Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North

Oct 20, 2015 Sophia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, jane-austen-austenesque, review-requests

A story set in the late '40's American South all by itself would have been enough to grab my britches, but stir in Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice story and my interest rose to a fever-pitch. This was one of those stories that doesn't easy one in and let them get comfortable. It grasps one by the senses. I laughed, I sighed, I nearly cried, and I had moments of despair and triumph. I absolutely could not put this book down. It was a romance and a re-telling, but it was also so much more.

I felt ...more

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Oct 30, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down and will say "ditto" to the comments the other two reviewers (as of 10/30/15) state. This author has an excellent writing style. She not only handled the variation of canon from Pride and Prejudice in a new and enthralling manner but also addressed some very controversial subjects. Now, having read so many (over 300) variations in JAFF, I can usually anticipate where a story is going from the book description or from the text as I am reading alo This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down and will say "ditto" to the comments the other two reviewers (as of 10/30/15) state. This author has an excellent writing style. She not only handled the variation of canon from Pride and Prejudice in a new and enthralling manner but also addressed some very controversial subjects. Now, having read so many (over 300) variations in JAFF, I can usually anticipate where a story is going from the book description or from the text as I am reading along. However, this author totally surprised me with some events.

As stated in the book description we are reading a variation mostly set in post WWII in the Deep South here in the States. (There are some flashbacks.) As my mother's family is from that area I have made many visits there AND my parents were married in the early days of the USA's involvement in the war so I can relate to many of the social mores of that era. Some of the topics in this book are not only controversial but at that time would have been viewed as dirty dark little secrets. Kudos for incorporating them into this story!

What do I mean you may ask? As the one other review states, we read of a family with a history of child abuse (emotional and physical). We read of the effects of an ongoing illness, which to this day and age continues to be a seroius problem for many...that is, diabetes. We read of spousal abuse, which in those days had basically no relief for the one abused. Women were considered the property of their husbands. And then there is the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome: a continuing issue for many of our armed services personnel. But this particular issue is not limited to those who have served during in armed conflicts. Plus, we read of homosexuality, which has only in the last several decades or so come out of the closet as an accepted normal lifestyle. (I remember when it was taken off the list by the American Psychiatric Association as an identifiable "condition" of mental health.)

The characters we know and love are portrayed in this story with depth and very human "faults". I loved how they became open with their feelings and at times how they fled those same feelings in anguish and heartbreak. Yes, this story (for me) had more heart ache, more heart break than what I call angst. I had a lump in my throat very early @ 9% on my kindle: “Someday some lark is gonna spell you with a song, Will Darcy. She’ll call you with music, and you’ll be as good as lost.” (Reading it in the book description did not hit me like reading it in context.)

I had raised eyebrows as I read of one man’s Peeking Tom incident. And loved the descriptions of how he is drawn like a magnet to a songbird during her performances…one with almost laughable clumsiness! On the other hand, we also read of his heroic efforts as health issues threaten dire consequences.

One man, one character is so compelling with all of his issues. (I don’t want to name him as it would SPOIL part of the story.) We have to have D&E together for our happy ending but at the same time there was a part of me which said “she was so good for him, she helped him heal”. Bingley comes into his own in this story with his determination, despite drawbacks, despite advice from Jane herself. So glad he got a chance to “handle” that sadist, as it must have helped him heal from some of his and his sisters’ traumatic history.

Phrases which melted my heart or had me gasp: “The cat’s out of the bag, sweetheart. I know your big secret and guess what? I love you anyway. I’m walking into this with my eyes wide open.” And @ 57% “Oh, Lizzie” and then as we read about a tattoo! Additionally, at about three-quarters of the way in we find ourselves waiting for “two shoes to drop” as events from canon give us a hint that we may know what is coming.

This tale does have many of canon’s characters, but for some their behaviors have changed. Aunt Catherine, Wickham, Caroline, all of the Bennet family make their presence know; some with greater gravity than others. The Fitzwillam family is not left out. The names of P&P’s towns and estates have been transplanted to North and South Carolina.

There is a lot on which other stories could be built. I like the way the author told us that “He would….”: referring to future events in his life, to acts of heroism, but in her own way and with her own format, telling us of that dear man’s future….did he burn the photo? My heart continues to ache for him.

This is a MUST read for me and I highly recommend it! ...more

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Nov 08, 2015 Debbie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own-it, jaff, kindle-unlimited, 2019-jaff, 2019-great-books

This is a VERY impressive, compelling book.

For starters, the writing flows beautifully without any glaring editing errors. That's no small accomplishment in itself within this genre!

In addition, it has all the elements from the original that JAFF readers love, with the characterizations essentially intact despite the changes in era and country. Darcy's cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, has a larger role, and the sequencing of many key Pride and Prejudice events is changed somewhat but placed very log ...more

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Aug 02, 2015 Ceri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque-no-sex-scenes, austen-inspired, austenesque-different-era, 2015-austenesque-lovers-challenge

This review was first published on Babblings of a Bookworm: http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot....

Largely, stories based on Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’ are either variations or sequels that are set in contemporary times to Austen’s story, or they are modern retellings set in the present day. I’ve read a very few stories that move the action to the early 1900s (Karen M Cox’s depression-era ‘1932’ and Mary Lydon Simonsen’s ‘Mr. Darcy's Angel of Mercy’ and ‘Darcy Goes to War: A Pride and Prejudi This review was first published on Babblings of a Bookworm: http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot....

Largely, stories based on Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’ are either variations or sequels that are set in contemporary times to Austen’s story, or they are modern retellings set in the present day. I’ve read a very few stories that move the action to the early 1900s (Karen M Cox’s depression-era ‘1932’ and Mary Lydon Simonsen’s ‘Mr. Darcy's Angel of Mercy’ and ‘Darcy Goes to War: A Pride and Prejudice Re-Imagining’, set in the First and Second World Wars respectively, are a few that spring to mind), so I was keen to read an Austenesque novel set in an unfamiliar era. ‘Longbourn’s Songbird’ is set post-World War II, in the late 1940s, in the USA.

In many ways I went into Longbourn’s Songbird expecting something a little different from the story that I got; what I’d thought the story was probably about was Elizabeth being some sort of singer, and hence unsuitable for Darcy, and maybe some sort of complication relating Darcy’s time in the war, however, I was wrong on both of those counts. Instead, though Darcy’s family has been affected by the war, he was working making munitions and so was never deployed overseas, and while Elizabeth sings at parties and so on, she is the daughter of a well-to-do landowner and not doing it to earn a living. I was also expecting the dynamics between them and the story arc to follow more closely to Austen’s story. They don’t, but this is by no means a bad thing. The couple have real magnetism, which Darcy at least is aware of and fighting against before they are even introduced and although the story has events which parallel events in ‘Pride & Prejudice’ they are not always in the same order and don’t have the same effect. Rather than this being a modern P&P update I felt this was more the author exploring some facets of society in the late 1940s threaded through a P&P inspired tale.

Racial division was only touched on very lightly, but the story explores some other potentially challenging issues in an entertaining and thought-provoking way naturally as the story unfolds. We look at some of the attitudes facing same-sex relationships, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence and mental abuse and the difference in how we perceive some medical conditions. Attitudes really change over time, and reading this story reminded me of how much attitudes have changed to some of these things even in the last 20 years or so, and even then they were a world away from the time period of this book. There wasn’t much of a graphic nature in any of these themes so the mood of the book stayed on the whole quite lightheated. This is primarily a romance, but with serious themes forming a part of it.

The characters weren’t quite the same as Austen’s either. Darcy was far less proud, which isn’t surprising as that is a harder quality to excuse than in Austen’s day of strict social strata. The story is probably more from Darcy’s view than Elizabeth’s, which also helps you become fond of him even when your mind is screaming at him to stop! Elizabeth is a likeable character, and her sisters were nicely fleshed out, I thought the Bennet family as a whole were kindly portrayed and nicely realistic. Each of the sisters had personality, the parents were flawed but basically good people and Lydia was far less annoying than in many books. The Bennets here felt like a family:

“Oh, but what about Clark Gable?” Jane asked, making all of the women at the table—Mrs Bennet included—sigh dreamily. It was the only thing they all agreed on.
In the Bennet house, Clark Gable was the great unifier.’

I have read books where the main potential ‘baddies’ of 'Pride & Prejudice' – Caroline, Collins, Lady Catherine and Wickham – were real caricatures of themselves and quite two dimensional as a result, but here they were portrayed as people, which I thought was so well done. On the whole, these characters are quite similar to their ‘Pride and Prejudice’ origins, having the same main flaws, although one character was markedly different from Austen’s creation. This character was quite chilling in that I could see that type of character actually existing in real life (shudder!).

Another theme that is touched on in this story is heartbreak; whether to give yourself over fully to love or whether to protect yourself. Both of our main characters wrestle with this theme, as do some of the secondary ones, and all for slightly different reasons and with different levels of self-esteem. I thought this was a poignant quote, though I won’t spoil things by telling you who it’s in relation to:

‘The truth? She had never permitted herself to have feelings for anyone because what kind of future could she offer a man?’

As I said earlier, although there are some themes (such as sex and violence) which might give you pause, there are not graphic scenes. There is some swearing, but it’s not especially prolific. I was quite shocked when Georgiana dropped an f-bomb though!

I would certainly recommend this book to other Austenesque readers – I found it gripping, thought-provoking and romantic. I thought the balance between the heavier subjects and the romance was very good, because the subjects were explored without making the story feel weighted down, and in fact, there was also patches of humour throughout the book. I enjoyed the fact that although I had an idea of where the story would end up, I had no idea of what might happen on the way and whether or not I’d like all parts of the journey. I really enjoyed the story, and read it in one evening. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is a bit of an epilogue – I had to imagine my own instead! I’d rate this as a five star read. ...more

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Jul 08, 2015 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: just-jane-1813-alternate-era

Curious to see the new cover for one of my favorite JAFF stories? Stop by Just Jane 1813 to see what's next from Beau North and for a great giveaway!

http://justjane1813.com/2017/08/22/be... ...more

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Nov 17, 2015 Abigail Bok rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque-novels

From the opening scene I knew I was in for an exhilarating read—no sweet Austenesque romance here: “By the time Will Darcy realized his mistake, it was already far too late. He stood hidden in the shade of an ancient oak tree, fingers gripping the rough bark as he watched the girl peel off her dress.” We watch the unknown woman as she disrobes and takes a skinny dip in a pond, the scene captured through Darcy’s reactions as he remains frozen in place, hypnotized by what he sees. It is an emotion From the opening scene I knew I was in for an exhilarating read—no sweet Austenesque romance here: “By the time Will Darcy realized his mistake, it was already far too late. He stood hidden in the shade of an ancient oak tree, fingers gripping the rough bark as he watched the girl peel off her dress.” We watch the unknown woman as she disrobes and takes a skinny dip in a pond, the scene captured through Darcy’s reactions as he remains frozen in place, hypnotized by what he sees. It is an emotional scene captured in kinetic language that drags the reader right into the heart of the story.

The setting for this re-visioning of the Pride and Prejudice story is South Carolina just after World War II. The Bennets own a large cotton farm, and Darcy’s friend Charles Bingley has just bought a nearby property. All the usual characters are assembled, though some (especially Jane and Elizabeth Bennet’s younger sisters) pass through leaving little trace. While all the familiar plot points are checked, however, Beau North has done a thorough job of rethinking who the characters might be in 1940s USA; so there are many surprises and revelations as the main plot unwinds.

Darcy and Elizabeth become attached much sooner in this version, and it requires a major plot twist to keep them apart till the end. Social issues are touched on (which I appreciate because it grounds the characters in time and space) and some of those issues play a crucial role in the lives of certain peripheral characters. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are not as detached or as silly, respectively, as they are in the original. There is more passion (though only a little explicit sex) and more acting out than was possible in a story set in the early nineteenth century, which has the effect of magnifying the characters while not for the most part violating their essential natures. The recently ended war casts a long shadow over the action.

One major difference from the original pleased me less than it would most readers: the story is told from multiple points of view, so we have considerable exposure to the inner lives of several characters. Many readers like to hear Darcy’s thoughts, but I tend to prefer him to be more of a mystery; and even noncentral characters get their chance to explain themselves.

I was very impressed by the energy and depth of this adaptation, and by the vigorous prose of the author. Beau North has created a gripping world and populated it with real people. The southeastern setting was richly realized (though I had a bit of trouble from time to time with the slang) and the manners felt era-appropriate. Altogether a very satisfying entry in the Austenesque category! ...more

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May 28, 2015 Christina rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fans of Jan AUSTEN fanfiction, women's literature, historical romance

Recommended to Christina by: Meryton Press

Shelves: romance, historical-romance, austenesque, women-s-literature, favorites

This book did something to my soul. Every time I have read it, the story lingers with me for days. Thoughtful and thought provoking. Lyrical, elegant, timeless. The story follows P&P but takes a detour now and then to translate to a post WWII Southern US setting and relevant to the times. Made me just uncomfortable enough in places, leaving me so many emotions to sift through. A masterpiece. NOT TO BE MISSED.
(Some profanity throughout but sparing and not for shock value. Love scenes are poignan ...more

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Feb 25, 2017 Dung rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: austen-inspried, books-owned-kindle-ibook

Beautifully written P&P re-telling set in the 1940s. The language and the writing is superb. The story really takes you on an emotional roller coaster through the experience of the characters.

This is the author's debut novel, but second book I've read! Truly talented writing and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.

Re-read (2nd edition) June 22nd-June 30th.

It’s still poignant and beautifully written as ever. The emotional roller coaster you experience through the characters. It als ...more

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Nov 07, 2015 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pride-and-prejudice, jane-austen, favorites

Heart-wrenching and Soulful

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Retelling

SETTING: 1948 Meryton, South Carolina

MAIN CHARACTERS: The Bennet Family, Will Darcy, Charles Bingley, George Wickham, Leland Collins, Charlotte Lucas, Richard Fitzwilliam, Anne de Bourgh, Georgiana Darcy

WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:

I love seeing Pride and Prejudice in different time periods and settings and I was interested to see how the setting of the Deep South post-World War II would impact the characters a ...more

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Aug 02, 2015 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Imagine,if you will,a book that welcomes you with open arms from page one, that envelopes you with its compelling storyline, that has you,at times,full of angst,raw with emotion,smiling cheekily and laughing out loud at the dialogue between our dearest couple.......

Imagine starting this roller coaster of a ride and being so captivated that you feel you can't waste time eating, drinking or sleeping-such is your desire to finish the story,to find out what happens next,to read the final word and s ...more

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Oct 28, 2015 Nicole Marie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015-austenesque-lovers-challenge, favourites, modern-jaff, review-on-amazon, favourites-2015, physical-library, cover-love, p-and-p, kindle-unlimited, jaff

4.5 Stars

"Modern" JAFF is not really my thing. Out of the MANY Pride and Prejudice related books I have read, only a handful are modern adaptations. Yes this is set in the 1940's, but in comparison to the original time period, I would consider it "modern." That being said, I LOVED it. I never envisioned my beloved characters in this time period, nor the American South as a setting, but it fit surprisingly perfect.

A must read for any and all JAFF lovers! ...more

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Jun 10, 2019 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down and will say "ditto" to the comments the other two reviewers (as of 10/30/15) state. This author has an excellent writing style. She not only handled the variation of canon from Pride and Prejudice in a new and enthralling manner but also addressed some very controversial subjects. Now, having read so many (over 300) variations in JAFF, I can usually anticipate where a story is going from the book description or from the text as I am reading alo This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down and will say "ditto" to the comments the other two reviewers (as of 10/30/15) state. This author has an excellent writing style. She not only handled the variation of canon from Pride and Prejudice in a new and enthralling manner but also addressed some very controversial subjects. Now, having read so many (over 300) variations in JAFF, I can usually anticipate where a story is going from the book description or from the text as I am reading along. However, this author totally surprised me with some events.

As stated in the book description we are reading a variation mostly set in post WWII in the Deep South here in the States. (There are some flashbacks.) As my mother's family is from that area I have made many visits there AND my parents were married in the early days of the USA's involvement in the war so I can relate to many of the social mores of that era. Some of the topics in this book are not only controversial but at that time would have been viewed as dirty dark little secrets. Kudos for incorporating them into this story!

What do I mean you may ask? As the one other review states, we read of a family with a history of child abuse (emotional and physical). We read of the effects of an ongoing illness, which to this day and age continues to be a seroius problem for many...that is, diabetes. We read of spousal abuse, which in those days had basically no relief for the one abused. Women were considered the property of their husbands. And then there is the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome: a continuing issue for many of our armed services personnel. But this particular issue is not limited to those who have served during in armed conflicts. Plus, we read of homosexuality, which has only in the last several decades or so come out of the closet as an accepted normal lifestyle. (I remember when it was taken off the list by the American Psychiatric Association as an identifiable "condition" of mental health.)

The characters we know and love are portrayed in this story with depth and very human "faults". I loved how they became open with their feelings and at times how they fled those same feelings in anguish and heartbreak. Yes, this story (for me) had more heart ache, more heart break than what I call angst. I had a lump in my throat very early @ 9% on my kindle: “Someday some lark is gonna spell you with a song, Will Darcy. She’ll call you with music, and you’ll be as good as lost.” (Reading it in the book description did not hit me like reading it in context.)

I had raised eyebrows as I read of one man’s Peeking Tom incident. And loved the descriptions of how he is drawn like a magnet to a songbird during her performances…one with almost laughable clumsiness! On the other hand, we also read of his heroic efforts as health issues threaten dire consequences.

One man, one character is so compelling with all of his issues. (I don’t want to name him as it would SPOIL part of the story.) We have to have D&E together for our happy ending but at the same time there was a part of me which said “she was so good for him, she helped him heal”. Bingley comes into his own in this story with his determination, despite drawbacks, despite advice from Jane herself. So glad he got a chance to “handle” that sadist, as it must have helped him heal from some of his and his sisters’ traumatic history.

Phrases which melted my heart or had me gasp: “The cat’s out of the bag, sweetheart. I know your big secret and guess what? I love you anyway. I’m walking into this with my eyes wide open.” And @ 57% “Oh, Lizzie” and then as we read about a tattoo! Additionally, at about three-quarters of the way in we find ourselves waiting for “two shoes to drop” as events from canon give us a hint that we may know what is coming.

This tale does have many of canon’s characters, but for some their behaviors have changed. Aunt Catherine, Wickham, Caroline, all of the Bennet family make their presence know; some with greater gravity than others. The Fitzwillam family is not left out. The names of P&P’s towns and estates have been transplanted to North and South Carolina.

There is a lot on which other stories could be built. I like the way the author told us that “He would….”: referring to future events in his life, to acts of heroism, but in her own way and with her own format, telling us of that dear man’s future….did he burn the photo? My heart continues to ache for him.

This is a MUST read for me and I highly recommend it! ...more

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Oct 06, 2015 Anna added it · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque

Quick summary: Longbourn’s Songbird takes Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to the Deep South shortly after World War II. In Meryton, South Carolina, Will Darcy spies Elizabeth Bennet taking a dip in Netherfield Pond and is immediately drawn to her beautiful voice. Despite persuading her sister, Jane, to break up with Charles Bingley and setting his sights on Longbourn Farms, Elizabeth thinks there’s more to Will Darcy than meets the eye. But the schemes of Caroline Bingley and George Wickham an Quick summary: Longbourn’s Songbird takes Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to the Deep South shortly after World War II. In Meryton, South Carolina, Will Darcy spies Elizabeth Bennet taking a dip in Netherfield Pond and is immediately drawn to her beautiful voice. Despite persuading her sister, Jane, to break up with Charles Bingley and setting his sights on Longbourn Farms, Elizabeth thinks there’s more to Will Darcy than meets the eye. But the schemes of Caroline Bingley and George Wickham and a heartbreaking secret from Elizabeth’s past threaten to keep them apart. Longbourn’s Songbird is more than just a Darcy and Elizabeth love story as author Beau North fully immerses Austen’s characters into a postwar society where soldiers are haunted by the war, women are still seen as the property of their husbands, and racism and poverty abound.

Why I wanted to read it: I was intrigued by the setting and time period and wanted to see how Austen’s characters would fare in post-World War II America.

What I liked: I was blown away by this novel. North seems to get the setting just right, and there are so many layers to this story, but it never feels overdone. Moreover, I loved her take on Austen’s characters, particularly Richard Fitzwilliam’s PTSD and the reason why Charlotte Lucas is willing to marry someone like the “holy roller” Leland Collins. Bingley’s backstory and how it comes full circle with Collins was so well done, as was North’s portrayal of Anne de Bourgh. North makes the secondary characters come to life while creating a Darcy and Lizzie readers can’t help but love.

What I disliked: Nothing! I breezed through this book in almost a single sitting.

Final thoughts: Longbourn’s Songbird is among the most unique retellings of Pride and Prejudice that I’ve had the pleasure to read. Yes, there is a passionate love story (more than one, actually) at its core, but it’s so much more than that. North takes the societal constraints of Jane Austen’s time and finds the similarities in the postwar South (even discussing her inspiration and reasoning in a Q&A at the end of the book, which I really appreciated). It was amazing to see how well Austen’s characters and plots fit into this setting, and North’s attention to detail makes for a rich novel.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric ...more

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Nov 16, 2015 Rita Deodato rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Review published on From Pemberley to Milton:

https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

Longbourn's Songbird is a modernatization of Pride and Prejudice that takes place in the United States of America in the post-World War II.
I don't usually read modernizations but the era this book takes places intrigued me immediately, and after reading it, I can guarantee it is as good as some of the best regency adaptations I've read.
The scenario seemed very interesting to me (and I'm not easily tempted by m Review published on From Pemberley to Milton:

https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

Longbourn's Songbird is a modernatization of Pride and Prejudice that takes place in the United States of America in the post-World War II.
I don't usually read modernizations but the era this book takes places intrigued me immediately, and after reading it, I can guarantee it is as good as some of the best regency adaptations I've read.
The scenario seemed very interesting to me (and I'm not easily tempted by modernizations), but I truly knew this book had bewitched me when in chapter four I read Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's first confrontation. The scene occurs in the Netherfield porch and the intensity and passion lived in that moment conquered me. I knew from that moment on I could not resist this book.

I don't want to reveal much of the plot as I do not want to spoil your enjoyment when reading it, but the book takes an unexpected turn of events that gets us hooked to it until the end.

It is fascinating to see Darcy's reactions in this modernization. We got to see Darcy more loose, more at liberty to react and exteriorise his pain.
I liked that he wasn't portrayed as flawless and that he made stupid mistakes. It made him more human, more real and it was much more appropriate to the historical time. I also liked seeing him admit it:

"I'm also human. I think you forget sometimes that I am fallible"

I found the Darcy/Elizabeth relationship thrilling and exciting. I absolutely loved the way he always reacted to her, and the way she enjoyed his reactions, but the book is much more than a Darcy/Elizabeth love story!
All characters have their own story and all of them contributed to the interest I got in the book. Their stories allow us to see a portrait of society at the time. Beau North approaches subjects such as race and sexual discrimination, domestic violence and homosexuality which made the book incredibly interesting.

Longbourn's Songbird is very appealing and interesting because is it obviously a Pride and Prejudice variation that will appeal to JAFF readers, but it is also an intriguing romance and a society's portrayal that will appeal to any other reader. The diversity of subjects approached made it a complex and profound book that appeals to a huge variety of readers, therefore, I highly recommend it to anyone.
...more

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Jun 23, 2017 Sara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff-modern

WOW. What an amazing book. I've read my fair share of JAFF, but this book really made me think and dig deeper into the culture and psyche of many of the characters. I reached emotional depths that with other books I've never felt while reading. This story while staying true to the general events of cannon weaves a tale so brilliant that I'm still on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I was so enthralled that I could hardly put it down (though i did have to sleep). I truly felt ...more

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Nov 10, 2015 Joana Starnes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A delightful blend of the familiar story-line with unexpected and exciting twists, new paths and different interactions.
The setting is neither Regency nor modern-day but an inspired middle ground between the two. Thus, while the characters have more freedom to express their feelings, they still face the constraints of a traditional society and the hardships of a very recent war.
The original PnP characters are sympathetically and skilfully developed and the author makes you care for all of them A delightful blend of the familiar story-line with unexpected and exciting twists, new paths and different interactions.
The setting is neither Regency nor modern-day but an inspired middle ground between the two. Thus, while the characters have more freedom to express their feelings, they still face the constraints of a traditional society and the hardships of a very recent war.
The original PnP characters are sympathetically and skilfully developed and the author makes you care for all of them, not just Elizabeth and Darcy. I particularly liked the affectionate portrayal of Mr and Mrs Bennet; the different conflict and resolution in Jane and Bingley’s relationship; the fact that Charles has a backbone and is treating Darcy as an equal; that Mr Collins has no claim to Longbourn and his name and Darcy’s have absolutely nothing in common. I loved Georgiana’s maturity and humour and her reaction to her brother finally sharing his errors and his troubles. I loved Charlotte and Anne and the ever so moving twist at Rosings. I even felt sorry for Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst and, in a strange way, also for [Lady] Catherine, lost as she is in her vanished world.
The interactions between Wickham and Darcy were priceless, especially the unexpected and very entertaining scene of the pair of them sharing a drink and talking freely, almost congenially, before Wickham gets his comeuppance and Darcy has the satisfaction of planting his fists in the other’s smirking face.
But the main reason why I loved this story is the raw emotion that practically leaps off the page. Flashbacks into Darcy’s youth – his love for his mother, his heartache and loneliness after losing his parents. The heartbreaking flashbacks into Richard’s past – the man he was before the war, his bond with his brother and the non-relationship with his father, the dreadful traumas that have inevitably altered him. I loved how, in this story, Richard’s character has greater depth, great passion, and a very troubled past. And most of all, I was overwhelmed by the revelations about his love life, which I did not see coming, and my heart bled for everyone concerned. Their deeply moving and profoundly human reactions to their troubles, as well as the perfect resolution, made for a fabulous read, and I can’t wait for more from this author.
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Jan 17, 2018 Elin Eriksen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I got stuck on this book, which has never happened to me before... Some encouragement got me back on track and I am so happy I did.
This book is like nothing I have read before. The ambiance was very special (loved it) and it had so many facets that I believe I will love it even more when I reread it.
I loved that the author did not lead me, over explained or passed judgment but left it to me, as a reader to make up my own mind. Highly appreciate that.
The book jumped some back and forth in time ...more

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Jul 18, 2019 Deb Hughes rated it it was amazing

P&P set in the 40’s

Beau North writes exquisitely with a wonderful historical history flair! This reader could picture herself in the time of this writing and really see the characters in true color. There were the conniving ones and the loving ones. I loved the broader strokes of caring between Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and also between Lydia and George. Charlotte and Anne were a total surprise bu not totally unexpected!

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Sep 21, 2017 Tracy (A Good Novel) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen, ebooks

Full disclosure--I was asked by Beau to help proofread the new edition and I'm in the acknowledgements, but my five stars is in no way influenced by my role. I adored this book and it's absolutely the best and most socially-conscious modernization of P&P I've ever read. ...more

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Feb 18, 2017 Mark Brownlow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A delightful Pride & Prejudice adaptation set in the US just after WWII, with a wonderful twist that leads to a memorable "Don't do it! Noooo, he's done it!" moment for the reader part-way through: a real "read the words through your fingers" passage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's storytelling and writing style. She is not afraid to touch on subjects that make the book more than "just" a story, too, covering issues such as post-war trauma and an LGBT relationship with sensitivity and anchorin ...more

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Dec 31, 2017 Christina Morland rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Longbourn's Songbird captures the essence of Pride and Prejudice while telling a unique story full of complex and interesting characters. Elizabeth, Darcy, and several other P&P characters take very different journeys in this post-WWII retelling, yet they all confront Austen's big question: is it possible to love another before you understand yourself? There's not a single character in this novel that felt flat or uninteresting. Even the "villains" have life about them. I was riveted from start ...more

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Jul 18, 2018 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff, jaff-2018, 2018-read

This book is amazing. I love everything I have read by this author so I have no idea why it has taken me so long to get to this one. This is one of those books I feel sad to have finished... I loved it so much!

It's set in the deep south in 1948 so the country is feeling the effects of war and the roles of men and women are changing, but not so much that there aren't social rules to be observed!

Will Darcy is captivated by Lizzie Bennet from the very first time he sees her.. but times are differe ...more

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Jan 02, 2016 Barb rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: austen-fan-fiction-read, borrowed-e-book, austenesque-lovers-tbr-pile-2016

Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North is an unusual interpretation of Pride and Prejudice. So many of the variations are either set in the original Regency time frame or are set in current day. There are a few, however, set in another time frame, and this story is set in the 1940's post World War II.

In reading quotes from the author, it appears the story was set in this era in order to write a modern telling, yet set the variation in a time frame that would still be very restrictive. In the 1940's Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North is an unusual interpretation of Pride and Prejudice. So many of the variations are either set in the original Regency time frame or are set in current day. There are a few, however, set in another time frame, and this story is set in the 1940's post World War II.

In reading quotes from the author, it appears the story was set in this era in order to write a modern telling, yet set the variation in a time frame that would still be very restrictive. In the 1940's North Carolina, the Bennet sisters are experiencing the era where women are expected to step back into the traditional roles of mother and housewife after the soldiers returned home from the front. In addition, women were still considered property - of their fathers until they married and of their husbands afterward. The society of the time also found great limitations placed on a woman's independence - she was chaperoned and strict social niceties were to be shown. A young woman was certainly not expected to be sexually active.

Elizabeth Bennet finds herself entrapped two ways - in the restrictive world of the women of her era, as well as the isolation she has chosen based on her own heartbreaking situation, which we do not learn about until mid-story. She and the other young women around her (her sisters, Charlotte Lucas, Anne de Bourgh, even Caroline Bingley) are fighting to break free, yet stay respectable and protected by their families. Elizabeth is a talented singer and musician, but how can she do anything with this talent when marriage and motherhood are the expectations?

When Will Darcy and Charles Bingley arrive in Meryton, they are welcomed as would be any other unmarried, wealthy young men. Charles is immediately enamored with the angel of Jane Bennet. Will is practically frozen in fear of the passion he feels for Elizabeth, which causes him to act badly at first. He sees this amazing woman and hears her amazing voice and wants to run the other way to avoid the danger of his emotions. This relationship starts out just as badly as any other variation, but slowly our couple warm to each other. In the meantime, Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are experiencing their own rocky relationship, but this time, Jane is the one placing the roadblocks. However, for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, all bets are off when Richard Fitzwilliam, Will's cousin, arrives in Meryton with some shocking revelations.

The strength of this story lies in the constant undercurrents of racism, prejudice, abuse and sexism true to this time. In addition, we have the added concerns of young men returning from the traumas of war trying desperately to cope with their painful experiences and healing wounds. This is not a light romance, but I love to point out to people that Pride and Prejudice was not either. It was a social commentary with a romance making the major points about the class structure of the time and the pain of following societal expectations to the detriment of all. This story is also full of the pain of its time while filled with several love stories.

This is a well-written story with an intriguing and engaging set of characters. I found it hard to read at times, and I am certain others will reach for their tissues at the unfair treatment and sad experiences of several characters. The stories are told with truth and insight. But, it is the strength of Elizabeth breaking free of her world and the support she unexpectedly finds that makes this a story I can highly recommend to lovers of JAFF as well as other historical romances.

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Aug 01, 2015 Tina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The characters in this book are very believable the time period they live in. I love how all the characters were given their own problems they have to deal with and over come. Except Kitty and Mary. They just seemed to be in the background like usual. They are mentioned and given a little time in the sun but they are more secondary characters than anything else. The only character I seem destined to hate is Mr. Collins. I didn't like him in the original novel and this book just makes me hate him ...more

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Sep 22, 2017 Rebekah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: p-p, romance-historical

Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the south during the post-war 1940's.

"Mr. Darcy, I believe I'm about as likely to take orders from you as you are from me."

This has exactly what I want in a Pride and Prejudice retelling - plenty of banter between Elizabeth and Darcy with some happier endings for the minor characters that miss out in the original.

The setting is lush and vivid, it is so fun to see Jane and Elizabeth driving each other around or riding bicycles. And the music, the music is its ...more

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Jun 11, 2017 Teresita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff

Interesting angle for a variation, it gives a resemblance of the time it is settled in. It touches a lot of things that are usually ignored. The effect of war on a person, relationships in families; the marked preference of a parent for one of the children; the effect of a disease in a relationship; the complete power a husband had over his wife; the prejudice of the time over same sex relationships, and other issues are weaved through the story.

A very intense plot with surprising twists. Give i ...more

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May 29, 2015 Gretta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A richly captivating and surprisingly humorous novel, even for those unfamiliar with Jane Austen. Beau's characters are well developed, the pacing of the story is excellent, and she addresses a gamut of social issues that add depth to the classical romance. The Q&A provided at the end compares and contrasts the original Austen characters with Beau's reimaginings, as well as giving insight into the sociopolitical themes explored.

Highly enjoyable and enthusiastically recommended! ...more

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Nov 23, 2015 Jill Wagner added it · review of another edition

What a delightful read and I am surprised that it is Beau North's first novel! She did a wonderful job weaving "Pride and Prejudice" into the Deep South of the 1940's and developing the characters into more modern versions of themselves with a few twists. It kept me on my toes, not knowing what to expect. A must read for those who love "Pride and Prejudice" and for anyone else who just wants to read a good book! ...more

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Apr 25, 2015 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

So well done. The story felt so at home in the new setting/time period, and additional depth to some of the side characters was interesting and welcome.

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Jun 20, 2017 Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was hooked by this story from the get go; the writing is emotive and truly brilliant, and the story is so well reimagined! Despite it being a retelling of a story I know so well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the changes in the story are just so that you really don't know what's coming next or what the characters' new histories will reveal about them. Although there are plenty of changes to characters to help them better fit their new storyline and era, the changes never feel out of ...more

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