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The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet #2
The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet - Book 2: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
The second of a three-book series, this story continues as Elizabeth Bennet experiences life of a young lady from ages twelve to fifteen. Friendships are strengthened and the young girl learns to get over the most trying age of her early teen years.Rated K+ for mild language. Non-canon.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 20, 2019
This trilogy delivers exactly what the title says, and a lot more besides. It's a series of significant events not just in Lizzy Bennet's life but also in Fitzwilliam Darcy's life, beginning with their first meeting when she is ten and he is eighteen years old. The growth of their unlikely relationship leads to a connection between Darcys and Bennets that significantly affects both families.
Lizzy is a precocious, brilliant, imaginative, talkative child, unlike anyone Fitzwilliam has ever met. She dearly wishes she had been born a boy because she has no interest in any ladylike pursuits. She wants to be Captain Gulliver and discover strange new worlds, or fight pirates, or engage in some other flight of fancy. You can't help liking her and understanding why Fitzwilliam would befriend her even though she's so much younger.
Both his parents are living at this point, though his mother is extremely ill and not expected to live much longer. The Darcy family has leased Netherfield, since it's close enough to London that the senior Mr. Darcy can travel there easily and is not as cold as Pemberley in the winter, which is better for Mrs. Darcy's health. When Lizzy is first introduced to Fitzwilliam's parents, she charms them completely. She also, in a guileless, childlike way, points out how illogical Mrs. Darcy's medical treatments are and makes an observation that leads to the lady's miraculous recovery and the family's eternal gratitude.
Fortuitously, Mr. Bennet is inspired (by Lizzy, of course) to take decisive charge of his family just a month before the Darcys move into the area, realizing that he must do more to provide dowries for the girls and help their marriage prospects. He curtails Mrs. Bennet's expensive habits and refuses to allow her to plan for early come-outs for Jane and Lizzy. He and the senior Mr. Darcy each find a kindred spirit in the other. They enjoy chess matches together, and Mr. Bennet also benefits from Mr. Darcy's advice, increasing Longbourn's profitability.
All the books proceed in this way. It's one event or encounter after another, each relatively self-contained and resolved (usually because of Lizzy's presence) before going on to another situation where she will be a key player. Even the villains--primarily Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley--turn up, make trouble, and get thwarted, with the plot moving to a different storyline until they return with a different scheme later that will again be thwarted. Lizzy is certainly the central character, but there's no central plot. She travels and visits with the Darcys frequently throughout all three books, which virtually ignore the rest of Longbourn's inhabitants.
Book #1 establishes the friendship between the Bennets and Darcys, with Lizzy virtually adopted as a sister to Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. Book #2 has both Fitzwilliam and Lizzy going through changes. He's getting his Cambridge education and traveling, while she's growing from a little girl to a teenager. They have an active correspondence. By Book #3, Fitzwilliam finally sees her as a woman and realizes he's in love with her, but she's convinced that she isn't a suitable mate for anyone.
The writing has a juvenile quality to it. It gradually gets more and more dialogue-centered to the point that, by the third book in this series, at least 90% is dialogue. By that time, talking between characters narrates the events, sounding too stilted and unnatural for conversation. There's also a great deal of repetition, with characters saying the same things over and over. (Darcy really takes being Lizzy's "blood-brother" to heart, he mentions it so often.)
Without any unifying thread throughout these "adventures," I consider these books chronologies - a journal of unrelated events during Lizzy's formative years - rather than a romance novel. Lizzy herself is too perfect to be believable. They're a pleasant series of books, but I can't recommend them.
Lizzy is a precocious, brilliant, imaginative, talkative child, unlike anyone Fitzwilliam has ever met. She dearly wishes she had been born a boy because she has no interest in any ladylike pursuits. She wants to be Captain Gulliver and discover strange new worlds, or fight pirates, or engage in some other flight of fancy. You can't help liking her and understanding why Fitzwilliam would befriend her even though she's so much younger.
Both his parents are living at this point, though his mother is extremely ill and not expected to live much longer. The Darcy family has leased Netherfield, since it's close enough to London that the senior Mr. Darcy can travel there easily and is not as cold as Pemberley in the winter, which is better for Mrs. Darcy's health. When Lizzy is first introduced to Fitzwilliam's parents, she charms them completely. She also, in a guileless, childlike way, points out how illogical Mrs. Darcy's medical treatments are and makes an observation that leads to the lady's miraculous recovery and the family's eternal gratitude.
Fortuitously, Mr. Bennet is inspired (by Lizzy, of course) to take decisive charge of his family just a month before the Darcys move into the area, realizing that he must do more to provide dowries for the girls and help their marriage prospects. He curtails Mrs. Bennet's expensive habits and refuses to allow her to plan for early come-outs for Jane and Lizzy. He and the senior Mr. Darcy each find a kindred spirit in the other. They enjoy chess matches together, and Mr. Bennet also benefits from Mr. Darcy's advice, increasing Longbourn's profitability.
All the books proceed in this way. It's one event or encounter after another, each relatively self-contained and resolved (usually because of Lizzy's presence) before going on to another situation where she will be a key player. Even the villains--primarily Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley--turn up, make trouble, and get thwarted, with the plot moving to a different storyline until they return with a different scheme later that will again be thwarted. Lizzy is certainly the central character, but there's no central plot. She travels and visits with the Darcys frequently throughout all three books, which virtually ignore the rest of Longbourn's inhabitants.
Book #1 establishes the friendship between the Bennets and Darcys, with Lizzy virtually adopted as a sister to Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. Book #2 has both Fitzwilliam and Lizzy going through changes. He's getting his Cambridge education and traveling, while she's growing from a little girl to a teenager. They have an active correspondence. By Book #3, Fitzwilliam finally sees her as a woman and realizes he's in love with her, but she's convinced that she isn't a suitable mate for anyone.
The writing has a juvenile quality to it. It gradually gets more and more dialogue-centered to the point that, by the third book in this series, at least 90% is dialogue. By that time, talking between characters narrates the events, sounding too stilted and unnatural for conversation. There's also a great deal of repetition, with characters saying the same things over and over. (Darcy really takes being Lizzy's "blood-brother" to heart, he mentions it so often.)
Without any unifying thread throughout these "adventures," I consider these books chronologies - a journal of unrelated events during Lizzy's formative years - rather than a romance novel. Lizzy herself is too perfect to be believable. They're a pleasant series of books, but I can't recommend them.
July 23, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
As the second book in a 3-book series there were few surprises in this one.
As we know (If you did read the first one.) this story is non-canon: people and places are the same but events totally different. Elizabeth and Will Darcy spend many years in their youth together as the Darcys own Netherfield and spend part of each year there. Will over and over again acknowledges that Elizabeth is his "blood-brother" and thus he will do much for her.
Elizabeth remains a "tomboy", climbing trees, learning to fence and wanting to also learn to shoot a gun. At times she even dresses as a boy in order to be able to go somewhere or do something females are not allowed. Will is at the end of his university years and plans a long Grand Tour with John Knightley (of Emma fame. Both of Will's parents are still alive. Anne Darcy takes time advising Elizabeth. We read little about Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
Will does meet Charles Bingley & his sisters and for a short time is enamored with Caroline. However, Elizabeth (while playing "Hide-and-Seek" with Georgiana) has overheard Caroline's true thoughts about "catching" Will. Will resists Elizabeth's advice, at first, and they argue. This Elizabeth is very quick to give her opinion in most situations.
Lady Catherine becomes an issue and with her husband's death his will gives Anne some freedom and an inheritance. Lady C. tries to outwit her husband's intent, but family takes care of that.
Collins becomes part of the Bennet family early on while Wickham loses his close relationship with Mr. Darcy.
The author's sentences are sometimes awkward and do not fall smoothly on the ear. However, I was interested enough to keep turning pages and to now want to read the third book.
As the second book in a 3-book series there were few surprises in this one.
As we know (If you did read the first one.) this story is non-canon: people and places are the same but events totally different. Elizabeth and Will Darcy spend many years in their youth together as the Darcys own Netherfield and spend part of each year there. Will over and over again acknowledges that Elizabeth is his "blood-brother" and thus he will do much for her.
Elizabeth remains a "tomboy", climbing trees, learning to fence and wanting to also learn to shoot a gun. At times she even dresses as a boy in order to be able to go somewhere or do something females are not allowed. Will is at the end of his university years and plans a long Grand Tour with John Knightley (of Emma fame. Both of Will's parents are still alive. Anne Darcy takes time advising Elizabeth. We read little about Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
Will does meet Charles Bingley & his sisters and for a short time is enamored with Caroline. However, Elizabeth (while playing "Hide-and-Seek" with Georgiana) has overheard Caroline's true thoughts about "catching" Will. Will resists Elizabeth's advice, at first, and they argue. This Elizabeth is very quick to give her opinion in most situations.
Lady Catherine becomes an issue and with her husband's death his will gives Anne some freedom and an inheritance. Lady C. tries to outwit her husband's intent, but family takes care of that.
Collins becomes part of the Bennet family early on while Wickham loses his close relationship with Mr. Darcy.
The author's sentences are sometimes awkward and do not fall smoothly on the ear. However, I was interested enough to keep turning pages and to now want to read the third book.
March 1, 2019
Avid Reader
This book was a fun read! Observing Lizzy through various stages of her life is amusing, especially since she bested Caroline Bingley who still thinks that she can capture Darcy. Both sets of parents want Darcy and Elizabeth to marry. We shall see!
This book was a fun read! Observing Lizzy through various stages of her life is amusing, especially since she bested Caroline Bingley who still thinks that she can capture Darcy. Both sets of parents want Darcy and Elizabeth to marry. We shall see!
March 6, 2019
This book is a continuation of Book 1 in the series and I would not recommend it as a stand alone. With that disclaimer and since I read the first book - I loved this continuation. It reads as a second episode in a favorite series. We have to have the connection between the little girl and the mature woman.
Our heroine, Elizabeth, is loved by all and is growing up. She still has a close relationship with the Darcy family and Will Darcy, in particular. She is the only one that he truly feels comfortable with, but he sees her as a sister/little girl. They have a great relationship which as a few bumps as they are put in new situations. Her family is very indulgent and encourages her imagination and intelligence. Key to the story line is Darcy's Grand Tour trip which will have him out of England for two years. What will be different when he returns? We will have to look to book 3 to find out!
Our heroine, Elizabeth, is loved by all and is growing up. She still has a close relationship with the Darcy family and Will Darcy, in particular. She is the only one that he truly feels comfortable with, but he sees her as a sister/little girl. They have a great relationship which as a few bumps as they are put in new situations. Her family is very indulgent and encourages her imagination and intelligence. Key to the story line is Darcy's Grand Tour trip which will have him out of England for two years. What will be different when he returns? We will have to look to book 3 to find out!
March 2, 2019
Just okay
The sweet relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy as young people continues, with big brother and little sister type interactions. Lizzy is still very much a tomboy for much of the book. Only at the end, when she turns fifteen, does she start to develop her womanly attributes. It's obvious at the conclusion that Darcy will start to perceive her in a different way in the next installment of this tale.
As in the first book of this series, there is really no connection to the original P&P storyline. The premise and plot are completely different, just borrowing the characters and names. Once again, Darcy and Elizabeth are best friends in spite of their age difference, relying on each other as confidant and playmate. There are villains, such as Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley and Wickham, but each one is dispensed with easily. There is no suspense when these bad people appear because the good people in the story speak openly and honestly and solve their problems, as opposed to the beating around the bush and worries over propriety that usually occur in these stories. The good characters are way too good, to the point that it's too simplistic.
Elizabeth is again gifted with extraordinary insights, to the extent that she's almost kind of weird. The adults in the story seem to have an unnatural reliance on her opinions, given her young age. It's a charming story, but I still don't know why it had to be broken up into different books, since the book ends at a random point.
The sweet relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy as young people continues, with big brother and little sister type interactions. Lizzy is still very much a tomboy for much of the book. Only at the end, when she turns fifteen, does she start to develop her womanly attributes. It's obvious at the conclusion that Darcy will start to perceive her in a different way in the next installment of this tale.
As in the first book of this series, there is really no connection to the original P&P storyline. The premise and plot are completely different, just borrowing the characters and names. Once again, Darcy and Elizabeth are best friends in spite of their age difference, relying on each other as confidant and playmate. There are villains, such as Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley and Wickham, but each one is dispensed with easily. There is no suspense when these bad people appear because the good people in the story speak openly and honestly and solve their problems, as opposed to the beating around the bush and worries over propriety that usually occur in these stories. The good characters are way too good, to the point that it's too simplistic.
Elizabeth is again gifted with extraordinary insights, to the extent that she's almost kind of weird. The adults in the story seem to have an unnatural reliance on her opinions, given her young age. It's a charming story, but I still don't know why it had to be broken up into different books, since the book ends at a random point.
March 25, 2019
This is a great adventure!
Darcy and Elizabeth are growing up and getting closer in this amusing story. We get to know more of several characters that we usually just get mentioned and some villains get their due. Impatiently waiting for the third book.
Darcy and Elizabeth are growing up and getting closer in this amusing story. We get to know more of several characters that we usually just get mentioned and some villains get their due. Impatiently waiting for the third book.
April 20, 2019
Keeps getting better
Book 2 builds really well on first and we get to meet a few more of Austen's famous characters. Finished it all in one morning, couldn't put it down.
Book 2 builds really well on first and we get to meet a few more of Austen's famous characters. Finished it all in one morning, couldn't put it down.
April 23, 2019
I'm so loving this story
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves Pride and prejudice, and I can't wait to read more of her books.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves Pride and prejudice, and I can't wait to read more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews