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Pride and Sloth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet met in London, in the home of the Earl and Countess of Matlock. They felt an instant attraction that soon grew to be love. When Elizabeth finally returned home to her family's modest estate, Darcy followed her, taking his sister Georgiana with him. They would stay with Darcy's friend Charles Bingley in the manor house of an estate neighbouring the Bennets.
Darcy wished to meet Elizabeth's family, continue his courtship, and gain permission from her father to marry. Little did he know that he would have to work harder to woo Elizabeth's father than to win her heart!
How is one to work on a lazy, self-centered father who holds all the power to give or refuse permission?
Pride and Sloth is a novella of 34,500 words. It directly follows Pride and Envy, the first book in the Pride and Other Sins series. A forward in Sloth summarises Envy, but it is recommended to read the books in order.
Darcy wished to meet Elizabeth's family, continue his courtship, and gain permission from her father to marry. Little did he know that he would have to work harder to woo Elizabeth's father than to win her heart!
How is one to work on a lazy, self-centered father who holds all the power to give or refuse permission?
Pride and Sloth is a novella of 34,500 words. It directly follows Pride and Envy, the first book in the Pride and Other Sins series. A forward in Sloth summarises Envy, but it is recommended to read the books in order.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2026
About the author
Cathleen Earle
30 books14 followersCathleen Earle is that rare thing - someone who is third generation Southern Californian. Raised in Pasadena, she went to the University of La Verne and now lives in Chino, a town known for cows and prisons. (She has nothing to do with either!)
A long-time education writer and editor, she writes science fiction books for kids and teens and Pride and Prejudice variations for adults.
Cathleen loves science fiction and Jane Austen, alternative rock music and jigsaw puzzles, streaming TV shows (think "Resident Alien" and "The Good Place") and really, really old places (think the Roman Forum and Stonehenge).
A long-time education writer and editor, she writes science fiction books for kids and teens and Pride and Prejudice variations for adults.
Cathleen loves science fiction and Jane Austen, alternative rock music and jigsaw puzzles, streaming TV shows (think "Resident Alien" and "The Good Place") and really, really old places (think the Roman Forum and Stonehenge).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2026
This is the second installment in a serial.
The story moves from London to Longbourn and Netherfield. Bingley enters the story, but his sisters will not join him at Netherfield until the next installment.
It seemed a bit thin even for a novella. There’s a lot of time with Darcy and Elizabeth meeting at Oakham Mount, declaring their love, kissing, thinking about kissing, etc. That’s the sort of thing I find tedious, but many readers love such romantic interludes. I found myself skimming through all the flutterings, breathless moments, erotic dreams, etc.
There is some ambiguity about Bingley and Jane. Are they “good” characters or will there be issues with them in future installments? I thought this was interesting.
Mr. Bennet is presented as the “slothful” person of the title. I thought this was a bit weak as he didn’t come across as unusually lazy; he was just a father dreading the loss of his favorite daughter at the young age of 18. Darcy works hard to win him over.
I found myself skimming during discussions of literature and philosophy between Bennet, Darcy, and Elizabeth. Discussions of chess games and strategy were a bit too detailed. All this came across as filler to me.
It’s a good continuation of the series, but it didn’t feel like it merited a separate novella. I will continue with the series. I’m curious as to why the setting is two years before canon. I’d be interested in hearing why the author chose to set the stories in 1809.
2.5-stars rounded up.
The story moves from London to Longbourn and Netherfield. Bingley enters the story, but his sisters will not join him at Netherfield until the next installment.
It seemed a bit thin even for a novella. There’s a lot of time with Darcy and Elizabeth meeting at Oakham Mount, declaring their love, kissing, thinking about kissing, etc. That’s the sort of thing I find tedious, but many readers love such romantic interludes. I found myself skimming through all the flutterings, breathless moments, erotic dreams, etc.
There is some ambiguity about Bingley and Jane. Are they “good” characters or will there be issues with them in future installments? I thought this was interesting.
Mr. Bennet is presented as the “slothful” person of the title. I thought this was a bit weak as he didn’t come across as unusually lazy; he was just a father dreading the loss of his favorite daughter at the young age of 18. Darcy works hard to win him over.
I found myself skimming during discussions of literature and philosophy between Bennet, Darcy, and Elizabeth. Discussions of chess games and strategy were a bit too detailed. All this came across as filler to me.
It’s a good continuation of the series, but it didn’t feel like it merited a separate novella. I will continue with the series. I’m curious as to why the setting is two years before canon. I’d be interested in hearing why the author chose to set the stories in 1809.
2.5-stars rounded up.
February 5, 2026
An engaging read!
A fun and engaging read about an energetically loving couple who knows what they want. I love the personality portrayal of Mr. Darcy!
A fun and engaging read about an energetically loving couple who knows what they want. I love the personality portrayal of Mr. Darcy!
February 22, 2026
Enjoyed it
A fascinating continuation of the previous story written by Cathleen Earl. Our dear couple has already overcome dealing with envy but this time sloth is their nemesis.
A fascinating continuation of the previous story written by Cathleen Earl. Our dear couple has already overcome dealing with envy but this time sloth is their nemesis.
February 24, 2026
Amusing and enjoyable
April 1, 2026
This was a good read, but it was easy to know who the bad guy was.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews