Concerned for his sister, Fitzwilliam Darcy does not arrive in Hertfordshire until the day of the Netherfield Ball. When he attempts to find some solitude, he meets Elizabeth Bennet in the most unlikely of places.
Elizabeth Bennet decides the best way to avoid her persistent cousin is to go into hiding, at least for a few minutes. She is surprised when her hiding place is almost immediately invaded, but relieved when the intruder is not her cousin.
This lighthearted variation on Pride and Prejudice explores the possibilities that could have resulted from a very different first encounter between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
In this variation, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy meet during the Netherfield Ball at a peculiar circumstance. As both are trying to avoid their respective suitors, Darcy and Elizabeth end up hiding behind a tapestry. The rest that follows is as farfetched as the premise, but it was very entertaining nonetheless. I did not expect to read about frogs, feathers, brooches, fainting aunts, imitation fruit, and unexpected double weddings; I couldn't stop laughing!
In A Conversation Behind the Tapestries, the conflicts faced in Pride and Prejudice are easily solved and the HEA for our dear character easily achieved. This is quite a lighthearted tale, and I enjoyed reading it.
This is a pleasant, low angst, novella length story. At the Netherfield Ball, which in this tale is the same day as Darcy's arrival to visit Bingley, first Elizabeth, then Darcy, then Jane, then Bingley all come together behind a tapestry. It's an unusual and humorous way for a gentleman and lady to meet, to put it mildly. Mr. Bennet discovers them all, setting marriage plans in motion quickly.
While Wickham, Caroline Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine all briefly make attempts to disrupt things, there's no serious conflict to speak of. Probably it's Mrs. Bennet who's the major irritant throughout. I did enjoy the participation of Elizabeth's male childhood friends, who provide Darcy some assistance during the ball and also get him to go out drinking with them, giving him the opportunity to hear stories about Lizzy as a young girl.
This isn't great literature, but it's an enjoyable light read.
This is a story for which you have to suspend some basic facts of reality…this being that in order to hide one, much less four bodies, behind a tapestry there would be very obvious outlines of bodies visible on the other side!!! (I have visited the MMOA when the Unicorn Tapestries were on display so do not need to even use my imagination.) And if the people in hiding made any movement that would make the hanging quiver or shake. So if there is a conversation going on I do believe that the tapestry would indeed not be completely still.
But let’s pretend that the people in the ballroom at Netherfield are either so into their cups or so engaged in conversation or even just so distracted by the movements of the dance that no one notices as one-by-one Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane and then Bingley disappear behind the tapestry for one reason or another. BUT Mr. Bennet is not one of those who take no notice as Mrs. Bennet informs him that Jane and Bingley have been spotted going behind those hangings and he must investigate. And being a father he demands that the needed conversation move into Mr. Bingley’s study. Proprieties have been breached and as Mr. Bennet uses the “silent treatment” to face down Mr. Bingley, that latter gentleman does come up to snuff, admitting that a offer of marriage was his intentions so the move to an earlier date for such is no hardship.
The silent treatment does not work on Darcy but as he is about to address the demand made after the silence fails, Elizabeth takes her father to task about the inanity of even supposing a compromise occurred. Darcy pauses and considers all the women he has known and how differently they would react…and he remembers their conversation behind the tapestry. Maybe, just maybe, he has found a woman he can not only respect but also one who has averred that she will only marry a man she can in turn admire and respect. She is not jumping at the chance to marry for wealth or connections. But she is not so easily persuaded.
This novel was a lovely discourse about how a certain young lady holds at arm’s length a handsome and rich and intelligent gentleman as she holds out for her own idea of a suitable suitor. Yes, we have Mr. Collins, Caroline and the Hursts, Lady Catherine, Anne de Bourgh and our dear Colonel. Some words from canon come into play but it was very interesting to read of how events lead to an understanding and also how those same events lead to several weddings. ODC is not paying close attention or are even absent when conversation on dates and/or arrangements takes place.
Of great amusement was the use of feathers, frogs, a little brandy in one lady’s tea and the support Elizabeth received from three male companions from her childhood. There is an epilogue so we see briefly into the future. Great fun to be had in reading this short story.
A fresh look at P&P, though still with a stubborn Elizabeth.
I first read this recently on a JAFF website and found the premise intriguing. What it Mr Darcy didn't arrive until the day of the Netherfield Ball? What if Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were forced to hide to escape unwanted attention from unwanted suitors?
This book is a little rough around the edges with editing, and the language and writing style is if someone who's still green as a writer. But like I said, the premise has potential if it was polished up a bit.
There isn't really any angst, unless you deem Elizabeth as being contrary to a match with Mr Darcy, holding tightly onto her 'I must love and and respect' principles, as being angst. It still baffles me that whenever I read a story with a compromising situation, that Mr Bennet will heed to what Elizabeth wants if she doesn't see the situation as compromising. But then again, Mr Bennet is very lackadaisical with everything except his books.
The whole Lady Catherine situation is different and yet humorous. Mr Wickham is briefly mentioned but not a threat. Caroline is just annoying. And Mrs Bennet - oh what to say about her? - I'm not sure I would handle Mrs Bennet well if she was my mother!!!
Overall I thought this was a decent book, would be better with some editing and fluff, with a good premise. I would recommend this to fellow JAFFers.
This is a quick, enjoyable P&P less pride, less prejudice what if. As in what if Mr. Darcy didn't arrive in Meryton until the day of the Netherfield Ball. He meets Lizzy when they both choose to hide behind the same tapestry to avoid unwanted suitors; Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley respectively. Then Jane and Bingley join them which eventually attracts the attention of Mrs. Bennet and both couples end up in the library with Mr. Bennet.
When Lizzy demurs the need for her to marry Mr. Darcy is charmed. A whirlwind courtship follows. Lizzy handles her mother masterfully, Darcy handles his aunt brilliantly and Anne finds true love.
Very cute short story. Our beloved couple doesn't meet until the Netherfield Ball and both of them are trying to hide from unwanted attentions. As a result they are both hiding behind the tapestry curtain and instead of insults they end up intriguing each other and actually like each other from the start. If your looking for angst there really is none and also the ending is a little to perfect and easy going for my tastes, which is why I gave it 4 stars.
It’s a rare author that can write a romance that also smacks of slapstick and somehow make it a charming story. This is a quick read and very entertaining.
While very cute & endearing, the story fell flat for me as it felt rushed & hokey. I felt like I was reading an outline instead of a fully fledged story. That being said I myself have always been partial to a humorous, easygoing, low angst tale.
Sometimes you just want to read a cute Pride and Prejudice variation with a sweet Darcy, a stubborn, but witty Elizabeth, and a lot of HEA. I found myself smiling throughout A Conversation Behind the Tapestries: a Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beth Wood.
The premise of this variation is that Darcy did not join the Bingleys when they first arrived in Meryton, and, therefore, did not insult Elizabeth at the assembly. Instead, Darcy is attempting to avoid Miss Bingley, while Elizabeth is attempting to avoid Mr. Collins (and her mother) at the Bingley ball at Netherfield. Both slip behind a tapestry to avoid being seen. Jane and Bingley come looking for them and the entire foursome is discovered by Mr. Bennet. Compromise is proclaimed and Bingley proposes to Jane. But, Elizabeth jumps in before Mr. Darcy can object, and objects herself to any arrangement between herself and the gentleman. Mr. Bennet is appeased, and there is no more discussion of the time behind the tapestry.
However, Darcy has started thinking that Elizabeth is a singular woman to not jump at a chance to trap him into marriage. He dances the dinner set and enjoys dinner with the lovely young woman, and his mind actually wanders towards matrimony. Due to an overheard conversation at Longbourn, however, our couple does in fact find themselves engaged after knowing each other for less than 24 hours. Elizabeth is determined it will be a long engagement, and Darcy is just happy if Elizabeth is happy.
The remainder of the story involves the manipulations of Mrs. Bennet, the wedding plans of three Bennet sisters, the reactions of the Fitzwilliam/de Bourgh side of Darcy's family, and various other factors familiar to JAFF readers. But, here, Beth Wood has created a great deal of silliness, warmth, humor and romance. There are side stories about frogs, pseudo brothers, feathers, etc. and all are sweet and tender. Even Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley show their soft sides. All the while, Darcy is slowly bringing Elizabeth around to his way of thinking. As mentioned earlier, I just found myself smiling through the whole thing, and laughing out loud on occasion.
I did enjoy this variation. It is not great writing, and I am sure it will not be to everyone's taste, but it suited me just find. Romantic, sweet and clean, A Conversation Behind the Tapestries is a nice little summer reader for JAFF lovers. Definitely recommended.
While there wasn't anything offensive or awful about this story, it was just plain silly and shallow. Lots of things happened, but character development was minimal, and I didn't really care about what happened, despite there being a few plot elements that I would have liked to see handled well.
It's amazing how a change in location for a first meeting can also change first impressions.
Darcy and Elizabeth first meet at the Netherfield ball, when both hide behind a tapestry to escape their respective suitors - Mr Collins for her and Miss Bingley for him. Overheard conversations, and their honest reactions to such in front of each other make for a bit more favorable start, until first Jane then Bingley join them behind the tapestry, all to be requested out for a private meeting by Mr Bennet. Bingley immediately rises to the occasion to offer for Jane, but before Darcy can attempt to rebut Mr B Elizabeth soundly denies any reason for a second betrothal, logically determining the first can disguise their presence behind the tapestry. Of course, this proves to make Darcy intrigued with her. Her efforts to recruit her childhood male friends in the neighborhood to distract Caroline unknowingly further her cause, so by the end of the night he asks to call on her the next day. A comedy of whimsy the next morning involving a unique gift of flowers and feathers saves her from the dreaded proposal from Mr Collins, but another overheard but misinterpreted conversation results in their own engagement. Darcy decides he truly wishes to marry her, and with more help from her childhood friends, and a frog, begins the process to woo her.
From start to finish, it is an enjoyable, lighthearted story, with quite a few surprises along the way.
This book I believe is one of the earliest of the author. I have read the other 2 (yes I have, I just haven't commented on both) and this one is the one I prefer the least, not because of the plot or the characters, which both are very good, but for the need of editing that the books still requires.
The plot is funny, I like how Darcy and Elizabeth meet behind the tapestry (They were hiding from Mr Collins and Miss Bingley) and Mr Darcy is a very charming man instead of being his haughty self. They meet at the Netherfield ball instead of the Meryton assembly and there is no insult. Mr Darcy feels drawn to Lizzy from the first moment but not Lizzy, she doesn't know what to make of him. Mr Bennet, when he finds them coming out of the tapestry tries to joke with Mr Darcy about forcing him to marry Lizzy (without real intention) and the joke sort of backfires because Darcy is really considering marrying Elizabeth, because she is so different from the ladies of the ton that have tried to trap him into marrying them, especially because she argues with her father against the compromise.
(oh I had a longer review but it disappeared because my internet failed)
A bit of a spoiler below:
Anyway, Lizzy is herself but because Mr Darcy doesn't insult her, she is not prejudiced against him, Mr Darcy is much more charming and less overbearing. He is really keen on Elizabeth, we see him being bewitched from the beginning. Mr Wickham is a coward, and Lizzy doesn't trust him, doesn't believe his story, even before Mr Darcy warns her. Bingley has a much more of a spine with his sisters, who are their cannon selves. Mr Collins is successfully redirected by Mrs Bennet. Lady Catherine is trying to make trouble but out of care and worry for Anne. Anne finds her own happiness and is relieved to learn of Darcy's engagement, which frees her to choose by herself.
So I do recommend this book. I took one star for the editing that the book still needs, some missing words and typos, but the plot and the characters are funny and witty, so if you are looking for a different P&P variation, one that makes you laugh in these times of self- isolation, this is a good book.
The story is a cute and short read, done in a very simple style. This is not great literature, but for a light hearted way to pass a couple of hours, it's a sweet tale. Darcy and Elizabeth meet for the first time at the Netherfield ball while trying to hide from people, Darcy from Caroline Bingley, and Elizabeth from Mr. Collins. The circumstances of their meeting cause them to be much more relaxed with each other than they would have been in a more formal setting, and it changes everything for Darcy's attitude towards Elizabeth. He has his mind made up in less than a day, while Elizabeth takes a little longer.
The writing is done with a tongue-in-cheek humor, giving some of the characters an almost cartoonish feel. The plot and actions of almost everyone is pretty silly, but it's supposed to be that way. Just suspend belief, and go with a whimsical tale, and you'll enjoy the ride. I recommend it for something light and not at all serious.
Overall, the book was a great laugh. This story starts off with Netherfield with Darcy and LIzzie hiding for Mr. Collins and Miss. Bingley. Eventually Jand and Bingley join them too and it kick starts the engagements of the couple we know and love earlier than expected. Overall, the characters of P&P are more level headed and less quick to judge in some ways. Catherine de Bourgh and Miss Bingley are two characters that are presented differently in this novel, more level headed. Which is nice to imagine but honestly, they care way too much are society I think to ever change their opinions. So who knows.
Where Elizabeth and Darcy have a chance meeting for the first time, behind a tapestry at the Netherfield Ball. Before the insults are started within earshot.
When Darcy does decide to propose to Elizabeth and before she even gets a chance to reply... Her mother interrupts them. Arrh fun times.
This book is not meant to be taken seriously, it is more of a farcical comedy. It was an enjoyable light hearted read. It started off well & I found myself chuckling a time or two. It didn’t retain all of its early appeal as the book progressed, but it was still a nice diversion from more serious alternatives.
Humorous and entertaining. Definitely not long enough. I always enjoy the cute banter between ODC. And LC having a change of heart? Not bad. However, I am never comfortable with cousins ending up together. Even if it was the thing back then. Eww. Nope. Never gonna like that. Despite that part, the book was cute!
This is one of my all time favorite Pride and Prejudice variations. It is very sweet and quite funny. I only wish is that it was longer and that this author had more published works because I have enjoyed her pride and prejudice variations.
I may have read this story on a JAFF board before but it was an enjoyable quick read the second time too. Darcy and Elizabeth make their acquaintance while hiding behind a tapestry, and it gives their romance a quicker start. I enjoy this author's writing. Only wish it was longer.
A funny little interlude with a nice balance between plot and humour. I felt it lost its way a little between about 50% and 80% before getting firmly back to the humour which seems to suit this author's style of writing.
This lighter approach to Pride and Prejudice is quite sweet and charming. Lady Catherine twist seems far fetched, but still the story is quite entertaining and fun.