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A More Prosperous Trial of the State
Several months after the wedding of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy thwarted her ambitions, Caroline Bingley is introduced to Mr Rushworth, a man with a noble estate and an even larger income. Despite his fortune and fine houses, however, Mr Rushworth turns out to be somewhat dull and under the influence of his mother, and he is divorced. A number of other new acquaintances and potential suitors come into Caroline's life in the year that follows, as she learns a few lessons about her own shortcomings and what is truly important in the life of a Regency lady. This novel, reflecting the times of Jane Austen as closely as possible, is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and to Mansfield Park, and brings together many characters beloved and not so beloved in both novels.
712 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2007
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About the author
Victoria
474 books24 followersNata nel 1982 a Pola, in Croazia. Vive in Italia da molti anni.
I generi di cui scrive sono un misto di New Adult, Contemporary Romance ed Erotic Romance.
“Balla con (per) me”, disponibile in eBook per Narcissus Self Publishing, è il suo primo libro e fa parte della Trilogia West.
"Gioca con (per) me! (West trilogia 1.5)
“Una calda estate” la storia di Liv (West Trilogia 2)
“Bianco e Nero” la storia di Jessica (West Trilogia 3)
"La partenza"(novella #1) serie The Black Falcon
"La corsa" (novella #2) serie The Black Falcon
Le prossime uscite:
"La fermata" (novella #3) serie The Black Falcon
“King of Diamond” (Erotic Romance)
“La vita è un inferno e una favola” (New Adult/Contemporary Romance), basato sulla vita vera dell’autrice
I generi di cui scrive sono un misto di New Adult, Contemporary Romance ed Erotic Romance.
“Balla con (per) me”, disponibile in eBook per Narcissus Self Publishing, è il suo primo libro e fa parte della Trilogia West.
"Gioca con (per) me! (West trilogia 1.5)
“Una calda estate” la storia di Liv (West Trilogia 2)
“Bianco e Nero” la storia di Jessica (West Trilogia 3)
"La partenza"(novella #1) serie The Black Falcon
"La corsa" (novella #2) serie The Black Falcon
Le prossime uscite:
"La fermata" (novella #3) serie The Black Falcon
“King of Diamond” (Erotic Romance)
“La vita è un inferno e una favola” (New Adult/Contemporary Romance), basato sulla vita vera dell’autrice
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 6, 2019
Of course I'm ambitious. What's wrong with that? Otherwise you sleep all day. ~ Ringo Starr
Well – who is the most ambitious girl in Pride & Prejudice? That’s right: Caroline Bingley, of course.
“A More Prosperous Trial of State” begins with an oh-so-very disappointed Miss Bingley. Her brother has married against her wishes. And even worse, the man her imagination had destined for her has married very much against her wishes. Her life plan will have to adjust.
A visit to the theatre results in Miss Bingley’s introduction to another oh-so-very disappointed person: Mr. James Rushworth, the now-divorced man who had been cuckolded by Henry Crawford.
Occasionally ask, "What is the connection between what I want most in life and anything I plan to do today?" ~ Robert Brault
Once-bitten, twice-shy Rushworth and his mother begin to spend time with the Bingleys and Hursts, agreeing to an extended visit to Netherfield Park where they meet the newly-married Darcys. All the Netherfield party is invited to Sotherland where they will eventually interact with the Bertrams.
The story is very long and complex. Caroline admires several gentlemen including Tom Bertram (who Bingley rules out as a suitor) and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
We meet again with Maria Rushworth (who now calls herself Mrs. Ward even though there never was a Mr. Ward) and her Aunt Norris. Mary Crawford plays an important role. Henry Crawford influences George Wickham, much to that man’s detriment. We have a very different ending for George and Lydia Wickham.
We are privy to the internal thoughts of almost every character we meet: Edmund Bertram notices the similarities between Elizabeth Darcy and his former love interest Mary Crawford. So does Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The story is well-written and proofread. Apparently at this time, it is still available as a paperback at Lulu. It is also on-line as a PDF at The Pemberley Library.
I am the last person to be a Caroline Bingley fan but this long, involved story kept my attention to the end. I recommend it.
You can't go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending. ~ James R. Sherman
Well – who is the most ambitious girl in Pride & Prejudice? That’s right: Caroline Bingley, of course.
“A More Prosperous Trial of State” begins with an oh-so-very disappointed Miss Bingley. Her brother has married against her wishes. And even worse, the man her imagination had destined for her has married very much against her wishes. Her life plan will have to adjust.
A visit to the theatre results in Miss Bingley’s introduction to another oh-so-very disappointed person: Mr. James Rushworth, the now-divorced man who had been cuckolded by Henry Crawford.
Occasionally ask, "What is the connection between what I want most in life and anything I plan to do today?" ~ Robert Brault
Once-bitten, twice-shy Rushworth and his mother begin to spend time with the Bingleys and Hursts, agreeing to an extended visit to Netherfield Park where they meet the newly-married Darcys. All the Netherfield party is invited to Sotherland where they will eventually interact with the Bertrams.
The story is very long and complex. Caroline admires several gentlemen including Tom Bertram (who Bingley rules out as a suitor) and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
We meet again with Maria Rushworth (who now calls herself Mrs. Ward even though there never was a Mr. Ward) and her Aunt Norris. Mary Crawford plays an important role. Henry Crawford influences George Wickham, much to that man’s detriment. We have a very different ending for George and Lydia Wickham.
We are privy to the internal thoughts of almost every character we meet: Edmund Bertram notices the similarities between Elizabeth Darcy and his former love interest Mary Crawford. So does Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The story is well-written and proofread. Apparently at this time, it is still available as a paperback at Lulu. It is also on-line as a PDF at The Pemberley Library.
I am the last person to be a Caroline Bingley fan but this long, involved story kept my attention to the end. I recommend it.
You can't go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending. ~ James R. Sherman
April 14, 2015
One of the best Austen fanfics I've ever read, and one I keep going back to time and time again.
June 10, 2023
Whew! This fanfiction tested me.
A Pride and Prejudice sequel that starts out focusing on Caroline Bingley, this story ends up broadening its gaze and taking on the future fates of not only the P&P crew, but also the cast of Mansfield Park. I have no idea what the word count is, but I'd be shocked if it isn't 100k minimum. Truly a legendary longfic.
I'm someone who has said before that I would read an infinite amount of P&P retellings, and this fic said "challenge accepted." Not going to lie, it did weary me a little bit.
HOWEVER. On the whole? Highly enjoyable.
It doesn't suddenly turn Miss Bingley into someone self-aware, thoughtful and selfless. She remains true to her character, only marginally and realistically inching her way towards a deeper understanding. The other book's characters were mixed in thoroughly, with a very interesting "Henry Crawford meets Wickham" subplot that I was very much hooked by.
There's plenty of Elizabeth and Darcy to go around as well, which I do enjoy in sequel fics. I would raise the issue here that, while not fully NC-17 vulgar romance novel level, this story does include quite a lot of lovemaking. It's described in terms fuzzy enough to walk the border between tasteful and explicit, but so much of Elizabeth and Darcy's existence in this fic is wholly centered around how much sex they are having. It got to be a little bit repetitive and boring. There's surely MORE to their growing relationship as husband and wife than that?
This story gave me pretty much what I want from P&P sequel fics. I could wish for a little more depth, a little less sex, etc... but in general it was an unobjectionable and satisfying read.
A Pride and Prejudice sequel that starts out focusing on Caroline Bingley, this story ends up broadening its gaze and taking on the future fates of not only the P&P crew, but also the cast of Mansfield Park. I have no idea what the word count is, but I'd be shocked if it isn't 100k minimum. Truly a legendary longfic.
I'm someone who has said before that I would read an infinite amount of P&P retellings, and this fic said "challenge accepted." Not going to lie, it did weary me a little bit.
HOWEVER. On the whole? Highly enjoyable.
It doesn't suddenly turn Miss Bingley into someone self-aware, thoughtful and selfless. She remains true to her character, only marginally and realistically inching her way towards a deeper understanding. The other book's characters were mixed in thoroughly, with a very interesting "Henry Crawford meets Wickham" subplot that I was very much hooked by.
There's plenty of Elizabeth and Darcy to go around as well, which I do enjoy in sequel fics. I would raise the issue here that, while not fully NC-17 vulgar romance novel level, this story does include quite a lot of lovemaking. It's described in terms fuzzy enough to walk the border between tasteful and explicit, but so much of Elizabeth and Darcy's existence in this fic is wholly centered around how much sex they are having. It got to be a little bit repetitive and boring. There's surely MORE to their growing relationship as husband and wife than that?
This story gave me pretty much what I want from P&P sequel fics. I could wish for a little more depth, a little less sex, etc... but in general it was an unobjectionable and satisfying read.
April 28, 2020
A well-written fic, but beware: this book may be frustrating if you agree with Austen that Lizzy and Darcy were both equally at fault for their misunderstanding in Pride and Prejudice. In this novel Lizzy is entirely at fault in every possible way and Darcy is a poor misunderstood Nice Guy whose main issue was conceit - over his own copious virtues!!!!
It's frustrating that this embarrassingly proto-incel interpretation of Lizzy and Darcy's struggles has worked its loathsome way into so many good stories, including ones like this that aren’t even particularly about them.
It's frustrating that this embarrassingly proto-incel interpretation of Lizzy and Darcy's struggles has worked its loathsome way into so many good stories, including ones like this that aren’t even particularly about them.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews