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When Everything Changes: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
In an instant, on a dark and rainy night, the lives of the Bennet family are changed forever. With the family separated and living in different cities, will they be able to surmount the seemingly overwhelming obstacles of loss, injury and poverty? Will even Elizabeth Bennet's spirited and independent character see her through such trials, especially when she must endure the arrogant Fitzwilliam Darcy once more? Elizabeth, her sister Jane and her friend Charlotte Lucas discover that a new and challenging future awaits them, if they have the courage to reach for it.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 4, 2018
The Bennet family is in a serious carriage accident not long after the Netherfield ball. Mr. Bennet dies, Jane has lacerations on one side of her face and neck that leave disfiguring scars, and both of Elizabeth's legs are broken. Although Elizabeth's right leg slowly heals, her left is too damaged for her to be able to walk without the use of a cane.
That's just for openers.
This is an overly melodramatic Pride and Prejudice variation with more or less unrelated events occurring in serial fashion. We have the surviving Bennets thrown from Longbourn, so the family is split among the uncles' households. Then Jane won't go out in public due to her facial scars. Then Charlotte is the center of nasty gossip in Meryton, so she runs away and ends up in London. Then Lydia disappears from the Phillips' home, having been seen last in the company of an officer, creating further scandal ruinous to the Bennets. Then there's a kidnapping.
There's no central plot here. It just meanders from crisis to crisis, solving each one before the next emerges and is dealt with.
The solutions are not always credible. For example, what good is it to discredit Mr. Collins' gossip when Mrs. Bennet had been running around demanding a search party to locate her daughter? He wasn't the only one she spoke to.
There's also a scene near the end where Elizabeth is dancing at a ball, and there's no mention of any difficulty she might be having in executing the steps with her disability. Did the author just forget about it?
The writing is technically very good. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are generally correct. Sentence construction is kind of basic, though, which doesn't make for a nice flow.
More problematic is that there's a lot weighing the writing down, starting with redundancy. Something happens, and then we read it being recounted one or two times more as characters tell each other the news. There's also too much introspection. Everyone's thoughts are revealed in ponderous detail, even when their actions make it unnecessary.
The romance isn't exactly romantic, either. Darcy and Bingley show up about one-third into the book. Darcy's much more a hero than he is a lover through most of this, providing ideas and resources, and chasing down villains. He does make a good hero, and that's apparently enough for Elizabeth.
There ARE a few interesting plot ideas here. I wish the author would focus on integrating fewer of them into one cohesive story and do more pruning of nonessential detail.
That's just for openers.
This is an overly melodramatic Pride and Prejudice variation with more or less unrelated events occurring in serial fashion. We have the surviving Bennets thrown from Longbourn, so the family is split among the uncles' households. Then Jane won't go out in public due to her facial scars. Then Charlotte is the center of nasty gossip in Meryton, so she runs away and ends up in London. Then Lydia disappears from the Phillips' home, having been seen last in the company of an officer, creating further scandal ruinous to the Bennets. Then there's a kidnapping.
There's no central plot here. It just meanders from crisis to crisis, solving each one before the next emerges and is dealt with.
The solutions are not always credible. For example, what good is it to discredit Mr. Collins' gossip when Mrs. Bennet had been running around demanding a search party to locate her daughter? He wasn't the only one she spoke to.
There's also a scene near the end where Elizabeth is dancing at a ball, and there's no mention of any difficulty she might be having in executing the steps with her disability. Did the author just forget about it?
The writing is technically very good. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are generally correct. Sentence construction is kind of basic, though, which doesn't make for a nice flow.
More problematic is that there's a lot weighing the writing down, starting with redundancy. Something happens, and then we read it being recounted one or two times more as characters tell each other the news. There's also too much introspection. Everyone's thoughts are revealed in ponderous detail, even when their actions make it unnecessary.
The romance isn't exactly romantic, either. Darcy and Bingley show up about one-third into the book. Darcy's much more a hero than he is a lover through most of this, providing ideas and resources, and chasing down villains. He does make a good hero, and that's apparently enough for Elizabeth.
There ARE a few interesting plot ideas here. I wish the author would focus on integrating fewer of them into one cohesive story and do more pruning of nonessential detail.
April 23, 2018
I am not sure what to write in this review. It started ok but grew dull. There was no charm.
April 28, 2018
Amateurish writing but well intentioned
With more practice the author may develop her story telling skills. Currently too liner. Too simplistic. She makes a big deal about Elizabeth's injury teh n has her walk without issue through London. There is always a good person standing by to rescue so black moments are unrealistic.
With more practice the author may develop her story telling skills. Currently too liner. Too simplistic. She makes a big deal about Elizabeth's injury teh n has her walk without issue through London. There is always a good person standing by to rescue so black moments are unrealistic.
Read
May 11, 2018If you crave melodrama, this one is for you. On the other hand, if you pay attention to the social mores of Upper class/middle class Regency period of England-take a pass on this. The writing was acceptable but redundant. The drama was short lived in each instance so angst aversionists will be placated within a chapter or two. It would have served the author well to explore the real repercussions of the initial incidents set forth rather than the more “Pollyanna-ish” solutions she offered. Not memorable, but an earnest effort.
January 17, 2019
A carriage accident
This wasn’t a very good book. No table of contents. There were chapter headings for the first 16% of the book but none after that.
The carriage accident takes the life of Mr. Bennet, leaves facial scars on Jane’s face and causes multiple problems with Lizzie’s legs.
Interesting that the accident took away defining aspects of Lizzie and Jane. Lizzie’s long walks and Jane’s flawless beauty.
The rest of the story tells stories about the changes to the Bennet family.
I don’t recommend this book.
This wasn’t a very good book. No table of contents. There were chapter headings for the first 16% of the book but none after that.
The carriage accident takes the life of Mr. Bennet, leaves facial scars on Jane’s face and causes multiple problems with Lizzie’s legs.
Interesting that the accident took away defining aspects of Lizzie and Jane. Lizzie’s long walks and Jane’s flawless beauty.
The rest of the story tells stories about the changes to the Bennet family.
I don’t recommend this book.
May 3, 2019
The beginning started well. There is a carriage accident that kills Mr. Bennet and causes permanent scarring to Jane's face and permanent injury to one of Elizabeth's legs. Thus Mr Collins takes possession of Longbourn, Jane's celebrated beauty is gone, and Lizzy's love of long rambling walks in nature are at an end. They are forced to reevaluate their entire lives and the Bennet women go their separate ways - some to stay in Meryton with the Philips and some to London to the Gardiners.
So far so promising (and the reason I bought the book after reading the kindle sample).
Now to the bad and the progressively worse...
The writing is extremely simplistic, almost as though every line is a bullet point plot summary rather than a novel. Every emotion is spelled out and actions are over simplified.
There are a number of basic errors that should have been picked up on in an edit, for example Charlotte Lucas writes a letter to Mr Collins (to whom she is not married in this variation) and signs her name 'Charlotte Collins'. Um...
The plot goes from an interesting variation to ludicrous melodrama within a few chapters, involving madcap kidnappings and people gallivanting back and forth from Netherfield to London and back again every five minutes, regardless of jobs or children or cost or even any real need.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is described as a skilled tactician and is called on for help to concoct a genius masterplan, which basically amounts to having people hide behind some hay bales and getting someone to confess their misdeeds in front of them.
Characters behave so completely out of Austen canon. Example: Darcy helps to pull up carpets and rearrange furniture rather than allowing the servants he's paying to perform menial tasks. He moves Georgiana into the Gardiner's house 'for safety' as though being in their own town house with an army of servants (and maybe a companion, although I'm not sure as she seemed to disappear early on never to return) would not be safe enough.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is suddenly financially independent enough to marry whomever he likes without the reference to his being a poor younger son as in P&P.
Oh and Mr Collins apparently throws away his independent gentleman's income and inherited estate and goes on the lam (or basically disappears never to be heard of again) simply because the villagers don't like him anymore...
Plot holes. Why would Collins agree to meet up with Charlotte Lucas again once their engagement is over? What motive does he have to even speak to her again?
Huge inconsistencies. Example: Elizabeth's serious injury is first described as a complete inability to use her left leg, she must be carried up and down stairs and may eventually be able to walk with the use of crutches. Then she is able to walk with a cane while dragging her useless leg. Then suddenly it is described as a mere limp and she is up and down stairs with no issue, walking around London for hours, and even dances with Mr Darcy at the end with apparently no problem at all, even though there is no discussion of any improvement to her condition.
Convenient solutions to every problem. Lost and alone in London with no money? No problem. Kindly hookers will take you home for the promise of a shilling or two once you get there. Lost and alone in London with ripped clothing and wearing only one shoe? No problem. Kindly book sellers will drive you home because you cried and they felt bad. Need a home and money? No problem. Kindly store owners will employ you and house you and allow you all the time off you need to go back and forth to Netherfield to fix reputations and enact weird traps and renovate housing.
All in all, the initial idea was promising but the execution and the subsequent plot were terrible.
So far so promising (and the reason I bought the book after reading the kindle sample).
Now to the bad and the progressively worse...
The writing is extremely simplistic, almost as though every line is a bullet point plot summary rather than a novel. Every emotion is spelled out and actions are over simplified.
There are a number of basic errors that should have been picked up on in an edit, for example Charlotte Lucas writes a letter to Mr Collins (to whom she is not married in this variation) and signs her name 'Charlotte Collins'. Um...
The plot goes from an interesting variation to ludicrous melodrama within a few chapters, involving madcap kidnappings and people gallivanting back and forth from Netherfield to London and back again every five minutes, regardless of jobs or children or cost or even any real need.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is described as a skilled tactician and is called on for help to concoct a genius masterplan, which basically amounts to having people hide behind some hay bales and getting someone to confess their misdeeds in front of them.
Characters behave so completely out of Austen canon. Example: Darcy helps to pull up carpets and rearrange furniture rather than allowing the servants he's paying to perform menial tasks. He moves Georgiana into the Gardiner's house 'for safety' as though being in their own town house with an army of servants (and maybe a companion, although I'm not sure as she seemed to disappear early on never to return) would not be safe enough.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is suddenly financially independent enough to marry whomever he likes without the reference to his being a poor younger son as in P&P.
Oh and Mr Collins apparently throws away his independent gentleman's income and inherited estate and goes on the lam (or basically disappears never to be heard of again) simply because the villagers don't like him anymore...
Plot holes. Why would Collins agree to meet up with Charlotte Lucas again once their engagement is over? What motive does he have to even speak to her again?
Huge inconsistencies. Example: Elizabeth's serious injury is first described as a complete inability to use her left leg, she must be carried up and down stairs and may eventually be able to walk with the use of crutches. Then she is able to walk with a cane while dragging her useless leg. Then suddenly it is described as a mere limp and she is up and down stairs with no issue, walking around London for hours, and even dances with Mr Darcy at the end with apparently no problem at all, even though there is no discussion of any improvement to her condition.
Convenient solutions to every problem. Lost and alone in London with no money? No problem. Kindly hookers will take you home for the promise of a shilling or two once you get there. Lost and alone in London with ripped clothing and wearing only one shoe? No problem. Kindly book sellers will drive you home because you cried and they felt bad. Need a home and money? No problem. Kindly store owners will employ you and house you and allow you all the time off you need to go back and forth to Netherfield to fix reputations and enact weird traps and renovate housing.
All in all, the initial idea was promising but the execution and the subsequent plot were terrible.
June 28, 2019
Warning awful 🤮 please save your money
This book will make u mad If you truly like Jane Austen fan fictions
I shall try and not be too critical but I need my money back. I can’t believe I paid money for this. They needed to pay me to read it. First the book was unrealistic. Annoyingly so. Second the characters. I thought this book was supposed to be about Elizabeth as well as Charlotte and Jane. Nope just mainly about Charlotte and Jane. No courtship of Elizabeth. Darcy courting an assistant in a book shop!!! Really!!! Georgianna staying with the Gardners cause that’s the safest place. Darcy has no other family. And apparently neither does Bingley. (I’m sorry I said I wasn’t going to be too critical) Mr. Collins runs away and what? What in the world!!! Who is she writing about??? Who are these people?
If I could I’d give this no stars and put a disclaimer I would. So I’ll just settle for warning you ⚠️
This book will make u mad If you truly like Jane Austen fan fictions
I shall try and not be too critical but I need my money back. I can’t believe I paid money for this. They needed to pay me to read it. First the book was unrealistic. Annoyingly so. Second the characters. I thought this book was supposed to be about Elizabeth as well as Charlotte and Jane. Nope just mainly about Charlotte and Jane. No courtship of Elizabeth. Darcy courting an assistant in a book shop!!! Really!!! Georgianna staying with the Gardners cause that’s the safest place. Darcy has no other family. And apparently neither does Bingley. (I’m sorry I said I wasn’t going to be too critical) Mr. Collins runs away and what? What in the world!!! Who is she writing about??? Who are these people?
If I could I’d give this no stars and put a disclaimer I would. So I’ll just settle for warning you ⚠️
April 6, 2018
Avid Reader
Wendy Gallant told gave readers a most unique P&P variation. We don't really encounter Darcy, Wickham, and Colonel Fitzwilliam until almost halfway through the novel because Elizabeth and Jane are recovering from their injuries. Charlotte joins them in London after she breaks her engagement to Mr. Collins, and he lies about her and destroys her reputation. The Garrdiners and the Walkers feature prominently in this retelling. Once Bingley decides to return for Jane, he informs Darcy concerning the tragedy that has befallen the Bennett family. Georgina returns to London with Darcy as he realized that he still cares for her and wants to help. Eventually, Darcy realizes that Elizabeth hates him. The author keeps the action moving and makes it possible for Darcy and Elizabeth to change as people and change their feelings towards each other.
Wendy Gallant told gave readers a most unique P&P variation. We don't really encounter Darcy, Wickham, and Colonel Fitzwilliam until almost halfway through the novel because Elizabeth and Jane are recovering from their injuries. Charlotte joins them in London after she breaks her engagement to Mr. Collins, and he lies about her and destroys her reputation. The Garrdiners and the Walkers feature prominently in this retelling. Once Bingley decides to return for Jane, he informs Darcy concerning the tragedy that has befallen the Bennett family. Georgina returns to London with Darcy as he realized that he still cares for her and wants to help. Eventually, Darcy realizes that Elizabeth hates him. The author keeps the action moving and makes it possible for Darcy and Elizabeth to change as people and change their feelings towards each other.
April 18, 2018
Determination Triumphs
Jane, Lizzy, and Charlotte face disfigurement, crippling injury, and a ruined reputation. As others have mentioned, much of the plot is totally improbable! Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying this very different variation. After much ado, all our ladies find happiness. P.S.--I would have liked a more severe retribution for Collins-he got away too easily!!
Jane, Lizzy, and Charlotte face disfigurement, crippling injury, and a ruined reputation. As others have mentioned, much of the plot is totally improbable! Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying this very different variation. After much ado, all our ladies find happiness. P.S.--I would have liked a more severe retribution for Collins-he got away too easily!!
March 29, 2018
Hope this author has more book about P&P.
I'm pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed this book tremendously and I dearly hope that this author has more Darcy and Elizabeth variation books to read.
I'm pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed this book tremendously and I dearly hope that this author has more Darcy and Elizabeth variation books to read.
April 10, 2018
Ugh...bad writing. Sorry. But the story idea was intriguing.
July 18, 2018
3.5 Stars
It’s a good story; well-written and with a nicely-paced plot. There are enough typos and grammatical errors that one pass by a good editor would help it flow.
It’s a good story; well-written and with a nicely-paced plot. There are enough typos and grammatical errors that one pass by a good editor would help it flow.
July 21, 2019
When Everything Changes
The title is accurate from beginning until close to the ending. There is action and unusual consequences. Try it for a true variation on the beloved plot.
The title is accurate from beginning until close to the ending. There is action and unusual consequences. Try it for a true variation on the beloved plot.
July 24, 2018
A sad story that leads to new lives
A sad story that leads to new lives for more than just Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. The carriage accident that leaves Jane and Elizabeth psychically challenged, has them moving to London to live with the Gardiner’s. The two find themselves working as a way to heal and find strength together with Charlotte Lucas. Mr. Collins is horrible. Darcy, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam find the loves of their lives.
A sad story that leads to new lives for more than just Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. The carriage accident that leaves Jane and Elizabeth psychically challenged, has them moving to London to live with the Gardiner’s. The two find themselves working as a way to heal and find strength together with Charlotte Lucas. Mr. Collins is horrible. Darcy, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam find the loves of their lives.
September 10, 2021
This was a pretty good story. There were a few editing fails and two of the three pairings seemed a bit rushed, but the author has some fun ideas and I look forward to reading more as she evolves in her craft.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews