Agony and Hope in Austen Variations

Jun 11, 2021 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

I read the first 4 chapters of this story on a blog and at the end of the first chapter we read "Elizabeth Bennet is dead." Well, you must know that grabbed my attention. Now I was determined to not only follow whatever the author posted on the blog but also to somehow get the story when it was published. I was honored to received an ARC. This review is freely given and is all my own opinions.

The Darcy of whom we first read is barely existing believing E. is dead. Georgiana has recently happily I read the first 4 chapters of this story on a blog and at the end of the first chapter we read "Elizabeth Bennet is dead." Well, you must know that grabbed my attention. Now I was determined to not only follow whatever the author posted on the blog but also to somehow get the story when it was published. I was honored to received an ARC. This review is freely given and is all my own opinions.

The Darcy of whom we first read is barely existing believing E. is dead. Georgiana has recently happily married and thus with responsibility for her now on her husband's shoulders, Darcy does what he has to in taking care of his properties, etc., but withdraws from society and drinks himself to sleep nightly...in dreams he has Elizabeth by his side. (Tear jerking moments here!)

We read of a Lord Matlock who is the worst of the ton. He has long had a mistress, has pressured his oldest son into an unfortunate marriage (with dire results) and now pressures his second son and his nephew to marry women who would promote Matlock's political ambitions.

Lady Catherine is a ray of sunshine throughout the story. Anne has died but rather than sink into gloom and withdraw, Lady C. looks about and perceives what would best suit her nephew (and others). I did like this change in her character.

We are two years past Lydia's elopement...which led to Mr. Bennet's death and the expulsion of Mrs. Bennet and her remaining daughters from Longbourn. Jane & Elizabeth go to live with the Gardiners. However an overheard conversation between that couple lead them to disappear. As no trace is found of them they are soon reported to have died.

However, ***SPOILER*** they have relocated into St. Giles, a dangerous and dirty section of London. Fortunately a neighboring couple befriend them and the man gives them some protection from predators who abound around them. Unfortunately Elizabeth becomes deathly ill and as they have no money Jane cannot afford any medical help. Her solution to finding aid is a turning point in this story.

I won't give more details here. However this Elizabeth is extremely stubborn. She only sees things from her viewpoint and it is dark. With Lydia's disgrace the Bennets have lost any standing in society and on top of that is the move she and Jane made to earn a living. No decent man would consider a connection with either sister.

Georgiana and Richard (as well as Lady C.) are forces who can perceive what both Darcy and Elizabeth feel. They apply their own ways of persuasion. At the same time Darcy stands firm in his actions and desires. He is further helped by his housekeeper in London. Bless her heart!

This was an excellent story which I highly recommend. ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2021 wosedwew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021, 2025, owned-books

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle, speaking for Sherlock Holmes

“Agony and Hope” is the best JAFF I have ever read that I think would never have happened!

Yes, I know these are fictional characters and an author can make them behave as he/she chooses but some fictional characters are so firmly fixed in my mind that I have trouble accepting certain behaviors from them.

Thus, in this book, Elizabeth’s action in tak ...more

18 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2021 Browntigerdog's Papermoon rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A depressing start to this story had me intrigued!! Elizabeth dead!! Be still my heart! Obviously not true or there would be no story:) As you walk with Darcy through the depths of his grief after two years, it was heartbreaking. But it was thrilling when a disheveled Jane knocked on his door to inform him his lady love was alive!

This Lizzy has no similarity to the fastidious, particular Elizabeth Bennet that I know! She would never lower herself to live in the squalor of St Giles infested with ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 26, 2021 Barb marked it as will-not-finish

Shelves: books-i-own-audio, audible-jaff

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. In this story, Elizabeth and Jane have disappeared and the family is told they died. They choose to live in squalor rather than be a burden to their families. After Lydia runs off with Wickham he abandons her. Lady Catherine takes her on as a companion after Darcy finds her scarred mentally and physically, and she insists no one tell her family where she is. This makes for an angsty story, but one that I couldn’t finish.

When I was 17 years old my 21 year old brother died. My family suffered such In this story, Elizabeth and Jane have disappeared and the family is told they died. They choose to live in squalor rather than be a burden to their families. After Lydia runs off with Wickham he abandons her. Lady Catherine takes her on as a companion after Darcy finds her scarred mentally and physically, and she insists no one tell her family where she is. This makes for an angsty story, but one that I couldn’t finish.

When I was 17 years old my 21 year old brother died. My family suffered such profound devastation at his loss. My father couldn’t speak of it, and my mother couldn’t speak of anything else - for years. We were numb, angry, lost, and so, so sad. What would I have thought if he came back a couple of years later and explained he had faked his death because he didn’t want to be a burden on us? Would I have ever begun to forgive him for all we suffered? In this book, only Lady Catherine in passing mentions the grief everyone suffered. Elizabeth and Jane are oblivious to it.

I tried so hard to get past this, because I love this author and everything she has written. I am sure many readers can take this leap of faith. But I can’t forgive the selfishness of Elizabeth and Jane. And, Lydia. Family not knowing where she is and if she is in pain. How dare these three girls dismiss the rights of family and friends to support those they love, or at least have some say? How dare they put so many people through such grief? Did they really think they would be forgotten and people would go on with their lives as if nothing happened?

And, then, Elizabeth cannot even recognize the two years Darcy spent grieving her, living a hollow life, coming to a decision to never marry because of his love for her. She makes everything difficult for him when he rejoices she is alive and wants to give her the world. She questions if he will regret marrying her after how far she has fallen, while not even listening to the pain he has already been through thinking her dead. How heartless.

I can’t even… ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2021 Michelle David rated it it was amazing

Well named

This story was well named. We begin in deep agony with a grieving Darcy and a family in mourning and disgrace after Lydia’s scandal. But then we find a glimmer of hope for a happy ending. A dark and lovely story

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2021 M rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2021 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

I was completely intrigued by the chapter excerpts shared by the author on the Austen Variations blog and had to purchase this book as soon as it was available to find out what happened next. Darcy's agony is incredibly powerful as he grieves what might have been. His yearning for Elizabeth is palpable. The author does a great job describing Darcy's pain; in fact, those chapters are perhaps the very best in the book, as odd as that may sound. I'm not typically one to enjoy too much angst in a st ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2021 Martha rated it it was amazing

Agony and Hope

An intriguing story and enjoyable read.I liked many things about this story, but this version of Lady Catherine was a real treat! I thought Lizzy’s hesitancy went on a bit too long, but that is my only complaint. Otherwise, I will recommend with enthusiasm.

Like · see review

Jan 21, 2022 Kimbelle Pease rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff-read, 2022-jaff-challenge

What a great story, and while dealing with horrible truths, the love of a man so great as written within will warm even the most reticent of Elizabeth's. A great read, and I am glad that it was the one selected as my Jolabokaflod gift, for though it does not involve the holidays, it gives the same warm and comfort of the season. ...more

Like · see review