Mistakes and Misunderstandings: A Tale of Darcy and Elizabeth

by Don H. Miller

This book is a story of the characters found in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, plus several that have been added in previous books by the author. It assumes that Darcy first meets Elizabeth Bennet when she has just turned 17. He does her a big favor and she considers him the kind of brother that she wished that she had. When they meet again two years later, their opinions of each other undergo quite a change, but Darcy cannot consider her because of her low status and lack of wealth. Over the ensuing months they continue to have chance encounters and each time he must fight his attraction to her, and she must fight her attraction to him because of his obvious avoidance of her. Then Darcy’s uncle gives him a revelation that changes his attitude toward Elizabeth’s suitability as a wife. Unfortunately for him, he must then deal with his previous mistakes in his relationship with her and with the fact that there are others of his status whom she likes and who are interested in her hand.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2013

About the author

Don H. Miller was born and grew up in Iowa, went to the University of North Carolina where he received a degree in Mathematics, spent three years as a U.S. Navy officer, got a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Chicago, spent three years as a college professor, and then spent the rest of his working career as a research scientist working in various fields including naval operations research, environmental impact analysis, and command, control and communications technology. He is now retired, enjoys golfing, pickleball, and writing, and is the art director of the monthly newsletter of the community in which he now lives. He has written twenty-five novels in the genre of Jane Austen fan fiction.

Reviews

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad with her family life, Lizzie leaves and finds a new family

Lizzie meets a new friend whose family is part of the ton. She decides to leave Longbourn to get away from her mother and is invited to live with her friends family.

Lots of getting used to the ton and lots of having to deal with wealthy men pay court to her.

An interesting story, not terribly romantic but a fun read for the most part. I recommend this book.

[lori huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

Darcy's relatives, Samuel and Mary Darcy, live at Netherfield Park. When Elizabeth is seventeen, Darcy visits them and attends the local assembly, which is Elizabeth's coming out. Although he's just met her, he gallantly makes it a special night for her, and Elizabeth always remembers his kindness. When they meet years later in London, Elizabeth is confused when Darcy acts aloof and indifferent. However, Elizabeth becomes close to Georgiana, as well as many other people that are highly placed in society. Darcy, as usual, fights his strong attraction to Elizabeth, while she feels strongly for him but knows that she's too low in society.

I like this author. Elizabeth is always a bit of a superwoman in his books, and he uses the same accessory characters so they become like old friends. Another theme in all of his books is that Elizabeth is so smart and admired that Mrs Bennett, being jealous of Mr Bennett's attention to Elizabeth, hates her to the point of driving Elizabeth away to live with others, which always results in more and better connections in high society for Elizabeth.

I deducted stars because the romance is a bit too clinical for me, there being so much emphasis on social standing, and how Elizabeth cultivating friendships with higher society people instantly erases her low born stigma and makes her acceptable to Darcy. Also, although the book is written well enough, the punctuation errors are everywhere. I recommend the book for a satisfying and interesting tale.

[colleen churm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistakes and Misunderstanding

Another interesting story by Don Miller. He has his own, unique writing style and has written several different variations of Pride and Prejudice. This one began with Lizzie meeting Darcy at seventeen, and he was kind enough to dance with her at her Coming Out ball. Over the next several years they met again and Darcy would show his attraction, then shut down, till Lizzie turned him off, in a way! So now he had to win her heart when she was pursued by interesting also wealthy men! I enjoy that MR. Miller uses the same characters in his stories! Makes it great fun. A good read for sure!

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the writing style to be lacking the Austen experience and the story was frustrating. The few times Elizabeth meets Darcy from 17-19 make her fall in love with him as the ideal man but as soon as he reciprocates her love, there is another suitor she likes just as much and now doubts the strength of Darcys affections.

[Anne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to put Darcy through the ringer

This book really hold Darcy accountable. Elizabeth doesn’t let him off the hook for anything in this story. She not only hold him accountable but also others who are vying for her attentions. I really loved it.

[Michelle David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely

An interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Veers rather differently from the usual storyline but enjoyable

[Walter W. Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Have read mr. Miller's other books , all at least twice. Keep coming back to them Eagerly awaiting his next endeavour.

[Mona Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a while, but it's worth it.

I don't read sweet, but this story is sweet, and I loved it. Like any variation, it was better after Mrs B. Was disposed of.