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Kitty Bennet's Midsummer
Having been partners in folly with her sister Lydia all her life, Kitty Bennet finds herself at a loss when Lydia elopes and Kitty is left to endure the new strictures of their father. Longbourn seems unbearably quiet with only her pious sister Mary for company. Kitty longs for any foolish adventure, but her father's sternness insists on another dull summer at home.
Kitty solaces herself with long rambles in the woods and reveries of fairies. When a simple gift seems to transform the forest into a place of magic, Kitty begins to question her sanity. The arrival of a cloaked foreigner, Bren, makes Kitty’s summer even stranger. Bren’s tales of the Fae realm seem a little too detailed to be mere stories—and yet, how can Kitty believe that such things exist?
When Kitty embraces the magic enough to make a reckless wish, the consequences prove her foolishness and endanger her family. Now she must hasten to reckon with the fateful magic. Kitty must find her own sort of wisdom to aid Bren, help her family, and stand tall in her own life.
Can one summer transform a foolish, petulant girl into a young woman of heart? All it takes is a little magic.
This coming of age novella is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and features Kitty Bennet. It includes romance, fantasy elements, and some mild LGBTQIA+ content.
Kitty solaces herself with long rambles in the woods and reveries of fairies. When a simple gift seems to transform the forest into a place of magic, Kitty begins to question her sanity. The arrival of a cloaked foreigner, Bren, makes Kitty’s summer even stranger. Bren’s tales of the Fae realm seem a little too detailed to be mere stories—and yet, how can Kitty believe that such things exist?
When Kitty embraces the magic enough to make a reckless wish, the consequences prove her foolishness and endanger her family. Now she must hasten to reckon with the fateful magic. Kitty must find her own sort of wisdom to aid Bren, help her family, and stand tall in her own life.
Can one summer transform a foolish, petulant girl into a young woman of heart? All it takes is a little magic.
This coming of age novella is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and features Kitty Bennet. It includes romance, fantasy elements, and some mild LGBTQIA+ content.
183 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2023
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About the author
Elizabeth Rasche
6 books20 followersElizabeth Rasche loves Jane Austen, Maria Edgeworth, and the Regency era. Her dream is to visit England and Ireland and see the places she's read about with her own eyes. Her background is in philosophy, and she lives in the United States with her husband and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 5, 2023
Faeries, come, take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame!
~ William Butler Yeats
This is a great little story of Kitty Bennet — left behind, left out, left, left, left!
“Three daughters married” is a song of joy for Mama Bennet but it foretells a summer of blandness for Kitty. Her father has invoked severe strictures on Kitty since he had not given any stricture to Lydia. Kitty’s only recreation is a walk in the woods. Her only friend is a … but I will leave that for you to read.
How unfair of me to use more lines in the quotes than those I have written, but I could not possibly tell the story better than Yeats. Just pick this one up when you want some lightness and joy.
[She] followed, half awake and half asleep,
Until she came into the land of faery,
Where nobody gets old and godly and grave,
Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise,
Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue;
And she is still there, busied with a dance,
Deep in the dewy shadow of a wood,
Or where stars walk upon a mountain-top.
~ William Butler Yeats
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame!
~ William Butler Yeats
This is a great little story of Kitty Bennet — left behind, left out, left, left, left!
“Three daughters married” is a song of joy for Mama Bennet but it foretells a summer of blandness for Kitty. Her father has invoked severe strictures on Kitty since he had not given any stricture to Lydia. Kitty’s only recreation is a walk in the woods. Her only friend is a … but I will leave that for you to read.
How unfair of me to use more lines in the quotes than those I have written, but I could not possibly tell the story better than Yeats. Just pick this one up when you want some lightness and joy.
[She] followed, half awake and half asleep,
Until she came into the land of faery,
Where nobody gets old and godly and grave,
Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise,
Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue;
And she is still there, busied with a dance,
Deep in the dewy shadow of a wood,
Or where stars walk upon a mountain-top.
~ William Butler Yeats
May 13, 2023
My Rating: 3.5* rounded up to 4*
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind” (quote from Midsummer’s Night Dream-Shakespeare)
Disgruntled, discontent and dreary, Kitty Bennet must endure a summer at home after the elopement of her sister, Lydia. With only her imagination and the occasional company of Mary, Kitty wanders the paths around Longbourn…one in particular has captured her attention. But Mary is not really interested in Kitty’s ponderings as she finds them childish. However, even Kitty is soon questioning her own sanity when she starts hearing and seeing things no one else can.
“She could not give up the mystery she had come across, nor the soothing and titillating sensations of a wood seemingly infested with magic.”
This was a sweet and magical, coming of age story about Kitty Bennet. One that has her learning more about herself, her family, and the true meaning of love. If I had any quibble, it was the spelling of Longbourn/Longbourne used throughout. Hopefully in the Kindle version it can be corrected. I bought the paperback as it is an enchanting cover that beautifully conveys the story within.
I do recommend this magical novella.
October 15, 2024
A thoughtful and well constructed fantasy novella - 4.25*
Kitty Bennet! Come on down!
The 3 marriages we read abut in the original have taken place leaving just Kitty and Mary at home for the summer. Kitty is bored and resorts t the outdoors for entertainment a la Lizzy; and what amazing entertainment she finds.
On the surface this seems to be a light and easy read but there is such depth and tenderness in the developing relationships between characters as well as the development in self awareness for Kitty and Mary. I loved the growing relationship between Kitty and Mary which was expressed beautifully.
Kitty Bennet! Come on down!
The 3 marriages we read abut in the original have taken place leaving just Kitty and Mary at home for the summer. Kitty is bored and resorts t the outdoors for entertainment a la Lizzy; and what amazing entertainment she finds.
On the surface this seems to be a light and easy read but there is such depth and tenderness in the developing relationships between characters as well as the development in self awareness for Kitty and Mary. I loved the growing relationship between Kitty and Mary which was expressed beautifully.
November 15, 2024
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Kitty is bored, not allowed to visit her sisters Kitty finally finds a friend near Longbourn. But what will be the consequences of this friendship not just for Kitty but for Mary as well.
A delightful story
A delightful story
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews