less obnoxious (most of the time), there is some definite understanding of her genuine and not-unreasonable terror as to what might happen to her and her daughters should Mr. Bennett die unexpectedly. I especially liked how it is Darcy who really comes to realize this, because it makes his patience with his future mother-in-law feel more natural, and adds to Darcy's depth as he begins to realize how casually he has accepted a lot of 'the way things are' type of things without really thinking about them.
The overall helplessness/dependence of women at the time is touched on throughout the story in a way that felt organic to the story rather than polemic, and also fit with the overall thoughts of the times - at this point, women like Elizabeth are really just interested in being viewed as fully intelligent human beings who are capable of making decisions about their own futures, not running the government and owning businesses. I also liked how while some of the men in the story take evil advantage over the women in their lives, many of them, like Darcy, have been taught the importance of protecting/shielding/providing for their women, and believe that the decisions they are making are for the best for them - and, in truth, there were a lot of women, like Mrs. Bennett, who could really use some taking care of!
The 'tapestry' bit of the story involves Sims going off onto long and tangled tangents telling the backstories of basically all of the characters - Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennett, the Gardiners, the Earl of Matlock, you name it. I had mixed feelings about these stories. Overall I liked them and felt like they did add to the main thrust of the tale, but sometimes they weren't woven in very well, and it was a little unclear when the narrative was shifting from the past to the present. Sims also has a habit of telling about a few days from, say, Elizabeth's perspective, and then switching and telling us what someone else, like Darcy, was doing during the same time period, but again it isn't always clear when the overlap is occurring and when the story is actually progressing beyond that time frame, so at times it got a little confusing. But on the whole I felt like these backstories and multiple layers for the same time periods really did add a lot of depth to the story and its characters.
Volume One is from just after Hunsford through Darcy's more successful proposal; Volume Two spans their engagement; and Volume Three follows the early days of wedding bliss. The third volume was definitely the weakest. Too many stories had already been mostly concluded in Volume Two, so Volume Three felt a lot clunkier and was less interesting. It was also the volume with the most villainy, with a couple of evil viscounts wrecking havoc (completely separate from each other) in a way that didn't really fit into the rest of the story. The ending involved a very long and drawn out bit with Mrs. Bennett dying that meant that this whole big long story kind of ended on a downer note. I'm also never a fan of really long epilogues that try to fill in lots of details about the rest of everyone's lives, so that bit was also pretty boring to me. Overall, I felt like the story could have ended about a quarter of the way through Volume Three and been much better.
There were other things that annoyed me, and a few threads that never really seemed to go anywhere (e.g. Mrs. Hill's illegitimate son), but on the whole this was a well-written and engaging P&P variation that I quite enjoyed, and may even read again sometime. 4/5 and recommended if you actually enjoy crazy P&P retellings. ;-)
Overall, I actually really enjoyed this story. Volume One begins with Elizabeth at home just after her trip to Hunsford. In this story, when Elizabeth goes to her father and asks him to not let Lydia go to Brighton, her father initially blows her off, like he does in the original, but then begins to wonder if she has a point. He goes to find Elizabeth in the garden, and they discuss not only Lydia, but also Mr. Darcy's letter, which Elizabeth lets him read. This sets the groundwork for a few changes around the Bennett homestead. Next, when the Gardiners postpone their trip to the Lakes, it's because Mrs. Gardiner is pregnant, so Elizabeth goes to London to help around the house. There, she runs back into Mr. Darcy again, and their relationship begins to develop from that point forward.
I really enjoyed the characterizations in this version. No one was wildly evil or ridiculously perfect. While people like Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley were pretty obnoxious, it still felt within the realm of plausibility. Both Darcy and Elizabeth were well-drawn characters who changed and grew throughout the story. I also really appreciated how Sims made some of the other characters more sympathetic - while Mrs. Bennett is no less obnoxious (most of the time), there is some definite understanding of her genuine and not-unreasonable terror as to what might happen to her and her daughters should Mr. Bennett die unexpectedly. I especially liked how it is Darcy who really comes to realize this, because it makes his patience with his future mother-in-law feel more natural, and adds to Darcy's depth as he begins to realize how casually he has accepted a lot of 'the way things are' type of things without really thinking about them.
The overall helplessness/dependence of women at the time is touched on throughout the story in a way that felt organic to the story rather than polemic, and also fit with the overall thoughts of the times - at this point, women like Elizabeth are really just interested in being viewed as fully intelligent human beings who are capable of making decisions about their own futures, not running the government and owning businesses. I also liked how while some of the men in the story take evil advantage over the women in their lives, many of them, like Darcy, have been taught the importance of protecting/shielding/providing for their women, and believe that the decisions they are making are for the best for them - and, in truth, there were a lot of women, like Mrs. Bennett, who could really use some taking care of!
The 'tapestry' bit of the story involves Sims going off onto long and tangled tangents telling the backstories of basically all of the characters - Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennett, the Gardiners, the Earl of Matlock, you name it. I had mixed feelings about these stories. Overall I liked them and felt like they did add to the main thrust of the tale, but sometimes they weren't woven in very well, and it was a little unclear when the narrative was shifting from the past to the present. Sims also has a habit of telling about a few days from, say, Elizabeth's perspective, and then switching and telling us what someone else, like Darcy, was doing during the same time period, but again it isn't always clear when the overlap is occurring and when the story is actually progressing beyond that time frame, so at times it got a little confusing. But on the whole I felt like these backstories and multiple layers for the same time periods really did add a lot of depth to the story and its characters.
Volume One is from just after Hunsford through Darcy's more successful proposal; Volume Two spans their engagement; and Volume Three follows the early days of wedding bliss. The third volume was definitely the weakest. Too many stories had already been mostly concluded in Volume Two, so Volume Three felt a lot clunkier and was less interesting. It was also the volume with the most villainy, with a couple of evil viscounts wrecking havoc (completely separate from each other) in a way that didn't really fit into the rest of the story. The ending involved a very long and drawn out bit with Mrs. Bennett dying that meant that this whole big long story kind of ended on a downer note. I'm also never a fan of really long epilogues that try to fill in lots of details about the rest of everyone's lives, so that bit was also pretty boring to me. Overall, I felt like the story could have ended about a quarter of the way through Volume Three and been much better.
There were other things that annoyed me, and a few threads that never really seemed to go anywhere (e.g. Mrs. Hill's illegitimate son), but on the whole this was a well-written and engaging P&P variation that I quite enjoyed, and may even read again sometime. 4/5 and recommended if you actually enjoy crazy P&P retellings. ;-)
March 8, 2024
Wonderful
Beautifully written story that picks up directly from the end of book one. Fair warning: these are not stand alone books. You must read book one in order to understand the way that the author has altered certain characters and circumstances. The first book dealt with the time until ODC get engaged. This installment covers the months of their engagement until their wedding.
Of course it's not only about ODC. The title tells you that this story focuses on backstories as well as, if not more than, what's happening in the present. The idea is to understand what makes certain people the way they are, and this author has come up with creative and poignant glimpses into past events. We better understand Wickham, Mrs Bennett, Lady Catherine, Aunt Gardiner, and many, many others. All of their past lives have endless ripple effects on ODC and so many others.
I look forward to book three. This installment is very well written and well edited. I recommend it highly for an engaging and romantic story.
Beautifully written story that picks up directly from the end of book one. Fair warning: these are not stand alone books. You must read book one in order to understand the way that the author has altered certain characters and circumstances. The first book dealt with the time until ODC get engaged. This installment covers the months of their engagement until their wedding.
Of course it's not only about ODC. The title tells you that this story focuses on backstories as well as, if not more than, what's happening in the present. The idea is to understand what makes certain people the way they are, and this author has come up with creative and poignant glimpses into past events. We better understand Wickham, Mrs Bennett, Lady Catherine, Aunt Gardiner, and many, many others. All of their past lives have endless ripple effects on ODC and so many others.
I look forward to book three. This installment is very well written and well edited. I recommend it highly for an engaging and romantic story.
March 19, 2023
The engagement period
This book covers the engagement period and wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth. If follows how the endanger is received by all the families and includes Lydia's attempted elopement. You learn more about the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families as Darcy learns to confide in Elizabeth.
The book focuses a lot on the relationship development between Darcy and Elizabeth but I feel like you get to know Darcy a lot more in depth in this book.
This book covers the engagement period and wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth. If follows how the endanger is received by all the families and includes Lydia's attempted elopement. You learn more about the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families as Darcy learns to confide in Elizabeth.
The book focuses a lot on the relationship development between Darcy and Elizabeth but I feel like you get to know Darcy a lot more in depth in this book.
April 11, 2020
I found it extremely slow and boring, there are some stop and go where the plot seems to take a more interesting twist but soon we fall down again into Darcy loves Elisabeth and she is the most witty, smart, intelligent, charming woman ever lived... not a sole flaw... boring
October 4, 2023
Enjoyed all three of this trilogy. We’ll written.
October 15, 2023
Entertaining
Interesting variation with the storyline written in snippets fry one person to the next. Not my favorite form of writing, but very interesting.
Interesting variation with the storyline written in snippets fry one person to the next. Not my favorite form of writing, but very interesting.
October 18, 2025
Tapestry of lives
The story continues and remains interesting. There is still more tale to tell. I look forward to the rest of the story in book 3.
The story continues and remains interesting. There is still more tale to tell. I look forward to the rest of the story in book 3.
March 18, 2015
Part 2 in the series covering the engagement period of Elizabeth and Darcy. I enjoyed seeing Darcy act as brother to Elizabeths sisters but could hardly believe that Bingley and Jane would give such cause for Darcy to get defensive. I was a bit surprised at their actions and Darcy's reaction as he soon becomes a hypocrite. That was my one complaint about this novel. Pemberley sounds marvellous in this reading and Darcy made me laugh out load a few times. I was surprised how he seemed to enjoy the company of the Bennets - shocking really!
I enjoyed part 1 more than this part 2.
I enjoyed part 1 more than this part 2.
June 5, 2015
This is one of my most favorite variations of P&P story. I like very much how well characters are written and how plot is twisted.
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