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A Rational Man: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Alas! Mr. Bingley broke his leg just as he was about to travel to Netherfield to sign the lease papers; but surely his good friend Mr. Darcy would be willing to journey to Netherfield to take care of these tiresome legalities. Would he not?
Reluctantly, Mr. Darcy agrees. Unfortunately, he is forced to travel without his trusted valet, Franklin, whose sick mother requires his presence in Derbyshire. Rather than accept a substitute valet, Mr. Darcy elects to travel alone and enjoy some rare moments of solitude.
A gentleman cannot get into fashionable clothing without assistance, so Mr. Darcy packs far simpler attire than is usual for a gentleman of his standing. As a result, Mr. Darcy is mistaken by Netherfield’s servants for Mr. Bingley’s man of business. Outraged, Mr. Darcy opens his mouth to explain who he really is, but then realises that this is a rare opportunity indeed, for as a simple man of business, he can spend some time in the country without being sought after by every female in the county.
Mr. Darcy enjoys his unexpected holiday in Meryton and his newly formed friendship with fellow bibliophile Mr. Bennet. He cannot remain on holiday for long, as Mr. Darcy has decided that this is the year he will wed one of the Season’s diamonds. A rational man, Mr. Darcy will choose a bride based on dowries and connections. No other merits are required, and affection is not a consideration; after all, children may be governed by emotion, but rational men have the ability to put such useless nonsense aside.
And then…Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet. He is thrown into utter confusion; he is most powerfully attracted to her, but he knows full well that this is not rational. His entire lifetime has been a testament to his ability to remain rational, and he will not allow himself to succumb to this completely inappropriate attraction.
Poor confused Mr. Darcy! Will sensibility win out over sense? Can love triumph over such a deep commitment to reason? Read and find out!
Reluctantly, Mr. Darcy agrees. Unfortunately, he is forced to travel without his trusted valet, Franklin, whose sick mother requires his presence in Derbyshire. Rather than accept a substitute valet, Mr. Darcy elects to travel alone and enjoy some rare moments of solitude.
A gentleman cannot get into fashionable clothing without assistance, so Mr. Darcy packs far simpler attire than is usual for a gentleman of his standing. As a result, Mr. Darcy is mistaken by Netherfield’s servants for Mr. Bingley’s man of business. Outraged, Mr. Darcy opens his mouth to explain who he really is, but then realises that this is a rare opportunity indeed, for as a simple man of business, he can spend some time in the country without being sought after by every female in the county.
Mr. Darcy enjoys his unexpected holiday in Meryton and his newly formed friendship with fellow bibliophile Mr. Bennet. He cannot remain on holiday for long, as Mr. Darcy has decided that this is the year he will wed one of the Season’s diamonds. A rational man, Mr. Darcy will choose a bride based on dowries and connections. No other merits are required, and affection is not a consideration; after all, children may be governed by emotion, but rational men have the ability to put such useless nonsense aside.
And then…Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet. He is thrown into utter confusion; he is most powerfully attracted to her, but he knows full well that this is not rational. His entire lifetime has been a testament to his ability to remain rational, and he will not allow himself to succumb to this completely inappropriate attraction.
Poor confused Mr. Darcy! Will sensibility win out over sense? Can love triumph over such a deep commitment to reason? Read and find out!
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 23, 2025
A rational man doesn’t mean a happy one
Darcy is a rational man so he knows he can’t marry a pence less wife. He needs one with a large dowry to replace Georgiana’s dowry. This is the way of the aristocracy. Of course there is an HEA but one wonders if true love shall be a contributing factor to the end of the aristocracy. When a man in trade can be filthy rich and farms begin to not keep up with inflation, what is a rich man do?
Darcy is a rational man so he knows he can’t marry a pence less wife. He needs one with a large dowry to replace Georgiana’s dowry. This is the way of the aristocracy. Of course there is an HEA but one wonders if true love shall be a contributing factor to the end of the aristocracy. When a man in trade can be filthy rich and farms begin to not keep up with inflation, what is a rich man do?
October 7, 2025
Tedious
2.75 stars
This is not one of Ms Wallace’s better works. In trying to illustrate Darcy’s character, Ms Wallace must have pored over her Bartlett’s Quotations and inserted every quote she could find about rationality. The quotations do very little to make Darcy sound learned, but they do suggest that the author wanted to show off her access to philosophers’ works.
There is precious little romance in this tale.
2.75 stars
This is not one of Ms Wallace’s better works. In trying to illustrate Darcy’s character, Ms Wallace must have pored over her Bartlett’s Quotations and inserted every quote she could find about rationality. The quotations do very little to make Darcy sound learned, but they do suggest that the author wanted to show off her access to philosophers’ works.
There is precious little romance in this tale.
November 4, 2025
It had a great start, but after the first third it fizzled quickly. Lots of separation for ODC. Lacked focus as the plot seemed to wander aimlessly, such as when it started focusing on Richard’s brother.
April 18, 2026
Highly recommended!
A really enjoyable variation that maintains the original characters' traits and follows the timeline, but changes some circumstances to create an engaging story.
A really enjoyable variation that maintains the original characters' traits and follows the timeline, but changes some circumstances to create an engaging story.
March 23, 2026
I have to admit, I didn't really like the writing here. It felt very juvenile and unpolished and it kept me from really getting into the story.
I also found the obstacle for the relationship to work pretty thin and could not understand how Darcy kept being this stubborn.
I also found the obstacle for the relationship to work pretty thin and could not understand how Darcy kept being this stubborn.
March 19, 2026
This book has kind of a fun set up as Mr. Darcy is mistaken for a man of business at Netherfield so there is no thinking of his 10,000 a year. He can come and go as he pleases. I loved that Mary thrived with Collins as she got out from her mother's disparagement. I loved that Bingley stood up to Caroline but I didn't feel like he was very strong. He only did it because push came to shove. Give me a fully backboned Bingley anytime. It felt like it took Darcy forever to stop being a fool.
Honestly I listened to this audiobook a few books ago, I jotted down notes at the time but didn't write anything about Elizabeth. It has only been a few days since I read it. I can't even remember what she was like. I guess I was indifferent to her.
It was a virtual voice narration so it was not impressive.
Honestly I listened to this audiobook a few books ago, I jotted down notes at the time but didn't write anything about Elizabeth. It has only been a few days since I read it. I can't even remember what she was like. I guess I was indifferent to her.
It was a virtual voice narration so it was not impressive.
November 27, 2025
This was more focused on Darcy. I liked how Caroline was handled. It was a situation where the new husband has to prove his new wife is his priority and not his birth family. And I love that because I think a new husband should make it clear his wife is his new priority and focus. Darcy was rational. Blah. Boo. I still like how this played out compared to canon. He doesn't lurk on the edge of rooms thinking Elizabeth secretly loves him. They actually have a friendship. Because he friendzones her. That's the Blah. Also Mr. Bennet is less indolent. He immediately tells Elizabeth that Darcy is not husband material for her.
December 11, 2025
Very Interesting Storyline
It does seem strange that someone who would accept 'inferior' accommodations to maintain anonymity, consider it rational to tell another that he couldn't consider her a suitable mate, while noting the love between his parents as a correct standard, would still espouse it to be rational to find a rich and pretty but disinterested mate to be above a(n irrational) love match.
This rational person would then need to have it spelled out that it was MORE rational to spend one's life with someone they truly loved.
A few editing errors, but very good otherwise.
It does seem strange that someone who would accept 'inferior' accommodations to maintain anonymity, consider it rational to tell another that he couldn't consider her a suitable mate, while noting the love between his parents as a correct standard, would still espouse it to be rational to find a rich and pretty but disinterested mate to be above a(n irrational) love match.
This rational person would then need to have it spelled out that it was MORE rational to spend one's life with someone they truly loved.
A few editing errors, but very good otherwise.
November 16, 2025
I was surprised out of my tiny little mind that a modern P&P variation, with low/no angst could resonate so well.
It's not verbatim but it sticks very close to canon. This is the first drama-light variation that I've liked It's not boring, the characters truly interact, and there are plausible, well written and plotted alternatives to the original story's angsty plotlines.
The author did an excellent job with spelling, grammar, and period correctness. The only fault I found was with the slightly sloppy epilogue.
Highly recommend!
It's not verbatim but it sticks very close to canon. This is the first drama-light variation that I've liked It's not boring, the characters truly interact, and there are plausible, well written and plotted alternatives to the original story's angsty plotlines.
The author did an excellent job with spelling, grammar, and period correctness. The only fault I found was with the slightly sloppy epilogue.
Highly recommend!
January 21, 2026
Fitzwilliam Darcy is mistaken for man of business when opening Bingley's house. He decides to take advantage of being incognito of sorts and as such is much more relaxed. He befriends Mr. Bennet and explains his philosophy of rational thinking to the exclusion of emotion. His world view is then challenged upon spending time with Elizabeth Bennet. He must embrace all sides of the logic to find his happily ever after with the young lady who did her best not to fall in love with him.
November 29, 2025
Good book.
Entertaining story. I liked the different view on how darcy met Elizabeth without the presence of the bingley family and the pressure of everyone knowing he was rich. I also enjoyed the debates between E and D.
Entertaining story. I liked the different view on how darcy met Elizabeth without the presence of the bingley family and the pressure of everyone knowing he was rich. I also enjoyed the debates between E and D.
December 6, 2025
A Rational Man
Another very well written quite different variation. Enjoyed Mr Darcy being incognito at first. His struggle and success. Poor Elizabeth. The sadness she endured. HEA.
Another very well written quite different variation. Enjoyed Mr Darcy being incognito at first. His struggle and success. Poor Elizabeth. The sadness she endured. HEA.
December 24, 2025
Frustrating, frustrating man!!
I have always felt Mr Darcy and Elizabeth were meant to be together; I’m not sure he deserves her in this adaptation. He’s a good man, but is that enough? The torment he put them both through was unwarranted. A rational man, indeed!
I have always felt Mr Darcy and Elizabeth were meant to be together; I’m not sure he deserves her in this adaptation. He’s a good man, but is that enough? The torment he put them both through was unwarranted. A rational man, indeed!
October 22, 2025
Wallace is always a terrific writer, and this is no exception. It takes Darcy a long time to understand "rationality," but the read is worth it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews