What do you think?
Rate this book
Being Mrs. Bennet
Can fandom go too far?
Alison Bateman adores Jane Austen, especially Pride and Prejudice. Within the book’s pages she finds escape from everyday strife, that is until she becomes one of its characters. Instead of the beloved heroine of the novel, Alison transforms into her silly and ineffectual mother, Mrs. Bennet. Not one to be idle, she uses her new role to try and curb the unruly behavior of the youngest Bennet daughter, never suspecting the consequences her meddling will have on the romance at the heart of the novel. A story of survival in a fictional universe, Being Mrs. Bennet is a lighthearted take on Austen’s classic tale.
Alexa Adams is the author of Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice, The Madness of Mr. Darcy, Darcy in Wonderland, and several Austensque novellas and short stories. She is an American residing in Europe where she is co-founder of the Jane Austen Society of Switzerland. Keep up with her scribblings at alexaadams.blogspot.com and austenauthors.net.
Praise for Alexa Adams:
“Once again, author Alexa Adams has forged a new path and given us a story that defies the convention of Jane Austen variations and continuations.” - Musings from the Yellow Kitchen
“Alexa Adams is not afraid to try different and creative approaches in her books. She turns the unthinkable into reality and creates stories that readers will hardly forget.” - From Pemberley to Milton
“Ms. Adams has a beautiful command of language and successfully captures Jane Austen’s satirical tone in her writing. I compliment Ms. Adams’ on her talent for emulating Austen’s voice.” - Austenesque Reviews
Alison Bateman adores Jane Austen, especially Pride and Prejudice. Within the book’s pages she finds escape from everyday strife, that is until she becomes one of its characters. Instead of the beloved heroine of the novel, Alison transforms into her silly and ineffectual mother, Mrs. Bennet. Not one to be idle, she uses her new role to try and curb the unruly behavior of the youngest Bennet daughter, never suspecting the consequences her meddling will have on the romance at the heart of the novel. A story of survival in a fictional universe, Being Mrs. Bennet is a lighthearted take on Austen’s classic tale.
Alexa Adams is the author of Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice, The Madness of Mr. Darcy, Darcy in Wonderland, and several Austensque novellas and short stories. She is an American residing in Europe where she is co-founder of the Jane Austen Society of Switzerland. Keep up with her scribblings at alexaadams.blogspot.com and austenauthors.net.
Praise for Alexa Adams:
“Once again, author Alexa Adams has forged a new path and given us a story that defies the convention of Jane Austen variations and continuations.” - Musings from the Yellow Kitchen
“Alexa Adams is not afraid to try different and creative approaches in her books. She turns the unthinkable into reality and creates stories that readers will hardly forget.” - From Pemberley to Milton
“Ms. Adams has a beautiful command of language and successfully captures Jane Austen’s satirical tone in her writing. I compliment Ms. Adams’ on her talent for emulating Austen’s voice.” - Austenesque Reviews
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2018
76 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Adams
18 books108 followersA devoted reader of Jane Austen since her childhood, Alexa Adams is the author of several Austenesque novels and short stories including Being, Mrs. Bennet, Darcy in Wonderland, The Madness of Mr. Darcy, and Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice. Alexa is an American residing in Switzerland with her husband, daughter, and son. She blogs about Austen and Austenesque literature at alexaadams.blogspot.com and a founding member of the Jane Austen Society of Switzerland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 2, 2018
Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. ~ John Lennon
All right then – let’s imagine you’re an ordinary American wife and mother, living an ordinary American life. Let’s imagine an accidental injury. Let’s imagine you are no longer an ordinary American wife and mother. Let’s imagine you are living within your favorite novel.
Alison Bateman is the victim of the above scenario. She loves Pride and Prejudice and everything Austen. After the car accident, she suddenly is in a carriage that has just suffered an accident. Who is she if she is no longer Alison Bateman? What is the use of such uncomfortable clothing? When did this happen? Where is her family? Why was she in a carriage? How can she go back?
Everything you can imagine is real. ~ Pablo Picasso
I once worked with a woman who suffered from "Caroline Bingley-ism". We were talking about living in history and she insisted she would have been happy living as a Princess! “Patt,” I said, “you’re a peasant in this life. Why do you suppose you would have been a Princess in a previous life?”
This is the first shock for Alison to reconcile. She arrives not as the heroine Elizabeth but as her silly Mother who is expected to suffer an attack of flutterings after the accident. Alison has no idea how to wear the Regency clothing and the mattress is an unpleasant surprise. She must learn everything about this time period or she will be discovered as an imposter.
She sets out to do the work of a Mother – the work the fictional Mrs. Bennet neglected. She sets limits for Lydia who rebels immediately. She gives maternal attention to the undervalued sisters, Mary and Kitty. The house shakes from the ensuing earthquake but survives.
Everyone notices the change and everyone (except Lydia) rejoices.
Of course, the smarter characters – Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet – quickly realize the change is so drastic it must be another person altogether. In his happiness, Mr. Bennet “goes with the flow” and typically does nothing except enjoy the improvements.
Elizabeth digs deeper.
Quote from the book: "So these are my options! I am either a figment of someone's imagination, or the daughter of a lunatic?"
Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West
The question becomes: how will these changes affect the novel as written?
The turning point in canon comes when Darcy must save the Bennet family’s reputation from the scandal of an elopement. But … Lydia does not go to Brighton and does not run away with a scoundrel. How will Our Dear Couple unite in this new circumstance? Alison loves Pride and Prejudice as it is; she has no desire to change the ending! Has she interfered too much already?
I loved Alison throughout but especially as she began to bid her goodbyes.
Quote from the book: “It is so lovely to be mothered in this way, she mused as the good woman brushed her hair. I think I might miss Mrs. Hill most of all.”
Quote from the book: “Thank you. Thank you for all you have done. No matter what difference it makes to anything else, you have given me a mother like one from a dream, willing to put her children before herself, to take the trouble to amend their faults, and tell them when they are wrong. You will return to your true life, you must, but please know that it has been an honor being your daughter.”
Best of all is the closing scene consisting of a conversation between the only characters who are not fictional. We all need to know if Pride and Prejudice will be changed. For me, the end made this a 5-Star story!
Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you're just a reflection of him? ~ Calvin and Hobbes
All right then – let’s imagine you’re an ordinary American wife and mother, living an ordinary American life. Let’s imagine an accidental injury. Let’s imagine you are no longer an ordinary American wife and mother. Let’s imagine you are living within your favorite novel.
Alison Bateman is the victim of the above scenario. She loves Pride and Prejudice and everything Austen. After the car accident, she suddenly is in a carriage that has just suffered an accident. Who is she if she is no longer Alison Bateman? What is the use of such uncomfortable clothing? When did this happen? Where is her family? Why was she in a carriage? How can she go back?
Everything you can imagine is real. ~ Pablo Picasso
I once worked with a woman who suffered from "Caroline Bingley-ism". We were talking about living in history and she insisted she would have been happy living as a Princess! “Patt,” I said, “you’re a peasant in this life. Why do you suppose you would have been a Princess in a previous life?”
This is the first shock for Alison to reconcile. She arrives not as the heroine Elizabeth but as her silly Mother who is expected to suffer an attack of flutterings after the accident. Alison has no idea how to wear the Regency clothing and the mattress is an unpleasant surprise. She must learn everything about this time period or she will be discovered as an imposter.
She sets out to do the work of a Mother – the work the fictional Mrs. Bennet neglected. She sets limits for Lydia who rebels immediately. She gives maternal attention to the undervalued sisters, Mary and Kitty. The house shakes from the ensuing earthquake but survives.
Everyone notices the change and everyone (except Lydia) rejoices.
Of course, the smarter characters – Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet – quickly realize the change is so drastic it must be another person altogether. In his happiness, Mr. Bennet “goes with the flow” and typically does nothing except enjoy the improvements.
Elizabeth digs deeper.
Quote from the book: "So these are my options! I am either a figment of someone's imagination, or the daughter of a lunatic?"
Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West
The question becomes: how will these changes affect the novel as written?
The turning point in canon comes when Darcy must save the Bennet family’s reputation from the scandal of an elopement. But … Lydia does not go to Brighton and does not run away with a scoundrel. How will Our Dear Couple unite in this new circumstance? Alison loves Pride and Prejudice as it is; she has no desire to change the ending! Has she interfered too much already?
I loved Alison throughout but especially as she began to bid her goodbyes.
Quote from the book: “It is so lovely to be mothered in this way, she mused as the good woman brushed her hair. I think I might miss Mrs. Hill most of all.”
Quote from the book: “Thank you. Thank you for all you have done. No matter what difference it makes to anything else, you have given me a mother like one from a dream, willing to put her children before herself, to take the trouble to amend their faults, and tell them when they are wrong. You will return to your true life, you must, but please know that it has been an honor being your daughter.”
Best of all is the closing scene consisting of a conversation between the only characters who are not fictional. We all need to know if Pride and Prejudice will be changed. For me, the end made this a 5-Star story!
Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you're just a reflection of him? ~ Calvin and Hobbes
March 19, 2019
I think this story is just brilliant. While I don't know it for a fact, my suspicion is that most JAFF lovers are older women, most of whom are married (or have been married), and most of whom have at least one or two children. Yet we all read these Pride and Prejudice stories, following Elizabeth Bennet vicariously.
Here we have Alison Bateman, modern mother of five daughters named Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Alison loves Pride and Prejudice. When she is spirited into the middle of the story, naturally, she is tremendously disappointed to find herself in the role of Mrs. Bennet.
She's certain she must be in a coma; yet this dream feels so REAL!
Elizabeth is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Hunsford and Jane is with the Gardiners in Cheapside at the point in the story when this body swap occurs. This leaves Alison at Longbourn with Mary, Kitty and Lydia to manage as well as Mr. Bennet. Being a warm, no-nonsense type of mother in real life, she adapts to her situation and establishes the boundaries we all wish Mrs. Bennet had set for Lydia. Mary and Kitty finally get the attention they crave. Mr. Bennet is delighted with the changes in his wife, and their relationship becomes a true marriage, both in and out of the bedroom. (What does it matter if he's not Alison's husband? She's in a coma, so this is all imaginary anyway, right?)
When Jane and Elizabeth return to Longbourn, the latter is immediately suspicious--this lady may look and sound like her mother, but that's NOT her mother!! Meanwhile, because of Alison's alterations to the dynamics of the Bennet family, it appears that Elizabeth's fate may be changed as well; she is refusing to go with the Gardiners to Derbyshire.
The story develops nicely and unpredictably. Alison has more and more difficulty even remembering her "true" life. She's finding herself intensely attracted to Mr. Bennet, but she's happily married to her Mr. Bateman. The resolution at first seems disappointingly predictable...until the last scene of the last chapter.
This is a perfectly edited and eminently satisfying story. Love it!
Here we have Alison Bateman, modern mother of five daughters named Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Alison loves Pride and Prejudice. When she is spirited into the middle of the story, naturally, she is tremendously disappointed to find herself in the role of Mrs. Bennet.
She's certain she must be in a coma; yet this dream feels so REAL!
Elizabeth is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Hunsford and Jane is with the Gardiners in Cheapside at the point in the story when this body swap occurs. This leaves Alison at Longbourn with Mary, Kitty and Lydia to manage as well as Mr. Bennet. Being a warm, no-nonsense type of mother in real life, she adapts to her situation and establishes the boundaries we all wish Mrs. Bennet had set for Lydia. Mary and Kitty finally get the attention they crave. Mr. Bennet is delighted with the changes in his wife, and their relationship becomes a true marriage, both in and out of the bedroom. (What does it matter if he's not Alison's husband? She's in a coma, so this is all imaginary anyway, right?)
When Jane and Elizabeth return to Longbourn, the latter is immediately suspicious--this lady may look and sound like her mother, but that's NOT her mother!! Meanwhile, because of Alison's alterations to the dynamics of the Bennet family, it appears that Elizabeth's fate may be changed as well; she is refusing to go with the Gardiners to Derbyshire.
The story develops nicely and unpredictably. Alison has more and more difficulty even remembering her "true" life. She's finding herself intensely attracted to Mr. Bennet, but she's happily married to her Mr. Bateman. The resolution at first seems disappointingly predictable...until the last scene of the last chapter.
This is a perfectly edited and eminently satisfying story. Love it!
January 16, 2019
Excessively Diverting, Indeed!
A combination of Outlander and Freaky Friday, modern day Alison Bateman travels back over 200 years into her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. Knowing the story she wants to insure that it comes out just as it has been written. However, Elizabeth, her favorite character from her favorite story senses that this woman who is all sensibility and caring is NOT her mother. Thus she not only prods and probes but she also resists fulfilling the plot as described by this woman.
Alison does not know why she is in the pages of Jane Austen's story nor does she know if she will escape. She loves her own family, her Tom and their five daughters whom she has ironically named after the Bennet sisters. And furthermore they do seem to resemble the person whose name they took. But the Batemans look upon parenting differently in modern time. Now Alison gets to try those parenting skills on girls who have not had that same nurturing from birth. Then there is Mrs. Bennet's relationship with Thomas Bennet. Strangely this Regency couple have the same names, as the Batemans.
So which life is the dream and which is reality? Will her actions change the novel's plot...(just as Claire Fraser attempted to change the history of Culloden)?
A combination of Outlander and Freaky Friday, modern day Alison Bateman travels back over 200 years into her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. Knowing the story she wants to insure that it comes out just as it has been written. However, Elizabeth, her favorite character from her favorite story senses that this woman who is all sensibility and caring is NOT her mother. Thus she not only prods and probes but she also resists fulfilling the plot as described by this woman.
Alison does not know why she is in the pages of Jane Austen's story nor does she know if she will escape. She loves her own family, her Tom and their five daughters whom she has ironically named after the Bennet sisters. And furthermore they do seem to resemble the person whose name they took. But the Batemans look upon parenting differently in modern time. Now Alison gets to try those parenting skills on girls who have not had that same nurturing from birth. Then there is Mrs. Bennet's relationship with Thomas Bennet. Strangely this Regency couple have the same names, as the Batemans.
So which life is the dream and which is reality? Will her actions change the novel's plot...(just as Claire Fraser attempted to change the history of Culloden)?
January 16, 2019
I have read several Regency era 'body swap' 'time travel' stories and they are mostly filled with whining, complaining and boredom. This story was such a breath of fresh air when the JA fan who wakes up in Regency Meryton after a few silent observations laces up her corset, pulls on her bonnet and gets to work fixing the Bennet family. You see dear Allison B. mom of 5 girls in Baltimore MD has become Mrs Bennet. Once the shock and the laudanum wears off she set about setting P&P to rights by being her own Mrs. B. There will be no eloping with Wickham on her watch no siree bob.... The New Mrs. Bennet is a force of nature an no one is more delighted than Mr. B.
The new Mrs. B manages to get the whole family on the road to Pemberley because Lizzy is being a bit hysterical and obstinate.
I just adored this book. Highly recommended for the mature JAFF reader
The new Mrs. B manages to get the whole family on the road to Pemberley because Lizzy is being a bit hysterical and obstinate.
I just adored this book. Highly recommended for the mature JAFF reader
August 11, 2020
"I think human behavior is remarkably consistent despite the trappings of time and place. (quote from the book)
This book has been sitting in my Kindle for over a year and a half. I am so glad I finally decided to read it!
It is not often a story is written about Mrs. Bennet and this one just blew me away! What a clever idea to have a modern day lover of Pride & Prejudice, a mother of five girls no less, wake up as Mrs. Bennet. I just loved the parallels of her own life with those in Pride & Prejudice.
"If she must be Mrs. Bennet, it was intolerable not to try and improve upon the woman." (quote from the book)
Mrs. Alison Bateman knew how to handle her daughters. So when coming face-to-face with Lydia Bennet and taking charge, I knew I was going to be in for a fun ride! But Alison's big worry was altering the events of Pride & Prejudice. Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth are the only ones who feel she is not Mrs. Bennet, however, Mr. Bennet is liking this new version of his wife, so he goes with the flow. Elizabeth, on the other hand, questions and her stubbornness kicks in when events are revealed to her that she does not take well to. Oh, I just loved how 'Mrs. Bennet' used her 'knowledge' to gain the outcome she needed!
I highly recommend this diverting novel, so kick back and put your feet up...you are in for a fun ride!
February 7, 2021
What a delightful tale! Being Mrs. Bennet tells the story of Alison Bateman, a devoted twenty-first-century reader of Pride and Prejudice. While she adores Elizabeth Bennet, her own life bears uncanny resemblances to Mrs. Bennet; she has a husband who is not as involved in his family’s life as he should be, and five girls who, thanks to a quirk of fate and Alison’s sense of humor, share the names (and some of the characteristics) of the five Bennet girls in Austen’s book. Luckily, Alison has a good deal more sense than Elizabeth Bennet’s mother. But when Alison wakes up after an accident to find herself being Mrs. Bennet, she must reexamine her ideas about motherhood, romance, and free will.
Humorous, absorbing, and endearing, Being Mrs. Bennet also invites readers to consider the power of narrative and choice. My favorite moments in this book were those when Alison and other characters had to confront the question of who they really were and how much power they should or could exercise over their own destinies.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of Pride and Prejudice!
Humorous, absorbing, and endearing, Being Mrs. Bennet also invites readers to consider the power of narrative and choice. My favorite moments in this book were those when Alison and other characters had to confront the question of who they really were and how much power they should or could exercise over their own destinies.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of Pride and Prejudice!
September 24, 2019
Imagine Being Mysteriously Transplanted Into Your Favorite Story!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
Modern-day wife and mother Alison Bateman is an ardent fan of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, and similar to that book’s matriarch, she has five daughters (and yes, they all have the same names, but that began more coincidentally than intentionally). However, unlike Mrs. Bennet, Alison Bateman is sensible, calm, and loves all her daughters equally. Unexpectedly, Alison finds herself transplanted into the pages of Pride and Prejudice, but instead of having a chance to be the heroine of the tale and fall in love with Mr. Darcy, Alison instead becomes the heroine’s mother and finds herself in the role of the noisy, small-minded nerve-obsessed Mrs. Bennet. But Alison still has control of her actions and thoughts, so perhaps she is becoming the heroine of her own Pride and Prejudice adventure after all…
Yes! What fun! I love Austen-inspired body swap stories! There have been many that have readers or modern-day women change places with someone in Jane Austen’s time: Attempting Elizabeth, Ditching Mr. Darcy, Searching for Captain Wentworth, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict to name a few. But this is the first time I’ve seen a reader step into the story as Mrs. Bennet! It seems an unconventional choice, yet at the same time a brilliant one as supplanting Mrs. Bennet can produce such dramatic changes in the lives of many of the story’s characters.
I immediately liked Alison Bateman at the beginning of the story, she is a no nonsense kind of mother and I loved seeing her happy yet-not-perfect relationships with her daughters and husband. And I grew to like her even more as she steps into the role of Mrs. Bennet with relish and determination. With actions that would be make any Janeite applaud Alison makes it her mission to work on Lydia Bennet! Woot woot! Attagirl, Alison! Readers cannot help but cheer her on as she goes toe-to-toe with spoiled and petulant Lydia!
And Alison doesn’t just stop there, she pays attention to all her daughters and provides what they need – whether it be notice, encouragement, or gentle steering in the right direction. It was heartwarming and oh-so-satisfying to see such harmonious and happy relationships amongst the Bennet family. I especially enjoyed witnessing the relationship develop between Mr. Bennet and Alison Bateman – I appreciated her initial exasperation and distance with him, and it was lovely to see Mr. Bennet’s reaction towards Alison and how he feels about his altered “wife.”
I really enjoyed seeing Alison adapt to her supposed “character” and experience all aspects of living in Jane Austen’s time. She makes Janeites proud as she does not make any terrible social blunders or speak with modern slang. Instead, she puts her Regency knowledge to good use while still adhering to her own natural habits and proclivities, such as: preferring not to take laudanum, having a penchant for morning walks, and requesting a bath whenever possible. (I don’t blame you Alison, I would do the same!) In addition, I absolutely loved seeing how Alison fan-girled at significant moments in Pride and Prejudice – such as meeting Elizabeth Bennet for the first time, visiting Pemberley, the Lady Catherine showdown.
My only small quibble for this book would perhaps be (SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!) the moments when Alison revealed some things she shouldn’t. And even though she regrets what she revealed, I do sort’ve wished she didn’t do that in the first place. It would have been interesting to see how the story would have progressed without that knowledge being shared, but at the same time, I do understand why it might not have been possible.
With Being Mrs. Bennet, Alexa Adams once again delivers a well-crafted and inventive Austen-inspired tale that is very deserving of recognition and praise! A fantasy-filled adventure that is as diverting as it is astute! We definitely recommend!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
Modern-day wife and mother Alison Bateman is an ardent fan of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, and similar to that book’s matriarch, she has five daughters (and yes, they all have the same names, but that began more coincidentally than intentionally). However, unlike Mrs. Bennet, Alison Bateman is sensible, calm, and loves all her daughters equally. Unexpectedly, Alison finds herself transplanted into the pages of Pride and Prejudice, but instead of having a chance to be the heroine of the tale and fall in love with Mr. Darcy, Alison instead becomes the heroine’s mother and finds herself in the role of the noisy, small-minded nerve-obsessed Mrs. Bennet. But Alison still has control of her actions and thoughts, so perhaps she is becoming the heroine of her own Pride and Prejudice adventure after all…
Yes! What fun! I love Austen-inspired body swap stories! There have been many that have readers or modern-day women change places with someone in Jane Austen’s time: Attempting Elizabeth, Ditching Mr. Darcy, Searching for Captain Wentworth, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict to name a few. But this is the first time I’ve seen a reader step into the story as Mrs. Bennet! It seems an unconventional choice, yet at the same time a brilliant one as supplanting Mrs. Bennet can produce such dramatic changes in the lives of many of the story’s characters.
I immediately liked Alison Bateman at the beginning of the story, she is a no nonsense kind of mother and I loved seeing her happy yet-not-perfect relationships with her daughters and husband. And I grew to like her even more as she steps into the role of Mrs. Bennet with relish and determination. With actions that would be make any Janeite applaud Alison makes it her mission to work on Lydia Bennet! Woot woot! Attagirl, Alison! Readers cannot help but cheer her on as she goes toe-to-toe with spoiled and petulant Lydia!
And Alison doesn’t just stop there, she pays attention to all her daughters and provides what they need – whether it be notice, encouragement, or gentle steering in the right direction. It was heartwarming and oh-so-satisfying to see such harmonious and happy relationships amongst the Bennet family. I especially enjoyed witnessing the relationship develop between Mr. Bennet and Alison Bateman – I appreciated her initial exasperation and distance with him, and it was lovely to see Mr. Bennet’s reaction towards Alison and how he feels about his altered “wife.”
I really enjoyed seeing Alison adapt to her supposed “character” and experience all aspects of living in Jane Austen’s time. She makes Janeites proud as she does not make any terrible social blunders or speak with modern slang. Instead, she puts her Regency knowledge to good use while still adhering to her own natural habits and proclivities, such as: preferring not to take laudanum, having a penchant for morning walks, and requesting a bath whenever possible. (I don’t blame you Alison, I would do the same!) In addition, I absolutely loved seeing how Alison fan-girled at significant moments in Pride and Prejudice – such as meeting Elizabeth Bennet for the first time, visiting Pemberley, the Lady Catherine showdown.
My only small quibble for this book would perhaps be (SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!) the moments when Alison revealed some things she shouldn’t. And even though she regrets what she revealed, I do sort’ve wished she didn’t do that in the first place. It would have been interesting to see how the story would have progressed without that knowledge being shared, but at the same time, I do understand why it might not have been possible.
With Being Mrs. Bennet, Alexa Adams once again delivers a well-crafted and inventive Austen-inspired tale that is very deserving of recognition and praise! A fantasy-filled adventure that is as diverting as it is astute! We definitely recommend!
Austenesque Reviews
August 29, 2020
Oh my goodness, this was so good. It's a unique Pride and Prejudice variation in which a modern-day American woman, Alison Bateman, who is a lifelong Jane Austen fan with five daughters named after the Bennet sisters, suddenly finds herself in Regency England in the place of Mrs. Bennet. It may sound like a slightly hokey premise, but it is so well done, I found myself totally immersed. Give it a try, and once you make it to Longbourn, along with Alison, you'll be hooked too.
October 29, 2018
Similar to the famous story of Austenland, a modern woman finds herself in the story of Pride and Prejudice during the regency time period. In this case she finds herself in the character of Mrs. Bennet. She takes the opportunity to check her family as she already knows what’s going to happen in the story. As she grows to love the girls like she does her own daughters who also happen to be named Jane Elizabeth Mary Catherine and Lydia, only the wisest discovered that she is not their mother. She also has an interesting relationship with Mr. Bennet. In the end, all is well and the happily ever after’s are found but with a much improved Mrs. Bennet. I love how she shut down Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine.
The story is unique and was a lot of fun to read I look forward to picking up pages again.
The story is unique and was a lot of fun to read I look forward to picking up pages again.
September 20, 2018
I envisioned the content of this book to be very different yet I was still pleased. I love Mrs B. It was a fun read though I found myself hoping she would stay Mrs B!
October 11, 2018
Awesomely good book
A 21st century woman who loves P&P dearly, inhabits Mrs. Bennet’s mind/soul. That’s fairly original. Now she must make sure Darcy and Lizzie find their HEA .
Very fun yet also very enlightening story. What really stood out was how important to Lizzie not to be forced or manipulated into a future of someone else’s making. Even at the end she has a little tug of resistance to the outcome.
I chose to see how unlikely the outcome of P&P was. It was an unlikely HEA and took lots of little miracles had to occur for Lizzie and Darcy to marry.
Just a great story. Highly recommended.
A 21st century woman who loves P&P dearly, inhabits Mrs. Bennet’s mind/soul. That’s fairly original. Now she must make sure Darcy and Lizzie find their HEA .
Very fun yet also very enlightening story. What really stood out was how important to Lizzie not to be forced or manipulated into a future of someone else’s making. Even at the end she has a little tug of resistance to the outcome.
I chose to see how unlikely the outcome of P&P was. It was an unlikely HEA and took lots of little miracles had to occur for Lizzie and Darcy to marry.
Just a great story. Highly recommended.
March 27, 2019
Alison Bateman, mother to five daughters, is hurt in a traffic accident and thrown back in time to her favourite novel - Pride and Prejudice - as Mrs. Bennet. Fortunately Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are away visiting - the Gardiners and at Huntsford respectively. But life becomes more difficult when they return.
Loved this new and better Mrs Bennet, and how she tries to change her family, especially the three younger girls. Though the eldest two also need changing, and Mr Bennet has always needed improvement.
Overall a very enjoyable well-written variation
Loved this new and better Mrs Bennet, and how she tries to change her family, especially the three younger girls. Though the eldest two also need changing, and Mr Bennet has always needed improvement.
Overall a very enjoyable well-written variation
August 11, 2018
Every time I pick up a book by Alexa Adams, I know I'm in for a treat. There is always some delightful twist or inversion of topos that takes her stories into a new dimension, flirting with the norms of Austenesque fiction, but somehow defying them. Being Mrs. Bennet was no exception, and I devoured this tale with every bit of enthusiasm that it deserved.
Allison Bateman is a happy and well-adjusted mother of five happy and well-adjusted young women, with a particular passion for Pride and Prejudice. In fact, her daughters are named (some intentionally, some not) for the five Bennet sisters of Jane Austen's classic novel. She rereads it frequently, knows it intimately, and when she suffers a serious injury in an accident, she finds herself as a character IN the novel!
However, it is not everybody's favourite, Lizzy Bennet, whose body Alison now inhabits. It is Mrs. Bennet! Well, having done such a good job with her own five daughters in the twenty-first century, she sets about taking Austen's rebellious young girls in hand, with startling effects. After all, how much better would life be for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy if Lydia were not to run away with the scoundrel Mr. Wickham? And how much would Kitty and Mary be improved with some devoted care from an attentive mother?
At first her plans work splendidly, but they are not without consequences, and when Lizzy and Mr. Bennet start to ask questions, Alison finds that she might have inadvertently ruined the plot of her favourite novel!
Aside from her brilliant plot, one thing that I particularly loved about Ms. Adam's story was her own attention to detail. How would a modern woman react to the early nineteenth century? She comments on the smells, the uncomfortable beds, the strange clothing... all these details that bring the past so vividly to life. (No, I would not wish to stay in a roadside inn in 1812, thanks! Some roadside hotels in 2018 are bad enough!)
Her writing is, as always, beautiful and elegant, befitting the time periods of the book, but never feeling anything but natural and appropriate. And her epilogue is a special treat, which I will not spoil for anybody. I enjoyed Being Mrs. Bennet very much and heartily recommend it to Jane Austen fans everywhere.
Allison Bateman is a happy and well-adjusted mother of five happy and well-adjusted young women, with a particular passion for Pride and Prejudice. In fact, her daughters are named (some intentionally, some not) for the five Bennet sisters of Jane Austen's classic novel. She rereads it frequently, knows it intimately, and when she suffers a serious injury in an accident, she finds herself as a character IN the novel!
However, it is not everybody's favourite, Lizzy Bennet, whose body Alison now inhabits. It is Mrs. Bennet! Well, having done such a good job with her own five daughters in the twenty-first century, she sets about taking Austen's rebellious young girls in hand, with startling effects. After all, how much better would life be for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy if Lydia were not to run away with the scoundrel Mr. Wickham? And how much would Kitty and Mary be improved with some devoted care from an attentive mother?
At first her plans work splendidly, but they are not without consequences, and when Lizzy and Mr. Bennet start to ask questions, Alison finds that she might have inadvertently ruined the plot of her favourite novel!
Aside from her brilliant plot, one thing that I particularly loved about Ms. Adam's story was her own attention to detail. How would a modern woman react to the early nineteenth century? She comments on the smells, the uncomfortable beds, the strange clothing... all these details that bring the past so vividly to life. (No, I would not wish to stay in a roadside inn in 1812, thanks! Some roadside hotels in 2018 are bad enough!)
Her writing is, as always, beautiful and elegant, befitting the time periods of the book, but never feeling anything but natural and appropriate. And her epilogue is a special treat, which I will not spoil for anybody. I enjoyed Being Mrs. Bennet very much and heartily recommend it to Jane Austen fans everywhere.
December 27, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
January 21, 2020
Such a great story, will definitely re-read in the future.
October 27, 2019
Wonderful
I'm so glad I took a chance on a novel with this name. Mrs. Bennett is one of the most annoying characters in P&P, and only the strength of my admiration for this author's other works convinced me to tackle a story about her. Ms.Adams has produced a wonderfully fresh tale that captures you right from the start with 2 separate families, both of whom you come to love and respect. The idea of an accident leading to a time travel experience is not new, but the unusual outcome of this one is fabulous, one in which our main character finds herself in the unlikely person of Mrs. Bennett.
The premise works because the main character, Alison, is a strong minded woman with a fierce maternal instinct and a great deal of common sense and intelligence. She is also a woman with a balanced relationship with her husband, and one who realizes her blessings in life. Her transition to taking over the body of Mrs. Bennett is not without mistakes, such as her first meeting with her 19th century daughter Elizabeth, but she possesses the composure to navigate without too many gaffes. The emotional connections she makes with her Regency era family are touching and heart heartwarming, particularly the deep connection she develops with Mr. Bennett. His hungry acceptance of a changed and improved Mrs. Bennett makes us feel anew the frustration he must have lived with all those years of marriage to a woman obviously his intellectual inferior, even though she had a pretty face and figure.I couldn't help but sympathize with him, and dread his eventual return to an insipid marriage.
However, the story spreads the impact of the imposter Mrs. Bennett to include every member of the family. Alison decides that, if she must spend time in the body of this character, she will try to be a much better mother to the Bennett children, and give them some much needed guidance. This decision creates some dilemmas, most notably that Elizabeth comes to recognize that her mother has changed too much to be believable, and confronts her to learn the truth. Also, the whole Lydia and Wickham debacle is completely avoided, changing the storyline of the original novel. The situation of altering the circumstances, and therefore the outcome, of the story is great fun to discover, and not too worrisome because, of course, the whole thing is a work of fiction and the characters aren't real. But to Alison and the others, they sure feel real.
The whole story pulls at your heartstrings because most of the characters are people you come to care about deeply. This is great storytelling, well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
I'm so glad I took a chance on a novel with this name. Mrs. Bennett is one of the most annoying characters in P&P, and only the strength of my admiration for this author's other works convinced me to tackle a story about her. Ms.Adams has produced a wonderfully fresh tale that captures you right from the start with 2 separate families, both of whom you come to love and respect. The idea of an accident leading to a time travel experience is not new, but the unusual outcome of this one is fabulous, one in which our main character finds herself in the unlikely person of Mrs. Bennett.
The premise works because the main character, Alison, is a strong minded woman with a fierce maternal instinct and a great deal of common sense and intelligence. She is also a woman with a balanced relationship with her husband, and one who realizes her blessings in life. Her transition to taking over the body of Mrs. Bennett is not without mistakes, such as her first meeting with her 19th century daughter Elizabeth, but she possesses the composure to navigate without too many gaffes. The emotional connections she makes with her Regency era family are touching and heart heartwarming, particularly the deep connection she develops with Mr. Bennett. His hungry acceptance of a changed and improved Mrs. Bennett makes us feel anew the frustration he must have lived with all those years of marriage to a woman obviously his intellectual inferior, even though she had a pretty face and figure.I couldn't help but sympathize with him, and dread his eventual return to an insipid marriage.
However, the story spreads the impact of the imposter Mrs. Bennett to include every member of the family. Alison decides that, if she must spend time in the body of this character, she will try to be a much better mother to the Bennett children, and give them some much needed guidance. This decision creates some dilemmas, most notably that Elizabeth comes to recognize that her mother has changed too much to be believable, and confronts her to learn the truth. Also, the whole Lydia and Wickham debacle is completely avoided, changing the storyline of the original novel. The situation of altering the circumstances, and therefore the outcome, of the story is great fun to discover, and not too worrisome because, of course, the whole thing is a work of fiction and the characters aren't real. But to Alison and the others, they sure feel real.
The whole story pulls at your heartstrings because most of the characters are people you come to care about deeply. This is great storytelling, well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
October 4, 2020
Sheer delight
What an original take on our beloved tale! Highly recommend this to all Pride and Prejudice lovers, no spoilers here, but suspend disbelief and dive in, an enchanting variation. Will not disappoint
What an original take on our beloved tale! Highly recommend this to all Pride and Prejudice lovers, no spoilers here, but suspend disbelief and dive in, an enchanting variation. Will not disappoint
December 17, 2019
This was such an enjoyable read! How many of us haven't fantasized about traveling back to Netherfield, Longbourn or Pemberley(swoon)! While we probably all would rather be the object of Mr. Darcy's penetrating gazes, how amazing would it be to just be there and watch all the events unfold or even have a hand in how they unfold! That's exactly what we get to do during this delightful read! I love how Alison is able to shake things up at Longbourn as she tries to keep one foot in each of her worlds. I love how even though some of the events are altered from canon, the fate and destiny of ODC remains steady and unshakeable! The timeless love story that keeps us all coming back for more remains intact and just as sweet and swoon worthy as it has always been!
I would love to read a sequel to this and find out how the "real" Mrs. Bennet integrates back into the family and how the others adapt to that!
I would love to read a sequel to this and find out how the "real" Mrs. Bennet integrates back into the family and how the others adapt to that!
September 24, 2020
Really enjoyed the escapism of this book. Loved the idea of seeing the impact of a mother on a family and being back in Pride and Prejudice. I was torn as I didn’t know where I wanted Alison to end up.
Pop sugar reading challenge 2020- a book recommended
Pop sugar reading challenge 2020- a book recommended
September 9, 2020
Considering Mrs. Bennet is one of my least favorite characters, I avoided this book for quite awhile. Boy was I dumb! Being Mrs. Bennet has earned a place in my top 10 P&P variations list, and I have read hundreds from which to draw comparison (literally).
My favorite aspect of the novel is What a brilliant twist!
Being Mrs. Bennet is definitely going on my Periodically Reread list as well.
My favorite aspect of the novel is What a brilliant twist!
Being Mrs. Bennet is definitely going on my Periodically Reread list as well.
June 26, 2020
Loved this Variation!
What a delightful read! From modern day to Regency and back again. What would it be like to step into Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as Mrs. Bennet? Really good story. I loved it
What a delightful read! From modern day to Regency and back again. What would it be like to step into Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as Mrs. Bennet? Really good story. I loved it
August 12, 2020
Refreshing
A refreshing read, made me feel more sympathy for mr Bennet.Certainly worth reading I am now looking for more of the authors books.
A refreshing read, made me feel more sympathy for mr Bennet.Certainly worth reading I am now looking for more of the authors books.
September 17, 2020
Easy light read.
Bit of fun. Interesting that Lydia was tamed a bit. I didn’t think it possible. I was waiting for it to all go wrong.
Bit of fun. Interesting that Lydia was tamed a bit. I didn’t think it possible. I was waiting for it to all go wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
RATING: 2 stars
Hmm, I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. The premise is interesting, but the execution is outlandish and the dialogue is definitely not like Austen.
Hmm, I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. The premise is interesting, but the execution is outlandish and the dialogue is definitely not like Austen.
January 29, 2020
An alternate version of Lost In Austen (as well as a variation on Pride and Prejudice), whereby a modern day mother of five daughters finds herself taking the place of Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn, energetically running the household, protecting the girls from the likes of Wickham, and unintentionally charming her astonished husband, Mr. Bennet.
I really enjoyed this one, but I was more invested in Thomas Bennet's HEA than the love lives of his daughters.
He took a deep breath, pressed his hand to his brow, and quietly asked, "Do you have any idea what my marriage has been like? How it feels to be bound for life to a person whom I cannot respect? Whatever affection there was between us died years ago, and now, suddenly, I find that the same woman, whom all the world regards as my lawfully wedded wife, has transformed into a warm, affectionate, and intelligent creature!"
Without giving anything away, the ending was not what I would have wanted and left me feeling a little flat, but this a very good read for all that.
I really enjoyed this one, but I was more invested in Thomas Bennet's HEA than the love lives of his daughters.
He took a deep breath, pressed his hand to his brow, and quietly asked, "Do you have any idea what my marriage has been like? How it feels to be bound for life to a person whom I cannot respect? Whatever affection there was between us died years ago, and now, suddenly, I find that the same woman, whom all the world regards as my lawfully wedded wife, has transformed into a warm, affectionate, and intelligent creature!"
Without giving anything away, the ending was not what I would have wanted and left me feeling a little flat, but this a very good read for all that.
November 5, 2018
Interesting concept with Mrs. B as the central character
I’ve had this story on my to be read list for a wild and it finally moved to the top. This story focused on a modern wife and mother who loves P&P becoming part of her favorite story. The story starts with an introduction to Alison and her family that includes five daughters named as you would expect (but not all for the reason we expect). After the introduction, the story moves to the P&P setting with Alison in the role of Mrs. B, but with a desire to not things get so out of hand.
The rest of the story is entertaining and I loved how the author handled the relationship with Alison and the rest of the Bennets. Especially loved the brief appearance of Jane Austen at the end of the story.
I’ve had this story on my to be read list for a wild and it finally moved to the top. This story focused on a modern wife and mother who loves P&P becoming part of her favorite story. The story starts with an introduction to Alison and her family that includes five daughters named as you would expect (but not all for the reason we expect). After the introduction, the story moves to the P&P setting with Alison in the role of Mrs. B, but with a desire to not things get so out of hand.
The rest of the story is entertaining and I loved how the author handled the relationship with Alison and the rest of the Bennets. Especially loved the brief appearance of Jane Austen at the end of the story.
March 31, 2025
I am a Jane Austen fan, and I love Pride and Prejudice . But, I am not a rabid fan, like the MC in Adam's book. Nonetheless, before beginning Being Mrs. Bennet , I did reread P&P, and rewatched several of the movie versions. (OK, maybe that does sound somewhat er..."enthusiastic." LOL.) Perhaps doing so was a mistake because it set my expectations high and once I starting this book I was sure to be disappointed.
What was good in the book? The plot was fun, and it contains interesting twists along the way. I particularly liked Elizabeth Bennet's claim on free will instead of a predetermined outcome. In fiction this is the author's jurisdiction; for those who believe in a God who has foreknowledge of each individual's path, it is life. Can a character fight what an author has written? Can we change foreordination? The latter is a question that has plagued theologists for a very long time. Since it is something I have also thought about, it caused me to wonder how I would have acted in Lizzy's stead. Would I have stubbornly fought for my right to choose or would I have given in? In the context of rating a book, this is a sign of a good writing, i.e., being able to build empathy in the reader.
Where did the book let me down? Adam's main flaws were in characterization and voice. And, although I agree that Being Mrs. Bennet is designed to be light and fun, for me shallow characterization just gets in the way. Even if Mr. Darcy is not a main character in this book, it is a big let down to see how empty he has become, for example in the interview with Mr. Bennet.
Bottom line, this in an ok read based on plot alone. 2 1/2 stars.
What was good in the book? The plot was fun, and it contains interesting twists along the way. I particularly liked Elizabeth Bennet's claim on free will instead of a predetermined outcome. In fiction this is the author's jurisdiction; for those who believe in a God who has foreknowledge of each individual's path, it is life. Can a character fight what an author has written? Can we change foreordination? The latter is a question that has plagued theologists for a very long time. Since it is something I have also thought about, it caused me to wonder how I would have acted in Lizzy's stead. Would I have stubbornly fought for my right to choose or would I have given in? In the context of rating a book, this is a sign of a good writing, i.e., being able to build empathy in the reader.
Where did the book let me down? Adam's main flaws were in characterization and voice. And, although I agree that Being Mrs. Bennet is designed to be light and fun, for me shallow characterization just gets in the way. Even if Mr. Darcy is not a main character in this book, it is a big let down to see how empty he has become, for example in the interview with Mr. Bennet.
Bottom line, this in an ok read based on plot alone. 2 1/2 stars.
March 28, 2022
Didn't care for the narrative voice, it felt immature and kind of pouty? -- not the voice I would expect from the grown woman with several grown children, who should also somehow present a better alternative to Mrs. Bennet. The contemporary part of the story felt unnecessarily long and did not endear me to the fmc (as it probably aimed to do), so really I'd rather we skipped the squabbling with the husband parts and just met her in a new setting from the start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2020
An entertaining self-insert guilty pleasure novel.
Wasn't sold on character actions as they come closer to figuring out Mrs Bennet's secret, or in the later part of the novel, but overall a fun read. Decent way to spend an afternoon.
Wasn't sold on character actions as they come closer to figuring out Mrs Bennet's secret, or in the later part of the novel, but overall a fun read. Decent way to spend an afternoon.
December 26, 2022
Wonderful story without an ending
I really wanted to give a five star rating, right up until an abrupt ending without resolution to several intriguing story elements. There was so much unrealized potential in this story!
I really wanted to give a five star rating, right up until an abrupt ending without resolution to several intriguing story elements. There was so much unrealized potential in this story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews