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Elizabeth's Song: A Story of Darcy and Elizabeth
As in this author’s previous books, the characters in this book are those found in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice plus others he has introduced in previous books, however, familiarity with the previous books is not needed.
Elizabeth Bennet is assumed to be the daughter of Mr. Bennet’s older brother and his wife, who have died and her guardianship passed to Mr. Bennet when she was only two years old. Thus she was brought up with the four Bennet daughters and treated as one of the family. Her birth mother was the daughter of a baronet and the niece of an earl. Through her maternal grandparents, Elizabeth is accepted as a member of upper class society in London, but, because of her closeness to Mr. Bennet and Jane, the eldest Bennet daughter, she chose to remain living most of the time at Longbourn until coming out in London society at the age of 18. As this story begins, it is almost two years after Elizabeth’s coming out, Mr. Bennet has also passed, the estate has been entailed to Col. Stanley Bennet, a distant cousin, who, with her maternal grandfather, was named her joint guardian in Mr. Bennet’s will, and she is still living at Longbourn because of the dying request of Mr. Bennet.
As in the original Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth first meets Mr. Darcy at an assembly in Meryton, where he is immediately captivated by her. The book follows Elizabeth’s struggles as she tries to determine who she favors among several suitors, one of whom is, of course, the inimitable Mr. Darcy. There is no question she would be a suitable wife for him, but there are several others of equal status to Darcy who also find her enchanting. Along the way, she must avoid being compromised by the wicked Lord Cotsworth, one of those who want to marry her, and decide whether eventually being a duchess is worth compromising her aspiration to only marry for love.
Elizabeth Bennet is assumed to be the daughter of Mr. Bennet’s older brother and his wife, who have died and her guardianship passed to Mr. Bennet when she was only two years old. Thus she was brought up with the four Bennet daughters and treated as one of the family. Her birth mother was the daughter of a baronet and the niece of an earl. Through her maternal grandparents, Elizabeth is accepted as a member of upper class society in London, but, because of her closeness to Mr. Bennet and Jane, the eldest Bennet daughter, she chose to remain living most of the time at Longbourn until coming out in London society at the age of 18. As this story begins, it is almost two years after Elizabeth’s coming out, Mr. Bennet has also passed, the estate has been entailed to Col. Stanley Bennet, a distant cousin, who, with her maternal grandfather, was named her joint guardian in Mr. Bennet’s will, and she is still living at Longbourn because of the dying request of Mr. Bennet.
As in the original Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth first meets Mr. Darcy at an assembly in Meryton, where he is immediately captivated by her. The book follows Elizabeth’s struggles as she tries to determine who she favors among several suitors, one of whom is, of course, the inimitable Mr. Darcy. There is no question she would be a suitable wife for him, but there are several others of equal status to Darcy who also find her enchanting. Along the way, she must avoid being compromised by the wicked Lord Cotsworth, one of those who want to marry her, and decide whether eventually being a duchess is worth compromising her aspiration to only marry for love.
- GenresFiction
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2014
59 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Don H. Miller
27 books21 followersDon 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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 10, 2022
Good, but…
Reviewed in Canada on March 16, 2020
I did find this good but there were flaws. I do like unusual beginnings which are not uncommon in JAFF, and didn’t mind Elizabeth’s beginning. However, I found her portrayal to be a person a bit too self-absorbed. I would say she was too perfect, but for that very fact of being too full of herself. Too many suitors, and too much repetition in the narrative. I did enjoy the storyline.
Reviewed in Canada on March 16, 2020
I did find this good but there were flaws. I do like unusual beginnings which are not uncommon in JAFF, and didn’t mind Elizabeth’s beginning. However, I found her portrayal to be a person a bit too self-absorbed. I would say she was too perfect, but for that very fact of being too full of herself. Too many suitors, and too much repetition in the narrative. I did enjoy the storyline.
March 13, 2015
Example that shows you how ridiculously this is written.and to give you a context of Elizabeths situation in this novel.. Darcy's words to Caroline: "Miss Elizabeth’s mother was born Louise Pauling, the daughter of the Sir Walter and Lady Constance Pauling. Sir Walter is a baronet and Lady Constance is the daughter of the prior Earl of Denby. According to Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Bennet’s brother- in- law, with whom I happened to speak during the last half of the assembly, her mother’s entire dowry was willed to Miss Elizabeth upon her father’s death and she will receive an investment account, when she turns 21 or marries, that has been earning money for 17 years. He did not say how much it was, but as a wealthy baronet’s daughter, it would be a large sum. I suspect it is current value may be as much as £50,000. As the granddaughter of the baronet, she had her coming out in the ton in the Season of 1808 and will probably live with her grandparents most of the time beginning with the coming Season. I suspect she has closets full of some of the best gowns that money can buy at her grandparents’ home, but she does not bring them to Longbourn so as not to embarrass her cousins....“According to Miss Lucas, Miss Elizabeth has remained at Longbourn until this year because she likes it here, was very close to the late Mr. Bennet, and continues to be very close to her cousin Jane. Apparently Mr. Bennet, who was once an instructor at Cambridge, favored her over the other girls and gave her an education far beyond that which most women receive. Miss Elizabeth seems to be closer to Miss Bennet than to any of her other Bennet cousins and she and Miss Bennet are often together. However, now that Miss Elizabeth is out in the ton , she will be moving to town and probably spending very little time in Hertfordshire in the future. Miss Lucas believes one or two men of the ton showed much interest in Miss Elizabeth after her coming out and wished to call on her, but she has put them off because she has been so involved in the running of the estate since Mr. Bennet died. In fact, he made her mistress of Longbourn until her current guardian, Col. Bennet and his family arrived from Canada.”
February 12, 2021
To perfect for words
Lizzie is rich, has upper circle connections, is brilliant, sings like an opera diva, has no live parents.
Darcy isn’t terribly arrogant, prideful, prejudice, insulting to Lizzie.
The only real angst is to many men are falling in love with her with one of them bad, one evil, and the rest very nice men and very, very rich.
Well that’s a few what-ifs. At least it’s still in the Regency period of England history.
So what’s the plot? It’s can she dodge the bad guys and who will allow to marry her. It’s a P&P variation so not much tension there. I recommend this story if you want a nearly angst, problem free read.
Lizzie is rich, has upper circle connections, is brilliant, sings like an opera diva, has no live parents.
Darcy isn’t terribly arrogant, prideful, prejudice, insulting to Lizzie.
The only real angst is to many men are falling in love with her with one of them bad, one evil, and the rest very nice men and very, very rich.
Well that’s a few what-ifs. At least it’s still in the Regency period of England history.
So what’s the plot? It’s can she dodge the bad guys and who will allow to marry her. It’s a P&P variation so not much tension there. I recommend this story if you want a nearly angst, problem free read.
December 9, 2025
Entertaining
The prologue of the book is devoted to describing the somewhat confusing and convoluted relationship of Elizabeth to the various Bennett factions, and her family ties to members of the ton in London. Elizabeth is a cousin to the other four Bennett girls, and has important grandparents, giving her enough of a separation from the silliness of the usual Bennett behavior, and a completely separate group of friends and family in the first circles of society. Although she's orphaned at a young age, her Uncle Thomas Bennett educates her before his death far beyond what ladies usually learn.
I like this author. He's one of those who always portray Elizabeth as a superwoman, and he always uses the same accessory characters in his creations. He also always makes his characters very forthright, which is satisfying. I deducted a couple of stars for a couple of reasons. I didn't love the character of Elizabeth. She comes across frequently as a know-it-all, and her approach to courtship and romance is extremely clinical and overly analytical. Because of this the romance suffers, and I just couldn't feel the chemistry with ODC. The book needs proofreading, and the errors of punctuation are too numerous to count. However, it's an enjoyable tale, and I recommend it.
The prologue of the book is devoted to describing the somewhat confusing and convoluted relationship of Elizabeth to the various Bennett factions, and her family ties to members of the ton in London. Elizabeth is a cousin to the other four Bennett girls, and has important grandparents, giving her enough of a separation from the silliness of the usual Bennett behavior, and a completely separate group of friends and family in the first circles of society. Although she's orphaned at a young age, her Uncle Thomas Bennett educates her before his death far beyond what ladies usually learn.
I like this author. He's one of those who always portray Elizabeth as a superwoman, and he always uses the same accessory characters in his creations. He also always makes his characters very forthright, which is satisfying. I deducted a couple of stars for a couple of reasons. I didn't love the character of Elizabeth. She comes across frequently as a know-it-all, and her approach to courtship and romance is extremely clinical and overly analytical. Because of this the romance suffers, and I just couldn't feel the chemistry with ODC. The book needs proofreading, and the errors of punctuation are too numerous to count. However, it's an enjoyable tale, and I recommend it.
March 13, 2015
Let me start by saying I did enjoy this book. After reading reviews on Amazon, I started this book with low expectations and found myself wanting to see what happened. This book was extremely different than many P&P P variations. Many of the original characters had a low presence and some were completely left out. The author was very descriptive but at times the dialogue went on far too long. Elizabeth needs to be brought down a notch and made more human and a good editing of typos could make this great story.
June 30, 2017
Bymaryannon June 29, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
A very long novel that was very intriguing that showed Elizabeth's wit, impertinence, love and compassion for everyone that she encountered, willing to learn, always helpful and never wanted praise. I thought it was a very lovely story of all she was meant to be and had many admirers including Darcy.
I won't go into the storyline as not to spoil it for everyone but I did enjoy it and many didn't. I always look at the bright side of everything and Wickham wasn't the big problem nor Aunt Catherine in this novel. Many people, many titled people were included in this novel. I didn't have a hard time keeping anyone straight.
I thought the author gave may talents to Elizabeth and mostly I found them to be in other novels so the praise she got for those talents were well written into the novel, however, Elizabeth really didn't want the praise she received. I loved the way the story ended with the history of their families.
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Format: Kindle Edition
A very long novel that was very intriguing that showed Elizabeth's wit, impertinence, love and compassion for everyone that she encountered, willing to learn, always helpful and never wanted praise. I thought it was a very lovely story of all she was meant to be and had many admirers including Darcy.
I won't go into the storyline as not to spoil it for everyone but I did enjoy it and many didn't. I always look at the bright side of everything and Wickham wasn't the big problem nor Aunt Catherine in this novel. Many people, many titled people were included in this novel. I didn't have a hard time keeping anyone straight.
I thought the author gave may talents to Elizabeth and mostly I found them to be in other novels so the praise she got for those talents were well written into the novel, however, Elizabeth really didn't want the praise she received. I loved the way the story ended with the history of their families.
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Delete
February 3, 2023
I wrote a partial review earlier when I was fighting my way through the book. I finally finished it and while the story line is pretty good, I’m not sure we could ever find a paragon like this Lizzie. The book could be cut by at least 1/3. It is too wordy, too repetitive, and the conversations are unbelievably stilted and dull. This Lizzie and Darcy are nothing like Jane Austen’s pair. It also could do with a great proof reader and editor. There are too many cases of missing text and grammar/punctuation errors. With a complete reworking, this could be a very good book, but as is, I feel like the author was trying to fulfill a quota of words.
June 29, 2023
Enjoyable
Interesting variation with an involved storyline with numerous secondary characters. Sometimes a little tedious when Elizabeth went on indecision ramblings and the repetitive nature of how wonderful she was as a person. There was less focus on Darcy and low angst between the lovers.
Interesting variation with an involved storyline with numerous secondary characters. Sometimes a little tedious when Elizabeth went on indecision ramblings and the repetitive nature of how wonderful she was as a person. There was less focus on Darcy and low angst between the lovers.
October 1, 2023
Great story!
After reading several books by this author in a short period of time, this is my favorite so far. The extended family connections are now familiar even though it is easy to confuse the relationships from one book to another. My only complaint is the editing and grammatical errors that disrupt the flow of the story.
Highly recommended.
After reading several books by this author in a short period of time, this is my favorite so far. The extended family connections are now familiar even though it is easy to confuse the relationships from one book to another. My only complaint is the editing and grammatical errors that disrupt the flow of the story.
Highly recommended.
August 25, 2024
It’s a lovely book. But I felt Elizabeth dithered too long between men before suddenly deciding she was in love. Lots of historical information that made me skip through a bit because it took away from the story. But it’s a good read.
April 1, 2019
Lovely
An interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Veers rather wildly from canon but is still rather enjoyable
An interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Veers rather wildly from canon but is still rather enjoyable
September 30, 2024
I want to like it more…
I spent so much of the book frustrated by Elizabeth that it took the shine off what should be quite an engaging story.
I spent so much of the book frustrated by Elizabeth that it took the shine off what should be quite an engaging story.
April 13, 2015
Just Loved It.
This was a very good story. It did not follow the original P&P storyline. It took you through Lizzie struggle to accept who she was and what made her so different and admired. It really does not hit on the rest of the family and Wickham is out of the picture really early. Darcy isn't running away from Lizzie but running a marathon to win her hand from a long list of duke,lords and royals.. Each one more wealthier then the next and trying to protect her from a crazy Lord.
This was a very good story. It did not follow the original P&P storyline. It took you through Lizzie struggle to accept who she was and what made her so different and admired. It really does not hit on the rest of the family and Wickham is out of the picture really early. Darcy isn't running away from Lizzie but running a marathon to win her hand from a long list of duke,lords and royals.. Each one more wealthier then the next and trying to protect her from a crazy Lord.
November 7, 2016
Equal In Storyline to the Original
Nobody likes Wickham, make him a minor annoyance. He concentrates on the growth of affection between Darcy and Elizabeth with other suitors in the mix. A very enjoyable variation!
Nobody likes Wickham, make him a minor annoyance. He concentrates on the growth of affection between Darcy and Elizabeth with other suitors in the mix. A very enjoyable variation!
July 15, 2016
Stiff writing. I couldn't finish it
March 27, 2017
Extraordinarily Beautiful
I rate every book I read on my Kindle, I only review the bet or the very worst.
This is one of the best of the best.
A stand alone work that can, should, and does stand with pride next to the original Pride And Prejudice!
I rate every book I read on my Kindle, I only review the bet or the very worst.
This is one of the best of the best.
A stand alone work that can, should, and does stand with pride next to the original Pride And Prejudice!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews