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Wickham's Wife: A Back-story to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
All George Wickham has ever wanted, if he had the fortune he believes he ought to have, is to live the life of a gentleman with the woman he loves by his side, enjoying leisure, pleasure and prosperity together.
Unfortunately, he has neither the means nor the talent to support such a lifestyle, and the independent lady he has fallen in love with is sensible. She knows and loves him for what he is, not what he pretends to be. Until he has some security of his own, she will never risk hers by marrying him.
Step back inside the delightful world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and accompany Wickham along the twists and turns of his life from Cambridge, through London and Ramsgate, to the seemingly insignificant detour into Meryton.
Unfortunately, he has neither the means nor the talent to support such a lifestyle, and the independent lady he has fallen in love with is sensible. She knows and loves him for what he is, not what he pretends to be. Until he has some security of his own, she will never risk hers by marrying him.
Step back inside the delightful world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and accompany Wickham along the twists and turns of his life from Cambridge, through London and Ramsgate, to the seemingly insignificant detour into Meryton.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Hill
8 books17 followers!NEW NOVEL RELEASE!
Lydia: A Backstory to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
In her fifteen years, Lydia Bennet has drawn attention to herself everywhere she has gone.
As the youngest of five daughters Lydia has been indulged by her mother, and is now beyond restraint and determined to have her way. Her romantic imaginings of seeing the world, falling violently in love, and attending balls, parties, dinners and the theatre are her only escape from the unrelenting boredom of life in a small village.
Happily for Lydia, the Militia comes to Meryton for the Winter to supply all the glamour, uniforms and charming young men she could wish for and immediately there is one, and one only, for whom Lydia has eyes and plans. Unfortunately, her looks, youth and wit are of no consequence to him without an accompanying fortune; but unperturbed by his disinterest, Lydia weaves her way towards ensnaring the man of her dreams for her own happily-ever-after.
Author’s note: As this story involves characters and some situations that occur in both Pride and Prejudice and Wickham’s Wife, some necessary scenes have been repeated from Lydia’s perspective. I hope that rather than detracting from the overall narrative, they provide a more complex understanding of Lydia’s behaviour.
C. J. Hill is the author of eight historical novels based directly or indirectly upon Jane Austen’s delightful characters who are so familiar, but masterfully undefined enough so that every reader imagines differently how they will turn out, how they will behave, and the choices they will make beyond the novel’s final chapter. Hopefully, in these adaptations they will continue to surprise and delight their new and old readers alike.
Originally from England, C. J., lives in New Zealand. When not lost in the Regency or reading multiple books, she can be found gazing out to sea, sampling wine, or taming her garden, all the while paying close attention to the conversations going on in her head. She apologizes if at times she appears inattentive.
Get her attention through any of these sites; she'll be delighted to hear from you!
https://cjhillauthor.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CJ-Hil...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Lydia: A Backstory to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
In her fifteen years, Lydia Bennet has drawn attention to herself everywhere she has gone.
As the youngest of five daughters Lydia has been indulged by her mother, and is now beyond restraint and determined to have her way. Her romantic imaginings of seeing the world, falling violently in love, and attending balls, parties, dinners and the theatre are her only escape from the unrelenting boredom of life in a small village.
Happily for Lydia, the Militia comes to Meryton for the Winter to supply all the glamour, uniforms and charming young men she could wish for and immediately there is one, and one only, for whom Lydia has eyes and plans. Unfortunately, her looks, youth and wit are of no consequence to him without an accompanying fortune; but unperturbed by his disinterest, Lydia weaves her way towards ensnaring the man of her dreams for her own happily-ever-after.
Author’s note: As this story involves characters and some situations that occur in both Pride and Prejudice and Wickham’s Wife, some necessary scenes have been repeated from Lydia’s perspective. I hope that rather than detracting from the overall narrative, they provide a more complex understanding of Lydia’s behaviour.
C. J. Hill is the author of eight historical novels based directly or indirectly upon Jane Austen’s delightful characters who are so familiar, but masterfully undefined enough so that every reader imagines differently how they will turn out, how they will behave, and the choices they will make beyond the novel’s final chapter. Hopefully, in these adaptations they will continue to surprise and delight their new and old readers alike.
Originally from England, C. J., lives in New Zealand. When not lost in the Regency or reading multiple books, she can be found gazing out to sea, sampling wine, or taming her garden, all the while paying close attention to the conversations going on in her head. She apologizes if at times she appears inattentive.
Get her attention through any of these sites; she'll be delighted to hear from you!
https://cjhillauthor.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CJ-Hil...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 11, 2022
This was a believable explanation of why Wickham was the way he was. Handsome, charming, and often feckless. Not a bad person, but a man with terrible impulse control. Habitually convincing himself that one lucky turn of a card would solve his problems, that happiness could be found in fine clothes and fashionable friends.
Enter a woman of moderate, independent means who understands him completely. She loves him in spite of learning that she can not truly depend on him. He loves her, as well as Wickham can love anyone, and proposes frequently. But because Mrs. Younge knows him so well, she will not marry him.
I liked both George Wickham and Mrs. Younge in this back story examination of their relationship. With her, Wickham is honest, vulnerable, and unguarded. Neither are characterized as evil or greedy. No villains here. They are just humans who are often vain, weak, and lack good judgment.
FYI...Darcy and Elizabeth have minor roles but do make appearances at all the appropriate scenes.
I am not a big fan of stories about secondary characters, but Wickhams Wife provides an eye-opening compliment to the original.
Enter a woman of moderate, independent means who understands him completely. She loves him in spite of learning that she can not truly depend on him. He loves her, as well as Wickham can love anyone, and proposes frequently. But because Mrs. Younge knows him so well, she will not marry him.
I liked both George Wickham and Mrs. Younge in this back story examination of their relationship. With her, Wickham is honest, vulnerable, and unguarded. Neither are characterized as evil or greedy. No villains here. They are just humans who are often vain, weak, and lack good judgment.
FYI...Darcy and Elizabeth have minor roles but do make appearances at all the appropriate scenes.
I am not a big fan of stories about secondary characters, but Wickhams Wife provides an eye-opening compliment to the original.
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August 12, 2017George Wickham: elegant, charming, mysterious. Who is he and what has he been doing since he left Pemberley with his three thousand pounds? Clearly, he has had an interesting past by the time he appears on the street in Meryton, but in order to discover it we have to make the acquaintance of someone who has lived that life with him - his wife!
May 19, 2024
The author tried very hard to whitewash Wickham and Mrs. Young. This came at the cost of turning Georgiana into a flighty and frivolous girl (Lydia No. 2), who blames the innocent Wickham for her own naivety. Wickham is not a scoundrel - he just has poor impulse control. Mrs. Young is not mean either - she is too much in love and therefore gullible. Not convincing.
May 6, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. It is another triumph for C.J. Hill after Prudence and Practicality. This book breathes life into the minor character of Julia Younge and enriches readers' understanding and appreciation of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Every chapter is a delight and the novel makes you view characters and events in ways you could never have imagined. A must-read for all Austen fans!
October 17, 2014
I loved her take on Wickham's backstory, she made him a much more sympathetic character while still a very flawed one. His love interest stole the story, and I wished I could have followed her into her new life. I had a little trouble believing the ending, despite knowing how it had to end.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews