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Pemberley Departures #1
On Oakham Mount: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
When Mr. Bennet insists that Elizabeth marry the odious Mr.Collins, she dashes off in tears to seek refuge on Oakham Mount. There she encounters Mr. Darcy, seeking distraction from his own concerns. In a moment of emotional turmoil, they turn to each other and Mr. Darcy is moved to offer a solution to Elizabeth’s dilemma: A marriage of convenience. But when this engagement is broken almost before it has begun, why do the two feel so bereft? Could there be more between them than a simple arrangement? Can these two proud, strong-willed individuals overcome all the obstacles that seem determined to keep them apart? More importantly, can they open their hearts to each other and to love? Find out in this reimagining of Jane Austen's beloved British Regency classic.
First in the Pemberley Departures Collection; the stand-alone books need not be read in order unless otherwise specified.
First in the Pemberley Departures Collection; the stand-alone books need not be read in order unless otherwise specified.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2016
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110 people want to read
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June 19, 2016
Just as many other reviewers of this book, I have to start by complimenting Ms. Meredith on her beautiful writing. I don't think I've come across a piece of JAFF that evokes the Regency literary style so completely from beginning to end. It's hard to believe this is by a modern writer instead of a contemporary of Jane Austen, or the Lady herself.
The story itself contains many plot elements from the original Pride and Prejudice but from a decidedly different angle. Both of Elizabeth Bennet's parents insist she must accept Mr. Collins' proposal and her desperation leads her to Oakham Mount. Darcy finds her there in distress. When he learns the cause, he shares that his family expects him to marry his cousin but that he doesn't want to, either. They decide the solution to both unhappy situations is for them to become engaged to each other. Within a day of coming to this conclusion, Elizabeth's circumstances change and she presents an alternate solution to Darcy, who misunderstands and assumes she wishes to call their engagement off. He responds angrily, and they dissolve their engagement before he's even had a chance to speak with her father.
Absence proves to make their hearts grow fonder, and when they meet again in Kent they approach each other with hopes of a more romantic and less "convenient" understanding between the them. While things don't progress to that degree at Hunsford, the story moves onward to Pemberley. On the cusp of finally achieving their hearts' desire, another obstacle arises. Even though that is successfully dealt with, Lady Catherine's confrontation elicits a very different, but very believable, response from Elizabeth than in canon.
There are enough alterations in the original story that I was unable to anticipate what would happen next, which made for numerous surprises. For readers who prefer a lot of action, this is a somewhat less eventful but more introspective story than in many variations. At times, the pace feels slow as the author describes in detail the feelings of all participants in various scenes. In those sections, I found some of the characters' responses seemed obvious without extensive explanation needed, and some thoughts got repetitive. The exquisite writing tugs at readers' heartstrings, though, so it serves that purpose despite slowing down the action. For my taste, I would prefer a little more editing- it seems to me this story would work better at novella length without sacrificing the emotional impact- but I am probably in the minority.
With its poignant, flowing writing, excellently portrayed characters, natural-sounding (for Regency!) dialogue and well-constructed, unique, and often surprising plot, this book is a winner in all the ways that count. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story itself contains many plot elements from the original Pride and Prejudice but from a decidedly different angle. Both of Elizabeth Bennet's parents insist she must accept Mr. Collins' proposal and her desperation leads her to Oakham Mount. Darcy finds her there in distress. When he learns the cause, he shares that his family expects him to marry his cousin but that he doesn't want to, either. They decide the solution to both unhappy situations is for them to become engaged to each other. Within a day of coming to this conclusion, Elizabeth's circumstances change and she presents an alternate solution to Darcy, who misunderstands and assumes she wishes to call their engagement off. He responds angrily, and they dissolve their engagement before he's even had a chance to speak with her father.
Absence proves to make their hearts grow fonder, and when they meet again in Kent they approach each other with hopes of a more romantic and less "convenient" understanding between the them. While things don't progress to that degree at Hunsford, the story moves onward to Pemberley. On the cusp of finally achieving their hearts' desire, another obstacle arises. Even though that is successfully dealt with, Lady Catherine's confrontation elicits a very different, but very believable, response from Elizabeth than in canon.
There are enough alterations in the original story that I was unable to anticipate what would happen next, which made for numerous surprises. For readers who prefer a lot of action, this is a somewhat less eventful but more introspective story than in many variations. At times, the pace feels slow as the author describes in detail the feelings of all participants in various scenes. In those sections, I found some of the characters' responses seemed obvious without extensive explanation needed, and some thoughts got repetitive. The exquisite writing tugs at readers' heartstrings, though, so it serves that purpose despite slowing down the action. For my taste, I would prefer a little more editing- it seems to me this story would work better at novella length without sacrificing the emotional impact- but I am probably in the minority.
With its poignant, flowing writing, excellently portrayed characters, natural-sounding (for Regency!) dialogue and well-constructed, unique, and often surprising plot, this book is a winner in all the ways that count. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 1, 2016
4.5 stars
It is a truth universally acknowledged that…if you are one who reads and rereads variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice you will invariably encounter a couple with a propensity to misunderstand and/or misinterpret the words and actions of each other. And this couple will furthermore assign motivations and goals not entirely those intended.
Yes, once again Darcy has danced with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball and she confronted him with all her opinions concerning his treatment of Wickham. However, as our story begins the morning after the ball (Remember?) Mrs. Bennet insists that Elizabeth stay and hear out her cousin. BUT in this version, when applied to for support and understanding Mr. Bennet sides with his wife due to the fact of his lifelong neglect of his estate and no dowries provided for any of his five daughters. His excuse is that they must take what is offered as any other support is not probable. Elizabeth must sacrifice her future, her happiness for the security of her family.
So she runs to her place for solace and peace – Oakham Mount. But to her consternation, Mr. Darcy comes upon her and being reminded of his role in offering comfort to his sister offers aid to Elizabeth. The author’s gift here is a conversation full of open sharing and explanation between two people who have up to this time had no depth of understanding for the other. (Oh, Darcy is entranced by her but has already decided she is beneath his level.) Darcy shares the situation as to his sister, Wickham’s part and his family’s long time expectations for him while Elizabeth shares how she is backed into a corner and is to be considered a “married woman”. Now you know how Darcy puts his foot in his mouth during proposals…well here he does it again. I am not going to tell you exactly what he says but he was lucky Elizabeth didn’t put her foot in his mouth. They do come to an agreement, that of a marriage of convenience, and he plans to approach her father later in the day.
Not 12 hours later, all has changed. I wish I could explain but I hate SPOILERS so will not say exactly what happened but will add that an event of an ironic nature (especially to JAFF lovers) occurs along with an event from canon moved forward in time and thus all their plans to “save” each other become seemingly unnecessary. Elizabeth thinks she has given him relief while Darcy resents the relief given. He departs and joins his sister in Pemberley while a wedding is planned in Hertfordshire.
Once again we have a visit to Rosings and our couple is in each other’s presence. You may have to chuckle while reading of the suspense occurring as to identities and pairings. Elizabeth, Kitty and Mary and Mr. Collins are now in Kent while the Colonel and Darcy make their annual visit. Here after some well meaning interference the renewal of acquaintances leads to great expectations. But for Darcy the setting is wrong so a gathering of some dear ones is planned at Pemberley.
Jane, Bingley, the Gardiners, Kitty, Anne, and the colonel are in attendance and the stage is set. Oh, could a letter be more unfortunately timed in its arrival? Read what disaster and scandal again threaten to end any future for Elizabeth and Darcy (Think: letter received in Lambton). Yes, we do eventually get our HEA but the agony; the suspense will have you glued to the pages to see how it is worked out in this tale. We do again have interfering relatives and some of JA’s words used in a different but creative manner.
As Claudine said in her review on JustJane1813 the author gives us a very detailed and sweet epilogue. This was read with anticipation as I had deceived some high recommendations urging me to read this book. I was not disappointed. Well done, Ms. Meredith.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that…if you are one who reads and rereads variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice you will invariably encounter a couple with a propensity to misunderstand and/or misinterpret the words and actions of each other. And this couple will furthermore assign motivations and goals not entirely those intended.
Yes, once again Darcy has danced with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball and she confronted him with all her opinions concerning his treatment of Wickham. However, as our story begins the morning after the ball (Remember?) Mrs. Bennet insists that Elizabeth stay and hear out her cousin. BUT in this version, when applied to for support and understanding Mr. Bennet sides with his wife due to the fact of his lifelong neglect of his estate and no dowries provided for any of his five daughters. His excuse is that they must take what is offered as any other support is not probable. Elizabeth must sacrifice her future, her happiness for the security of her family.
So she runs to her place for solace and peace – Oakham Mount. But to her consternation, Mr. Darcy comes upon her and being reminded of his role in offering comfort to his sister offers aid to Elizabeth. The author’s gift here is a conversation full of open sharing and explanation between two people who have up to this time had no depth of understanding for the other. (Oh, Darcy is entranced by her but has already decided she is beneath his level.) Darcy shares the situation as to his sister, Wickham’s part and his family’s long time expectations for him while Elizabeth shares how she is backed into a corner and is to be considered a “married woman”. Now you know how Darcy puts his foot in his mouth during proposals…well here he does it again. I am not going to tell you exactly what he says but he was lucky Elizabeth didn’t put her foot in his mouth. They do come to an agreement, that of a marriage of convenience, and he plans to approach her father later in the day.
Not 12 hours later, all has changed. I wish I could explain but I hate SPOILERS so will not say exactly what happened but will add that an event of an ironic nature (especially to JAFF lovers) occurs along with an event from canon moved forward in time and thus all their plans to “save” each other become seemingly unnecessary. Elizabeth thinks she has given him relief while Darcy resents the relief given. He departs and joins his sister in Pemberley while a wedding is planned in Hertfordshire.
Once again we have a visit to Rosings and our couple is in each other’s presence. You may have to chuckle while reading of the suspense occurring as to identities and pairings. Elizabeth, Kitty and Mary and Mr. Collins are now in Kent while the Colonel and Darcy make their annual visit. Here after some well meaning interference the renewal of acquaintances leads to great expectations. But for Darcy the setting is wrong so a gathering of some dear ones is planned at Pemberley.
Jane, Bingley, the Gardiners, Kitty, Anne, and the colonel are in attendance and the stage is set. Oh, could a letter be more unfortunately timed in its arrival? Read what disaster and scandal again threaten to end any future for Elizabeth and Darcy (Think: letter received in Lambton). Yes, we do eventually get our HEA but the agony; the suspense will have you glued to the pages to see how it is worked out in this tale. We do again have interfering relatives and some of JA’s words used in a different but creative manner.
As Claudine said in her review on JustJane1813 the author gives us a very detailed and sweet epilogue. This was read with anticipation as I had deceived some high recommendations urging me to read this book. I was not disappointed. Well done, Ms. Meredith.
April 1, 2016
4.5 stars out of 5
From its breathtaking cover, to its skillfully crafted storyline, “On Oakham Mount,” by Sophia Meredith, is a “Pride and Prejudice” variation that delivers a Regency Era romance that remains true to the tastes and the values within Austen’s time period. Ms. Meredith’s debut novel, which is the first in her Pemberley Departures series, focuses on how the demands placed upon Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, shape the course of her relationship with Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Beginning right after the Netherfield Ball, this variation takes us through Darcy and Elizabeth’s own personal voyages, as they both attempt to decipher and reconcile their true feelings towards each other. As Ms. Meredith demonstrates her wonderful command of Regency language, she transports us back in time and allows us to reimagine how Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship could have unfolded differently as various external and internal conflicts force them to confront the expectations of their families, while they also face the oppressive social structures found within their society.
This story opens with us immediately garnering sympathy for a hurt and angry Elizabeth Bennet. Once she receives the news that both of her parents have agreed to have her marry Mr. Collins as a means to save Elizabeth and her family from their uncertain fates, she finds herself overwhelmed by her emotional reaction. After experiencing the stinging betrayals delivered by both of her parents, she flees Longbourn to seek the solace she craves at Oakham Mount. On her way, she accidentally meets Mr. Darcy, where he discovers her in a highly emotional state.
Through their surprisingly pleasant conversation, they both find themselves exchanging confidences with each other only to discover that they have something quite meaningful in common with each other; they are both expected to marry their cousins against their own wishes. Together, they devise a plan that they both believe will alleviate their concerns before they return to face their family and friends.
As they prepare to put these plans in place, an engagement occurs for another Bennet sister. Now Elizabeth must decide whether or not she can go along with the plan she has agreed to with Mr. Darcy. Once she makes her decision and informs Mr. Darcy about her decision, the couple finds themselves at a crossroads. How will her sister’s engagement affect her relationship with Mr. Darcy?
I loved the idea of Darcy and Elizabeth agreeing to an engagement early on in their relationship and then breaking it off, because, in canon, I believe they both have a strong attraction to each other that they both initially fight against. From this point, the story requires that they truly reflect upon their deepest feelings and examine their motives towards each other through the painful separations of time and space. This story stays close enough to canon to include the themes and the characters we love to explore while Ms. Meredith adds enough departures from Austen’s original story that will resonate with readers who love to explore subtle, yet significant variations in Austen’s story.
I found Darcy to be quite charming in this story. He was kind and humble, especially once he realized his true heart. He was also confident and manly in a way that came across as attractive and a bit reserved. I had fun reading Ms. Meredith’s twist on the infamous confrontation with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and I had a huge smile on my countenance as I played that scene in my head!
The epilogue was a great wrap-up for this book! It was wonderful how Ms. Meredith wrapped up so many loose ends, like a giant present for us. Her epilogue resembles Ms. Austen’s final chapter in canon, leaving readers with a good sense about how our characters’ lives would play out for them in the future.
Ms. Meredith should be commended as a new author for her attention to detail, specifically regarding her precise word choices and her careful construction of Regency Era language throughout her story. There were a couple of places where the plot developed a bit slowly, and perhaps more attention in those places was given to the authenticity of her language development and less so to moving the plot along at a brisker pace. However, these are minor quibbles that didn’t prevent me from savoring the beauty of her writing and delighting in the simply touching romance that remains at the center of her story.
From its breathtaking cover, to its skillfully crafted storyline, “On Oakham Mount,” by Sophia Meredith, is a “Pride and Prejudice” variation that delivers a Regency Era romance that remains true to the tastes and the values within Austen’s time period. Ms. Meredith’s debut novel, which is the first in her Pemberley Departures series, focuses on how the demands placed upon Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, shape the course of her relationship with Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Beginning right after the Netherfield Ball, this variation takes us through Darcy and Elizabeth’s own personal voyages, as they both attempt to decipher and reconcile their true feelings towards each other. As Ms. Meredith demonstrates her wonderful command of Regency language, she transports us back in time and allows us to reimagine how Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship could have unfolded differently as various external and internal conflicts force them to confront the expectations of their families, while they also face the oppressive social structures found within their society.
This story opens with us immediately garnering sympathy for a hurt and angry Elizabeth Bennet. Once she receives the news that both of her parents have agreed to have her marry Mr. Collins as a means to save Elizabeth and her family from their uncertain fates, she finds herself overwhelmed by her emotional reaction. After experiencing the stinging betrayals delivered by both of her parents, she flees Longbourn to seek the solace she craves at Oakham Mount. On her way, she accidentally meets Mr. Darcy, where he discovers her in a highly emotional state.
Through their surprisingly pleasant conversation, they both find themselves exchanging confidences with each other only to discover that they have something quite meaningful in common with each other; they are both expected to marry their cousins against their own wishes. Together, they devise a plan that they both believe will alleviate their concerns before they return to face their family and friends.
As they prepare to put these plans in place, an engagement occurs for another Bennet sister. Now Elizabeth must decide whether or not she can go along with the plan she has agreed to with Mr. Darcy. Once she makes her decision and informs Mr. Darcy about her decision, the couple finds themselves at a crossroads. How will her sister’s engagement affect her relationship with Mr. Darcy?
I loved the idea of Darcy and Elizabeth agreeing to an engagement early on in their relationship and then breaking it off, because, in canon, I believe they both have a strong attraction to each other that they both initially fight against. From this point, the story requires that they truly reflect upon their deepest feelings and examine their motives towards each other through the painful separations of time and space. This story stays close enough to canon to include the themes and the characters we love to explore while Ms. Meredith adds enough departures from Austen’s original story that will resonate with readers who love to explore subtle, yet significant variations in Austen’s story.
I found Darcy to be quite charming in this story. He was kind and humble, especially once he realized his true heart. He was also confident and manly in a way that came across as attractive and a bit reserved. I had fun reading Ms. Meredith’s twist on the infamous confrontation with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and I had a huge smile on my countenance as I played that scene in my head!
The epilogue was a great wrap-up for this book! It was wonderful how Ms. Meredith wrapped up so many loose ends, like a giant present for us. Her epilogue resembles Ms. Austen’s final chapter in canon, leaving readers with a good sense about how our characters’ lives would play out for them in the future.
Ms. Meredith should be commended as a new author for her attention to detail, specifically regarding her precise word choices and her careful construction of Regency Era language throughout her story. There were a couple of places where the plot developed a bit slowly, and perhaps more attention in those places was given to the authenticity of her language development and less so to moving the plot along at a brisker pace. However, these are minor quibbles that didn’t prevent me from savoring the beauty of her writing and delighting in the simply touching romance that remains at the center of her story.
June 2, 2017
"Chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains.” Jeffrey Rasley, Bringing Progress to Paradise
Our story is post Netherfield Ball, post Collins’ proposal, only this time, M/M Bennet are in agreement that Lizzy should accept Mr. Collins in order to save the family. Having her father tell her she can’t refuse… just about broke her heart. She said some things to her father she’s never said before. Now both are hurt and ashamed.
“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.” Mineko Iwasaki
Oh, the pain of her father’s betrayal sends Lizzy from the house. She escapes to the Mount to bewail her virginity… wait… that was Jephthah’s daughter. Oops, wrong father, wrong daughter and wrong Mount. Lizzy escapes to Oakham Mount, to her favorite tree and weeps for her loss.
Mr. Darcy, trying to escape his own troubles, takes a morning ride and finds himself on Oakham Mount and encounters Miss Elizabeth Bennet crying her eyes out. After talking for some time, they devise a solution that should help both situations. Less than twenty-four hours later, all their best laid plans are in the dirt. The misunderstanding is massive and life changing for ODC [our dear couple].
While Darcy and Lizzy talk, Mrs. Bennet is frantic when she can’t find her least favorite daughter. In order to keep Mr. Collins from leaving or changing his mind, she applies to Mary to entertain him until Lizzy can be found. Soon Mr. Collins is praying for a miracle to save him.
The story gets a little crazy after this as our characters are divided into sets of two. After the misunderstanding, 2 are set to separate, 2 moved into mourning, 2 walked into wedded bliss, and 2 we highly suspect are in shame. Then comes Easter, where 2 hurried off to Hunsford, 2 rode to Rosings, where the 2 separated are shoved together. So now what happens? Trouble can and does brew up a storm at a moment’s notice.
Rough waters indeed hit with waves that throw ODC up, then down, up then down. I am afraid I was a bit sea sick in route to the HEA. It ended at 83%. There was a delightful and unusually prolific epilogue at 84%. Then we have sample chapters at 86% from book 2 ‘Miss Darcy’s Companion.”
Errors we have a few with Anne’s companion especially. Was it Mrs. Jenkins or Jenkinson… that flipped about quite a bit. Plus, we have Anne de Bourgh referred to as Lady Anne… yeah, that doesn’t work. Lady Anne always refers to Darcy’s mother. Unless this author decided to give Sir Louis de Bourgh a different title, his daughter would not be Lady Anne.
This was clean and cute when you got past their misunderstanding[s]. There was some very pretty love language as each dealt with their emotions and feelings. It was hard won, but swoon worth at times.
Our story is post Netherfield Ball, post Collins’ proposal, only this time, M/M Bennet are in agreement that Lizzy should accept Mr. Collins in order to save the family. Having her father tell her she can’t refuse… just about broke her heart. She said some things to her father she’s never said before. Now both are hurt and ashamed.
“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.” Mineko Iwasaki
Oh, the pain of her father’s betrayal sends Lizzy from the house. She escapes to the Mount to bewail her virginity… wait… that was Jephthah’s daughter. Oops, wrong father, wrong daughter and wrong Mount. Lizzy escapes to Oakham Mount, to her favorite tree and weeps for her loss.
Mr. Darcy, trying to escape his own troubles, takes a morning ride and finds himself on Oakham Mount and encounters Miss Elizabeth Bennet crying her eyes out. After talking for some time, they devise a solution that should help both situations. Less than twenty-four hours later, all their best laid plans are in the dirt. The misunderstanding is massive and life changing for ODC [our dear couple].
While Darcy and Lizzy talk, Mrs. Bennet is frantic when she can’t find her least favorite daughter. In order to keep Mr. Collins from leaving or changing his mind, she applies to Mary to entertain him until Lizzy can be found. Soon Mr. Collins is praying for a miracle to save him.
The story gets a little crazy after this as our characters are divided into sets of two. After the misunderstanding, 2 are set to separate, 2 moved into mourning, 2 walked into wedded bliss, and 2 we highly suspect are in shame. Then comes Easter, where 2 hurried off to Hunsford, 2 rode to Rosings, where the 2 separated are shoved together. So now what happens? Trouble can and does brew up a storm at a moment’s notice.
Rough waters indeed hit with waves that throw ODC up, then down, up then down. I am afraid I was a bit sea sick in route to the HEA. It ended at 83%. There was a delightful and unusually prolific epilogue at 84%. Then we have sample chapters at 86% from book 2 ‘Miss Darcy’s Companion.”
Errors we have a few with Anne’s companion especially. Was it Mrs. Jenkins or Jenkinson… that flipped about quite a bit. Plus, we have Anne de Bourgh referred to as Lady Anne… yeah, that doesn’t work. Lady Anne always refers to Darcy’s mother. Unless this author decided to give Sir Louis de Bourgh a different title, his daughter would not be Lady Anne.
This was clean and cute when you got past their misunderstanding[s]. There was some very pretty love language as each dealt with their emotions and feelings. It was hard won, but swoon worth at times.
June 19, 2016
Both under pressure to accept marriages they do not want discover in one heart-felt revealing conversation that they might have the ideal solution- marry each other. Lizzy discovers the man she thought was arrogant, dishonorable, and cold is anything but and Darcy finds that his indifference is merely an attempt to protect himself from the attraction he feels. Through twists and turns caused by misunderstanding, scheming, and outside events a plan for a marriage of convenience becomes something so much more.
This was a debut effort and my stars was I surprised to learn this as the book had a depth and command to the writing that veteran authors would envy. Characters, dialogue, setting, and background all meshed into a rich tapestry of words that made me feel like I was reading a classic story rather than a contemporary author writing a Historical Romance variation of a classic.
Oh, and the story assumes the reader is at least moderately familiar with the original Pride & Prejudice story because it enters in with little introduction and felt like there was an expectation that the reader knows who and what came before with just a few hints to get up to speed. That said, this is a divergent story and goes in a new directions from the beginning including original characters.
The story opens with Elizabeth Bennet receiving a proposal of marriage from her repugnant cousin, Collins. Her family estate is entailed away from the female line and this is the man who will inherit since her father produced five daughters. And unfortunately, the estate is small and there is no dowry money to speak of. Her mother is insistent that she should marry to protect the family against the eventuality of her father's death. Elizabeth is unmoved and refuses the slimy toad of a man only to find out that her father is backing her mother on this. The betrayal of her favorite parent who knows she will be miserable in such a marriage sends her running to the top of Oakham Mount.
Fitzwilliam Darcy has received yet another letter from his aunt insisting that he do his duty and wed his cousin to unite their two estates and keep the money in the family. He likes his cousin Anne, but has no desire to marry her. Dealing with his stubborn and determined aunt is trying and then there is his concern about his friend Charles Bingley getting entangled with a woman who may be a fortune hunter. His ride has taken him within sight of a woman in distress. It is only when he gets close that he realizes it is the fiery Miss Bennet who is sobbing. Darcy knows she despises him, but he can't leave her in such a state.
Something surreal happens while the pair are on the hill. They both reach past propriety and reserve to be honest and open and in so doing a tentative liking and friendship begins. They form a mutually helpful plan and both are sanguine about it. Elizabeth always hoped to marry only for love and Darcy only planned to marry for mutual affection and like-mindedness. Through unforeseen twists however, plans and feelings alter and they part with no hope of reconciliation. Only fate has a way of bringing the most unlikely thing about.
As I said, this felt authentic in its tone and writing like a classical style story. The language, manners, activities, and backdrop help form a well-written Regency era love story. The pacing was good. It was gentle and very much character-driven, but never sluggish. The cast of characters was large, but each individual was developed and had their part in the story and some even had minor plot threads going on.
The main characters, Darcy and Lizzy, tend to be tempestuous and assumptive so that they get into trouble a few times with the misunderstanding. It is comical in a way even though it wasn't written as comedy. One misunderstanding early on gave me the giggles. Darcy meant one thing and Lizzy took it oh so very wrong and ripped him a new one and then had the mortification of discovering she got the wrong end of the stick. Most of their troubles are a bit of their own making, but there is some external conflict going on too with some of Darcy's family scheming and an enemy from the past plotting against them. It was a little heartbreaking to see both of them take actions out of care and duty- to be honorable- and it ends up causing each other and themselves pain. The author established early on just how right they are for each other and how the do each other good and carry an early giving sort of love, but neither recognizes the love for what it is and have their own epiphanies long after the first parting. I was very caught up in this pair and groaned each time something came along to keep them parted or prevented them from a long overdue conversation to straighten things out.
The surrounding characters were a colorful variety of family, friend, and foe. I enjoyed the teasing exchanges between Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam who had Darcy and Lizzy's numbers and played a bit of matchmaking.
Things got tense near the end as events came to a head and the epilogue was the perfect cap to give a bit extra page time after the dirt had settled leaving me with a delighted smile on my face.
All in all, I found this a fantastic read and can't wait for more from this author. I can easily recommend this to Sweet Historical Romance and Austen lovers.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a debut effort and my stars was I surprised to learn this as the book had a depth and command to the writing that veteran authors would envy. Characters, dialogue, setting, and background all meshed into a rich tapestry of words that made me feel like I was reading a classic story rather than a contemporary author writing a Historical Romance variation of a classic.
Oh, and the story assumes the reader is at least moderately familiar with the original Pride & Prejudice story because it enters in with little introduction and felt like there was an expectation that the reader knows who and what came before with just a few hints to get up to speed. That said, this is a divergent story and goes in a new directions from the beginning including original characters.
The story opens with Elizabeth Bennet receiving a proposal of marriage from her repugnant cousin, Collins. Her family estate is entailed away from the female line and this is the man who will inherit since her father produced five daughters. And unfortunately, the estate is small and there is no dowry money to speak of. Her mother is insistent that she should marry to protect the family against the eventuality of her father's death. Elizabeth is unmoved and refuses the slimy toad of a man only to find out that her father is backing her mother on this. The betrayal of her favorite parent who knows she will be miserable in such a marriage sends her running to the top of Oakham Mount.
Fitzwilliam Darcy has received yet another letter from his aunt insisting that he do his duty and wed his cousin to unite their two estates and keep the money in the family. He likes his cousin Anne, but has no desire to marry her. Dealing with his stubborn and determined aunt is trying and then there is his concern about his friend Charles Bingley getting entangled with a woman who may be a fortune hunter. His ride has taken him within sight of a woman in distress. It is only when he gets close that he realizes it is the fiery Miss Bennet who is sobbing. Darcy knows she despises him, but he can't leave her in such a state.
Something surreal happens while the pair are on the hill. They both reach past propriety and reserve to be honest and open and in so doing a tentative liking and friendship begins. They form a mutually helpful plan and both are sanguine about it. Elizabeth always hoped to marry only for love and Darcy only planned to marry for mutual affection and like-mindedness. Through unforeseen twists however, plans and feelings alter and they part with no hope of reconciliation. Only fate has a way of bringing the most unlikely thing about.
As I said, this felt authentic in its tone and writing like a classical style story. The language, manners, activities, and backdrop help form a well-written Regency era love story. The pacing was good. It was gentle and very much character-driven, but never sluggish. The cast of characters was large, but each individual was developed and had their part in the story and some even had minor plot threads going on.
The main characters, Darcy and Lizzy, tend to be tempestuous and assumptive so that they get into trouble a few times with the misunderstanding. It is comical in a way even though it wasn't written as comedy. One misunderstanding early on gave me the giggles. Darcy meant one thing and Lizzy took it oh so very wrong and ripped him a new one and then had the mortification of discovering she got the wrong end of the stick. Most of their troubles are a bit of their own making, but there is some external conflict going on too with some of Darcy's family scheming and an enemy from the past plotting against them. It was a little heartbreaking to see both of them take actions out of care and duty- to be honorable- and it ends up causing each other and themselves pain. The author established early on just how right they are for each other and how the do each other good and carry an early giving sort of love, but neither recognizes the love for what it is and have their own epiphanies long after the first parting. I was very caught up in this pair and groaned each time something came along to keep them parted or prevented them from a long overdue conversation to straighten things out.
The surrounding characters were a colorful variety of family, friend, and foe. I enjoyed the teasing exchanges between Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam who had Darcy and Lizzy's numbers and played a bit of matchmaking.
Things got tense near the end as events came to a head and the epilogue was the perfect cap to give a bit extra page time after the dirt had settled leaving me with a delighted smile on my face.
All in all, I found this a fantastic read and can't wait for more from this author. I can easily recommend this to Sweet Historical Romance and Austen lovers.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2016
What If Darcy and Elizabeth Agreed to a Marriage of Convenience?
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Day after the Netherfield Ball to several months later + epilogue
MAIN CHARACTERS: The usual Pride and Prejudice gang!
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
The Cover and Title: I’ll be honest, the cover and title grabbed me immediately and made me eager to learn more.
WHAT I LOVED:
- The Premise: I love scenarios where Darcy and Elizabeth are marrying or contemplating marriage early in their relationship. This isn’t a forced marriage scenario, more a marriage of convenience. Since Darcy is feeling pressure to marry his cousin and Elizabeth’s father supports Mr. Collins’s proposal, Mr. Darcy offers marriage to Elizabeth as a way to escape these more objectionable options… And even though they do agree to this arrangement, it doesn’t last long!
- Featuring Oakham Mount: I love that this variation spotlights Oakham Mount! We see it casually mentioned in Pride and Prejudice and know it has a pleasant view, but I’ve always envisioned it to be wonderfully picturesque, peaceful, and one of Lizzy’s special secret spots. I love that Darcy unexpectedly encounters Lizzy while she is seeking solace on Oakham Mount. I love the privacy of this encounter, how it triggers such an openness in both of these characters, and that there is such special significance placed on this particular location.
- Darcy and His Courting: When Darcy realizes the leaning of his heart, he is determined to declare his love and offer for Elizabeth. Except he can’t, not right now, and not when she may not feel the same way as he does. So what does he do? After some brooding, he starts to woo Elizabeth…and he flirts. He does nothing to mask his interest and admiration, and it is soooo adorable!!! I love seeing Darcy so besotted! I also love how much of a hero he is in this story. He seems to have a predilection for coming to the rescue! I found it wonderfully romantic how Darcy rode through the night at one point.
- Happier Outcomes For All: In addition to a happy outcome for Darcy and Elizabeth, Ms. Meredith changes the fates of Mary Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, Kitty Bennet, Anne de Bourgh, and the Wickhams. I really enjoyed all these unique twists to their storylines (especially for Mary, Kitty, and Anne) and I must conclude that I enjoy seeing these characters experience happier and more satisfying fates than they did in Pride and Prejudice…well, except for maybe Mr. Wickham!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Pacing and Narration: In some instances I thought the pacing felt a little slow or that the story became a little heavy with narration. I usually love dwelling in characters’ heads but sometimes I found myself wanting to skim through their ruminating and contemplating and see more dialogue and action, especially in the first half of the story. Perhaps if just a wee bit was “lop’t and crop’t” it would be a perfect balance.
CONCLUSION:
What a delightful debut from Sophia Meredith! On Oakham Mount is charming, graceful, and thoughtful. I applaud Ms. Meredith for her tactful and sensible approach to this type of premise and I enjoyed how her variation changed the course for so many different characters. I recommend this story for readers who love gentle and clean romances, clever twists, and happy endings!
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Day after the Netherfield Ball to several months later + epilogue
MAIN CHARACTERS: The usual Pride and Prejudice gang!
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
The Cover and Title: I’ll be honest, the cover and title grabbed me immediately and made me eager to learn more.
WHAT I LOVED:
- The Premise: I love scenarios where Darcy and Elizabeth are marrying or contemplating marriage early in their relationship. This isn’t a forced marriage scenario, more a marriage of convenience. Since Darcy is feeling pressure to marry his cousin and Elizabeth’s father supports Mr. Collins’s proposal, Mr. Darcy offers marriage to Elizabeth as a way to escape these more objectionable options… And even though they do agree to this arrangement, it doesn’t last long!
- Featuring Oakham Mount: I love that this variation spotlights Oakham Mount! We see it casually mentioned in Pride and Prejudice and know it has a pleasant view, but I’ve always envisioned it to be wonderfully picturesque, peaceful, and one of Lizzy’s special secret spots. I love that Darcy unexpectedly encounters Lizzy while she is seeking solace on Oakham Mount. I love the privacy of this encounter, how it triggers such an openness in both of these characters, and that there is such special significance placed on this particular location.
- Darcy and His Courting: When Darcy realizes the leaning of his heart, he is determined to declare his love and offer for Elizabeth. Except he can’t, not right now, and not when she may not feel the same way as he does. So what does he do? After some brooding, he starts to woo Elizabeth…and he flirts. He does nothing to mask his interest and admiration, and it is soooo adorable!!! I love seeing Darcy so besotted! I also love how much of a hero he is in this story. He seems to have a predilection for coming to the rescue! I found it wonderfully romantic how Darcy rode through the night at one point.
- Happier Outcomes For All: In addition to a happy outcome for Darcy and Elizabeth, Ms. Meredith changes the fates of Mary Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, Kitty Bennet, Anne de Bourgh, and the Wickhams. I really enjoyed all these unique twists to their storylines (especially for Mary, Kitty, and Anne) and I must conclude that I enjoy seeing these characters experience happier and more satisfying fates than they did in Pride and Prejudice…well, except for maybe Mr. Wickham!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Pacing and Narration: In some instances I thought the pacing felt a little slow or that the story became a little heavy with narration. I usually love dwelling in characters’ heads but sometimes I found myself wanting to skim through their ruminating and contemplating and see more dialogue and action, especially in the first half of the story. Perhaps if just a wee bit was “lop’t and crop’t” it would be a perfect balance.
CONCLUSION:
What a delightful debut from Sophia Meredith! On Oakham Mount is charming, graceful, and thoughtful. I applaud Ms. Meredith for her tactful and sensible approach to this type of premise and I enjoyed how her variation changed the course for so many different characters. I recommend this story for readers who love gentle and clean romances, clever twists, and happy endings!
April 3, 2016
What a delightful treat this book was. What if Mr. Darcy comes upon Elizabeth just after she has been ordered to marry Mr. Collins and proposes a marriage of convenience. Finding a distraught Elizabeth brings forth the softer side of Darcy and his attempts to comfort her are endearing. I thoroughly enjoyed being inside the heads of each of our favourite characters. Two strong willed individuals feeling great pressure to do their duty for their family.
Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Bingley proposes to Jane and Mr. Collins is having second thoughts about Elizabeth! How Elizabeth and Darcy react to these new developments sets in motion a series of events that causes each to grow and learn what their true feelings are. With the help/hinderance of Colonel Fitzwilliam and at times Georgiana, Darcy slowly woos Elizabeth. Lady Catherine de Burgh tries her best to thwart Darcy and Wickham plays his part for financial gain.
I enjoyed how Elizabeth played a bigger role in Kitty's development and how Lady Anne was brought out of her shell with the influence of Elizabeth. My only quibble is that some characters should have been given a little more face time...Caroline Bingley was too quickly dealt with and I would have enjoyed more of James, Darcy's valet!
I always enjoy an epilogue to get a glimpse of what happens down the road and this book does not disappoint.
Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Bingley proposes to Jane and Mr. Collins is having second thoughts about Elizabeth! How Elizabeth and Darcy react to these new developments sets in motion a series of events that causes each to grow and learn what their true feelings are. With the help/hinderance of Colonel Fitzwilliam and at times Georgiana, Darcy slowly woos Elizabeth. Lady Catherine de Burgh tries her best to thwart Darcy and Wickham plays his part for financial gain.
I enjoyed how Elizabeth played a bigger role in Kitty's development and how Lady Anne was brought out of her shell with the influence of Elizabeth. My only quibble is that some characters should have been given a little more face time...Caroline Bingley was too quickly dealt with and I would have enjoyed more of James, Darcy's valet!
I always enjoy an epilogue to get a glimpse of what happens down the road and this book does not disappoint.
May 5, 2016
This was pretty good, but I didn't like it as much as I expected I would based on the blurb. I expect that's more a stylistic and story subject matter preference than anything, but *shrug*. There was a lot of introspection that bordered on excessive for me, and Darcy and Elizabeth both came to love the other without really having to do much to earn it. Darcy, especially, seemed to magically learn his lessons about his pride and behavior without the harsh lessons he receives in the original. I did enjoy Colonel Fitzwilliam and his advice (and meddling) about Darcy and Elizabeth, and I enjoyed that The rest, overall, just didn't do it for me. I was looking forward to tension and growing understanding between two people thrown together by circumstances, but that wasn't what this was about. Oh well.
March 29, 2020
I didn't feel so well today but managed to finish one book, On Oakham Mount: A Pride & Prejudice Variation. I know this was a fan fave here when it first came out a month or so ago and I can heartily agree with everyone. It was marvelous. As stated before by other reviewers, the writing is fantastic and true to Austen. It was such a pleasure to read. My husband surprised me with an autographed hard copy. I look forward to reading it again when I am feeling a bit better. This is one of those JAFF books you want on your shelf to reread again and again. I highly recommend it and can think of no reason why anyone could find fault with it. It was lovely.
REread: Loved this!
REread: Loved this!
April 2, 2016
This is a truly well written book. The language is evocative, stirring and beautiful. The start of the book if chock full of thoughts, reminiscences, reflection, and dialogue. The time covered is short and the detail intense. Once the story begins to pick up speed things happen quickly.
This story is mostly is a tale of self doubt between Darcy and Lizzy. Overall very satisfying and enjoyable
This story is mostly is a tale of self doubt between Darcy and Lizzy. Overall very satisfying and enjoyable
June 10, 2016
This book is basically a what if Mr. Darcy tried to save Lizzy from a marriage from her cousin Mr. Collins. Both go through personal journeys before their happily ever after. I did enjoy how Mr. Collins ended up with the one Bennet daughter that I believe would have actually suited him. I loved Darcy in this story, he wasn't a dick like most authors portray him as at first. This was a great debut book from a promising new author. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Rating: 4½ stars out of 5
Rating: 4½ stars out of 5
November 6, 2022
Good Book
Liked the storyline wish that Wickham had not eloped with lydia. Would have liked him to die before he ruined the family. Loved the epilogue.
,
Liked the storyline wish that Wickham had not eloped with lydia. Would have liked him to die before he ruined the family. Loved the epilogue.
,
April 2, 2016
I loved this story! Elizabeth is forced into accepting Collins by both of her parents and runs off to Oakham mount in he distress and tears. Darcy comes upon her and being the Gentleman he is he offers to comfort her by calming her, by speaking to her in a way that opens up Elizabeth's mind to a different side of him. He opens up about Wickham, about his families wish for him to marry Anne and Elizabeth pities him. He is determined that she cannot marry a toad like Collins. He quickly forms his own plan and offers himself as a marriage candidate in place of Collins. Both view it as a marriage of convenience till Janes engagement to Bingley renders Darcy's sacrifice unnecessary. Suddenly their hearts become opened. I loved reading about Darcy discovering his own heart, his heart ache followed by his determined to woo Elizabeth. What a great story! Of course you still need opposing family members, wicked Wickham and misunderstandings to keep the story interesting and you have your share her in this novel.
April 26, 2016
Interesting premise as Mr Darcy spends almost the entire book working on changing Elizabeth's perception about him. The story was not particularly compelling, but was an enjoyable read.
Read
March 30, 2023⁹
April 5, 2016
On Oakham Mount: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Pemberley Departures Book 1)
A delightful and different story from other variations. Yes, Darcy still made is infamous statement about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly. Finding Elizabeth crying in the woods that morning, he struggles with helping her to ignoring her. Being the gentleman that he is, he likes her enough to help her. Finding out her problem is both her parents are demanding that she marry Mr. Collins, Darcy is outraged, and they start climbing up Oakham Mount. He tells her that they both have a similar problem. He tells her of his Aunt Lady Matlock and the Earl's desire to marry his cousin, Anne. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has told him that this was his parents desires, too. However, there was as never any written document with an understanding. Both Anne and Darcy do not want to marry one another. Cousins only, but telling her mother and their Aunt and Uncle Matlock, is like talking to a brick wall. As they talk, he realizes that he could offer her an alternate path. In the two hours spent together, Elizabeth agrees to his plan. She accepts especially after hearing the truth about Wickham, she is appalled at her stupidity. Arriving home, Mr. Collins has transferred his designs on Mary, after the vehement opposition to his offer from Elizabeth. By the time Bingley and Darcy arrived for dinner, she's released from that marriage, tells Darcy that he doesn't have to marry her, because her problem no longer exists. Darcy not listening to everything she said, and Elizabeth not explaining herself well at all, Darcy takes the announcement as she wants him to withdraw from their agreement. Angry and hurt, he leaves for Netherfield, and in the morning for Pemberley. Undone completely, because he realizes that he love her, he begins to drink heavily and is distraught. Georgiana so worried about him, she writes Colonel Fitzwilliam. When Darcy arrives in London for their yearly trip to Rosings, his Aunt informs him that a Miss Bennet has married her rector, and two of her sisters are visiting relaying that she's sick and the sisters are here to help her. Darcy cannot believe that her parents forced to comply to their wishes and is heartbroken. As usual, his cousin got the entire story about why he's been so depressed. Arriving at Hunsford while passing the parsonage, he sees Elizabeth working in the garden, letting out a depressing, "Elizabeth." The Colonel takes off to visit and meets all of the Bennet sisters, but cannot believe that his cousin loves Mrs Mary Bennet - Collins. He says nothing to Darcy, but at supper Darcy, looking at Elizabeth asks Mrs. Collins a question and when Mary answers, he is completely confused. After the group from the parsonage leave, he jumps on his cousin for not telling him that Elizabeth was not married to the stupid parson. His cousin reminds him that he never said her Christian name. He makes up his mind that he is going to court her at Rosings. Fitzwilliam keeps interfering with Darcy's attempts, and they have a fist fight in the grove. Elizabeth happens on them, shirtless, and fighting. Her gasp lets them know that she has seen them. The colonel convinces him to take it slowly. When the time to separate comes, Georgiana has asked them to join them at Pemberley along with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Before leaving, Darcy confronts his Aunt Catherine. She's very upset with him and gets her brother involved. Then Anne, tells her that not only doesn't want to marry Darcy, but she is traveling to Pemberley with her cousins, Bennet sisters, and the Gardiners. To say Lady Catherine was upset is saying it was mildly. Arriving at Pemberley, both Elizabeth and Kitty are astounded by Pemberley. With Jane and Bingley arriving the next day, Elizabeth cannot wait to see her sister. Darcy has not seen Bingley since he left Netherfield the next morning after the misunderstanding what Elizabeth was trying to say. He missed Jane and Bingley's wedding knowing that he couldn't face Elizabeth as depressed as he was. The Bingleys and Kitty go walking and Jane is handed the letter about Lydia's unfortunate behavior with wicked Wickham. Both Jane and Kitty are crying so much, especially Jane, she can barely walk. The look on Darcy's face convinces Elizabeth that she must give him up. Misunderstanding again. She wants to return to Longbourn immediately, and Bingley tells her that was not part of Darcy's plan. Bingley takes Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, and Mrs Gardiner back to Longbourn. Darcy, the Colonel, and Mr. Gardiner had left the day before to find Wickham. Lydia, being the stupid, spoiled mess she is, doesn't understand why she can't be entertained by her Aunt and Uncle, or why she cannot have a wedding breakfast like Jane. She also is angry about the paltry sum given for her wedding clothes. She couldn't understand that she has done wrong. When confronted by the Matlocks, Darcy tells them it is none of their business. When he hears Lady Catherine is going to confront Elizabeth, Darcy is on his way to Longbourn. When he tells her absolutely no he was not letting her break the engagement, a special license helped them marry immediately. Turns out that his wife won the respect of most of Darcy's friends. Lady Catherine and the Matlocks had to eat crow!
A delightful and different story from other variations. Yes, Darcy still made is infamous statement about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly. Finding Elizabeth crying in the woods that morning, he struggles with helping her to ignoring her. Being the gentleman that he is, he likes her enough to help her. Finding out her problem is both her parents are demanding that she marry Mr. Collins, Darcy is outraged, and they start climbing up Oakham Mount. He tells her that they both have a similar problem. He tells her of his Aunt Lady Matlock and the Earl's desire to marry his cousin, Anne. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has told him that this was his parents desires, too. However, there was as never any written document with an understanding. Both Anne and Darcy do not want to marry one another. Cousins only, but telling her mother and their Aunt and Uncle Matlock, is like talking to a brick wall. As they talk, he realizes that he could offer her an alternate path. In the two hours spent together, Elizabeth agrees to his plan. She accepts especially after hearing the truth about Wickham, she is appalled at her stupidity. Arriving home, Mr. Collins has transferred his designs on Mary, after the vehement opposition to his offer from Elizabeth. By the time Bingley and Darcy arrived for dinner, she's released from that marriage, tells Darcy that he doesn't have to marry her, because her problem no longer exists. Darcy not listening to everything she said, and Elizabeth not explaining herself well at all, Darcy takes the announcement as she wants him to withdraw from their agreement. Angry and hurt, he leaves for Netherfield, and in the morning for Pemberley. Undone completely, because he realizes that he love her, he begins to drink heavily and is distraught. Georgiana so worried about him, she writes Colonel Fitzwilliam. When Darcy arrives in London for their yearly trip to Rosings, his Aunt informs him that a Miss Bennet has married her rector, and two of her sisters are visiting relaying that she's sick and the sisters are here to help her. Darcy cannot believe that her parents forced to comply to their wishes and is heartbroken. As usual, his cousin got the entire story about why he's been so depressed. Arriving at Hunsford while passing the parsonage, he sees Elizabeth working in the garden, letting out a depressing, "Elizabeth." The Colonel takes off to visit and meets all of the Bennet sisters, but cannot believe that his cousin loves Mrs Mary Bennet - Collins. He says nothing to Darcy, but at supper Darcy, looking at Elizabeth asks Mrs. Collins a question and when Mary answers, he is completely confused. After the group from the parsonage leave, he jumps on his cousin for not telling him that Elizabeth was not married to the stupid parson. His cousin reminds him that he never said her Christian name. He makes up his mind that he is going to court her at Rosings. Fitzwilliam keeps interfering with Darcy's attempts, and they have a fist fight in the grove. Elizabeth happens on them, shirtless, and fighting. Her gasp lets them know that she has seen them. The colonel convinces him to take it slowly. When the time to separate comes, Georgiana has asked them to join them at Pemberley along with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Before leaving, Darcy confronts his Aunt Catherine. She's very upset with him and gets her brother involved. Then Anne, tells her that not only doesn't want to marry Darcy, but she is traveling to Pemberley with her cousins, Bennet sisters, and the Gardiners. To say Lady Catherine was upset is saying it was mildly. Arriving at Pemberley, both Elizabeth and Kitty are astounded by Pemberley. With Jane and Bingley arriving the next day, Elizabeth cannot wait to see her sister. Darcy has not seen Bingley since he left Netherfield the next morning after the misunderstanding what Elizabeth was trying to say. He missed Jane and Bingley's wedding knowing that he couldn't face Elizabeth as depressed as he was. The Bingleys and Kitty go walking and Jane is handed the letter about Lydia's unfortunate behavior with wicked Wickham. Both Jane and Kitty are crying so much, especially Jane, she can barely walk. The look on Darcy's face convinces Elizabeth that she must give him up. Misunderstanding again. She wants to return to Longbourn immediately, and Bingley tells her that was not part of Darcy's plan. Bingley takes Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, and Mrs Gardiner back to Longbourn. Darcy, the Colonel, and Mr. Gardiner had left the day before to find Wickham. Lydia, being the stupid, spoiled mess she is, doesn't understand why she can't be entertained by her Aunt and Uncle, or why she cannot have a wedding breakfast like Jane. She also is angry about the paltry sum given for her wedding clothes. She couldn't understand that she has done wrong. When confronted by the Matlocks, Darcy tells them it is none of their business. When he hears Lady Catherine is going to confront Elizabeth, Darcy is on his way to Longbourn. When he tells her absolutely no he was not letting her break the engagement, a special license helped them marry immediately. Turns out that his wife won the respect of most of Darcy's friends. Lady Catherine and the Matlocks had to eat crow!
January 11, 2020
I was hoping this would be a fun read, and while beautifully written, was far more angsty and derivative than anticipated.
In the end, nothing much changed, but the journey was more fraught.
In the end, nothing much changed, but the journey was more fraught.
December 20, 2020
This was a good story, but I didn't enjoy the writing. I found myself skipping the description parts to get to the dialog, which was what moved the story along.
D & E were good in this rendition.
Did not appreciate the epilogue!
D & E were good in this rendition.
Did not appreciate the epilogue!
June 29, 2016
One thing you often read of in both the original Pride and Prejudice and various fan fiction is how witty Elizabeth Bennet is, and how this was one of the major things that attracted Mr. Darcy to her. Jane Austen was certainly capable of making her witty, but not many fan fiction authors have this skill. I was delighted to see that Sophia Meredith is one of the exceptions. The best part, for me, of reading On Oakham Mount was the authors ability to truly show Elizabeth's conversational skills and wittiness.
In this variation, Elizabeth has received Mr. Collins proposal of marriage the day following the ball at Netherfield. However, this time Mr. Bennet does not come to his daughter's rescue, but encourages her to accept Mr. Collins. Once again, as the neglectful and indigent father he is, Mr. Bennet is thinking about his own comfort and how lovely it would be to be left alone in his study for the remainder of his days. With Elizabeth married to Mr. Collins, his family would be settled for his eventual demise and he could pursue his own interests in peace.
Hurt and shock over Mr. Bennet's lack of support propels Elizabeth to seek solitude on Oakham Mount where she can cry to her heart's content. She is starting to see the wisdom of the match with Mr. Collins, regardless of how personally disgusting the man. Her plan is to indulge herself in her sorrow now and then accept her lot and her permanent state of unhappiness with a man she cannot abide.
Seeing a woman in distress while taking a final ride before leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy heads to the mount to see if he can be of assistance. Elizabeth desires no assistance from Mr. Darcy, but is too polite to totally send him away. During their conversation several of their misunderstandings are resolved and Elizabeth begins to see Fitzwilliam Darcy in a much better light. In the meantime, Darcy is struggling internally with his feelings for Elizabeth and wonders if it would be possible to marry her so she would not have to marry Mr. Collins. He suggests a marriage of convenience which is accepted, after a slight misunderstanding, and the two settle on a betrothal.
However, in the meantime, Mr. Bingley gets it into his head that he will propose to Jane now, prior to leaving for town. Jane and Bingley promise Elizabeth a season in town for her to meet other men. Feeling honor bound to allow Darcy to bow out of the engagement, Elizabeth releases him. Since no one is aware of their betrothal, she feels now would be the time to allow him to back out. Mr. Darcy, however, takes this badly and leaves Meryton in turmoil. Both are unsettled and distraught about how the engagement ended. The question addressed through the remainder of the story is: why are both so unhappy about the engagement being ended? Is there something more between them? Can they find happiness apart or should they be together? A further misunderstanding about which Bennet sister married Mr. Collins compounds the problem.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, the dialog is wonderful. I love how Elizabeth wittily handles Darcy and his relatives. She is particularly at her sharpest while sparring with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. One of my favorite scenes, though, involves another misunderstanding between ODC when Elizabeth mistakes Darcy's proposal for a proposition.
I very much enjoyed On Oakham Mount. I saw a couple of errors, but maybe they are my misconceptions - I did not think Ann de Bourgh was due the title of Lady as I did not think her father's position provided for it. Lady Catherine is a lady due to her father being an earl, but Ann does not obtain that title from her mother. But, other than one or two minor things, I very much enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
In this variation, Elizabeth has received Mr. Collins proposal of marriage the day following the ball at Netherfield. However, this time Mr. Bennet does not come to his daughter's rescue, but encourages her to accept Mr. Collins. Once again, as the neglectful and indigent father he is, Mr. Bennet is thinking about his own comfort and how lovely it would be to be left alone in his study for the remainder of his days. With Elizabeth married to Mr. Collins, his family would be settled for his eventual demise and he could pursue his own interests in peace.
Hurt and shock over Mr. Bennet's lack of support propels Elizabeth to seek solitude on Oakham Mount where she can cry to her heart's content. She is starting to see the wisdom of the match with Mr. Collins, regardless of how personally disgusting the man. Her plan is to indulge herself in her sorrow now and then accept her lot and her permanent state of unhappiness with a man she cannot abide.
Seeing a woman in distress while taking a final ride before leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy heads to the mount to see if he can be of assistance. Elizabeth desires no assistance from Mr. Darcy, but is too polite to totally send him away. During their conversation several of their misunderstandings are resolved and Elizabeth begins to see Fitzwilliam Darcy in a much better light. In the meantime, Darcy is struggling internally with his feelings for Elizabeth and wonders if it would be possible to marry her so she would not have to marry Mr. Collins. He suggests a marriage of convenience which is accepted, after a slight misunderstanding, and the two settle on a betrothal.
However, in the meantime, Mr. Bingley gets it into his head that he will propose to Jane now, prior to leaving for town. Jane and Bingley promise Elizabeth a season in town for her to meet other men. Feeling honor bound to allow Darcy to bow out of the engagement, Elizabeth releases him. Since no one is aware of their betrothal, she feels now would be the time to allow him to back out. Mr. Darcy, however, takes this badly and leaves Meryton in turmoil. Both are unsettled and distraught about how the engagement ended. The question addressed through the remainder of the story is: why are both so unhappy about the engagement being ended? Is there something more between them? Can they find happiness apart or should they be together? A further misunderstanding about which Bennet sister married Mr. Collins compounds the problem.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, the dialog is wonderful. I love how Elizabeth wittily handles Darcy and his relatives. She is particularly at her sharpest while sparring with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. One of my favorite scenes, though, involves another misunderstanding between ODC when Elizabeth mistakes Darcy's proposal for a proposition.
I very much enjoyed On Oakham Mount. I saw a couple of errors, but maybe they are my misconceptions - I did not think Ann de Bourgh was due the title of Lady as I did not think her father's position provided for it. Lady Catherine is a lady due to her father being an earl, but Ann does not obtain that title from her mother. But, other than one or two minor things, I very much enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
July 17, 2019
Misunderstandings
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are briefly engaged. He thinks his proposal is to avoid a marriage to his cousin Anne De Bourgh and she to avoid marriage to her cousin Mr. Collins. She soon breaks the engagement and misunderstandings then follow. The premise for this story is unrealistic. I can’t believe Mr Darcy would propose under these circumstances. The reasons given for his decision are unbelievable, as he is a man of independent fortune and can’t be forced into marriage by anyone. The long talk and clearing of the air between the two main characters would certainly go a long way toward improving their relationship, but engagement and marriage is a stretch.
The remainder of the story was not very interesting and actually somewhat boring. Not well done. The best of this story is the long walk and talk at the beginning. It was downhill from there. This is not a very original story, it felt very much like reading the original story with minor changes. I finished the story but it was difficult.
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are briefly engaged. He thinks his proposal is to avoid a marriage to his cousin Anne De Bourgh and she to avoid marriage to her cousin Mr. Collins. She soon breaks the engagement and misunderstandings then follow. The premise for this story is unrealistic. I can’t believe Mr Darcy would propose under these circumstances. The reasons given for his decision are unbelievable, as he is a man of independent fortune and can’t be forced into marriage by anyone. The long talk and clearing of the air between the two main characters would certainly go a long way toward improving their relationship, but engagement and marriage is a stretch.
The remainder of the story was not very interesting and actually somewhat boring. Not well done. The best of this story is the long walk and talk at the beginning. It was downhill from there. This is not a very original story, it felt very much like reading the original story with minor changes. I finished the story but it was difficult.
June 11, 2016
With this Pride and Prejudice tale, when Mr. Collins, after the Netherfield Ball, proposes to Elizabeth she is certain that her refusal will be endorsed by her beloved father. Unfortunately she is mistaken and Mr. Bennet insists she marries him. As she escapes to Oakham Mount she meets Darcy and they come to an understanding. But this is only the start of misunderstandings.
I enjoyed the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam, my only wish was that Mary was better represented, as the Colonel and Mary are my two favourite characters of Pride and Prejudice.
I enjoyed the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam, my only wish was that Mary was better represented, as the Colonel and Mary are my two favourite characters of Pride and Prejudice.
January 26, 2018
I fast read most of the book because the author used to mutch time on tedious reflection of the caracters. This book, I most certainly will not reread. The plot is fresh but poorly executed. Mr Bennet want Elizabeth to marry mr Collins. Distressed Elizabeth wanders Out of doors to Oukham Mount where she meets mr Darcy. This is the only good part of the book, the rest felles like stalling the inevitable.
April 7, 2016
This is a pretty well written P&P Variation. At this point I've read so many, I didn't think there was possibly a new way to look at the story, but Sophia Meredith managed to make her story just unique enough without venturing so far from canon to make it ridiculous as some have done. I will read more of her work.
July 31, 2023
Although the disastrous proposal at Hunsford Parsonage does not occur in this narrative, Darcy and Elizabeth still manage to have enough misunderstandings and miscommunications between them to insert some angst into their budding relationship. And then there's Wickham and Lydia to stir the pot ...
(Editing oversights found in the Kindle text: Location 101, to the matter, sir and / to the matter, SIR, and (add comma) ; 109, from seeking his councel on / from seeking his COUNSEL on ; 164, As your father has told you Lizzy, you must / As your father has told YOU, LIZZY, you must (add comma) ; 234, between he and his cousin, Anne / between HIM and his cousin, Anne (preposition "between" requires object pronoun "him") ;
Location 376, less consulted in their wishes than is a man. / less consulted in their wishes than is a man." (needs end quote) ; 401, Especially toward you Miss Bennet, my words / Especially toward YOU, MISS Bennet, my words (add comma) ; 423, unkind remark last night Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said with feeling." / unkind remark last NIGHT, MR. Darcy," Elizabeth said with feeling. (1. add comma, 2. remove quote after "feeling") ;
Location 432, You are all goodness Miss Bennet / You are all GOODNESS, MISS Bennet (add comma) ; 475, I owed the knowledge of it to herself. / I owed the knowledge of it to herself." (needs end quote) ; 480, to implicitly trust her elders. / to implicitly trust her elders." (needs end quote) ; 540, a meeting between Miss Darcy and I may be / a meeting between Miss Darcy and ME may be (preposition "between" requires object pronoun "me") ;
Location 824, the contents of their own heart?' / the contents of their own heart?" (needs double quote, not single) ; 893, which in truth was never been any of my damned business / which in truth WAS NEVER any of my damned business (omit "been") ; 904, his friend would never affect an estrangement / his friend would never EFFECT an estrangement ; 907, It will take some adjustment I am sure / It will take some ADJUSTMENT, I am sure (add comma) ;
Location 910, you may not believe I have backbone Darcy / you may not believe I have BACKBONE, Darcy (add comma) ; 915, Nonsense Charles, my only concern / NONSENSE, Charles, my only concern (add comma) ; 936, this day could not be more compete." / this day could not be more COMPLETE." ; 953, I heard of Mr. Collins declarations / I heard of Mr. COLLINS'S declarations ;
Location 956, has been pierced by cupid's arrow / has been pierced by Cupid's arrow (capitalize) ; 956, Why Bingley, that is the most / WHY, Bingley, that is the most (add comma) ; 962, feel any amount gratification / feel any amount OF gratification ; 967, this night is for you and Jane alone. / this night is for you and Jane alone." (add end quote) ; 981, Well James, I expect / WELL, James, I expect (add comma) ;
Location 990, Yes, well I am afraid / Yes, WELL, I am afraid ; 1001, to align the Darcy's of Pemberley with them / to align the DARCYS of Pemberley with them (plural, not possessive) ; 1006, but when tis all said and done / but when 'TIS all said and done (add apostrophe) ; 1006, What man? / WHAT, man? (add comma) ; 1029, never respected neither my own nor her daughter's wishes / never respected EITHER my own OR her daughter's wishes ;
Location 1035, Will you draw me a bath James? / Will you draw me a BATH, James? (add comma) ; 1144, You can mean only one thing by this Miss Bennet / You can mean only one thing by THIS, Miss Bennet (add comma) ; 1159, The engagement, so rashly undertaken was at an end / The engagement so rashly undertaken was at an end (remove comma after "engagement") ;
Location 1169, He glanced at her, at least she had the good grace / He glanced at HER; at least she had the good grace (replace comma with semicolon) ; 1214, no entries from them could exert any influence / no ENTREATIES from them could exert any influence ; 1217, if she knew Mr. Darcy had offered for her today; she would not speak so / if she knew Mr. Darcy had offered for her TODAY, she would not speak so (replace semicolon with comma) ;
Location 1232, With Caroline's entries that she could only be comfortable in her own bedchamber / With Caroline's ENTREATIES that she could only be comfortable in her own bedchamber ; 1346, Did you let the young man slip through your fingers. / Did you let the young man slip through your fingers? (this is a question) ; 1358, to be 'Aunt Charlotte' to your children. / to be 'Aunt Charlotte' to your children." (needs ending quote) ;
Location 1401, Elizabeth said bewildered. / Elizabeth SAID, bewildered. (add comma) ; 1405, Miss Bingley effected to be ill / Miss Bingley AFFECTED to be ill ; 438, trimmed with frothy Belgian lace looked like / trimmed with frothy Belgian LACE, LOOKED like (add comma) ; 1531, it is not your parent's disappointment / it is not your PARENTS' disappointment (both parents = plural possessive) ;
Location 1545, Very noble of you Elizabeth. / Very noble of YOU, Elizabeth. (add comma) ; 1551, tell me why you so blue-deviled / tell me why you ARE so blue-deviled ; 1557, than a few hours duration / than a few HOURS' duration (add possessive apostrophe) ; 1602, insurmountable breech to have / insurmountable BREACH to have ; 1640, had a breech with Bingley / had a BREACH with Bingley ;
Location 1661, made a shocking mull of it Darcy / made a shocking mull of IT, DARCY (add comma) ; 1705, impossible for her see the travelers / impossible for her TO see the travelers ; 1717, I have seen her Fitzwilliam / I have seen HER, Fitzwilliam (add comma) ; 1725, Of course Darcy. / Of COURSE, Darcy. (add comma) ; 1803, continued to assiduously avoided meeting her eye / continued to assiduously AVOID meeting her eye ;
Location 1808, just another object d'art lost / just another OBJET d'art lost (correct French spelling) ; 1814, pulled her had back abruptly / pulled her HAND back abruptly ; 1876, All are very well thank you. / All are very WELL, thank you. (add comma) ; 1983, my parents' instruction that accept it / my parents' instruction THAT I ACCEPT it ; 2004, tell me how she fairs / tell me how she FARES ;
Location 2141, For the first time in my life Richard, I simply / For the first time in my LIFE, Richard, I simply (add comma) ; 2173, it is fault of the blossoms / it is THE fault of the blossoms ; 2199, my sister's home will you not? / my sister's HOME, will you not? ; 2220, You really must think me / "You really must think me (needs opening quote) ; 2295 plans to layout a flower garden / plans to LAY OUT a flower garden ("layout" is a noun, not a verb) ;
Location 2329, kept his composure aware of the pain / kept his COMPOSURE, aware of the pain ; 2387, Fearful of embarrassing her he took a seat / Fearful of embarrassing HER, he took a seat ; 2390, leaning back he began hinting / leaning BACK, he began hinting ; 2393, he said nodding toward her book / he SAID, nodding toward her book ; 2398, Yes Darcy, I have had / YES, Darcy, I have had ;
Location 2464, Darcy could not be angry at for the interference / Darcy could not be angry AT THE interference (omit "for") ; 2470, invite her and the Bingley's to Pemberley / invite her and the BINGLEYS to Pemberley (plural, not possessive) ; 2476, but your councel is a good one / but your COUNSEL is a good one ; 2479, Anne as well as, Fitzwilliam / Anne as well AS Fitzwilliam (omit comma) ;
Location 2390, dismissal of Mrs. Jenkins / dismissal of Mrs. JENKINSON (In P&P, Anne's companion is Mrs. JenkinSON, not Jenkins) ; 2482, hatchet-faced Mrs. Jenkins as well / hatchet-faced Mrs. JENKINSON as well ; 2482, stand in Mrs. Jenkins's place / stand in Mrs. JENKINSON'S place ; 2491, courage to tell her William / courage to tell HER, William ; 2491, Oh immense! / OH, immense! ;
Location 2501, old sourpuss Mrs. Jenkins at home / old sourpuss Mrs. JENKINSON at home ;
2512, quite an accomplishment Mr. Darcy / quite an ACCOMPLISHMENT, Mr. Darcy ; 2523, so it must true / so it must BE true ; 2552, her just desserts / her just DESERTS (deserts: that which is deserved) ; 2672, any more than she like an ill-mannered one / any more than she LIKED an ill-mannered one ;
Location 2675, Elizabeth giggled thinking of the absurdity / Elizabeth GIGGLED, thinking of the absurdity ; 2678, she had had expressed an opinion / she HAD EXPRESSED an opinion (omit second "had") ; 2721, she said fanning herself / she SAID, fanning herself ; 2726, Pray Mrs. Bennet, is it often / PRAY, Mrs. Bennet, is it often ; 2740, provide her extensive councel in the steps / provide her extensive COUNSEL in the steps ;
Location 2751, upon reading these lines was an astute / upon reading these LINES, was an astute ; 2774, in the process that increased his admiration / in the PROCESS, that increased his admiration ; 2798, if the Gardiner's were aware / if the GARDINERS were aware (plural, not possessive) ; 2812, the Gardiner's would accept / the GARDINERS would accept ; 2837, sorry to cause you pain Mama / sorry to cause you PAIN, Mama ;
Location 2840, Anne said interrupting / Anne SAID, interrupting ; 2857, tea at the Gardiners where Elizabeth / tea at the GARDINERS' where Elizabeth (possessive, since the Gardiners' [house] is implicit) ; 2887, family dinner at the Gardiner's / family dinner at the GARDINERS' ; 2959, with everyday a new room / with EVERY DAY a new room ; 2989, upon seeing his him / upon seeing HIM (-OR-) upon seeing HIS FRIEND ;
Location 2994, crossed the couples's faces / crossed the COUPLE'S faces ; 3071, to London but no further. / to London but no further." (needs end quote) ;3083, All will be well my dear. / All will be WELL, my dear. ; 3114, Kitty, and he, would depart / Kitty, and HE would depart (omit comma after "he") ; 3125, at the soonest possible time Elizabeth / at the soonest possible TIME, Elizabeth ;
Location 3126, I certainly shall Georgiana / I certainly SHALL, Georgiana ; 3167, residence in the Gardiner's home / residence in the GARDINERS' home ; 3273, Lord Matlock said looking pointedly / Lord Matlock SAID, looking pointedly ; 3282, an offer to another girl? / an offer to another girl. (This sentence is not a question.) ; 3316, As for the worldly advantages / "As for the worldly advantages (needs opening quote) ;
Location 3394, Elizabeth's visitor, said taking a seat / Elizabeth's VISITOR SAID, taking a seat (move comma) ; 3405, I wonder at my nephew's involving himself? / I wonder at my nephew's involving himself. (Statement, not a question) ; 3426, could not support the Collins's / could not support the COLLINSES (plural of Collins) ; 3429, than to breakdown in tears / than to BREAK DOWN in tears ("breakdown" is a noun, not a verb) ;
Location 3491, I do know where she is Mr. Bennet / I do know where she IS, Mr. Bennet ; 3522, he was determined to breakdown whatever / he was determined to BREAK DOWN whatever ; 3571, entirely yours, Mr. Darcy as are all / entirely yours, Mr. DARCY, as are all ; 3590, grievously disappointed my darling Lizzy / grievously DISAPPOINTED, my darling Lizzy ;
Location 3616, The William and his Lizzy were wed / William and his Lizzy were wed (omit "The") ; 3627, about her sister, Mary and Mr. Collins / about her SISTER MARY and Mr. Collins (omit comma after "sister") ; 3635, taking a page from his his father-in-law / taking a page FROM HIS FATHER-in-law (omit second "his") ;
Location 3638, A year in the wilds of of North America were enough / A year in the WILDS OF NORTH America WAS enough (1. remove second "of" ; 2. correct verb form ["A year ... was enough"]) ; 3726, your oversight my dear / your OVERSIGHT, my dear ; 3746, Yes Mama / YES, Mama ; 3752, "Lady Catherine," said she, "you have given me a treasure." / 'Lady Catherine,' said she, 'you have given me a treasure.' " (quote within direct quote) ;
Location 3760, of obscure greek text on a high shelf / of obscure Greek text on a high shelf (capitalize) ; 3793, in spite of enormity of your / in spite of THE enormity of your ; 3805, could find a new situations / could FIND NEW situations (omit "a") ; 3844, the thought of leaving Elizabeth / the thought of LEAVING, Elizabeth (add comma) ; 3866, Oh Lizzy, I miss our father / OH, Lizzy, I miss our father ;
Location 3896, went so far as the chaise lounge / went so far as the chaise LONGUE (French for "long chair") ; 3936, writing to a ladies academy / writing to a LADIES' academy (possessive) ; 3939, they go away to school. / they go away to school." (needs end quote) ; 3942, of whom you speak my love / of whom you SPEAK, my love ; 3945, You are never disrespectful Lizzy / You are never DISRESPECTFUL, Lizzy ;
Location 3953, approving smiles from passerby / approving smiles from PASSERSBY (proper plural) ; 3963, Ahh brother, it reminds me / AHH, brother, it reminds me ; 3963, little heathen you were Georgiana / little heathen you WERE, Georgiana ; 3977, for Georgie's ladies' companion / for Georgie's LADY'S companion ; 4004, baby sister" / baby SISTER." (add period) ; 4018, Yes, well it would be a shame / Yes, WELL, it would be a shame ;
Location 4030, Well it is nice to know / WELL, it is nice to know ; 4049, Well I do not think / WELL, I do not think ; 4109, Why this is higher / WHY, this is higher ; 4123, Certainly sir. / CERTAINLY, sir. ; 4129, as soon she left / as soon AS she left ; 4147, I could not in good conscious take more / I could not in good CONSCIENCE take more ; 4150, philosophy and roman history / philosophy and Roman history (capitalize) ;
Location 4155, Why that is marvelous / WHY, that is marvelous ; 4155, Oh plenty! / OH, plenty! ; 4167, upon which to promote myself. / upon which to promote myself." (needs end quote) ; 4172, delivery that came to day will suit / delivery that came TODAY will suit ; 4198, This is very good news do you not think? / This is very good NEWS, do you not think? ; 4209, Jane said warming up to the idea / Jane SAID, warming up to the idea ;
Location 4212, No you must not / NO, you must not ; 4212, he is not too odious that is / he is not too ODIOUS, that is ; 4224, dine at Darcy house / dine at Darcy House (capitalize) ; 4229, I tell you Richard, I do not know / I tell YOU, Richard, I do not know ; 4234, I should think and Georgiana herself / I should THINK, and Georgiana herself ; 4240, for more than ten years gave had every reason / for more than ten years HAD GIVEN HIM every reason ;
Location 4243, Oh it's not me / OH, it's not me ; 4248, to be quiet as a mouse / to be AS quiet as a mouse ; 4253, Who can blame her after that debacle with the dancing instructor. / Who can blame her after that debacle with the dancing instructor? (this is a question) ; 4261, at this time, I only hope / at this TIME. I only hope (replace comma with period to end sentence) ; 4264, for the project, Georgie is / for the PROJECT. Georgie is (ibid. loc 4261) ; 4272, At this point, Crabbe, entered / At this point, CRABBE entered (omit comma) .)
(Editing oversights found in the Kindle text: Location 101, to the matter, sir and / to the matter, SIR, and (add comma) ; 109, from seeking his councel on / from seeking his COUNSEL on ; 164, As your father has told you Lizzy, you must / As your father has told YOU, LIZZY, you must (add comma) ; 234, between he and his cousin, Anne / between HIM and his cousin, Anne (preposition "between" requires object pronoun "him") ;
Location 376, less consulted in their wishes than is a man. / less consulted in their wishes than is a man." (needs end quote) ; 401, Especially toward you Miss Bennet, my words / Especially toward YOU, MISS Bennet, my words (add comma) ; 423, unkind remark last night Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said with feeling." / unkind remark last NIGHT, MR. Darcy," Elizabeth said with feeling. (1. add comma, 2. remove quote after "feeling") ;
Location 432, You are all goodness Miss Bennet / You are all GOODNESS, MISS Bennet (add comma) ; 475, I owed the knowledge of it to herself. / I owed the knowledge of it to herself." (needs end quote) ; 480, to implicitly trust her elders. / to implicitly trust her elders." (needs end quote) ; 540, a meeting between Miss Darcy and I may be / a meeting between Miss Darcy and ME may be (preposition "between" requires object pronoun "me") ;
Location 824, the contents of their own heart?' / the contents of their own heart?" (needs double quote, not single) ; 893, which in truth was never been any of my damned business / which in truth WAS NEVER any of my damned business (omit "been") ; 904, his friend would never affect an estrangement / his friend would never EFFECT an estrangement ; 907, It will take some adjustment I am sure / It will take some ADJUSTMENT, I am sure (add comma) ;
Location 910, you may not believe I have backbone Darcy / you may not believe I have BACKBONE, Darcy (add comma) ; 915, Nonsense Charles, my only concern / NONSENSE, Charles, my only concern (add comma) ; 936, this day could not be more compete." / this day could not be more COMPLETE." ; 953, I heard of Mr. Collins declarations / I heard of Mr. COLLINS'S declarations ;
Location 956, has been pierced by cupid's arrow / has been pierced by Cupid's arrow (capitalize) ; 956, Why Bingley, that is the most / WHY, Bingley, that is the most (add comma) ; 962, feel any amount gratification / feel any amount OF gratification ; 967, this night is for you and Jane alone. / this night is for you and Jane alone." (add end quote) ; 981, Well James, I expect / WELL, James, I expect (add comma) ;
Location 990, Yes, well I am afraid / Yes, WELL, I am afraid ; 1001, to align the Darcy's of Pemberley with them / to align the DARCYS of Pemberley with them (plural, not possessive) ; 1006, but when tis all said and done / but when 'TIS all said and done (add apostrophe) ; 1006, What man? / WHAT, man? (add comma) ; 1029, never respected neither my own nor her daughter's wishes / never respected EITHER my own OR her daughter's wishes ;
Location 1035, Will you draw me a bath James? / Will you draw me a BATH, James? (add comma) ; 1144, You can mean only one thing by this Miss Bennet / You can mean only one thing by THIS, Miss Bennet (add comma) ; 1159, The engagement, so rashly undertaken was at an end / The engagement so rashly undertaken was at an end (remove comma after "engagement") ;
Location 1169, He glanced at her, at least she had the good grace / He glanced at HER; at least she had the good grace (replace comma with semicolon) ; 1214, no entries from them could exert any influence / no ENTREATIES from them could exert any influence ; 1217, if she knew Mr. Darcy had offered for her today; she would not speak so / if she knew Mr. Darcy had offered for her TODAY, she would not speak so (replace semicolon with comma) ;
Location 1232, With Caroline's entries that she could only be comfortable in her own bedchamber / With Caroline's ENTREATIES that she could only be comfortable in her own bedchamber ; 1346, Did you let the young man slip through your fingers. / Did you let the young man slip through your fingers? (this is a question) ; 1358, to be 'Aunt Charlotte' to your children. / to be 'Aunt Charlotte' to your children." (needs ending quote) ;
Location 1401, Elizabeth said bewildered. / Elizabeth SAID, bewildered. (add comma) ; 1405, Miss Bingley effected to be ill / Miss Bingley AFFECTED to be ill ; 438, trimmed with frothy Belgian lace looked like / trimmed with frothy Belgian LACE, LOOKED like (add comma) ; 1531, it is not your parent's disappointment / it is not your PARENTS' disappointment (both parents = plural possessive) ;
Location 1545, Very noble of you Elizabeth. / Very noble of YOU, Elizabeth. (add comma) ; 1551, tell me why you so blue-deviled / tell me why you ARE so blue-deviled ; 1557, than a few hours duration / than a few HOURS' duration (add possessive apostrophe) ; 1602, insurmountable breech to have / insurmountable BREACH to have ; 1640, had a breech with Bingley / had a BREACH with Bingley ;
Location 1661, made a shocking mull of it Darcy / made a shocking mull of IT, DARCY (add comma) ; 1705, impossible for her see the travelers / impossible for her TO see the travelers ; 1717, I have seen her Fitzwilliam / I have seen HER, Fitzwilliam (add comma) ; 1725, Of course Darcy. / Of COURSE, Darcy. (add comma) ; 1803, continued to assiduously avoided meeting her eye / continued to assiduously AVOID meeting her eye ;
Location 1808, just another object d'art lost / just another OBJET d'art lost (correct French spelling) ; 1814, pulled her had back abruptly / pulled her HAND back abruptly ; 1876, All are very well thank you. / All are very WELL, thank you. (add comma) ; 1983, my parents' instruction that accept it / my parents' instruction THAT I ACCEPT it ; 2004, tell me how she fairs / tell me how she FARES ;
Location 2141, For the first time in my life Richard, I simply / For the first time in my LIFE, Richard, I simply (add comma) ; 2173, it is fault of the blossoms / it is THE fault of the blossoms ; 2199, my sister's home will you not? / my sister's HOME, will you not? ; 2220, You really must think me / "You really must think me (needs opening quote) ; 2295 plans to layout a flower garden / plans to LAY OUT a flower garden ("layout" is a noun, not a verb) ;
Location 2329, kept his composure aware of the pain / kept his COMPOSURE, aware of the pain ; 2387, Fearful of embarrassing her he took a seat / Fearful of embarrassing HER, he took a seat ; 2390, leaning back he began hinting / leaning BACK, he began hinting ; 2393, he said nodding toward her book / he SAID, nodding toward her book ; 2398, Yes Darcy, I have had / YES, Darcy, I have had ;
Location 2464, Darcy could not be angry at for the interference / Darcy could not be angry AT THE interference (omit "for") ; 2470, invite her and the Bingley's to Pemberley / invite her and the BINGLEYS to Pemberley (plural, not possessive) ; 2476, but your councel is a good one / but your COUNSEL is a good one ; 2479, Anne as well as, Fitzwilliam / Anne as well AS Fitzwilliam (omit comma) ;
Location 2390, dismissal of Mrs. Jenkins / dismissal of Mrs. JENKINSON (In P&P, Anne's companion is Mrs. JenkinSON, not Jenkins) ; 2482, hatchet-faced Mrs. Jenkins as well / hatchet-faced Mrs. JENKINSON as well ; 2482, stand in Mrs. Jenkins's place / stand in Mrs. JENKINSON'S place ; 2491, courage to tell her William / courage to tell HER, William ; 2491, Oh immense! / OH, immense! ;
Location 2501, old sourpuss Mrs. Jenkins at home / old sourpuss Mrs. JENKINSON at home ;
2512, quite an accomplishment Mr. Darcy / quite an ACCOMPLISHMENT, Mr. Darcy ; 2523, so it must true / so it must BE true ; 2552, her just desserts / her just DESERTS (deserts: that which is deserved) ; 2672, any more than she like an ill-mannered one / any more than she LIKED an ill-mannered one ;
Location 2675, Elizabeth giggled thinking of the absurdity / Elizabeth GIGGLED, thinking of the absurdity ; 2678, she had had expressed an opinion / she HAD EXPRESSED an opinion (omit second "had") ; 2721, she said fanning herself / she SAID, fanning herself ; 2726, Pray Mrs. Bennet, is it often / PRAY, Mrs. Bennet, is it often ; 2740, provide her extensive councel in the steps / provide her extensive COUNSEL in the steps ;
Location 2751, upon reading these lines was an astute / upon reading these LINES, was an astute ; 2774, in the process that increased his admiration / in the PROCESS, that increased his admiration ; 2798, if the Gardiner's were aware / if the GARDINERS were aware (plural, not possessive) ; 2812, the Gardiner's would accept / the GARDINERS would accept ; 2837, sorry to cause you pain Mama / sorry to cause you PAIN, Mama ;
Location 2840, Anne said interrupting / Anne SAID, interrupting ; 2857, tea at the Gardiners where Elizabeth / tea at the GARDINERS' where Elizabeth (possessive, since the Gardiners' [house] is implicit) ; 2887, family dinner at the Gardiner's / family dinner at the GARDINERS' ; 2959, with everyday a new room / with EVERY DAY a new room ; 2989, upon seeing his him / upon seeing HIM (-OR-) upon seeing HIS FRIEND ;
Location 2994, crossed the couples's faces / crossed the COUPLE'S faces ; 3071, to London but no further. / to London but no further." (needs end quote) ;3083, All will be well my dear. / All will be WELL, my dear. ; 3114, Kitty, and he, would depart / Kitty, and HE would depart (omit comma after "he") ; 3125, at the soonest possible time Elizabeth / at the soonest possible TIME, Elizabeth ;
Location 3126, I certainly shall Georgiana / I certainly SHALL, Georgiana ; 3167, residence in the Gardiner's home / residence in the GARDINERS' home ; 3273, Lord Matlock said looking pointedly / Lord Matlock SAID, looking pointedly ; 3282, an offer to another girl? / an offer to another girl. (This sentence is not a question.) ; 3316, As for the worldly advantages / "As for the worldly advantages (needs opening quote) ;
Location 3394, Elizabeth's visitor, said taking a seat / Elizabeth's VISITOR SAID, taking a seat (move comma) ; 3405, I wonder at my nephew's involving himself? / I wonder at my nephew's involving himself. (Statement, not a question) ; 3426, could not support the Collins's / could not support the COLLINSES (plural of Collins) ; 3429, than to breakdown in tears / than to BREAK DOWN in tears ("breakdown" is a noun, not a verb) ;
Location 3491, I do know where she is Mr. Bennet / I do know where she IS, Mr. Bennet ; 3522, he was determined to breakdown whatever / he was determined to BREAK DOWN whatever ; 3571, entirely yours, Mr. Darcy as are all / entirely yours, Mr. DARCY, as are all ; 3590, grievously disappointed my darling Lizzy / grievously DISAPPOINTED, my darling Lizzy ;
Location 3616, The William and his Lizzy were wed / William and his Lizzy were wed (omit "The") ; 3627, about her sister, Mary and Mr. Collins / about her SISTER MARY and Mr. Collins (omit comma after "sister") ; 3635, taking a page from his his father-in-law / taking a page FROM HIS FATHER-in-law (omit second "his") ;
Location 3638, A year in the wilds of of North America were enough / A year in the WILDS OF NORTH America WAS enough (1. remove second "of" ; 2. correct verb form ["A year ... was enough"]) ; 3726, your oversight my dear / your OVERSIGHT, my dear ; 3746, Yes Mama / YES, Mama ; 3752, "Lady Catherine," said she, "you have given me a treasure." / 'Lady Catherine,' said she, 'you have given me a treasure.' " (quote within direct quote) ;
Location 3760, of obscure greek text on a high shelf / of obscure Greek text on a high shelf (capitalize) ; 3793, in spite of enormity of your / in spite of THE enormity of your ; 3805, could find a new situations / could FIND NEW situations (omit "a") ; 3844, the thought of leaving Elizabeth / the thought of LEAVING, Elizabeth (add comma) ; 3866, Oh Lizzy, I miss our father / OH, Lizzy, I miss our father ;
Location 3896, went so far as the chaise lounge / went so far as the chaise LONGUE (French for "long chair") ; 3936, writing to a ladies academy / writing to a LADIES' academy (possessive) ; 3939, they go away to school. / they go away to school." (needs end quote) ; 3942, of whom you speak my love / of whom you SPEAK, my love ; 3945, You are never disrespectful Lizzy / You are never DISRESPECTFUL, Lizzy ;
Location 3953, approving smiles from passerby / approving smiles from PASSERSBY (proper plural) ; 3963, Ahh brother, it reminds me / AHH, brother, it reminds me ; 3963, little heathen you were Georgiana / little heathen you WERE, Georgiana ; 3977, for Georgie's ladies' companion / for Georgie's LADY'S companion ; 4004, baby sister" / baby SISTER." (add period) ; 4018, Yes, well it would be a shame / Yes, WELL, it would be a shame ;
Location 4030, Well it is nice to know / WELL, it is nice to know ; 4049, Well I do not think / WELL, I do not think ; 4109, Why this is higher / WHY, this is higher ; 4123, Certainly sir. / CERTAINLY, sir. ; 4129, as soon she left / as soon AS she left ; 4147, I could not in good conscious take more / I could not in good CONSCIENCE take more ; 4150, philosophy and roman history / philosophy and Roman history (capitalize) ;
Location 4155, Why that is marvelous / WHY, that is marvelous ; 4155, Oh plenty! / OH, plenty! ; 4167, upon which to promote myself. / upon which to promote myself." (needs end quote) ; 4172, delivery that came to day will suit / delivery that came TODAY will suit ; 4198, This is very good news do you not think? / This is very good NEWS, do you not think? ; 4209, Jane said warming up to the idea / Jane SAID, warming up to the idea ;
Location 4212, No you must not / NO, you must not ; 4212, he is not too odious that is / he is not too ODIOUS, that is ; 4224, dine at Darcy house / dine at Darcy House (capitalize) ; 4229, I tell you Richard, I do not know / I tell YOU, Richard, I do not know ; 4234, I should think and Georgiana herself / I should THINK, and Georgiana herself ; 4240, for more than ten years gave had every reason / for more than ten years HAD GIVEN HIM every reason ;
Location 4243, Oh it's not me / OH, it's not me ; 4248, to be quiet as a mouse / to be AS quiet as a mouse ; 4253, Who can blame her after that debacle with the dancing instructor. / Who can blame her after that debacle with the dancing instructor? (this is a question) ; 4261, at this time, I only hope / at this TIME. I only hope (replace comma with period to end sentence) ; 4264, for the project, Georgie is / for the PROJECT. Georgie is (ibid. loc 4261) ; 4272, At this point, Crabbe, entered / At this point, CRABBE entered (omit comma) .)
July 13, 2019
I enjoyed reading this story and watching Elizabeth and Darcy learn to recognize their own feelings for each other and how things work out for them. I really enjoyed the Epilogue at the end and seeing how things turned out for all the characters.
March 1, 2019
Needs some editing for spelling etc.
Slow, wordy start, but enjoyable once E & D speak. It didn’t really have enough of D & E together, but was quite sweet when they were.
Slow, wordy start, but enjoyable once E & D speak. It didn’t really have enough of D & E together, but was quite sweet when they were.
May 20, 2020
Started well butt...
I just could not believe have the things in this story story I do not like writing bad reviews but this one was bad
I just could not believe have the things in this story story I do not like writing bad reviews but this one was bad
December 25, 2020
DNF 22%
The excessive amount of introspection and bland style of having characters converse had me too bored (and annoyed) to continue the story.
The excessive amount of introspection and bland style of having characters converse had me too bored (and annoyed) to continue the story.
November 7, 2022
Less telling, more showing and it would've been perfect.
Read
November 14, 2022Lizzy rejects Collins and takes Darcy up on a marriage of convenience.
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