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Darcy's Redemption: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
25 years have passed since Darcy was rejected by Elizabeth at Hunsford …
Their paths have brushed on several occasions. He would have met her again at Pemberley, had he returned a day early instead of a day late. He has seen her once or twice at a distance. But they have never met face-to-face.
Deprived of his help at a crucial time, the Bennets are disgraced and ruined. After desperately searching for Lydia in London Mr Bennet fell sick; he died soon after. Longbourn was lost to Collins, Elizabeth compelled to work as child minder and lady’s companion. After hearing of her marriage to a clergyman, Darcy saw no alternative to getting married in his turn. But the union proved barren. He is now a widower with no heir.
The year is 1837, start of the Victorian era. Travelling from Pemberley to London, Darcy tries a new railway line for the final stretch to Euston. At a station along the way, he spots a woman hurrying towards the cheaper carriages …
Could it be Elizabeth? Might she now accept his friendship? After so many years of regret, has fortune granted him a chance of redemption?
Their paths have brushed on several occasions. He would have met her again at Pemberley, had he returned a day early instead of a day late. He has seen her once or twice at a distance. But they have never met face-to-face.
Deprived of his help at a crucial time, the Bennets are disgraced and ruined. After desperately searching for Lydia in London Mr Bennet fell sick; he died soon after. Longbourn was lost to Collins, Elizabeth compelled to work as child minder and lady’s companion. After hearing of her marriage to a clergyman, Darcy saw no alternative to getting married in his turn. But the union proved barren. He is now a widower with no heir.
The year is 1837, start of the Victorian era. Travelling from Pemberley to London, Darcy tries a new railway line for the final stretch to Euston. At a station along the way, he spots a woman hurrying towards the cheaper carriages …
Could it be Elizabeth? Might she now accept his friendship? After so many years of regret, has fortune granted him a chance of redemption?
- GenresRomanceJane Austen
254 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 8, 2019
Long story
No Table of Contents
X-ray enabled
Well written story. Not really a romance, more of a dramatic telling of two separate lives of Darcy and Lizzy when they don’t meet at Pemberley after the horrid proposal.
SPOILERS
Neither of them forget the other and finally meet again many years later. Lizzy’s story is somewhat interesting but Darcy’s is a yawner. When they come together Lizzy needs Darcy’s help to recover her children from her dead husband’s parents.
After they come together they acknowledge their mutual affection and a HEA is achieved.
Somewhat boring but lots of examples of little protection there is for a woman when married and not even her children are hers.
Good writing, somewhat boring story.
No Table of Contents
X-ray enabled
Well written story. Not really a romance, more of a dramatic telling of two separate lives of Darcy and Lizzy when they don’t meet at Pemberley after the horrid proposal.
SPOILERS
Neither of them forget the other and finally meet again many years later. Lizzy’s story is somewhat interesting but Darcy’s is a yawner. When they come together Lizzy needs Darcy’s help to recover her children from her dead husband’s parents.
After they come together they acknowledge their mutual affection and a HEA is achieved.
Somewhat boring but lots of examples of little protection there is for a woman when married and not even her children are hers.
Good writing, somewhat boring story.
October 17, 2019
I have to agree with some of the other reviews (on Amazon) I have read that I don't usually like to read stories in which Elizabeth and Darcy don't marry and hen are separated for many years. (There was even one which I stated "don't read" in my review as it had them coming together in their senior years, getting engaged and then he dies.) However those other reviews did state how they enjoyed the story despite their initial misgivings.
As the story description tells us Darcy misses seeing Elizabeth when she visits his estate with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. The exchange of that letter the day after the "Hunsford Proposal" was the last time they saw each other for many years. He doesn't learn of Lydia's elopement and her situation turns out to be even more of a scandal than in canon. And as the story blurb says Mr. Bennet falls sick and dies shortly thereafter. Plus Bingley never returns to Netherfield either. So the family is living in relative poverty and as social outcasts. Darcy knows of the situation and makes no attempt to contact her although he does espy her when he visits the church near the Gardiners on one occasion.
We are taken over the years and read that even though they are not in each other's company they learn of certain events in each other's lives: Darcy even helps her out by a recommendation to an acquaintance for a position. (He wants to remain anonymous to E. he tells this acquaintance.)
Elizabeth gains this very fortunate position as a companion and is able to travel and expand her horizons through that job...although she is treated more as a friend. She is even able to send money home to her sisters and mother.
At times in reading this story I gained the impression that it was more an tale about the lack of rights for any woman who married in that era. "Obey", give your husband any money you earn and only associate with those whom he allows you to know and visit, etc.. Women had no legal rights to their children, even to visit them if the parents are separated. Elizabeth suffers all of this when she refuses to cut all association with her fallen sister who is "back in town".
Yes, Elizabeth has married not so much for a grand passion but she likes the man, he is decent, she wants a home and a family. She even contributes greatly to his goal in writing tracts concerning certain practices within the Roman Catholic and/or the Anglican church. She also earns money contributing to a Ladies' Magazine, which has a significant part in the story and in the control her husband has over her.
During her married life she does keep her friendships and it is through those in London that she again begins to see Darcy although they both act with honor...for the most part. He's a widower and she has a husband and two children. Her husband doesn't know about Darcy's part in her previous life although he does know about Lydia.
There is some angst and we have some court proceeding that may have you holding your breath at one point.
This story is well written. I did not find myself making notes continually about misspellings and other errata. I enjoyed reading about all the research she did and learning who and/or what were actually taken from history.
Yes, there is a happy ending. I recommend this story to JAFF lovers.
As the story description tells us Darcy misses seeing Elizabeth when she visits his estate with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. The exchange of that letter the day after the "Hunsford Proposal" was the last time they saw each other for many years. He doesn't learn of Lydia's elopement and her situation turns out to be even more of a scandal than in canon. And as the story blurb says Mr. Bennet falls sick and dies shortly thereafter. Plus Bingley never returns to Netherfield either. So the family is living in relative poverty and as social outcasts. Darcy knows of the situation and makes no attempt to contact her although he does espy her when he visits the church near the Gardiners on one occasion.
We are taken over the years and read that even though they are not in each other's company they learn of certain events in each other's lives: Darcy even helps her out by a recommendation to an acquaintance for a position. (He wants to remain anonymous to E. he tells this acquaintance.)
Elizabeth gains this very fortunate position as a companion and is able to travel and expand her horizons through that job...although she is treated more as a friend. She is even able to send money home to her sisters and mother.
At times in reading this story I gained the impression that it was more an tale about the lack of rights for any woman who married in that era. "Obey", give your husband any money you earn and only associate with those whom he allows you to know and visit, etc.. Women had no legal rights to their children, even to visit them if the parents are separated. Elizabeth suffers all of this when she refuses to cut all association with her fallen sister who is "back in town".
Yes, Elizabeth has married not so much for a grand passion but she likes the man, he is decent, she wants a home and a family. She even contributes greatly to his goal in writing tracts concerning certain practices within the Roman Catholic and/or the Anglican church. She also earns money contributing to a Ladies' Magazine, which has a significant part in the story and in the control her husband has over her.
During her married life she does keep her friendships and it is through those in London that she again begins to see Darcy although they both act with honor...for the most part. He's a widower and she has a husband and two children. Her husband doesn't know about Darcy's part in her previous life although he does know about Lydia.
There is some angst and we have some court proceeding that may have you holding your breath at one point.
This story is well written. I did not find myself making notes continually about misspellings and other errata. I enjoyed reading about all the research she did and learning who and/or what were actually taken from history.
Yes, there is a happy ending. I recommend this story to JAFF lovers.
April 2, 2020
Dear Reader,
This P&P variation is certainly outside the box.
Fate has played her cards and placed both Lizzy and Darcy in very different circumstances.
While it centres on second chance romance,the primary focus is that of the legal invisibility of women in this era,especially pertaining to rights to children or possessions.
Food for thought.
This P&P variation is certainly outside the box.
Fate has played her cards and placed both Lizzy and Darcy in very different circumstances.
While it centres on second chance romance,the primary focus is that of the legal invisibility of women in this era,especially pertaining to rights to children or possessions.
Food for thought.
October 17, 2019
This is an excellent story that alters a lot of P&P. And which may offend purists, but also the title doesn’t really fit the book because it is a book about Elizabeth much more than Darcy.
We begin the book more than 25 years after P&P when Mrs. Sibley (nee Bennet) meets Mr. Darcy on a train. And Lizzy isn't a widow, she'd married to a very respectable cleric. Darcy is a childless widower. This makes them both begin to think about missed opportunities.
This is a book that has Lizzy and Darcy being a missed connection at Pemberley and when he arrives in Lambton she is gone. Lydia isn't recovered and ends up in the dock. Bingley doesn't return to Netherfield.
Lizzy and Darcy can't seem to make things work, he loves her but she is ruined and he can't risk Georgiana. Then he is out of the country. Then she is out of the country. And she gives up hope and settles; so he gives up hope and settles.
Lizzy is not happy or appreciated by her husband but this isn't one of those Battered Lizzy books so no triggers there. He's really just kind of a douche who is typical of the men of his era.
I noted in an earlier review that when we read these books that have Lizzy marrying someone else you know he’s not long for the world. But this book made me think that might not be the case for so long that when it happened I was gobsmacked.
There's a lot of angst in the book, most of it centered around Lizzy but she and Darcy may well get to their HEA.
One nit pick in the epilogue the author uses 'Frenemy' Frenemy is not an appropriate word for a Regency/ Victorian book. "First Known Use of frenemy 1953" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
I really enjoyed this book. But I will admit I found a portion of it hard to believe. I know what the author was trying to do and it was effective but I felt it incredible.
We begin the book more than 25 years after P&P when Mrs. Sibley (nee Bennet) meets Mr. Darcy on a train. And Lizzy isn't a widow, she'd married to a very respectable cleric. Darcy is a childless widower. This makes them both begin to think about missed opportunities.
This is a book that has Lizzy and Darcy being a missed connection at Pemberley and when he arrives in Lambton she is gone. Lydia isn't recovered and ends up in the dock. Bingley doesn't return to Netherfield.
Lizzy and Darcy can't seem to make things work, he loves her but she is ruined and he can't risk Georgiana. Then he is out of the country. Then she is out of the country. And she gives up hope and settles; so he gives up hope and settles.
Lizzy is not happy or appreciated by her husband but this isn't one of those Battered Lizzy books so no triggers there. He's really just kind of a douche who is typical of the men of his era.
I noted in an earlier review that when we read these books that have Lizzy marrying someone else you know he’s not long for the world. But this book made me think that might not be the case for so long that when it happened I was gobsmacked.
There's a lot of angst in the book, most of it centered around Lizzy but she and Darcy may well get to their HEA.
One nit pick in the epilogue the author uses 'Frenemy' Frenemy is not an appropriate word for a Regency/ Victorian book. "First Known Use of frenemy 1953" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
I really enjoyed this book. But I will admit I found a portion of it hard to believe. I know what the author was trying to do and it was effective but I felt it incredible.
January 31, 2020
An Extraordinary Novel
If not for a wet shirt.... Can love postponed be love fulfilled? This book gives us a thorough, alternative universe, exploration of a path for our dear couple that captivated this reader. Only a young reader will find the passage of time a difficulty as those of us whose lives possess that perspective will know how quickly a decade can pass. The characterizations are spot on; the plot is perfectly plausible and the historical reference is fabulous and fascinating. Highly recommended and enjoyed.
If not for a wet shirt.... Can love postponed be love fulfilled? This book gives us a thorough, alternative universe, exploration of a path for our dear couple that captivated this reader. Only a young reader will find the passage of time a difficulty as those of us whose lives possess that perspective will know how quickly a decade can pass. The characterizations are spot on; the plot is perfectly plausible and the historical reference is fabulous and fascinating. Highly recommended and enjoyed.
November 27, 2019
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Lydia not only runs away with Wickham, she also gets transported for petty theft at his orders. As a result the Bennet's are ruined and Darcy never returns to Hertfordshire. He does, however, help Elizabeth in little ways.
The Bennet girls find their lot in life and Elizabeth has married a preacher. Twenty years after they met the first time, Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves in the same circle of friends. Their relationship is sweet and caring while not overstepping Elizabeth's married life. However, her husband is very traditional and is holding her life hostage. This story brings in the topic of women's rights to property, self and children. Elizabeth's wages are not hers, she can not see her children unless her husband says so, she has no options but to do what he wants.
With love and support she is able to find her happily ever after.
The Bennet girls find their lot in life and Elizabeth has married a preacher. Twenty years after they met the first time, Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves in the same circle of friends. Their relationship is sweet and caring while not overstepping Elizabeth's married life. However, her husband is very traditional and is holding her life hostage. This story brings in the topic of women's rights to property, self and children. Elizabeth's wages are not hers, she can not see her children unless her husband says so, she has no options but to do what he wants.
With love and support she is able to find her happily ever after.
February 13, 2020
I would give this a solid 3.5. This P&P variation was very different from the many other variations I have read. This was not a tender romance where ODC overcome obstacles, fall in love and live happily ever after. There was a solid story about dealing with the sometimes harsh consequences of decisions and circumstances and the hardships of life and some of the realities of that time for women and their lack of rights and freedoms. Very thought provoking and substantive. Darcy's constant and steady friendship and support of Elizabeth was very admirable and touching.
September 10, 2019
Though the plot requires an almost 25 year delay, it doesn’t overly concentrate on their separation; actually, the author cleverly incorporates times they almost come in contact to update us on the happenings of the passing years. Their reunion is happy but not overly soppy, both are still romantics but tempered by age, experience, and their strong morals. They aren’t saints but they strive to be good. It’s realistic and true to character. There are of course some huge coincidences to push the story forward, but the author cleverly builds the background with the Sibleys and then with Lydia, and makes it feel as genuine as possible. There is a happy ending, but again the author sticks with realism and not everything is resolved perfectly which I really respected. A warm and cosy read, which moves fast and draws the reader in.
February 11, 2020
By a different way
I'm not a fan of Elizabeth and Darcy's pairings with other people, but this is an interesting "what if". Lydia's side story is engaging.
I'm not a fan of Elizabeth and Darcy's pairings with other people, but this is an interesting "what if". Lydia's side story is engaging.
June 19, 2020
Thoroughly compelling, this is an excellent read that occasionally brought tears. A well written, gripping story that takes ODC over two decades to find their HEA. The new characters were interesting and fit well into the story. I really loved it all and highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2019
I liked the entire premise of the story. It was wonderful to watch everything come together between the present and past flashbacks.
September 18, 2019
Magnificent
The best P&P variation I have read in a while. Intelligent, original, carefully researched. Truly fantastic. Thank you, M.A. Sandford.
The best P&P variation I have read in a while. Intelligent, original, carefully researched. Truly fantastic. Thank you, M.A. Sandford.
June 14, 2026
An interesting alternative
I've just finished this and I'm still absorbing it. I love the breadth of this variation. It's well-written and entertaining and truly explores possible alternatives to the original. I loved the originality. I feel the characters are mostly very true to canon. I absolutely adore the span of time explored - it shows how well thought out it is and it's done quite well. Strongly recommend, esp if you're looking for something vastly different, interesting, clever, and smart.
May have to update this further once I let this sit with me a bit longer.
I've just finished this and I'm still absorbing it. I love the breadth of this variation. It's well-written and entertaining and truly explores possible alternatives to the original. I loved the originality. I feel the characters are mostly very true to canon. I absolutely adore the span of time explored - it shows how well thought out it is and it's done quite well. Strongly recommend, esp if you're looking for something vastly different, interesting, clever, and smart.
May have to update this further once I let this sit with me a bit longer.
May 11, 2020
Good story
I enjoyed reading this story, I felt like besides being an interesting, well written story, I also learned a lot about what it was like to be a woman in the 1800s. Not easy! I enjoyed the development of relationships and the HEA. Not a traditional Darcy and Elizabeth tale but a believable one and a well written one.
I enjoyed reading this story, I felt like besides being an interesting, well written story, I also learned a lot about what it was like to be a woman in the 1800s. Not easy! I enjoyed the development of relationships and the HEA. Not a traditional Darcy and Elizabeth tale but a believable one and a well written one.
July 23, 2020
I enjoyed most of the book except toward the end. Spoiler alert: I mean really fix Pemberley and give to Geroge W's son? When they find out the cause of the fire. I could understand most of the story line but the last part after Lydia's wedding was most out of character. That said it was an interesting variation up until that part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
I am usually not one who reads and/or likes stories where our favorite couple spends decades apart - but this one was pretty decent, albeit a little predictable in some parts. I give huge points to the well researched people/places/events that were true to the time and how they were woven into the story. I really enjoyed that aspect.
April 11, 2025
Magnificent! The books shows logical and fascinating development for many of the main characters, and the plot is historically nuanced and complex. There's even a lovely amount of European tourism. Sandiford is always wonderful, and this is one of her best.
March 14, 2022
I was not expecting the book it was from the blurb, but I can see why many loved it.
February 17, 2020
4.5
Darcy’s Redemption is certainly a controversial book that some may find very interesting while others may refuse to read altogether. I found it interesting and stimulating but I admit it is an acquired taste. Readers must accept how different this book is from the majority of the Jane Austen Fan Fiction there is out there, and enjoy it for its own qualities.
In this book the characters are much older, which is a detail I’ve come to appreciate as I grow older myself. Twenty five years have passed since Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth last saw each other at Hunsford, and because they never met at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy didn’t save Lydia. Because of this, the lives of these characters were much altered and they only reunite in 1838 when society is somehow different, and other concerns are brought into the front page.
Darcy’s Redemption focuses mainly on women’s rights, or their lack of, in the 19th century, and it was really interesting to read a book that has more to it than romance. In fact, I would say that the romance is taken behind stage as the main player here is the social revolution.
I was perfectly happy with the direction the author took, but some readers may feel the romance, as well as Elizabeth and Darcy’s interactions, are lacking in this novel.
The characters will obviously have a love story and a happy ending, but their romance is not the main subject of the book.
As I mentioned before, women’s rights and struggles are the main topic of Darcy’s Redemption and the author chose Elizabeth to convey her message. In this book Elizabeth takes lead on the story and her perseverance and strength of character will certainly conquer every women who reads it.
There are a few details that I believe made this book a great read, namely the evolution of Lydia’s character, her life story and her own redemption. Wickham also surprised me towards the end of the book and I was happy to realize the author was very consistent in the message she wanted to convey.
What I enjoyed the most about Darcy’s Redemption was that it felt real because the story isn’t a fairy tale, it is based on real people with real lives and real struggles. Life isn’t always perfect and we should learn to take the most of what we get, that is what these characters did, and that is a valuable lesson that can be taken from these pages. They did not live a perfect life, and Darcy and Elizabeth didn’t build the idyllic family with an incredibly large offspring, but they did find their way to Happily Ever After, and for me that was enough.
Darcy’s Redemption is a book of second chances, that shows us that life is a journey with many crossroads and even if sometimes we take a wrong turn, there is always a chance to get back to the main road. I personally enjoyed this book and I recommend it to readers who are looking for something more than a romance novel to read.
Darcy’s Redemption is certainly a controversial book that some may find very interesting while others may refuse to read altogether. I found it interesting and stimulating but I admit it is an acquired taste. Readers must accept how different this book is from the majority of the Jane Austen Fan Fiction there is out there, and enjoy it for its own qualities.
In this book the characters are much older, which is a detail I’ve come to appreciate as I grow older myself. Twenty five years have passed since Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth last saw each other at Hunsford, and because they never met at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy didn’t save Lydia. Because of this, the lives of these characters were much altered and they only reunite in 1838 when society is somehow different, and other concerns are brought into the front page.
Darcy’s Redemption focuses mainly on women’s rights, or their lack of, in the 19th century, and it was really interesting to read a book that has more to it than romance. In fact, I would say that the romance is taken behind stage as the main player here is the social revolution.
I was perfectly happy with the direction the author took, but some readers may feel the romance, as well as Elizabeth and Darcy’s interactions, are lacking in this novel.
The characters will obviously have a love story and a happy ending, but their romance is not the main subject of the book.
As I mentioned before, women’s rights and struggles are the main topic of Darcy’s Redemption and the author chose Elizabeth to convey her message. In this book Elizabeth takes lead on the story and her perseverance and strength of character will certainly conquer every women who reads it.
There are a few details that I believe made this book a great read, namely the evolution of Lydia’s character, her life story and her own redemption. Wickham also surprised me towards the end of the book and I was happy to realize the author was very consistent in the message she wanted to convey.
What I enjoyed the most about Darcy’s Redemption was that it felt real because the story isn’t a fairy tale, it is based on real people with real lives and real struggles. Life isn’t always perfect and we should learn to take the most of what we get, that is what these characters did, and that is a valuable lesson that can be taken from these pages. They did not live a perfect life, and Darcy and Elizabeth didn’t build the idyllic family with an incredibly large offspring, but they did find their way to Happily Ever After, and for me that was enough.
Darcy’s Redemption is a book of second chances, that shows us that life is a journey with many crossroads and even if sometimes we take a wrong turn, there is always a chance to get back to the main road. I personally enjoyed this book and I recommend it to readers who are looking for something more than a romance novel to read.
October 20, 2019
Great on history. Grate as a romance!
Well written, well researched book BUT it bored me rigid! I thought I'd bought a D & E romance but what I got was a history lesson on how women were 'non person's and had absolutely no rights whatsoever. As I've already mentioned, very well researched, you couldn't fault it, especially the way the notorious Caroline Norton was brought into the story but if I'd wanted a history lesson I'd have bought a history book. ( One of my favourite CN's sayings "I do not ask for my rights. I have no rights. I have only wrongs. )
I bought the book on the strength of 7 5* reviews. One person gave it 4* and said she found it boring. I should have listened to the lone voice. What's that saying? You pay your money and you take your chance!
To sum up ... well written, no irritating Americanisms but not a P &P alternative either.
Well written, well researched book BUT it bored me rigid! I thought I'd bought a D & E romance but what I got was a history lesson on how women were 'non person's and had absolutely no rights whatsoever. As I've already mentioned, very well researched, you couldn't fault it, especially the way the notorious Caroline Norton was brought into the story but if I'd wanted a history lesson I'd have bought a history book. ( One of my favourite CN's sayings "I do not ask for my rights. I have no rights. I have only wrongs. )
I bought the book on the strength of 7 5* reviews. One person gave it 4* and said she found it boring. I should have listened to the lone voice. What's that saying? You pay your money and you take your chance!
To sum up ... well written, no irritating Americanisms but not a P &P alternative either.
November 18, 2019
If you are an avid P&P fan, who must see early on that Darcy and Elizabeth come together in a HEA marriage, this book may not be for you. That said, I found the book to be wonderfully well written and that took the tale into a different direction. Yes, Elizabeth and Darcy eventually come together, but after many years and missed opportunities have kept them apart. There are so many very good reviews posted here that give you more detailed insight into the book. I loved the book.
September 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this! A beautiful, intelligent and gripping story that kept me reading into the night. I would recommend it to anyone who loves “Pride and Prejudice” and to historical-fiction fans in general.
September 22, 2019
I really enjoyed the timeline, but only wished it would not have been 25 years so that Lizzy and Darcy could have had a child or two and more time together. Just made me feel sorry for Darcy that he didn’t have the joy of a child.
September 27, 2019
Different but well written
Very sad in way of regrets. Darcy is a wonderful, decent man who never stopped loving Elizabeth. Well worth reading.
Very sad in way of regrets. Darcy is a wonderful, decent man who never stopped loving Elizabeth. Well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews