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Second Son: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
What if, instead of being born the heir to Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy had been a second son?In a time when birth order determines who inherits everything or nothing, Fitzwilliam Darcy must find his own path – excelling in the profession he chuses. When tragedy strikes, he is called to fulfil his role as the “spare,” struggling to meet the demands placed upon him, overcoming the distrust of those who wish him to fail, and devoting himself to the good of Pemberley’s dependents.Disgusted with Society, and scorned by the sister he loves, Darcy visits his friend in Hertfordshire, where he meets the Bennets of Longbourn. He discovers in their second daughter, Elizabeth, a new source of hope and purpose for his life. When his family questions the lady’s fitness to be Mistress of Pemberley and demands he fulfil his responsibilities to his family and the legacy of the Darcy name, Fitzwilliam is left torn between duty and his heart…Duty has taken his dreams once, is Pemberley to take Elizabeth from him as well?Second Son is a full-length novel and a variation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, using British and historical spellings.Both the Darcy and Bennet families differ somewhat from canon.
855 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2017
142 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Cherith Boardman
4 books22 followersCherith Boardman is the mother of the ten best children ever, and Gamma to the world's cutest grandchild. My dh of 31 years and I live with our three youngest and five cats.
I have always been an avid reader, and since childhood, I have amused myself by altering stories - books or movies - in my mind. Fan fiction is a great outlet for me.
I write JAFF stories in between playing chauffeur, helping with schoolwork, babysitting the grand, and grabbing hugs and kisses when I can.
I have always been an avid reader, and since childhood, I have amused myself by altering stories - books or movies - in my mind. Fan fiction is a great outlet for me.
I write JAFF stories in between playing chauffeur, helping with schoolwork, babysitting the grand, and grabbing hugs and kisses when I can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 12, 2017
I cannot give this book 5 stars I just can't don't ask me to. While I really liked the book I would have liked it a great deal more if it was about 300 pages shorter. The author has constructed an elaborate and populated universe to set her story and we the poor, defenseless reader must navigate this new world. In previous reviews of P&P variations I have offered that there is a bit of intellectual laziness that makes me like these books because I don't have to learn a whole new list of characters, locations or behaviors; this book denies me that privilege.
One one hand this is a truly unique P&P what if that develops new and original plots lines and characters. On the other hand this book just gets so very detailed that you begin to be bogged down in specifics. This book has me feeling like Teen Talk Barbie “Reviewing is hard”. I profess to adoring angst well this book has buckets full of angst and every time I would think ‘Phew we have to be past the angst’ more would arrive like an early period when you’re wearing white pants. And I say “I love different” and this book is really and truly different but it is just too much. It is like death by chocolate it sounds delicious but it does scary things to your blood sugar levels.
What I Loved:
This is a CLEAN book. You don't have any even PG content to worry about.
The honestly unique plot, Fitzwilliam Darcy is a second son who isn’t the scion of Pemberley and who is considered an unnecessary spare by his neglectful, disdainful parents. He instead chooses a life of intellectual pursuit becoming a physics lecturer at Cambridge. Of course he will end up as the Master of Pemberley and suffer endless problems, set backs and more.
And Lizzy has been given a completely altered background story. She isn’t merely the niece of a tradesman and daughter of a failed farmer; she has Earls and more in her bloodline. Her family’s birth order is also moved about. There have been two Mrs. Bennets and neither is Fanny Gardiner. Mr. Bennet is much less indolent. Also if you are a Jane and Bingley purist walk away.
There are some characters who come out of the background to shine like Anne deBourgh. Wickham gets him comeuppance.
What I Liked:
There are so really well developed auxiliary characters:
Richard Fitzwilliam does get more to do but he initially isn't a big fan of Lizzy & the Bennets. He will come around but the author balances out his misbehavior in the epilogue.
Caroline Bingley is extra venomous. She is literally unhinged that she won't be Mrs. Darcy. Alas the author never drops her into the epilogue
Georgiana Darcy isn't the shy little angel we've come to expect. She is just evil incarnate.
What I wasn’t that pleased with:
Mrs. Bennet is protrayed as frighteningly moronic. I mean really she's so dumb she can't figure out she is increasing until a man tells her.
The number of ancillary characters who all have speaking roles. I am trotting out my Goodfellas quote again “The first time I was introduced to all of them at once, it was crazy. Paulie and his brothers had lots of sons and nephews. And almost all of them were named Peter or Paul. It was unbelievable.” In this Book all of them are named Lydia or Elizabeth or Jane and there are countess and duchesses and dowager of all. And in what can only be considered the WORLD's LONGEST EPILOGUE there are more and more and more and more characters until by the last chapter I was dizzy. What happened to Caroline Bingley. If you are giving me a 50 page epilogue throw me a bone. Even Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are significantly altered in their back stories, Aunt Gardiner isn't even from Lambton. And the 4 & 20 families all seem to be revealed, like Uncle Phillips' older brother, his family, their home etc.
There are endless discussions, details and reviews that just bog down the book. Darcy would discuss something with say Col. Fitzwilliam and then have similar discussions with other characters. While they might have differing points of view it was exhausting. One could say they author did a fabulous job of documenting everything that happened. I wouldn’t be one of those people. This just became a book I was skimming because how many times do I need to know about Charlotte giving Darcy pointers about courting Lizzy (Once, I need to read it Once).
(again possible spoiler but not really right?) Darcy spends MONTHS trying to decide if he is in love with Sprite (er Lizzy see loathed below) and when they are reunited he immediately blurts out his feelings and, if this was a Rom-Com, she would run to his arms pull the special license out and they would be off to the minister. But this isn't a Rom- Com its a Dram-Dram so she needs time, yes time to decide if she can spend the rest of her life with Darcy. So we go on 50 first dates (sorry) with chaperones while Lizzy tries to decide if she loves Darcy, if she can be mistress of Pemberley, if he loves her, if two trains leave Paddington Station at the same time one traveling NE and one traveling NW which one has buttered scones? And eventually she decides.... but not until long after I wanted to reach into my Kindle and shake her until her perfect little teeth rattled and scream it's FITZWILLIAM DARCY SAY YES!!!!
What I really loathed (Loathed)
The nicknames.
When Darcy first meets Lizzy they aren’t introduced and he mentally calls her Sprite. Okay that’s cute right until he learns her name then he should start thinking of her as Lizzy or Elizabeth or Miss Bennet but he calls her Sprite, refers to her Sprite, thinks about her as sprite for 500 or so pages.
Darcy’s nicknames. Bingley calls him ‘Darce’ or ‘Old Man”, his uncle calls him “Cub’, His cousin calls him ‘Jefferson’ (inside baseball reference to the Declaration of Independence) It is just overwhelming (see Goodfellas quote above) after they are engaged Lizzy starts calling him Jefferson.
Precognition? There is a chapter tucked in between the engagement and the wedding (did that need a spoiler tag? I hope not) where this Darcy and Lizzy imagine that they are canon Darcy and Lizzy. It got on my last nerve.
In conclusion it's got a good beat but I couldn't dance to it. I applaud the effort the author put into creating her universe and I am exhausted by it at the same time. I only found one mistake and that was Preform for Perform x 2
And I recommend reading on a Kindle because it is chock full of footnotes and words I never ever ever heard or read before
Vocab:
pettifoggery - to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters
diablerie - reckless mischief; charismatic wildness
en plein aire or en plein air - open (in full) air
demense - land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's own use.
cockalorum -a self-important little man.
Plenipotentiary - a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country.
operose - involving or displaying much industry or effort.
ceorl - a freeeman of the lowest rank in Anglo-Saxon England
clodpoll - is a stupid or foolish person.
Paphian - prostitute
sesquipedalian - characterized by long words; long-winded (How's that for irony?)
poltroon - an utter coward.
pusillanimous - showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.
recreant - a coward. (feels like a theme doesn't it)
quotidian - of or occurring every day; daily:
beldame - a malicious and ugly woman, especially an old one; a witch.
parvenu - a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrity:
One one hand this is a truly unique P&P what if that develops new and original plots lines and characters. On the other hand this book just gets so very detailed that you begin to be bogged down in specifics. This book has me feeling like Teen Talk Barbie “Reviewing is hard”. I profess to adoring angst well this book has buckets full of angst and every time I would think ‘Phew we have to be past the angst’ more would arrive like an early period when you’re wearing white pants. And I say “I love different” and this book is really and truly different but it is just too much. It is like death by chocolate it sounds delicious but it does scary things to your blood sugar levels.
What I Loved:
This is a CLEAN book. You don't have any even PG content to worry about.
The honestly unique plot, Fitzwilliam Darcy is a second son who isn’t the scion of Pemberley and who is considered an unnecessary spare by his neglectful, disdainful parents. He instead chooses a life of intellectual pursuit becoming a physics lecturer at Cambridge. Of course he will end up as the Master of Pemberley and suffer endless problems, set backs and more.
And Lizzy has been given a completely altered background story. She isn’t merely the niece of a tradesman and daughter of a failed farmer; she has Earls and more in her bloodline. Her family’s birth order is also moved about. There have been two Mrs. Bennets and neither is Fanny Gardiner. Mr. Bennet is much less indolent. Also if you are a Jane and Bingley purist walk away.
There are some characters who come out of the background to shine like Anne deBourgh. Wickham gets him comeuppance.
What I Liked:
There are so really well developed auxiliary characters:
Richard Fitzwilliam does get more to do but he initially isn't a big fan of Lizzy & the Bennets. He will come around but the author balances out his misbehavior in the epilogue.
Caroline Bingley is extra venomous. She is literally unhinged that she won't be Mrs. Darcy. Alas the author never drops her into the epilogue
Georgiana Darcy isn't the shy little angel we've come to expect. She is just evil incarnate.
What I wasn’t that pleased with:
Mrs. Bennet is protrayed as frighteningly moronic. I mean really she's so dumb she can't figure out she is increasing until a man tells her.
The number of ancillary characters who all have speaking roles. I am trotting out my Goodfellas quote again “The first time I was introduced to all of them at once, it was crazy. Paulie and his brothers had lots of sons and nephews. And almost all of them were named Peter or Paul. It was unbelievable.” In this Book all of them are named Lydia or Elizabeth or Jane and there are countess and duchesses and dowager of all. And in what can only be considered the WORLD's LONGEST EPILOGUE there are more and more and more and more characters until by the last chapter I was dizzy. What happened to Caroline Bingley. If you are giving me a 50 page epilogue throw me a bone. Even Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are significantly altered in their back stories, Aunt Gardiner isn't even from Lambton. And the 4 & 20 families all seem to be revealed, like Uncle Phillips' older brother, his family, their home etc.
There are endless discussions, details and reviews that just bog down the book. Darcy would discuss something with say Col. Fitzwilliam and then have similar discussions with other characters. While they might have differing points of view it was exhausting. One could say they author did a fabulous job of documenting everything that happened. I wouldn’t be one of those people. This just became a book I was skimming because how many times do I need to know about Charlotte giving Darcy pointers about courting Lizzy (Once, I need to read it Once).
(again possible spoiler but not really right?) Darcy spends MONTHS trying to decide if he is in love with Sprite (er Lizzy see loathed below) and when they are reunited he immediately blurts out his feelings and, if this was a Rom-Com, she would run to his arms pull the special license out and they would be off to the minister. But this isn't a Rom- Com its a Dram-Dram so she needs time, yes time to decide if she can spend the rest of her life with Darcy. So we go on 50 first dates (sorry) with chaperones while Lizzy tries to decide if she loves Darcy, if she can be mistress of Pemberley, if he loves her, if two trains leave Paddington Station at the same time one traveling NE and one traveling NW which one has buttered scones? And eventually she decides.... but not until long after I wanted to reach into my Kindle and shake her until her perfect little teeth rattled and scream it's FITZWILLIAM DARCY SAY YES!!!!
What I really loathed (Loathed)
The nicknames.
When Darcy first meets Lizzy they aren’t introduced and he mentally calls her Sprite. Okay that’s cute right until he learns her name then he should start thinking of her as Lizzy or Elizabeth or Miss Bennet but he calls her Sprite, refers to her Sprite, thinks about her as sprite for 500 or so pages.
Darcy’s nicknames. Bingley calls him ‘Darce’ or ‘Old Man”, his uncle calls him “Cub’, His cousin calls him ‘Jefferson’ (inside baseball reference to the Declaration of Independence) It is just overwhelming (see Goodfellas quote above) after they are engaged Lizzy starts calling him Jefferson.
Precognition? There is a chapter tucked in between the engagement and the wedding (did that need a spoiler tag? I hope not) where this Darcy and Lizzy imagine that they are canon Darcy and Lizzy. It got on my last nerve.
In conclusion it's got a good beat but I couldn't dance to it. I applaud the effort the author put into creating her universe and I am exhausted by it at the same time. I only found one mistake and that was Preform for Perform x 2
And I recommend reading on a Kindle because it is chock full of footnotes and words I never ever ever heard or read before
Vocab:
pettifoggery - to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters
diablerie - reckless mischief; charismatic wildness
en plein aire or en plein air - open (in full) air
demense - land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's own use.
cockalorum -a self-important little man.
Plenipotentiary - a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country.
operose - involving or displaying much industry or effort.
ceorl - a freeeman of the lowest rank in Anglo-Saxon England
clodpoll - is a stupid or foolish person.
Paphian - prostitute
sesquipedalian - characterized by long words; long-winded (How's that for irony?)
poltroon - an utter coward.
pusillanimous - showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.
recreant - a coward. (feels like a theme doesn't it)
quotidian - of or occurring every day; daily:
beldame - a malicious and ugly woman, especially an old one; a witch.
parvenu - a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrity:
March 23, 2019
I have to agree with other reviews which note that this story is much too long. It could have ended at about 70% and I would have been happy. Instead it goes into multi-generational listings of who married who, the children they had, where they settled and their professions/jobs in life.
I have to say that it also made me cry...more than once.
The beginning story is basically all about Fitzwilliam Darcy as a second son and how neglected and/or reviled he was by his older brother, his parents and George Wickham. Hateful things were done to him, i.e., he receives a lashing when he is blamed for bringing a box of snakes into the house. (His brother and Wickham did it to set him up for that punishment.) Sadly he freezes up when he is angry, when he is confronted, when he is in the presence of strangers...more than canon has him doing. However he is also brilliant and at an early age becomes an ordained minister and then a professor/Fellow of physics and finds satisfaction in teaching. His father is even angry at him for wanting to enter university ahead of his older brother as his brother then will not want to be behind him in graduating.
One incident from his younger days has a 15-year-old young lady (He does not get her name.) finding him along the walls during a ball. She is not out but she makes it her goal for the night to make him laugh. For 5 years he remembers her as "his sprite of Chatsworth".
As the tale progresses we read of both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth learning to acknowledge that they each have put walls up preventing them from giving their hearts to anyone as a way to protect themselves from heartbreak...again. His story of not being loved by his parents or brother, etc. is laid out for us, but her story is a mystery. We get hints that something happened 10 years ago but we don't learn of what that was until Caroline Bingley comes in uninvited to Darcy's residence and spews out a bit of gossip that she states will make him break off with Elizabeth. It has the effect of bringing a past sorrow out and finally being faced.
The Bennet family is very different from canon also. However they don't brag all over town of their connections or of their financial situation. Kitty and Mary are reversed in birth order and they have older relatives (some of those connections) who take an interest in and help to educate the five girls. Mr. Bennet is married to a second wife in this story and he breeds horses. Plus, he makes friends with Fitzwilliam very early in their acquaintance with each other.
This story takes us all the way to the end of ODC's lives. I don't really enjoy reading that even though I enjoy an epilogue. But I would rather just leave the story knowing they married and had some children together. This author could use an editor to help cut out and tighten up this long variation.
I have to say that it also made me cry...more than once.
The beginning story is basically all about Fitzwilliam Darcy as a second son and how neglected and/or reviled he was by his older brother, his parents and George Wickham. Hateful things were done to him, i.e., he receives a lashing when he is blamed for bringing a box of snakes into the house. (His brother and Wickham did it to set him up for that punishment.) Sadly he freezes up when he is angry, when he is confronted, when he is in the presence of strangers...more than canon has him doing. However he is also brilliant and at an early age becomes an ordained minister and then a professor/Fellow of physics and finds satisfaction in teaching. His father is even angry at him for wanting to enter university ahead of his older brother as his brother then will not want to be behind him in graduating.
One incident from his younger days has a 15-year-old young lady (He does not get her name.) finding him along the walls during a ball. She is not out but she makes it her goal for the night to make him laugh. For 5 years he remembers her as "his sprite of Chatsworth".
As the tale progresses we read of both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth learning to acknowledge that they each have put walls up preventing them from giving their hearts to anyone as a way to protect themselves from heartbreak...again. His story of not being loved by his parents or brother, etc. is laid out for us, but her story is a mystery. We get hints that something happened 10 years ago but we don't learn of what that was until Caroline Bingley comes in uninvited to Darcy's residence and spews out a bit of gossip that she states will make him break off with Elizabeth. It has the effect of bringing a past sorrow out and finally being faced.
The Bennet family is very different from canon also. However they don't brag all over town of their connections or of their financial situation. Kitty and Mary are reversed in birth order and they have older relatives (some of those connections) who take an interest in and help to educate the five girls. Mr. Bennet is married to a second wife in this story and he breeds horses. Plus, he makes friends with Fitzwilliam very early in their acquaintance with each other.
This story takes us all the way to the end of ODC's lives. I don't really enjoy reading that even though I enjoy an epilogue. But I would rather just leave the story knowing they married and had some children together. This author could use an editor to help cut out and tighten up this long variation.
November 11, 2017
The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keep out the joy. ~ Jim Rohn
This may be the worst thing I have ever written in a review and certainly the worst in a review of a book I thought worthy of 4 Stars: I was 90% finished with this story when my dog told me he needed to go out. When he finished his business, I said, “Colby, let’s just go to bed.”
It was 9:30 PM.
I worked nights for years and it is still not unusual that I will be awake until 1:00 AM so when I intended to finish the book and just couldn’t face any more of the Biblical “begats” without sleep, you know I was not impressed.
This book is the very definition of TMI – too much information!
I could have done with a mere synopsis of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s inventions modernizing industry; his introspection of his interest in his “Sprite”; Elizabeth’s pondering of her ability to love; and especially the “Generations of Darcy, Bingley, Fitzwilliam, Hurst, etc. etc. etc.”
And that is such a shame because the basic story is very strong and unusual in the world of JAFF.
The best of this story are the earlier chapters, detailing the neglect suffered by young Fitzwilliam. His Father’s eventual confrontation with him leads young Fitzwilliam to find comfort in his cave – his symbol for safety. Despite the uncaring attitude of both parents and older brother, Fitzwilliam has support from several people at Pemberley and at his school.
As a child, Darcy was unable to withstand the verbal assaults of his family and would not be capable of a response. He grew up thinking there was a flaw in his brain that left him unable to speak.
Introverts are not failed extroverts. ~ Sophia Dembling
Quote from the book: Elizabeth gave him a sharp look for the endearment, before saying, “There is not anything wrong with you, Mr. Darcy. Whereas it is not the way of ‘Society’, there is nothing wrong with being shy and withdrawn in company; you do fine when discussing subjects you enjoy.”
Elizabeth’s family situation is upgraded from canon, giving her relatives among the aristocracy. Even her Aunt Gardiner has ties to the first circles. I loved the initial meeting between a Darcy who has survived his childhood and built a life that satisfies him completely and a young Elizabeth Bennet. They meet at a famous estate and if the snooty Caroline Bingley had any clue where they had met before, she would have known not to disparage the Bennets.
Elizabeth has also endured tragedy in her life. She has developed vastly different coping mechanisms but the end result is the same – she isolates part of herself from everyone and hides behind her outgoing personality.
There is nothing wrong with introversion, yet living in an extrovert-dominated culture can make you question your strengths as an introvert. You may find yourself out of balance trying to keep up with the extroverted pace of life. You may have lost touch with your values of quiet, solitude, and depth. ~ Arnie Kozak, The Awakened Introvert, 2015
This story has elements in common with other books on my favorites list: Rain and Retribution and When We Are Married. The grammar is correct and it is almost free of typos. It contains lots of plot points not related to the love story between Darcy and Elizabeth. It could have used an editor but I would still recommend it to anyone who likes JAFF.
Before you can break out of prison, you must first realize you're locked up. ~ Author Unknown
This may be the worst thing I have ever written in a review and certainly the worst in a review of a book I thought worthy of 4 Stars: I was 90% finished with this story when my dog told me he needed to go out. When he finished his business, I said, “Colby, let’s just go to bed.”
It was 9:30 PM.
I worked nights for years and it is still not unusual that I will be awake until 1:00 AM so when I intended to finish the book and just couldn’t face any more of the Biblical “begats” without sleep, you know I was not impressed.
This book is the very definition of TMI – too much information!
I could have done with a mere synopsis of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s inventions modernizing industry; his introspection of his interest in his “Sprite”; Elizabeth’s pondering of her ability to love; and especially the “Generations of Darcy, Bingley, Fitzwilliam, Hurst, etc. etc. etc.”
And that is such a shame because the basic story is very strong and unusual in the world of JAFF.
The best of this story are the earlier chapters, detailing the neglect suffered by young Fitzwilliam. His Father’s eventual confrontation with him leads young Fitzwilliam to find comfort in his cave – his symbol for safety. Despite the uncaring attitude of both parents and older brother, Fitzwilliam has support from several people at Pemberley and at his school.
As a child, Darcy was unable to withstand the verbal assaults of his family and would not be capable of a response. He grew up thinking there was a flaw in his brain that left him unable to speak.
Introverts are not failed extroverts. ~ Sophia Dembling
Quote from the book: Elizabeth gave him a sharp look for the endearment, before saying, “There is not anything wrong with you, Mr. Darcy. Whereas it is not the way of ‘Society’, there is nothing wrong with being shy and withdrawn in company; you do fine when discussing subjects you enjoy.”
Elizabeth’s family situation is upgraded from canon, giving her relatives among the aristocracy. Even her Aunt Gardiner has ties to the first circles. I loved the initial meeting between a Darcy who has survived his childhood and built a life that satisfies him completely and a young Elizabeth Bennet. They meet at a famous estate and if the snooty Caroline Bingley had any clue where they had met before, she would have known not to disparage the Bennets.
Elizabeth has also endured tragedy in her life. She has developed vastly different coping mechanisms but the end result is the same – she isolates part of herself from everyone and hides behind her outgoing personality.
There is nothing wrong with introversion, yet living in an extrovert-dominated culture can make you question your strengths as an introvert. You may find yourself out of balance trying to keep up with the extroverted pace of life. You may have lost touch with your values of quiet, solitude, and depth. ~ Arnie Kozak, The Awakened Introvert, 2015
This story has elements in common with other books on my favorites list: Rain and Retribution and When We Are Married. The grammar is correct and it is almost free of typos. It contains lots of plot points not related to the love story between Darcy and Elizabeth. It could have used an editor but I would still recommend it to anyone who likes JAFF.
Before you can break out of prison, you must first realize you're locked up. ~ Author Unknown
October 1, 2022
I was so going to give this 5 stars, until I got to the end. Up to that point I really enjoyed this very intense, yet low key story. However, if you have to go in to detail about all the deaths and they way they died in order to finish this (very long, sometimes drawn out and repetitive) book - which completely changed the overall tone of the story to quite depressing- just don't! Finish it it sooner with a nice little epilogue about how many children they had and what a long happy life they lived.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the writing, very far from canon and cleverly added characters from other JA books. I would be most interested in trying another by this author.
There were also many editorial mistakes and very odd use of CAPS throughout the story, but I guess that was instead of bold or italics.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the writing, very far from canon and cleverly added characters from other JA books. I would be most interested in trying another by this author.
There were also many editorial mistakes and very odd use of CAPS throughout the story, but I guess that was instead of bold or italics.
April 27, 2019
This was a frustrating book. There are sections and storylines that are excellent. At times it shows more depth than the average romance. The details demonstrate plenty of research. (There are even footnotes.) The author has very good writing chops with only rare editing-type errors, which is impressive in a book this long.
But speaking of length.... Oh. My. Goodness.
You certainly won't be complaining about spending too much for a short book. This is a Pride and Prejudice prequel, variation, sequel and epilogue all in one exhaustively long volume. It's a full-out marathon. Perhaps you could categorize it as a fictional biography of Fitzwilliam Darcy...if he'd started out life as a second son rather than the Heir of Pemberley and lived a long, long life. Personally, I call it a chronology because of the series of different plots that aren't dependent on one another for the book to make sense.
I lost count of how many storylines this relates.
It was difficult to keep track of the family tree branches added to both the Darcys and the Bennets. Then, in the epilogue section, we meet Elizabeth and Darcy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and further storylines involving THEM.
Unfortunately, that means the book doesn't have a steady build of tension to one specific turning point and resolution. Instead, there are a whole slew of them. I truly wish the author had settled on just one or two and woven them together properly, or perhaps split this into multiple volumes. Some are excellent, but this reader felt like everything, including the kitchen sink, was being thrown at me.
The second son premise is so intriguing. Fitzwilliam isn't at all like his garrulous father and older brother, who don't understand his shy, withdrawn personality. He's bullied by his brother Stephen and young George Wickham, and he's emotionally (and occasionally physically) abused by his parents, who consider him a disappointment despite the fact that he's obviously brilliant. It's a wonderful and unusual premise that starts off the book.
Unfortunately, this storyline stalls for a while. I'd long since gotten the picture and wanted the story to progress, but instead the detailed anecdotes depicting more abuse continued to pile on.
I appreciate the idea that, just as Darcy has perfected a mask-like glare to deter unwanted attention, Elizabeth guards her most inner thoughts and feelings by using humor and teasing. She has her own emotional baggage. However, this is something only vaguely hinted at a couple of times in the early chapters where she appears (if you don't read carefully, you'll miss them) but then it abruptly pops up without warning when she and Darcy are making wedding plans.
Some storylines aren't handled well. In this version, Mr. Bennet HAS made more than adequate provision for his family despite the entail on Longbourn. Supposedly this has been explained to Mrs. Bennet, but she doesn't comprehend it and still is panicked about living in hedgerows. How hard can it be to understand that he's purchased another home nearby and that his valuable horses are not part of the entail?
Georgiana is a spoiled, pampered brat. Love this! But when she gets caught trying to manipulate family members and is disciplined, remaining unrepentant, why does it take Elizabeth to tell her the facts about Darcy, Stephen and their parents? Even though Darcy doesn't talk about it with anyone but Elizabeth, the trusted family dealing with Georgiana know enough about it to help get the girl straightened out long before Elizabeth meets her.
There's a similar problem with a storyline involving a jealous Jane. She's sent to Cheapside because she doesn't believe Wickham is a bad guy... but Darcy already provided Mr. Bennet with details refuting Wickham's lies. Darcy had told him specifically so the Bennet daughters would be protected. Why would Mr. Bennet send Jane away from Longbourn rather than explaining everything to her?
So many plots here. The above is just a small fraction. Some are beaten to death with unnecessary detail, while others are tossed in but not developed logically.
Ms. Boardman shows unmistakable talent. She's got creative ideas and strong writing skills. This is an author badly in need of a good content editor.
But speaking of length.... Oh. My. Goodness.
You certainly won't be complaining about spending too much for a short book. This is a Pride and Prejudice prequel, variation, sequel and epilogue all in one exhaustively long volume. It's a full-out marathon. Perhaps you could categorize it as a fictional biography of Fitzwilliam Darcy...if he'd started out life as a second son rather than the Heir of Pemberley and lived a long, long life. Personally, I call it a chronology because of the series of different plots that aren't dependent on one another for the book to make sense.
I lost count of how many storylines this relates.
It was difficult to keep track of the family tree branches added to both the Darcys and the Bennets. Then, in the epilogue section, we meet Elizabeth and Darcy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and further storylines involving THEM.
Unfortunately, that means the book doesn't have a steady build of tension to one specific turning point and resolution. Instead, there are a whole slew of them. I truly wish the author had settled on just one or two and woven them together properly, or perhaps split this into multiple volumes. Some are excellent, but this reader felt like everything, including the kitchen sink, was being thrown at me.
The second son premise is so intriguing. Fitzwilliam isn't at all like his garrulous father and older brother, who don't understand his shy, withdrawn personality. He's bullied by his brother Stephen and young George Wickham, and he's emotionally (and occasionally physically) abused by his parents, who consider him a disappointment despite the fact that he's obviously brilliant. It's a wonderful and unusual premise that starts off the book.
Unfortunately, this storyline stalls for a while. I'd long since gotten the picture and wanted the story to progress, but instead the detailed anecdotes depicting more abuse continued to pile on.
I appreciate the idea that, just as Darcy has perfected a mask-like glare to deter unwanted attention, Elizabeth guards her most inner thoughts and feelings by using humor and teasing. She has her own emotional baggage. However, this is something only vaguely hinted at a couple of times in the early chapters where she appears (if you don't read carefully, you'll miss them) but then it abruptly pops up without warning when she and Darcy are making wedding plans.
Some storylines aren't handled well. In this version, Mr. Bennet HAS made more than adequate provision for his family despite the entail on Longbourn. Supposedly this has been explained to Mrs. Bennet, but she doesn't comprehend it and still is panicked about living in hedgerows. How hard can it be to understand that he's purchased another home nearby and that his valuable horses are not part of the entail?
Georgiana is a spoiled, pampered brat. Love this! But when she gets caught trying to manipulate family members and is disciplined, remaining unrepentant, why does it take Elizabeth to tell her the facts about Darcy, Stephen and their parents? Even though Darcy doesn't talk about it with anyone but Elizabeth, the trusted family dealing with Georgiana know enough about it to help get the girl straightened out long before Elizabeth meets her.
There's a similar problem with a storyline involving a jealous Jane. She's sent to Cheapside because she doesn't believe Wickham is a bad guy... but Darcy already provided Mr. Bennet with details refuting Wickham's lies. Darcy had told him specifically so the Bennet daughters would be protected. Why would Mr. Bennet send Jane away from Longbourn rather than explaining everything to her?
So many plots here. The above is just a small fraction. Some are beaten to death with unnecessary detail, while others are tossed in but not developed logically.
Ms. Boardman shows unmistakable talent. She's got creative ideas and strong writing skills. This is an author badly in need of a good content editor.
January 23, 2018
This slow-burning, off canon, substantial novel, should come with a box of tissue paper to watering pots like me... ;)
Heart-wrenching, especially in the beginning and the end, thrilling, romantic and utterly unputdownable!
Loved the language and the development of the characters.
The only negative for me was the excess of characters (several with identical names) my addled brain needed to keep track on towards the end. Failed miserably in keeping up with who married who etc of the many children/grandchildren of ODC and all their relatives and friends. Not as bothersome as to make me deduct any stars though.
We follow Darcy's childhood as the second son of George Darcy and lady Anne. The heir, Stephen, the junior and senior Wickham and the judge Gerald Darcy has prominent roles together with the Matlock's and what a heart-wrenching tale it is. *Tissue alert*
Darcy is a wonderchild but are sadly misunderstood by his nearest family, luckily he has some champions in the more distant relations and some servants. He is educated and physics/ mechanics are his main fields, working at Cambridge. ODC has a brief encounter as young people attending a ball. It will be 5 years and the death of both the father and brother of Darcy before they meet again.
Entering the timeline of canon, (there is no rehash in sight...) Some of the characters might be a bit OOC but the change in circumstances makes it feel natural. The three youngest Bennet daughters are much younger than canon.
As in canon, Darcy falls in love first but meddling and misinformed relatives, drives him away.
You will be surprised by who though...
He eventually comes back to Hertfordshire and has a momentous job of persuading Elizabeth into matrimony. Loved how the author let the relationship developed slowly and convincingly.
Wickham enters Meryton and the Ramsgate havoc is in the novel but his story proceeds very differently as Lydia is only 8 years old. He will be dealt with and get his due.
Elizabeth has some dark secrets of her own and miss Bingley is the one to reveal it. *Tissue alert*. She gets her comeuppance in a very satisfying way, as Bingley grows a backbone, supported by the Hurst's.
We follow them through courtship, engagement and over 60 years of marriage. Highs and lows with births, sickness, deaths and marriages in their family and close friends.
Ends with ODC's passing. *Major tissue alert*.
Bingley gets an HEA but not with Jane, she will be happy elsewhere as the story also contains the lives of all the other charactersfrom canon.
I absolutely loved this novel from start to finish. Will be reread countless times...
Heartily recommend!!!
Heart-wrenching, especially in the beginning and the end, thrilling, romantic and utterly unputdownable!
Loved the language and the development of the characters.
The only negative for me was the excess of characters (several with identical names) my addled brain needed to keep track on towards the end. Failed miserably in keeping up with who married who etc of the many children/grandchildren of ODC and all their relatives and friends. Not as bothersome as to make me deduct any stars though.
We follow Darcy's childhood as the second son of George Darcy and lady Anne. The heir, Stephen, the junior and senior Wickham and the judge Gerald Darcy has prominent roles together with the Matlock's and what a heart-wrenching tale it is. *Tissue alert*
Darcy is a wonderchild but are sadly misunderstood by his nearest family, luckily he has some champions in the more distant relations and some servants. He is educated and physics/ mechanics are his main fields, working at Cambridge. ODC has a brief encounter as young people attending a ball. It will be 5 years and the death of both the father and brother of Darcy before they meet again.
Entering the timeline of canon, (there is no rehash in sight...) Some of the characters might be a bit OOC but the change in circumstances makes it feel natural. The three youngest Bennet daughters are much younger than canon.
As in canon, Darcy falls in love first but meddling and misinformed relatives, drives him away.
You will be surprised by who though...
He eventually comes back to Hertfordshire and has a momentous job of persuading Elizabeth into matrimony. Loved how the author let the relationship developed slowly and convincingly.
Wickham enters Meryton and the Ramsgate havoc is in the novel but his story proceeds very differently as Lydia is only 8 years old. He will be dealt with and get his due.
Elizabeth has some dark secrets of her own and miss Bingley is the one to reveal it. *Tissue alert*. She gets her comeuppance in a very satisfying way, as Bingley grows a backbone, supported by the Hurst's.
We follow them through courtship, engagement and over 60 years of marriage. Highs and lows with births, sickness, deaths and marriages in their family and close friends.
Ends with ODC's passing. *Major tissue alert*.
Bingley gets an HEA but not with Jane, she will be happy elsewhere as the story also contains the lives of all the other charactersfrom canon.
I absolutely loved this novel from start to finish. Will be reread countless times...
Heartily recommend!!!
November 26, 2020
Alternate reality where Fitzwilliam Darcy is a second son
This is a really good story by an author I know nothing about. I wish she would write another variation.
Epic story. Much evil and cruelty but even more love and joy. If I could give the story another star, I would. Recommended highly.
This is a really good story by an author I know nothing about. I wish she would write another variation.
Epic story. Much evil and cruelty but even more love and joy. If I could give the story another star, I would. Recommended highly.
November 20, 2021
Difficult Review to Write
Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2019
This is tough. I really loved this book. It was an emotional read for me. I wept often, but maybe that’s just me. I truly loved the author’s writing style; the use of period language and the fact that I needed to look up certain words. I’m a senior, but still love to learn. There were some proofreading errors, but nothing too major.
The beginning of the book, which covers Darcy’s boyhood broke my heart. I thought it extremely well written. When I think about it, I can still weep for him. It’s a story of an abused boy who makes his way through life. He finds his one and only love in his Elizabeth, his “Sprite”. I loved that.
I also loved the other characters in this book that loved the boy and the man. I adored Mr. Bennet in this book, and all the new Bennet family members who made up the story of this variation. I didn’t love the what seemed to be a is-this-ever-going-to-stop- interference by Colonel Fitzwilliam, even though it was just part of a chapter. That got too wordy, and again my heart broke for the man, Darcy. This is where the book began to get too wordy for me as a whole. I still couldn’t put the book down, but I was feeling like it was taking too long to get to our happy ending. We do get there, but then the story continues. I didn’t enjoy the part once they started to have children. I found there was too much tragedy, heartbreak and loss. It drained me emotionally, and I’m not sure I like that. It’s the day after I finished the book and I’m still thinking about it. The end once again broke my heart and I can’t get that image out of my head.
I look forward to another read from this author. While I know every story usually has at least a somewhat difficult road to a happy ending, please don’t make it so tragic. Again, maybe that’s just me.
Do read it.
Note: November 21, 2020 - This book continues to be in my all-time favorites list of JAFF, and THE book I continue to think about on a regular basis. While I mentioned multiple things I didn’t like, I could have worded this better—it was more because I hurt for ODC so much, being so caught up in this story, I hated to see them go through that. As I said, it was a difficult review to write and express. I’ve also read this book multiple times, but didn’t note all the dates.
Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2019
This is tough. I really loved this book. It was an emotional read for me. I wept often, but maybe that’s just me. I truly loved the author’s writing style; the use of period language and the fact that I needed to look up certain words. I’m a senior, but still love to learn. There were some proofreading errors, but nothing too major.
The beginning of the book, which covers Darcy’s boyhood broke my heart. I thought it extremely well written. When I think about it, I can still weep for him. It’s a story of an abused boy who makes his way through life. He finds his one and only love in his Elizabeth, his “Sprite”. I loved that.
I also loved the other characters in this book that loved the boy and the man. I adored Mr. Bennet in this book, and all the new Bennet family members who made up the story of this variation. I didn’t love the what seemed to be a is-this-ever-going-to-stop- interference by Colonel Fitzwilliam, even though it was just part of a chapter. That got too wordy, and again my heart broke for the man, Darcy. This is where the book began to get too wordy for me as a whole. I still couldn’t put the book down, but I was feeling like it was taking too long to get to our happy ending. We do get there, but then the story continues. I didn’t enjoy the part once they started to have children. I found there was too much tragedy, heartbreak and loss. It drained me emotionally, and I’m not sure I like that. It’s the day after I finished the book and I’m still thinking about it. The end once again broke my heart and I can’t get that image out of my head.
I look forward to another read from this author. While I know every story usually has at least a somewhat difficult road to a happy ending, please don’t make it so tragic. Again, maybe that’s just me.
Do read it.
Note: November 21, 2020 - This book continues to be in my all-time favorites list of JAFF, and THE book I continue to think about on a regular basis. While I mentioned multiple things I didn’t like, I could have worded this better—it was more because I hurt for ODC so much, being so caught up in this story, I hated to see them go through that. As I said, it was a difficult review to write and express. I’ve also read this book multiple times, but didn’t note all the dates.
November 24, 2020
What if Fitzwillliam Darcy was the second son of Lady Anne and George Darcy? What if they had treated him cruelly throughout his childhood? What if he immersed himself in his books and learning and became more of an introvert than canon and could not express himself at all when overwhelmed? And, what if he is never good enough, but is, eventually, the heir? How does he cope, and who are his true champions and friends? What happens when he meets Elizabeth Bennet?
"Do not let anyone change you, for there is nothing wrong with you." (quote from the book)
I know, so many questions, but this is one long saga with many tangents...too many to summarize. I honestly believe this is a labour of love from Ms. Boardman. From what I can tell, it is her one and only novel. It is definitely an ambitious one, and I did for the most part enjoy it as it engages all your emotions. It is well written, but for me, there was too much repetition that did slow it down.
Overall, I do recommend it and would love to see another novel from this author.
March 16, 2019
This is one long piece of Austenesque !!
It starts out outlining an alternate world where Fitzwilliam is an unloved second son, it also stresses out a wide set of family connections for both the Darcys & the Bennets, so you have to keep up with either a good memory or a notebook on the side.
There is much care in Fitzwilliam's infancy, coming of age and lifetime difficulties; while Lizzy's are saved up for later in the story.
This is a drama, not a comedy of manners or a romance, there is plenty of heartache, and many triggers for sensitive readers (yes, you know what It means for 19th Century real lifestories...).
Overall, for me, it was too much drama, too much realness in the sad and not enough in the good, the story crumbled for me after the engagement and became one sad, tear jerking epilogue, which is so weird.
The style is ok, not so many mistakes to detract from the reading experience, only for me, not what I look for when I pick up a P&P variation...
It starts out outlining an alternate world where Fitzwilliam is an unloved second son, it also stresses out a wide set of family connections for both the Darcys & the Bennets, so you have to keep up with either a good memory or a notebook on the side.
There is much care in Fitzwilliam's infancy, coming of age and lifetime difficulties; while Lizzy's are saved up for later in the story.
This is a drama, not a comedy of manners or a romance, there is plenty of heartache, and many triggers for sensitive readers (yes, you know what It means for 19th Century real lifestories...).
Overall, for me, it was too much drama, too much realness in the sad and not enough in the good, the story crumbled for me after the engagement and became one sad, tear jerking epilogue, which is so weird.
The style is ok, not so many mistakes to detract from the reading experience, only for me, not what I look for when I pick up a P&P variation...
September 10, 2021
One of the most comprehensive stories
An incredible love story that encompasses the whole life of our beloved couple. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended. A love of legend!
An incredible love story that encompasses the whole life of our beloved couple. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended. A love of legend!
June 16, 2021
This story is so long with flashes of brilliance. The author was able to create gut retching emotion, which I love, but it went on and on.
The first part of the book focuses on Fitzwilliam Darcy, an ignored and bullied second son. He by chance meets a girl at a ball he does not want to be at and she becomes his ideal as she actually spoke to him. Imagine his surprise when years later he meets her at an assembly in Meryton. The rest of this very long tale is the characters learning how to get out of their own heads and walls to find each other and share their inner most thoughts and feelings. That is followed by a very long happily ever after.
The first part of the book focuses on Fitzwilliam Darcy, an ignored and bullied second son. He by chance meets a girl at a ball he does not want to be at and she becomes his ideal as she actually spoke to him. Imagine his surprise when years later he meets her at an assembly in Meryton. The rest of this very long tale is the characters learning how to get out of their own heads and walls to find each other and share their inner most thoughts and feelings. That is followed by a very long happily ever after.
May 3, 2019
A Thought Provoking Tale
This was a book I never wanted to put down. It is originally a tale of Fitzwilliam Darcy, a second son never valued by his direct family. It is not a happy tale, though it was good to see Fitzwilliam eventually stand up for himself. His love affair with Lizzy mainly takes place around Netherfield and Longbourne and most of the usual characters are present, though with different characteristics due to changes from canon. This book made me laugh, made me cry and I rooted for Darcy and Lizzy the whole way. This is well worth reading.
This was a book I never wanted to put down. It is originally a tale of Fitzwilliam Darcy, a second son never valued by his direct family. It is not a happy tale, though it was good to see Fitzwilliam eventually stand up for himself. His love affair with Lizzy mainly takes place around Netherfield and Longbourne and most of the usual characters are present, though with different characteristics due to changes from canon. This book made me laugh, made me cry and I rooted for Darcy and Lizzy the whole way. This is well worth reading.
December 1, 2017
A Different Darcy
This is the type of story that draws in the reader and won't let go. Breaks your heart at he very start but brings smiles as the hero and heroine finally come together and master their demons. This would have been five stars if the author had brought it to conclusion earlier. There is about 10% of epilogue at the end and though it will leave the reader with more answers than questions, it could have been edited. That said, grab some tissues and enjoy.
This is the type of story that draws in the reader and won't let go. Breaks your heart at he very start but brings smiles as the hero and heroine finally come together and master their demons. This would have been five stars if the author had brought it to conclusion earlier. There is about 10% of epilogue at the end and though it will leave the reader with more answers than questions, it could have been edited. That said, grab some tissues and enjoy.
January 28, 2021
(Long but worth it.) This is a good novel hidden in so much extra stuff that the good part is hard to find. At 46%, I was so tired of its excesses, I checked out the reviews on Goodreads to see if it was worth continuing. Everyone agreed that it was slow and long and good. One reviewer suggested only reading to 70% because apparently there’s only minutiae after that point, so that became my goal. Well, the more realistic end point was 88%. That’s where the story arc was completed. If the rest was more of the same, the last 12% was repetitive, including slow telling of unnecessary sub-stories in amongst a good premise.
I loved the back-story, the tale of Fitzwilliam’s coming to be the man the author has developed in this tale. The stories of the box given to Mr. Darcy and of Darcy’s childhood hide-out in particular made tears leak from my eyes. In addition, his friendships at school showed him to be more loved than the author seemed to “believe” as the story went on. All those nicknames were a bit annoying, though.
I was less impressed with Elizabeth’s back-story, as it was too muddled with supposedly impressive people that didn’t add to the plot other than to give her more than necessary good connections to impress Lady Matlock. In fact, Elizabeth’s character was bland compared to Darcy’s, having lost its cynicism of canon and being left with a chipper, then morose Elizabeth, both which are canon, but too singular in dimension compared to the original. The side story of Elizabeth’s twin served no purpose but to further develop her character too late in the story. It didn’t work well, and it was double the length it needed to be. Between them, the Chatsworth story was great. Trouble was, it was rehashed too often. More on that later. The strong references to America were incongruous for a Briton, who would be patriotic and possibly even anti-American given the wars at the time, unless an emigrant, usually second sons or poorer Britons. This almost seemed to be a rah-rah America book, and there’s no evidence that’s a common Regency England sentiment.
Speaking of Darcy and Elizabeth, most of the point of view was taken by these characters. But the author was not immune to head-hopping, so much that she’d insert a sentence of another character’s POV in the middle of the main POV character’s scene.
The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch and must have been a challenge to find and match. On the other hand, although some of the footnotes were useful, most were conceited bits of trivia. Authors incorporate historical details, quotes, and similar references all the time and don’t footnote them. It’s part of writing. To distract from the novel in any way that takes the reader out of the flow of the plot is a faux pas an author wants to avoid unless it’s absolutely necessary.
At first, the new characters are well-described and it’s not hard to keep track of them. But later, more and more enter the picture, and it becomes too much. Blend that with the unconventional naming methods that were clearly not Regency, and no doubt readers were confused as to who was Fanny and why was Kitty the older daughter, a change that had no solid reasoning. Characters magically appear to save the day, such as Parke or Lady Isabella, when up to then they had no part in the drama.
By 70%, I was skimming. Skimming says one thing: quite a number of slow sections tie down the book. The author spends an entire chapter to describe the improvements and upgrades Darcy makes to the lands at Pemberley; Elizabeth’s rehash of the entire book during introspection when trying to decide if she loves Darcy; and the recaps including twice for Richard’s interrogation, are a few examples. These all took too long. Regarding recaps, one of my betas once told me to trust your reader to remember. This is a long book, and it could easily have been tidied up and lost 30% and still kept its integrity.
A few minor plot holes regarding who’s in the room or characters who know too much also left the reader scratching their head.
This book uses good Regency language for the most part. It boasts a few non-Regency words, Americanisms, and modern words or phrases or modern usages for words, but they’re common ones and a similar number as other JAFF novels for its length (examples: staff, debutante, visit with, I guess, gotten, Wow!, tête-a-twit, “played dumb,” “took off,” headed, guffaw, snort, earbobs, emotionally “shut down,” normal, “figure out”). Misused words and concepts like use of chaperones, courtship, intermission, luncheon, “chuckled,” “hey,” and “break her fast” were evident, but most authors miss these too. Colloquialisms like “Who are you and why…” and “to say…was an understatement,” and “give her some space” do not belong in a Regency novel. The word “peradventure” is too unusual to use more than once in a book; this author used it 14 times. A sanatorium is for tuberculosis and not for mental illness. The author has occasionally used a possessive case for a plural—do look it up. There’s over-use of “the former” and “the latter” as a pair. Some period words are used just for the fun of it, and it didn’t come off well: pot roon, pusillanimous recreant, and persiflage are just to show off. Of course, the author had to use “hedgerows,” a word never seen in canon.
Most of the punctuation was good, with the odd extra comma or missing semicolon or typo such as Mrs. Reynold or Benet.
My biggest peeve about this book was in the liberal use of all capital letters for a word, parenthesis, italics, and to a lesser extent, the interrobang. This was a huge annoyance while reading, and this author couldn’t get enough of them. She used them over and over again in situations where they clearly weren’t warranted.
Capitals and parenthesis are so rarely used in fiction that you may as well say that they aren’t used. After line editing 21 books and working with a professional copy editor on eight of them, I’ve only seen parenthesis allowed once. I started counting somewhere around 20% into the book and as said earlier, I read to 88%. So the numbers quoted below are not for the whole book.
The author used capitals where most authors would use italics to emphasize a single word. She over-using that emphasis, to compile a whopping 133 instances where I was counting, which entailed about 70% of the book. Remember, capitals are shouting. Some pages had as many as five shouted individual words on them!
Parenthesis could have been commas in about 75% of the cases (some paired with “which”) and em-dashes in the rest. The author should look up how to punctuate parenthetical statements in a good writing manual. These totalled 140.
Italicized “asides” and first person statements, though legitimate writing techniques, were significantly over-used where the author should have been using third person “show” techniques for writing, and strangely, the author chose to consistently italicize the names “Jefferson” and “Jeff.” This amounted to 165 unnecessary instances, and I did not count every single instance since some were reasonable.
The interrobang is the sort of punctuation an author reserves for once in a blue moon, if ever. It’s overly dramatic. I think I’ve used it once in publication. Ms. Boardman used it eight times in this book.
Authors need to remember to check your botany. Crocuses and snowdrops come out in England two months earlier than in this book.
Part of the length involved long descriptions, and these were good. This author certainly knows how to paint a picture.
Speaking of pictures, the cover of this novel is a bit more on the practical side than on the dressy side. It tells some of the story inside in a spare, succinct way. Its clean lines are eye-catching among the multitudes of blow-dried Darcys or fluffy floral covers (I could never figure out how selling flowers sold books). Perhaps it’s a bit too simple, and could be overlooked for those same reasons. I happen to like it.
Disclaimer: I am a JAFF author, and some might say that it is a conflict of interest to review this novel. I was a reader first, and my reviews are impartial and honest.
I loved the back-story, the tale of Fitzwilliam’s coming to be the man the author has developed in this tale. The stories of the box given to Mr. Darcy and of Darcy’s childhood hide-out in particular made tears leak from my eyes. In addition, his friendships at school showed him to be more loved than the author seemed to “believe” as the story went on. All those nicknames were a bit annoying, though.
I was less impressed with Elizabeth’s back-story, as it was too muddled with supposedly impressive people that didn’t add to the plot other than to give her more than necessary good connections to impress Lady Matlock. In fact, Elizabeth’s character was bland compared to Darcy’s, having lost its cynicism of canon and being left with a chipper, then morose Elizabeth, both which are canon, but too singular in dimension compared to the original. The side story of Elizabeth’s twin served no purpose but to further develop her character too late in the story. It didn’t work well, and it was double the length it needed to be. Between them, the Chatsworth story was great. Trouble was, it was rehashed too often. More on that later. The strong references to America were incongruous for a Briton, who would be patriotic and possibly even anti-American given the wars at the time, unless an emigrant, usually second sons or poorer Britons. This almost seemed to be a rah-rah America book, and there’s no evidence that’s a common Regency England sentiment.
Speaking of Darcy and Elizabeth, most of the point of view was taken by these characters. But the author was not immune to head-hopping, so much that she’d insert a sentence of another character’s POV in the middle of the main POV character’s scene.
The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch and must have been a challenge to find and match. On the other hand, although some of the footnotes were useful, most were conceited bits of trivia. Authors incorporate historical details, quotes, and similar references all the time and don’t footnote them. It’s part of writing. To distract from the novel in any way that takes the reader out of the flow of the plot is a faux pas an author wants to avoid unless it’s absolutely necessary.
At first, the new characters are well-described and it’s not hard to keep track of them. But later, more and more enter the picture, and it becomes too much. Blend that with the unconventional naming methods that were clearly not Regency, and no doubt readers were confused as to who was Fanny and why was Kitty the older daughter, a change that had no solid reasoning. Characters magically appear to save the day, such as Parke or Lady Isabella, when up to then they had no part in the drama.
By 70%, I was skimming. Skimming says one thing: quite a number of slow sections tie down the book. The author spends an entire chapter to describe the improvements and upgrades Darcy makes to the lands at Pemberley; Elizabeth’s rehash of the entire book during introspection when trying to decide if she loves Darcy; and the recaps including twice for Richard’s interrogation, are a few examples. These all took too long. Regarding recaps, one of my betas once told me to trust your reader to remember. This is a long book, and it could easily have been tidied up and lost 30% and still kept its integrity.
A few minor plot holes regarding who’s in the room or characters who know too much also left the reader scratching their head.
This book uses good Regency language for the most part. It boasts a few non-Regency words, Americanisms, and modern words or phrases or modern usages for words, but they’re common ones and a similar number as other JAFF novels for its length (examples: staff, debutante, visit with, I guess, gotten, Wow!, tête-a-twit, “played dumb,” “took off,” headed, guffaw, snort, earbobs, emotionally “shut down,” normal, “figure out”). Misused words and concepts like use of chaperones, courtship, intermission, luncheon, “chuckled,” “hey,” and “break her fast” were evident, but most authors miss these too. Colloquialisms like “Who are you and why…” and “to say…was an understatement,” and “give her some space” do not belong in a Regency novel. The word “peradventure” is too unusual to use more than once in a book; this author used it 14 times. A sanatorium is for tuberculosis and not for mental illness. The author has occasionally used a possessive case for a plural—do look it up. There’s over-use of “the former” and “the latter” as a pair. Some period words are used just for the fun of it, and it didn’t come off well: pot roon, pusillanimous recreant, and persiflage are just to show off. Of course, the author had to use “hedgerows,” a word never seen in canon.
Most of the punctuation was good, with the odd extra comma or missing semicolon or typo such as Mrs. Reynold or Benet.
My biggest peeve about this book was in the liberal use of all capital letters for a word, parenthesis, italics, and to a lesser extent, the interrobang. This was a huge annoyance while reading, and this author couldn’t get enough of them. She used them over and over again in situations where they clearly weren’t warranted.
Capitals and parenthesis are so rarely used in fiction that you may as well say that they aren’t used. After line editing 21 books and working with a professional copy editor on eight of them, I’ve only seen parenthesis allowed once. I started counting somewhere around 20% into the book and as said earlier, I read to 88%. So the numbers quoted below are not for the whole book.
The author used capitals where most authors would use italics to emphasize a single word. She over-using that emphasis, to compile a whopping 133 instances where I was counting, which entailed about 70% of the book. Remember, capitals are shouting. Some pages had as many as five shouted individual words on them!
Parenthesis could have been commas in about 75% of the cases (some paired with “which”) and em-dashes in the rest. The author should look up how to punctuate parenthetical statements in a good writing manual. These totalled 140.
Italicized “asides” and first person statements, though legitimate writing techniques, were significantly over-used where the author should have been using third person “show” techniques for writing, and strangely, the author chose to consistently italicize the names “Jefferson” and “Jeff.” This amounted to 165 unnecessary instances, and I did not count every single instance since some were reasonable.
The interrobang is the sort of punctuation an author reserves for once in a blue moon, if ever. It’s overly dramatic. I think I’ve used it once in publication. Ms. Boardman used it eight times in this book.
Authors need to remember to check your botany. Crocuses and snowdrops come out in England two months earlier than in this book.
Part of the length involved long descriptions, and these were good. This author certainly knows how to paint a picture.
Speaking of pictures, the cover of this novel is a bit more on the practical side than on the dressy side. It tells some of the story inside in a spare, succinct way. Its clean lines are eye-catching among the multitudes of blow-dried Darcys or fluffy floral covers (I could never figure out how selling flowers sold books). Perhaps it’s a bit too simple, and could be overlooked for those same reasons. I happen to like it.
Disclaimer: I am a JAFF author, and some might say that it is a conflict of interest to review this novel. I was a reader first, and my reviews are impartial and honest.
November 6, 2017
My new favorite book
Yes-this book is long, so be prepared to take the journey of two lifetimes. This is not the pride and prejudice we all know, this story takes the “what if” to a new level. The story of the younger son of George Darcy was heartbreaking. Fitzwilliam having grown up to overcome his neglect and abuse was inspiring. Then Fitzwilliam meeting a Young Elizabeth was another changing point in his life. This book allowed me to enter the world of the Darcy’s. Thank you.
Yes-this book is long, so be prepared to take the journey of two lifetimes. This is not the pride and prejudice we all know, this story takes the “what if” to a new level. The story of the younger son of George Darcy was heartbreaking. Fitzwilliam having grown up to overcome his neglect and abuse was inspiring. Then Fitzwilliam meeting a Young Elizabeth was another changing point in his life. This book allowed me to enter the world of the Darcy’s. Thank you.
October 7, 2023
Most of this was enjoyable; but the last 25% or so went a bit off the rails. Probably should have been concluded much earlier.
April 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
This is a very different and compelling variation. However, for me, the parts were greater than the whole. And there were a lot of really great parts. It is a bit too long. It could be trimmed to make a tighter story.
Some of my favorite variations are when Darcy isn't MR DARCY of PEMBERLEY. Scholar, minister, engineer Darcy was cool to see. Mistreated and neglected by those who should love and value him the most, Darcy finds his own path (I did love the Jefferson nickname given to him by the Colonel) and that path eventually leads to Elizabeth. Darcy's struggles upon inheriting and learning to deal with a legacy he wasn't prepared for was an fascinating idea.
I had that angst ball in the pit of my stomach (you know the one I mean) at many points. I felt for Darcy so many times. This was a hard read in places. To the majority of the Darcy/Fitzwilliam family...you suck!
The big reveal of Lizzy's secret was anti-climatic. It was a pale explanation/catalyst for other events. As gripping as some of the tragedy and angst in this story is, this particular plot line didn't feel real or earned to me.
I love the added nuance given to some of our favorite characters. Jane depicted with her usual serenity but with evidence of petulance and envy was totally believable. This wasn't "bad Jane" but rather "real Jane." The Colonel thinks he's doing right by his cousin and REALLY messes things up but all in the name of duty and family. Again, his motivations are believable even if the scene where this plays out is a bit much. Although, I would have liked him to encounter more difficulty in gaining Darcy's forgiveness. He needed a bit more comeuppance. Georgiana was very good at being a teenager. I found manipulative Georgie pretty interesting. I feel this part got less page time at the expense of other, less interesting, and more bloated story lines.
I also liked that Lady Catherine, Wickham, and Mr. Collins had their place in the story but once they were dealt with that was pretty much it. (There are some JAFF authors who belabor the persistence of these three. You think you're done with them but they come back every 50 pages or so to wreak more havoc.) Never fear, Caroline claimed all the persistence for her own. Girl, will you never learn? Loved, LOVED her set down by the women. It was masterful. Darcy's set down was pretty good too.
What I didn't love was so many new characters, particularly Elizabeth's relations. I would have been fine with their addition if they actually had more to do than just elevate the connections of the Bennets. We heard mention of them often but they didn't come into play until very late in the narrative. So they just didn't resonate much with me. However, I liked Gerald Darcy, the elder Mr. Peake, and Mac quite a lot.
I don't need everything wrapped up neatly in terms of marrying off all the major characters, knowing the names of their kids, where they lived, or when they died. This is my biggest complaint with this book. Too much, too long. I just didn't care. I do not need to know about the lives of the children and grandchildren.
A long but worthy read, just make sure you have time and tissues. (And maybe just skim the last 30 pages or so.)
This is a very different and compelling variation. However, for me, the parts were greater than the whole. And there were a lot of really great parts. It is a bit too long. It could be trimmed to make a tighter story.
Some of my favorite variations are when Darcy isn't MR DARCY of PEMBERLEY. Scholar, minister, engineer Darcy was cool to see. Mistreated and neglected by those who should love and value him the most, Darcy finds his own path (I did love the Jefferson nickname given to him by the Colonel) and that path eventually leads to Elizabeth. Darcy's struggles upon inheriting and learning to deal with a legacy he wasn't prepared for was an fascinating idea.
I had that angst ball in the pit of my stomach (you know the one I mean) at many points. I felt for Darcy so many times. This was a hard read in places. To the majority of the Darcy/Fitzwilliam family...you suck!
The big reveal of Lizzy's secret was anti-climatic. It was a pale explanation/catalyst for other events. As gripping as some of the tragedy and angst in this story is, this particular plot line didn't feel real or earned to me.
I love the added nuance given to some of our favorite characters. Jane depicted with her usual serenity but with evidence of petulance and envy was totally believable. This wasn't "bad Jane" but rather "real Jane." The Colonel thinks he's doing right by his cousin and REALLY messes things up but all in the name of duty and family. Again, his motivations are believable even if the scene where this plays out is a bit much. Although, I would have liked him to encounter more difficulty in gaining Darcy's forgiveness. He needed a bit more comeuppance. Georgiana was very good at being a teenager. I found manipulative Georgie pretty interesting. I feel this part got less page time at the expense of other, less interesting, and more bloated story lines.
I also liked that Lady Catherine, Wickham, and Mr. Collins had their place in the story but once they were dealt with that was pretty much it. (There are some JAFF authors who belabor the persistence of these three. You think you're done with them but they come back every 50 pages or so to wreak more havoc.) Never fear, Caroline claimed all the persistence for her own. Girl, will you never learn? Loved, LOVED her set down by the women. It was masterful. Darcy's set down was pretty good too.
What I didn't love was so many new characters, particularly Elizabeth's relations. I would have been fine with their addition if they actually had more to do than just elevate the connections of the Bennets. We heard mention of them often but they didn't come into play until very late in the narrative. So they just didn't resonate much with me. However, I liked Gerald Darcy, the elder Mr. Peake, and Mac quite a lot.
I don't need everything wrapped up neatly in terms of marrying off all the major characters, knowing the names of their kids, where they lived, or when they died. This is my biggest complaint with this book. Too much, too long. I just didn't care. I do not need to know about the lives of the children and grandchildren.
A long but worthy read, just make sure you have time and tissues. (And maybe just skim the last 30 pages or so.)
December 17, 2019
This was an original idea for a P&P variation and had a lot of potential, but wow, it is the story that never ends. There were aspects of this story that I really liked, but there were some aspects that I didn't like and didn't think they really belonged or were relevant. I had to start skimming on many parts of this book because it was just so very wordy and long and wouldn't just get to the point. It's kind of like when someone is telling you a story but they can't stay focused and take so many turns and detours that you have no idea where you are supposed to be going and you just want to tell the storyteller to get to the point already. It's unfortunate because it is a great idea and could be a fabulous book, but there's just sooooo much there that it's hard not to give up and lose interest. I feel like this was a missed opportunity because it was such a great premise for the book, but the execution made it fall short by convoluting something that should have been great into something with only potential to be great.
April 19, 2018
This book was good and a bit dark in places,but a new take on the Darcy Lizzy story. The other players were indeed different,especially Jane. I will read it again to get more out of the back story. I have read two other books with Darcy having an older brother and they were both very good. The brothers were wastrels and very bad men and both were good friends with Wickham which is telling in itself. You will cry,laugh,rejoice,despair and love this story.
June 26, 2019
Wonderful
This variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Cherith Boardman made me laugh, sigh and cry and had me so hooked that I had to read it in one sitting.
This variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Cherith Boardman made me laugh, sigh and cry and had me so hooked that I had to read it in one sitting.
March 15, 2019
By the end of the book I was completely bored and leaning towards 1 or 2 stars, however I do feel the author put a lot of work into this so I have gone a little higher. I was significantly interested in the story to finish, but I wouldn’t read another by this author.
This is a LONG book and is a slog at times. The alternative version of Darcy is interesting, though it could be conveyed in less chapters (40% before we get to Meryton). I like Elizabeth’s extended family and the slight changes to Meryton society/the Bennets which still has ties the original. However, the author should note that not all of this detail needs to be conveyed to the reader (either in the body or via footnotes). Much detail was conveyed in a very dull, unemotional tone, almost like a list which made it hard to engage with or care about. Quite often introspections and conversations would repeat the same information. Lastly, the book should have ended at their marriage, as the last 20% was just a super long and boring epilogue listing all of their many, many descendants and wards. And to be honest it felt like even the author had given up by then, with increased use of modern and/or American terms etc.
Good - world building; the idea of how Darcy would be changed by events; an alternate and very teenagey-nightmare Georgianna; Mac & Bingley and their relationship with Darcy; Anne; and Mr B’s changes due to Lady E.
Bad - Americanisms and modern terms interspersed with the odd historical spelling; the nicknames; the complete, weakly explained turnaround in certain characters, especially Richard & the Earl. Maria was portrayed as a hysterical idiot - eg. she didn’t notice she was pregnant, but Mr B knew. Miss Bingley was also a ridiculous caricature. I was also annoyed that E had connections & a large dowry, because even though D didn’t care it undermines a key aspect of the original.
I would like to have lifted out their courtship as it was the best part of this book. With a few chapters beforehand to explain the changes, and a short epilogue at the end, it would be much more enjoyable.
This is a LONG book and is a slog at times. The alternative version of Darcy is interesting, though it could be conveyed in less chapters (40% before we get to Meryton). I like Elizabeth’s extended family and the slight changes to Meryton society/the Bennets which still has ties the original. However, the author should note that not all of this detail needs to be conveyed to the reader (either in the body or via footnotes). Much detail was conveyed in a very dull, unemotional tone, almost like a list which made it hard to engage with or care about. Quite often introspections and conversations would repeat the same information. Lastly, the book should have ended at their marriage, as the last 20% was just a super long and boring epilogue listing all of their many, many descendants and wards. And to be honest it felt like even the author had given up by then, with increased use of modern and/or American terms etc.
Good - world building; the idea of how Darcy would be changed by events; an alternate and very teenagey-nightmare Georgianna; Mac & Bingley and their relationship with Darcy; Anne; and Mr B’s changes due to Lady E.
Bad - Americanisms and modern terms interspersed with the odd historical spelling; the nicknames; the complete, weakly explained turnaround in certain characters, especially Richard & the Earl. Maria was portrayed as a hysterical idiot - eg. she didn’t notice she was pregnant, but Mr B knew. Miss Bingley was also a ridiculous caricature. I was also annoyed that E had connections & a large dowry, because even though D didn’t care it undermines a key aspect of the original.
I would like to have lifted out their courtship as it was the best part of this book. With a few chapters beforehand to explain the changes, and a short epilogue at the end, it would be much more enjoyable.
October 8, 2019
Not the usual P&P variation
This is a difficult review to write and I struggled with the stars designation but chose 4 as between 3/good and5/excellent. Reason: departure from canon and sheer length.
What I liked:
- a very well-written book
- I wasn’t drawn into the story and the emotions of the characters.
- it is carefully researched, even including footnotes and references to sources.
- I laughed, sighed, and shed tears as the story progressed.
What I didn’t like:
- Book is too long
- There was a lot of discussion of emotions and revisiting experiences and emotions.
- Descriptions of places seemed unnecessarily detailed. It seemed rather academic in places. That’s not bad but unusual in a variation.
- The characters were quite different from canon. Many of the names are the same and basic themes and situations are recognizable but there the similarities end.
Bottom line: A wonderful story but readers expecting ODC to be like the original may be disappointed. Knowledge of P&P definitely doesn’t help and is even distracting.
This is a difficult review to write and I struggled with the stars designation but chose 4 as between 3/good and5/excellent. Reason: departure from canon and sheer length.
What I liked:
- a very well-written book
- I wasn’t drawn into the story and the emotions of the characters.
- it is carefully researched, even including footnotes and references to sources.
- I laughed, sighed, and shed tears as the story progressed.
What I didn’t like:
- Book is too long
- There was a lot of discussion of emotions and revisiting experiences and emotions.
- Descriptions of places seemed unnecessarily detailed. It seemed rather academic in places. That’s not bad but unusual in a variation.
- The characters were quite different from canon. Many of the names are the same and basic themes and situations are recognizable but there the similarities end.
Bottom line: A wonderful story but readers expecting ODC to be like the original may be disappointed. Knowledge of P&P definitely doesn’t help and is even distracting.
June 15, 2021
Loved This One!
This was one book I didn't want to end. The character's were so well-rounded, the plot was clever and new, and the story was very well written. I enjoyed the background of Fitzwilliam Darcy that the author created, even though it hit a little close to home. This book checked off almost every emotion. The author's skill at writing had me so absorbed in the lives of these characters that I could feel the pain they suffered by arrogant, spoiled and grasping individuals with every intent of causing serious mental and emotional damage. When some of those causing said damage is a parent, the devastation is hard to bear. The author did such a great job writing about this with such sensitivity, honesty and understanding that, even if one hasn't personally experienced it for themselves, they can sympathize with what the character is being put through.
This is one of those times when a 5 star rating just isn't enough. I cannot recommend this book enough and look forward to another great read from this author in the future.
This was one book I didn't want to end. The character's were so well-rounded, the plot was clever and new, and the story was very well written. I enjoyed the background of Fitzwilliam Darcy that the author created, even though it hit a little close to home. This book checked off almost every emotion. The author's skill at writing had me so absorbed in the lives of these characters that I could feel the pain they suffered by arrogant, spoiled and grasping individuals with every intent of causing serious mental and emotional damage. When some of those causing said damage is a parent, the devastation is hard to bear. The author did such a great job writing about this with such sensitivity, honesty and understanding that, even if one hasn't personally experienced it for themselves, they can sympathize with what the character is being put through.
This is one of those times when a 5 star rating just isn't enough. I cannot recommend this book enough and look forward to another great read from this author in the future.
November 10, 2025
Initially, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed seeing how Darcy could develop as a second son without the obligations of being the heir. It worked well. Unfortunately, as the book went on, to create tension, the author changed the nature of Jane and Col. Fitzwilliam, maligning them and making them into something they aren’t. Jane’s basic nature to think the best of everyone is gone. Instead she is gullible and jealous of Lizzy, destroying the beautiful relationship between them. Same for the Colonel. He is less than respectable, drinking heavily and also able to be manipulated, trusting Carolyn Bingley over his own eyes. I was prepared to give this 4, potentially even 5 stars, but I was angered and disappointed every time I encountered their characters. I thought about giving only 2 stars, but I did enjoy the first half very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
Avid Reader
This was probably one of the most involved books about Darcy and Elizabeth that I have read in a while. 😂 Yes, it was long but well-written. The author had problems with the prepositions "to" and "in". I am not sure if it was an oversight or a language issue. I liked the diversity of characters. Elizabeth was equal to Darcy, but he didn't find out until 75% of the book. Both suffered tremendous pain and hid it differently. The Bennett family was very different, and Jane was jealous of Elizabeth because Darcy called Jane tolerable. He simply didn't care for her and neither did Bingley. Wickham was dealt with early on, but Caroline simply would not give up until she was cut from Darcy and his circle.
This was probably one of the most involved books about Darcy and Elizabeth that I have read in a while. 😂 Yes, it was long but well-written. The author had problems with the prepositions "to" and "in". I am not sure if it was an oversight or a language issue. I liked the diversity of characters. Elizabeth was equal to Darcy, but he didn't find out until 75% of the book. Both suffered tremendous pain and hid it differently. The Bennett family was very different, and Jane was jealous of Elizabeth because Darcy called Jane tolerable. He simply didn't care for her and neither did Bingley. Wickham was dealt with early on, but Caroline simply would not give up until she was cut from Darcy and his circle.
March 17, 2019
Great story about Darcy as a second son
I’ve read other stories where Darcy is the second son and was eager to read this one. I was initially a bit daunted by the length of this book, but am glad I took the time to read.
The story covers the entire life story of Darcy, born as a second son, but who becomes master of Pemberley. Be forewarned, Elizabeth does not appear in this story for quite a while and her first appearance is brief.
The author does a superb job telling Darcy’s story so that the reader can feel his emotions. So, if you do not like a lot of angst, this story is not for you. Overall, one my favorites that I would recommend.
I’ve read other stories where Darcy is the second son and was eager to read this one. I was initially a bit daunted by the length of this book, but am glad I took the time to read.
The story covers the entire life story of Darcy, born as a second son, but who becomes master of Pemberley. Be forewarned, Elizabeth does not appear in this story for quite a while and her first appearance is brief.
The author does a superb job telling Darcy’s story so that the reader can feel his emotions. So, if you do not like a lot of angst, this story is not for you. Overall, one my favorites that I would recommend.
March 17, 2023
DEEPLY Moving
Despite its dubious length, this is an extremely moving, carefully written story which evoked actual tears as well as laughter. A bit too much quoting from original, particularly for a story where much of the characterizations and history deviates from canon. Some repetition. But very respectful of each character's emotional journey.
Scenes specifically along lines of, " Gee, if we acted according to canon, can you imagine? We would have done x, y, and instead. And Then we would have had to solve this problem or that estrangement..." are cute self referencing, but frankly superfluous and interrupt the flow and pacing.
Despite its dubious length, this is an extremely moving, carefully written story which evoked actual tears as well as laughter. A bit too much quoting from original, particularly for a story where much of the characterizations and history deviates from canon. Some repetition. But very respectful of each character's emotional journey.
Scenes specifically along lines of, " Gee, if we acted according to canon, can you imagine? We would have done x, y, and instead. And Then we would have had to solve this problem or that estrangement..." are cute self referencing, but frankly superfluous and interrupt the flow and pacing.
April 4, 2024
Very long, but mostly enjoyable.
I stuck with it despite the length and the appalling lack of proofreading. There are words missing, and the author gets the use of apostrophes wrong at least 50% of the time.
The cast of characters is enormous, and I found it quite tricky to keep everyone straight in my head. I had read Total Want of Propriety first, and that didn't help as some of the characters are different.
The author also "fits in" practically every piece of dialogue from the original Pride and Prejudice, sometimes in quite inventive ways.
I'm going to try Propriety 2 in the hope that the editing is better!
I stuck with it despite the length and the appalling lack of proofreading. There are words missing, and the author gets the use of apostrophes wrong at least 50% of the time.
The cast of characters is enormous, and I found it quite tricky to keep everyone straight in my head. I had read Total Want of Propriety first, and that didn't help as some of the characters are different.
The author also "fits in" practically every piece of dialogue from the original Pride and Prejudice, sometimes in quite inventive ways.
I'm going to try Propriety 2 in the hope that the editing is better!
September 5, 2023
There is a lot to this wonderfully written tale of unexpected turns. The way she tortured Darcy and the gift of Elizabeth to him to help him find happiness. And the turn of it being that he is hers is beautifully accomplished. It is a lovely tale that had some parts that I less enjoyed, but were made right...eventually. The most glorious part of the whole book was the set down for Caroline Bingley. I assure you that I smiled all afternoon just for the thinking of it! Very glad that I added it to this year's TBR challenge!
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