What do you think?
Rate this book
A Dishonorable Offer
Elizabeth's and Jane’s future looked bleak: Mama had wasted her money after Papa died, and Lydia married a brawny blacksmith. Now they were barely seen as gentlewomen, but Elizabeth refused to ever let herself be unhappy. She still believed they would marry for love.
His uncle had been an exemplary guardian after Father died, but it was annoying how he insisted Darcy always keep a mistress. He pushed a new woman on Darcy every single time he grew bored and ended an affair. Not again. This time he'd find his own woman. He wanted a woman he could talk and laugh with. Someone like the vivacious Miss Elizabeth. But even though her family had fallen far, he did not believe she would accept such an arrangement...
The story is mostly a funny romantic comedy with the unhappy parts not lasting too long. But Elizabeth is in an difficult situation, and Darcy feels very protective of her long before he admits to himself he loves her.
His uncle had been an exemplary guardian after Father died, but it was annoying how he insisted Darcy always keep a mistress. He pushed a new woman on Darcy every single time he grew bored and ended an affair. Not again. This time he'd find his own woman. He wanted a woman he could talk and laugh with. Someone like the vivacious Miss Elizabeth. But even though her family had fallen far, he did not believe she would accept such an arrangement...
The story is mostly a funny romantic comedy with the unhappy parts not lasting too long. But Elizabeth is in an difficult situation, and Darcy feels very protective of her long before he admits to himself he loves her.
- GenresHistoricalRomance
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2016
59 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 27, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars
This tale for me was a very melancholy story for about two-thirds of the way through. I was entrapped wanting to get to a happy part, an uplifting part, and so could not put this book down until the sun peeked through in the telling at 1 am. Then I picked it up first thing this morning.
Darcy’s Uncle Matlock has reared him along with his two cousins, Derwent and Richard. Darcy has become an orphan at the young of 13, as his father could not stand to live on without his beloved wife. The tale put abroad was that he had a hunting accident. So Matlock cursed the “love” factor that pushed his brother-in-law over the edge and determined that his philosophy of keeping a mistress was the best and so made sure those he had charge of were initiated into the practice as soon as those male urgings developed.
So when Darcy’s last mistress has been paid off some six months earlier and his uncle is seeking to put another one in place, Darcy resists and relates that he wants to find someone he can talk to, laugh with, not just someone to warm his bed. He wants to be able to “quote Latin” and have the lady understand what he is saying.
In this novel Darcy is very different and it is explained that his cousins groomed him in the art of not only conversation, but also in how to smile, how often to dance and how to NOT stand around the corners in a ballroom looking on in disdain. He has even learned to count how many dances he has danced so as to reach a certain quota. Then he studies the art on the walls.
So as he goes off to visit his friend Bingley in Hertfordshire and attends an assembly he witnesses a young lady sitting by the wall with her eyes closed and a myriad of expressions crossing her face. He wants to meet her and thus begins the acquaintance of Darcy and Elizabeth. But as he is attracted more and more to her spirit and her conversation he also keeps his hard resolve that he will not be his father; he will not fall in love…ever.
And as for Elizabeth we have a dreamer. She accepts reality but her twist is that she has enough to be happy and there is a better outcome over the horizon. So she thinks only happy thoughts. She knows that the poverty into which her father’s death and her mother’s spendthrift behaviors have thrown the sisters puts them on the brink of unacceptability in even the circles of Meryton. Her Uncle Philips ridicules the girls as “no good” since Lydia is forced to marry a blacksmith and further lowers their “connections”. But she dreams of happiness for her perfect sister Jane and she posits maybe…Darcy will realize. Darcy does make an offer. But to whom and for what position in his life? Don’t think you can predict this one, dear readers.
But also as an aside: I was laughing out loud at the use of Darcy’s famous Meryton Assembly insult near the end in a way I would never have imagined.
Even with the topic of mistresses being so prevalent in this story it does not have graphic sex scenes. But the topic of mistresses is throughout the book. Much to-do is made of the novel Pamela and comparisons to ODC’s situation. I had to look that book up and it is available for free on kindle. While I was captivated by the story I did not find it to be very “warm and fuzzy” until almost the last 10% of the story. If you like angst and all the emotions such evokes then this might be a story you want to read.
This tale for me was a very melancholy story for about two-thirds of the way through. I was entrapped wanting to get to a happy part, an uplifting part, and so could not put this book down until the sun peeked through in the telling at 1 am. Then I picked it up first thing this morning.
Darcy’s Uncle Matlock has reared him along with his two cousins, Derwent and Richard. Darcy has become an orphan at the young of 13, as his father could not stand to live on without his beloved wife. The tale put abroad was that he had a hunting accident. So Matlock cursed the “love” factor that pushed his brother-in-law over the edge and determined that his philosophy of keeping a mistress was the best and so made sure those he had charge of were initiated into the practice as soon as those male urgings developed.
So when Darcy’s last mistress has been paid off some six months earlier and his uncle is seeking to put another one in place, Darcy resists and relates that he wants to find someone he can talk to, laugh with, not just someone to warm his bed. He wants to be able to “quote Latin” and have the lady understand what he is saying.
In this novel Darcy is very different and it is explained that his cousins groomed him in the art of not only conversation, but also in how to smile, how often to dance and how to NOT stand around the corners in a ballroom looking on in disdain. He has even learned to count how many dances he has danced so as to reach a certain quota. Then he studies the art on the walls.
So as he goes off to visit his friend Bingley in Hertfordshire and attends an assembly he witnesses a young lady sitting by the wall with her eyes closed and a myriad of expressions crossing her face. He wants to meet her and thus begins the acquaintance of Darcy and Elizabeth. But as he is attracted more and more to her spirit and her conversation he also keeps his hard resolve that he will not be his father; he will not fall in love…ever.
And as for Elizabeth we have a dreamer. She accepts reality but her twist is that she has enough to be happy and there is a better outcome over the horizon. So she thinks only happy thoughts. She knows that the poverty into which her father’s death and her mother’s spendthrift behaviors have thrown the sisters puts them on the brink of unacceptability in even the circles of Meryton. Her Uncle Philips ridicules the girls as “no good” since Lydia is forced to marry a blacksmith and further lowers their “connections”. But she dreams of happiness for her perfect sister Jane and she posits maybe…Darcy will realize. Darcy does make an offer. But to whom and for what position in his life? Don’t think you can predict this one, dear readers.
But also as an aside: I was laughing out loud at the use of Darcy’s famous Meryton Assembly insult near the end in a way I would never have imagined.
Even with the topic of mistresses being so prevalent in this story it does not have graphic sex scenes. But the topic of mistresses is throughout the book. Much to-do is made of the novel Pamela and comparisons to ODC’s situation. I had to look that book up and it is available for free on kindle. While I was captivated by the story I did not find it to be very “warm and fuzzy” until almost the last 10% of the story. If you like angst and all the emotions such evokes then this might be a story you want to read.
May 1, 2017
“There is but one pride pardonable; that of being above doing a base or dishonorable action.” Samuel Richardson
This P&P variation was so far outside the box that I didn’t recognize any of the characters, only the names were the same. Who were these people?
Rating: MA: Mature Audience: mature themes, crude, vulgar language, frank and sensual discussions, sexual thoughts and notions, irreligious attitudes, base morals.
This Darcy, after the death of his father, was raised under the influence of his Uncle the Earl of Matlock, who provided him with a mistress as soon as he was old enough to understand what to do with her, and he made sure Darcy was never without one from that point on. He was taught how to talk to women, behave in social settings and his cousins helped him practice his arresting dimpled smile. The end result was a man who was flirty, glib tongued and, if I closed my eyes, sounded a lot like Wickham.
Elizabeth was this Pollyanna type that lived in this perpetual world of her own creation where everything was perfect and any problems would be alright and she was determined to be happy no matter what happened. She would zone out and go to her happy place until her unhappiness was replaced with good humor. She told Darcy that she was determined to be happy. And in her mind, her Jane was the perfect specimen of womanhood. OMG!!
“Honor your daughters. They are honorable.” Malala Yousafzai
Mrs. Bennet: This woman was horrid. After the death of her husband, she spent all her inheritance in frivolous pursuits and was now bankrupt and reduced to complaining and bemoaning her situation. She was so self-centered and selfish that she railed against Jane and Elizabeth because they had failed to secure an advantageous marriage that would have alleviated her lowered status. She ranted at the girls and belittled Elizabeth, because she was not as beautiful as Jane and constantly called her names. She insisted that Jane and Lizzy use their allurements to attract the wealthy Bingley and Darcy. She even advised them how best to attach these men even to the point of… if all else failed… become their mistress or under their protection… so they could help her, of course. Who were these people?
Uncle Philips was an angry bitter man. I could see where he would feel imposed upon by his wife’s sister living with them. His anger was fueled by the fact Mrs. Bennet had squandered her inheritance within the first few years of her widowhood by living beyond her means, bankrupting herself and her daughters and having to rely on her relations in order to survive. With Jane and Lizzy in London, Mary at Longbourn, he was forced to take in Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.
Lydia destroyed not only her own reputation but the reputation and standing of the rest of her family by becoming with child and marrying the blacksmith in a nearby village. Disgusted with Lydia’s behavior, he took his anger out on the rest of the girls. He refused to give them any money, moved them to the attic to sleep [without heat], dismissed a servant [to cut expenses], made them pick up the slack by helping around the house, railed at Mrs. Bennet for her attitude regarding the immoral behavior of her youngest daughter, and the ruined status of the family. His language was crude and vulgar as he berated Lydia and her mother and demeaned his other nieces by calling them names and lamenting they had not died in childhood.
Mrs. Bennet had sent for her daughters in London, wanting to throw them into the paths of the rich men arriving at Netherfield. Meryton society at large, due to their sister’s scandal, would not acknowledge them. Elizabeth and Jane had to borrow clothes from Charlotte in order to attend the Assembly. Mary, living at Longbourn, under the protection and influence of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and due to her own moral fiber and character, was somewhat protected from the scandal of her relations.
Darcy and Bingley were immediately taken with the eldest Bennet girls. Caroline was quick to relay the gossip regarding the youngest Bennet sister’s fall and their family situation. Apparently, Lydia’s marriage to a menial [village blacksmith], lowered the status of her family even beyond the reach of Bingley.
Darcy was looking for a new mistress and, intrigued with Elizabeth, was considering how to ask her without insulting her. Really?? Just how would you do that Mr. Darcy? Would you just simply ask… ‘Will you be my mistress?’ How about ‘Come under my protection, my sweet-ling.’ Or perhaps, just be honest and say… ‘Give up your virtue and self-respect and I’ll take care of you until I tire of you. Then you are on your own… although I will be generous when I release you.’ Who was this guy? Are you sure it’s not Wickham pretending to be Darcy?
“All universal moral principles are idle fancies.” Marquis de Sade
Here is the crux of my offense at this story. This was not Austen’s P&P, not even close. Only the names were the same. Their character makeup was altered to the point of not being recognizable. I resented like heck reducing our beloved characters to base immoral beings.
“Much of the world’s moral compass is broken. The moral north reads south and the moral south reads north.” Dennis Prager
The moral fiber of a society is the foundation on which it stands. The author’s use of language such as “superstitious religious nonsense’ or ‘harping of the pulpits and teachers’ in order to have the quality seduce virtuous women, was beyond the pale. Take away the moral compass of a society and it will fall. Jane and Elizabeth were taunted and verbally tortured to an unbearable point.
Everything about this story was flipped on its ear. Like the above quote… north reads south and south reads north. Everything was convoluted as though this was a psychological exercise in seeing just how far the author could twist our characters and reduce them to their lowest base element. It was wave after wave of degrading language, behavior and attitudes. Was this a societal exercise of the quality vs the common man? Was this… if you have money you can have and do whatever you want with no thought of conscience? Where was the conscience?
I have a couple of additional books by this author and if they are of the same ilk as these last couple that I’ve read… it will be my last to EVER read of this author.
This P&P variation was so far outside the box that I didn’t recognize any of the characters, only the names were the same. Who were these people?
Rating: MA: Mature Audience: mature themes, crude, vulgar language, frank and sensual discussions, sexual thoughts and notions, irreligious attitudes, base morals.
This Darcy, after the death of his father, was raised under the influence of his Uncle the Earl of Matlock, who provided him with a mistress as soon as he was old enough to understand what to do with her, and he made sure Darcy was never without one from that point on. He was taught how to talk to women, behave in social settings and his cousins helped him practice his arresting dimpled smile. The end result was a man who was flirty, glib tongued and, if I closed my eyes, sounded a lot like Wickham.
Elizabeth was this Pollyanna type that lived in this perpetual world of her own creation where everything was perfect and any problems would be alright and she was determined to be happy no matter what happened. She would zone out and go to her happy place until her unhappiness was replaced with good humor. She told Darcy that she was determined to be happy. And in her mind, her Jane was the perfect specimen of womanhood. OMG!!
“Honor your daughters. They are honorable.” Malala Yousafzai
Mrs. Bennet: This woman was horrid. After the death of her husband, she spent all her inheritance in frivolous pursuits and was now bankrupt and reduced to complaining and bemoaning her situation. She was so self-centered and selfish that she railed against Jane and Elizabeth because they had failed to secure an advantageous marriage that would have alleviated her lowered status. She ranted at the girls and belittled Elizabeth, because she was not as beautiful as Jane and constantly called her names. She insisted that Jane and Lizzy use their allurements to attract the wealthy Bingley and Darcy. She even advised them how best to attach these men even to the point of… if all else failed… become their mistress or under their protection… so they could help her, of course. Who were these people?
Uncle Philips was an angry bitter man. I could see where he would feel imposed upon by his wife’s sister living with them. His anger was fueled by the fact Mrs. Bennet had squandered her inheritance within the first few years of her widowhood by living beyond her means, bankrupting herself and her daughters and having to rely on her relations in order to survive. With Jane and Lizzy in London, Mary at Longbourn, he was forced to take in Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.
Lydia destroyed not only her own reputation but the reputation and standing of the rest of her family by becoming with child and marrying the blacksmith in a nearby village. Disgusted with Lydia’s behavior, he took his anger out on the rest of the girls. He refused to give them any money, moved them to the attic to sleep [without heat], dismissed a servant [to cut expenses], made them pick up the slack by helping around the house, railed at Mrs. Bennet for her attitude regarding the immoral behavior of her youngest daughter, and the ruined status of the family. His language was crude and vulgar as he berated Lydia and her mother and demeaned his other nieces by calling them names and lamenting they had not died in childhood.
Mrs. Bennet had sent for her daughters in London, wanting to throw them into the paths of the rich men arriving at Netherfield. Meryton society at large, due to their sister’s scandal, would not acknowledge them. Elizabeth and Jane had to borrow clothes from Charlotte in order to attend the Assembly. Mary, living at Longbourn, under the protection and influence of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and due to her own moral fiber and character, was somewhat protected from the scandal of her relations.
Darcy and Bingley were immediately taken with the eldest Bennet girls. Caroline was quick to relay the gossip regarding the youngest Bennet sister’s fall and their family situation. Apparently, Lydia’s marriage to a menial [village blacksmith], lowered the status of her family even beyond the reach of Bingley.
Darcy was looking for a new mistress and, intrigued with Elizabeth, was considering how to ask her without insulting her. Really?? Just how would you do that Mr. Darcy? Would you just simply ask… ‘Will you be my mistress?’ How about ‘Come under my protection, my sweet-ling.’ Or perhaps, just be honest and say… ‘Give up your virtue and self-respect and I’ll take care of you until I tire of you. Then you are on your own… although I will be generous when I release you.’ Who was this guy? Are you sure it’s not Wickham pretending to be Darcy?
“All universal moral principles are idle fancies.” Marquis de Sade
Here is the crux of my offense at this story. This was not Austen’s P&P, not even close. Only the names were the same. Their character makeup was altered to the point of not being recognizable. I resented like heck reducing our beloved characters to base immoral beings.
“Much of the world’s moral compass is broken. The moral north reads south and the moral south reads north.” Dennis Prager
The moral fiber of a society is the foundation on which it stands. The author’s use of language such as “superstitious religious nonsense’ or ‘harping of the pulpits and teachers’ in order to have the quality seduce virtuous women, was beyond the pale. Take away the moral compass of a society and it will fall. Jane and Elizabeth were taunted and verbally tortured to an unbearable point.
Everything about this story was flipped on its ear. Like the above quote… north reads south and south reads north. Everything was convoluted as though this was a psychological exercise in seeing just how far the author could twist our characters and reduce them to their lowest base element. It was wave after wave of degrading language, behavior and attitudes. Was this a societal exercise of the quality vs the common man? Was this… if you have money you can have and do whatever you want with no thought of conscience? Where was the conscience?
I have a couple of additional books by this author and if they are of the same ilk as these last couple that I’ve read… it will be my last to EVER read of this author.
March 12, 2017
It has ever been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues--Abraham Lincoln
This Darcy is in many ways unrecognizable from the canon Darcy:
He has had numerous mistresses (although he is between affairs when the story starts)
He is on the surface more Bingley-like -- able to joke and FLIRT proficiently
He is deeply affected by the death of his mother and subsequent suicide of his father
He has been raised by his Uncle and patterned his morality as his Uncle taught
He is severely flawed and yet much better able to hide his flaws than in canon.
This Elizabeth also varies from canon:
She is a dreamer -- able to blot out the difficult details of her life and believe herself happy
She is unrealistic about the flaws to be found in those she loves
And ... the one who varied most from canon: Mr. Collins
He is in the story, married to Charlotte and living at Longbourn and DOESN'T HAVE A SINGLE LINE!
The story was darker than I usually like but very well written. I recommend it to all JAFF readers.
This Darcy is in many ways unrecognizable from the canon Darcy:
He has had numerous mistresses (although he is between affairs when the story starts)
He is on the surface more Bingley-like -- able to joke and FLIRT proficiently
He is deeply affected by the death of his mother and subsequent suicide of his father
He has been raised by his Uncle and patterned his morality as his Uncle taught
He is severely flawed and yet much better able to hide his flaws than in canon.
This Elizabeth also varies from canon:
She is a dreamer -- able to blot out the difficult details of her life and believe herself happy
She is unrealistic about the flaws to be found in those she loves
And ... the one who varied most from canon: Mr. Collins
He is in the story, married to Charlotte and living at Longbourn and DOESN'T HAVE A SINGLE LINE!
The story was darker than I usually like but very well written. I recommend it to all JAFF readers.
July 1, 2016
A Dishonorable Offer
Timothy Underwood keeps giving us such interesting and diverse tales, it's quite a talent! Thank you! This story is about a different Darcy, raised by his Uncle Matlock, with questionable morals! Even dear Jane is not so rosy, which is a clever take, showing that circumstances can change us somewhat! A good read.
Timothy Underwood keeps giving us such interesting and diverse tales, it's quite a talent! Thank you! This story is about a different Darcy, raised by his Uncle Matlock, with questionable morals! Even dear Jane is not so rosy, which is a clever take, showing that circumstances can change us somewhat! A good read.
March 25, 2021
Well, that's a whole bunch of hours I will never get back. And don't ask me why I didn't just put it down and walk away....! I just kept waiting for Darcy's Ahaaa! moment, or the one where Elizabeth finally gives him a piece of her mind - The only real character in this whole book was Mr. Gardiner!
In my mind through the whole book I kept thinking-what a bunch of misogynistic crap!!
I get the Darcy's were brought up that way. I also get Elizabeth never really seemed to grow up past her fathers death from when she was 11. But that does not explain Mr. Philips, Mrs. Bennet, Jane...
But written well enough to keep me engaged - even if it was because it was like trying to look away from an automobile accident as you are driving by.
In my mind through the whole book I kept thinking-what a bunch of misogynistic crap!!
I get the Darcy's were brought up that way. I also get Elizabeth never really seemed to grow up past her fathers death from when she was 11. But that does not explain Mr. Philips, Mrs. Bennet, Jane...
But written well enough to keep me engaged - even if it was because it was like trying to look away from an automobile accident as you are driving by.
July 16, 2016
I enjoy Timothy Underwood's writing and A Dishonorable Offer: An Elizabeth and Darcy Story turned out not to be an exception, although I expected it to be. The idea of Darcy asking Elizabeth to become his mistress just does not sit well with me, and I really did not expect I would like the story. However, given my enjoyment of the author, I thought I would give it a try. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the story, although it did have some flaws.
A major factor in the development of both of the main characters is the loss of their fathers much earlier than in canon. For Darcy, this means he is not Georgiana's guardian, and he himself has been under the guardianship of his uncle, the Earl of Matlock. The Earl insists Darcy keep a mistress and has done so throughout his adult years. This provides a very different kind of moral compass for Darcy than we have seen in other variations. He anticipates having a wife and a mistress once married, and believes he could devote himself to the mistress over the wife, the wife simply being the correct and proper relationship. However, due to his father's death, Darcy is determined to never fall in love.
One major change is Darcy's demeanor. Having now gone through his teen years with the Fitzwilliam brothers as close companions, he has been schooled on how to appear to flirt and tease women, although not as well as his cousins. He does not make the same kind of initial bad impression as he does in canon, and is able to charm, particularly women, quite well.
Elizabeth has had a very different life in her teen years due to her father's early death. Mrs. Bennet very quickly spent what money she had as she chose not to change her lifestyle after her husband's death. Her family is now completely dependent on their Philips and Gardiner uncles, who are not as sympathetic as we may have seen in other variations of P&P. Elizabeth, as a person, has developed a coping skill that is quite intriguing. Whenever things get bad, she imagines what it would have been like if everything went perfectly instead of as it has. Her perspective on life is such that she sees herself as basically happy regardless of the pain thrown her way.
In London, the Gardiners are pushing Jane toward a much older and fairly unattractive suitor, and in Meryton Mr. Philips is just plain bitter about every penny he spends on the family. Then, of course, Lydia ruins the family, thus making everything worse for everyone. Elizabeth and Jane return to Meryton when it is clear Jane's suitor is no longer interested.
So, from the very beginning of their connection, Darcy and Elizabeth are seeing a possible relationship in a very different way from canon. Darcy, almost from the very beginning, sees Elizabeth as a potential mistress, while she still sees him as only a friend, although one she is greatly at risk to love. Darcy feels a strong need to protect Elizabeth and wants to remove her from her situation. Elizabeth is still wishing for happy ever after for her and Jane, believing Jane is too good to deserve less. Jane, meanwhile, is becoming more and more desperate. Bingley, for example, although falling for Jane, is just finding her family circumstances too difficult to deal with.
Here is one thing that surprised me. Although definitely taking the characters a long way from canon, the author has me convinced the characters they became are reasonable given the change in their circumstances during their developmental years. Very intriguing. I found myself sympathizing with the young Darcy and his change in expectations, as well as appreciating the subtlety of his change in demeanor without a fundamental change in his personality. In canon, Elizabeth is determined to be happy, and we see her as such in this version, but in a way that blinds her to a great deal of what is happening around her. For me, these changes made both characters even more vulnerable than in other variations. I don't often cry while reading P&P variations, but this story often tore at my heart.
I found that once there has been the "dishonorable offer" made, the story seems to take a little more of a farcical bend, with a bit of melodrama that doesn't always work. Sometimes you want to wop Elizabeth across the head. So, for me, there were parts that were less than ideal in a story that was almost perfect in its creativity.
This is definitely not a story for those determined to keep to canon, but I found it a very reasonable set of circumstances. Even Lydia begins to sound reasonable when explaining her actions. I found a couple of the characters to be a little over the top, and could have done with a bit more compassion. Jane's character is made much more interesting in this variation, to the point where her actions are not surprising, only jarring.
All in all, this is a very interesting and compelling read. I found myself pushing forward in the story needing to see what happens next. I do think many JAFF readers will find it worth the time to read and I recommend it.
A major factor in the development of both of the main characters is the loss of their fathers much earlier than in canon. For Darcy, this means he is not Georgiana's guardian, and he himself has been under the guardianship of his uncle, the Earl of Matlock. The Earl insists Darcy keep a mistress and has done so throughout his adult years. This provides a very different kind of moral compass for Darcy than we have seen in other variations. He anticipates having a wife and a mistress once married, and believes he could devote himself to the mistress over the wife, the wife simply being the correct and proper relationship. However, due to his father's death, Darcy is determined to never fall in love.
One major change is Darcy's demeanor. Having now gone through his teen years with the Fitzwilliam brothers as close companions, he has been schooled on how to appear to flirt and tease women, although not as well as his cousins. He does not make the same kind of initial bad impression as he does in canon, and is able to charm, particularly women, quite well.
Elizabeth has had a very different life in her teen years due to her father's early death. Mrs. Bennet very quickly spent what money she had as she chose not to change her lifestyle after her husband's death. Her family is now completely dependent on their Philips and Gardiner uncles, who are not as sympathetic as we may have seen in other variations of P&P. Elizabeth, as a person, has developed a coping skill that is quite intriguing. Whenever things get bad, she imagines what it would have been like if everything went perfectly instead of as it has. Her perspective on life is such that she sees herself as basically happy regardless of the pain thrown her way.
In London, the Gardiners are pushing Jane toward a much older and fairly unattractive suitor, and in Meryton Mr. Philips is just plain bitter about every penny he spends on the family. Then, of course, Lydia ruins the family, thus making everything worse for everyone. Elizabeth and Jane return to Meryton when it is clear Jane's suitor is no longer interested.
So, from the very beginning of their connection, Darcy and Elizabeth are seeing a possible relationship in a very different way from canon. Darcy, almost from the very beginning, sees Elizabeth as a potential mistress, while she still sees him as only a friend, although one she is greatly at risk to love. Darcy feels a strong need to protect Elizabeth and wants to remove her from her situation. Elizabeth is still wishing for happy ever after for her and Jane, believing Jane is too good to deserve less. Jane, meanwhile, is becoming more and more desperate. Bingley, for example, although falling for Jane, is just finding her family circumstances too difficult to deal with.
Here is one thing that surprised me. Although definitely taking the characters a long way from canon, the author has me convinced the characters they became are reasonable given the change in their circumstances during their developmental years. Very intriguing. I found myself sympathizing with the young Darcy and his change in expectations, as well as appreciating the subtlety of his change in demeanor without a fundamental change in his personality. In canon, Elizabeth is determined to be happy, and we see her as such in this version, but in a way that blinds her to a great deal of what is happening around her. For me, these changes made both characters even more vulnerable than in other variations. I don't often cry while reading P&P variations, but this story often tore at my heart.
I found that once there has been the "dishonorable offer" made, the story seems to take a little more of a farcical bend, with a bit of melodrama that doesn't always work. Sometimes you want to wop Elizabeth across the head. So, for me, there were parts that were less than ideal in a story that was almost perfect in its creativity.
This is definitely not a story for those determined to keep to canon, but I found it a very reasonable set of circumstances. Even Lydia begins to sound reasonable when explaining her actions. I found a couple of the characters to be a little over the top, and could have done with a bit more compassion. Jane's character is made much more interesting in this variation, to the point where her actions are not surprising, only jarring.
All in all, this is a very interesting and compelling read. I found myself pushing forward in the story needing to see what happens next. I do think many JAFF readers will find it worth the time to read and I recommend it.
September 7, 2016
Elizabeth and Darcy have very different histories leading up to their encounter at the Meryton assembly in this unusual Pride and Prejudice variation. There's a darker, grittier edge here.
This starts with the backstory of Darcy's father broken-heartedly committing suicide when his son was still only a teenager a year after Mrs. Darcy's death. Consequently, Fitzwilliam and Georgiana both become wards to their Uncle Matlock, who doesn't believe in marriage for love but does believe a man of wealth should keep a mistress. He is so open about it that Georgiana is far from being a shy, sheltered young girl. Instead, she is almost too worldly-wise and certainly not naive enough to fall into Mr. Wickham's trap. Young Darcy had worshipped his father and was devastated with his death. Between his anger over his father’s suicide and the influence of his uncle, he is determined that he will never marry for love. Now a grown man, Darcy and his latest mistress parted ways months ago, and his uncle and cousins encourage him to find a new one.
As for Elizabeth, she is no longer the daughter of a gentleman, as Mr. Bennet died a few years ago. Longbourn belongs to Mr. Collins and his wife Charlotte, since Elizabeth previously refused his marriage offer (to Mrs. Bennet's never-ending displeasure). Mrs. Bennet mismanaged the money inherited when her husband died and, after a couple of years of splurging on dresses and fripperies in a failed attempt to lure men into proposing to her daughters, they all are reduced to poverty. The remaining Bennet family has splintered as a result of Mrs. Bennet's unwise extravagance and they now must live off the charity of their relatives. To make things even worse, Lydia becomes pregnant and then happily marries the father, a local blacksmith. Meryton society is scandalized over the family’s fall from grace and mostly snubs them except for the Collinses and Sir William Lucas.
Elizabeth and Jane live with their Uncle Phillips and his wife, and it’s a pretty miserable situation. After Lydia’s disgrace, he considers them sluts and doesn’t really want them in his home. They must sleep in the attic and do housework, wearing old worn dresses and not even allotted library money. Mrs. Bennet verbally abuses Elizabeth at every opportunity, blaming her for jealously ruining Jane’s marriage prospects. The opposite is actually true, where Elizabeth has Jane up on a pedestal and believes her sister is so perfect and sweet, she deserves happiness. She continues to believe they will find wonderful men to marry them, or at least that someone will marry Jane because of her beauty and goodness. Secretly, Jane hates everything about her current life and is finding it hard to adapt to their reduced circumstances.
So, Elizabeth and Darcy meet at the Meryton assembly, as do Jane and Bingley. It doesn’t take long for Caroline to make certain that her brother and Mr. Darcy are warned to stay away from the scandalous Bennet girls. But both men are smitten. Darcy is intrigued by Elizabeth, recognizing that her beauty, her personality, her previous station in life, and her grim prospects make her the perfect candidate to become his next mistress if she’ll accept his offer.
The grittiness goes beyond the story itself. I wouldn’t say that the writing is overly modern, although there’s more cursing than I think I’ve ever read in a Regency romance. Even one of the Bennet girls just loses it and calls her sister a whore. Repeatedly. I’m not complaining because it fits into the context of the story. The author’s writing in general does a good job of gripping and engaging the reader. There is a nice balance of lighter scenes in the story, too, such as Darcy’s carefully rehearsed flirtatious smile and banter. I love Georgiana’s personality; she has some pretty outrageous dialogue. The plot gathers steam and becomes more and more interesting, especially an unexpected turnaround when it appears that Darcy has boxed himself into a corner.
My only criticism is that Elizabeth is just too Pollyanna-ish to be believed. I was actually glad when she was finally forced to face the reality that things WERE truly awful and weren’t likely to ever get better. But then, of course, the HEA happens, so I guess she was right after all!
This starts with the backstory of Darcy's father broken-heartedly committing suicide when his son was still only a teenager a year after Mrs. Darcy's death. Consequently, Fitzwilliam and Georgiana both become wards to their Uncle Matlock, who doesn't believe in marriage for love but does believe a man of wealth should keep a mistress. He is so open about it that Georgiana is far from being a shy, sheltered young girl. Instead, she is almost too worldly-wise and certainly not naive enough to fall into Mr. Wickham's trap. Young Darcy had worshipped his father and was devastated with his death. Between his anger over his father’s suicide and the influence of his uncle, he is determined that he will never marry for love. Now a grown man, Darcy and his latest mistress parted ways months ago, and his uncle and cousins encourage him to find a new one.
As for Elizabeth, she is no longer the daughter of a gentleman, as Mr. Bennet died a few years ago. Longbourn belongs to Mr. Collins and his wife Charlotte, since Elizabeth previously refused his marriage offer (to Mrs. Bennet's never-ending displeasure). Mrs. Bennet mismanaged the money inherited when her husband died and, after a couple of years of splurging on dresses and fripperies in a failed attempt to lure men into proposing to her daughters, they all are reduced to poverty. The remaining Bennet family has splintered as a result of Mrs. Bennet's unwise extravagance and they now must live off the charity of their relatives. To make things even worse, Lydia becomes pregnant and then happily marries the father, a local blacksmith. Meryton society is scandalized over the family’s fall from grace and mostly snubs them except for the Collinses and Sir William Lucas.
Elizabeth and Jane live with their Uncle Phillips and his wife, and it’s a pretty miserable situation. After Lydia’s disgrace, he considers them sluts and doesn’t really want them in his home. They must sleep in the attic and do housework, wearing old worn dresses and not even allotted library money. Mrs. Bennet verbally abuses Elizabeth at every opportunity, blaming her for jealously ruining Jane’s marriage prospects. The opposite is actually true, where Elizabeth has Jane up on a pedestal and believes her sister is so perfect and sweet, she deserves happiness. She continues to believe they will find wonderful men to marry them, or at least that someone will marry Jane because of her beauty and goodness. Secretly, Jane hates everything about her current life and is finding it hard to adapt to their reduced circumstances.
So, Elizabeth and Darcy meet at the Meryton assembly, as do Jane and Bingley. It doesn’t take long for Caroline to make certain that her brother and Mr. Darcy are warned to stay away from the scandalous Bennet girls. But both men are smitten. Darcy is intrigued by Elizabeth, recognizing that her beauty, her personality, her previous station in life, and her grim prospects make her the perfect candidate to become his next mistress if she’ll accept his offer.
The grittiness goes beyond the story itself. I wouldn’t say that the writing is overly modern, although there’s more cursing than I think I’ve ever read in a Regency romance. Even one of the Bennet girls just loses it and calls her sister a whore. Repeatedly. I’m not complaining because it fits into the context of the story. The author’s writing in general does a good job of gripping and engaging the reader. There is a nice balance of lighter scenes in the story, too, such as Darcy’s carefully rehearsed flirtatious smile and banter. I love Georgiana’s personality; she has some pretty outrageous dialogue. The plot gathers steam and becomes more and more interesting, especially an unexpected turnaround when it appears that Darcy has boxed himself into a corner.
My only criticism is that Elizabeth is just too Pollyanna-ish to be believed. I was actually glad when she was finally forced to face the reality that things WERE truly awful and weren’t likely to ever get better. But then, of course, the HEA happens, so I guess she was right after all!
August 7, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. Loved it!! But there is a massive disclaimer this isn't just a simple P&P what if or even a P&P alternate time line this book takes canon and throws it out the window. If you read the story with the characters having different names and locations it would be all but unrecognizable. But that's not a bad thing at all.
As I said in one of my progress statements -If you only like variations where Mr. Darcy comes to his his marriage bed as an innocent don't read this book. It is set in a world where both Darcy's died when their children were young and Darcy & Georgiana were raised by the Earl of Matlock. The Earl is a bawdy aristocrat who discusses mistresses like other men discuss farming. Mr. Darcy is no stranger to the sins of the flesh and has a strangely hedonistic view on extramarital relations. Georgiana is neither shy not quiet; her character is one of the best things about the book.
When Darcy & Bingley arrive in Meryton they meet Jane and Lizzy - but their lives have been upended as well. Mr. Bennet died when Lizzy was 11, her mother spent through her settlement in a few years. Lydia disgraced herself with a blacksmith. Mrs. Bennet and the two oldest live with the Phillips, while Mary lives at Longbourn with Mr & Mrs Collins and Kitty has been sent to the Gardiners. And Darcy is neither shy nor silent - he flirts, he charms, he teases, he dances.
Lizzy is insane. How insane? Had the book ended with "it was all a dream" or "and the doctor closed his notebook and led the patient back to her room" I wouldn't have been surprised. She survives the chaos and instability of her life by imagining that everything is awesome. When she does that her deranged mother, her vulgar uncle Phillips and all the other horror she endures just rolls off her back.
The thing is not many of these characters are likeable. You may love them in your heart but this is almost like Mirror, Mirror http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Mi... P&P except no one has a goatee.
As I said in one of my progress statements -If you only like variations where Mr. Darcy comes to his his marriage bed as an innocent don't read this book. It is set in a world where both Darcy's died when their children were young and Darcy & Georgiana were raised by the Earl of Matlock. The Earl is a bawdy aristocrat who discusses mistresses like other men discuss farming. Mr. Darcy is no stranger to the sins of the flesh and has a strangely hedonistic view on extramarital relations. Georgiana is neither shy not quiet; her character is one of the best things about the book.
When Darcy & Bingley arrive in Meryton they meet Jane and Lizzy - but their lives have been upended as well. Mr. Bennet died when Lizzy was 11, her mother spent through her settlement in a few years. Lydia disgraced herself with a blacksmith. Mrs. Bennet and the two oldest live with the Phillips, while Mary lives at Longbourn with Mr & Mrs Collins and Kitty has been sent to the Gardiners. And Darcy is neither shy nor silent - he flirts, he charms, he teases, he dances.
Lizzy is insane. How insane? Had the book ended with "it was all a dream" or "and the doctor closed his notebook and led the patient back to her room" I wouldn't have been surprised. She survives the chaos and instability of her life by imagining that everything is awesome. When she does that her deranged mother, her vulgar uncle Phillips and all the other horror she endures just rolls off her back.
The thing is not many of these characters are likeable. You may love them in your heart but this is almost like Mirror, Mirror http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Mi... P&P except no one has a goatee.
October 9, 2016
NOT a P&P variation!
First of all, while i don't mind plots & characters that don't follow the canon, i cannot bring myself to like this Darcy nor this Elizabeth. A smooth talking Darcy who thought of women as belonging 2 categories: either sexual objects or trophy wives. I almost prefer Wickham to this ignorant Darcy, in fact in the first half of the book i kept thinking that this Darcy sounded too much like Wickham.
The "heroine" here is a silly Elizabeth who daydreams her life away, a pushover that never stood up for herself and her sister, content to live in a house where she was constantly looked down upon and ridiculed, practically verbally abused at every turn by her vile uncle and treated as a servant. I find that ALL of the characters in this book are unlikable and there's not even a pretense of honor nor pride, nor sensibilities in the upper circles. Don't even get me started on Jane...
Second of all, the language in this book is completely wrong for the era in which the story supposedly took place: much too modern and uncouth. Same goes for the morals & attitude of the society.
I would've appreciated some warning at the beginning, like how some authors would explain that the plot & characters are vastly different from the original. In fact, let me give you a warning right now: Nothing and no one is this book is similar to the canon except for the names & familial relations. It is very presumptuous to call this book a Pride and Prejudice vagary.
First of all, while i don't mind plots & characters that don't follow the canon, i cannot bring myself to like this Darcy nor this Elizabeth. A smooth talking Darcy who thought of women as belonging 2 categories: either sexual objects or trophy wives. I almost prefer Wickham to this ignorant Darcy, in fact in the first half of the book i kept thinking that this Darcy sounded too much like Wickham.
The "heroine" here is a silly Elizabeth who daydreams her life away, a pushover that never stood up for herself and her sister, content to live in a house where she was constantly looked down upon and ridiculed, practically verbally abused at every turn by her vile uncle and treated as a servant. I find that ALL of the characters in this book are unlikable and there's not even a pretense of honor nor pride, nor sensibilities in the upper circles. Don't even get me started on Jane...
Second of all, the language in this book is completely wrong for the era in which the story supposedly took place: much too modern and uncouth. Same goes for the morals & attitude of the society.
I would've appreciated some warning at the beginning, like how some authors would explain that the plot & characters are vastly different from the original. In fact, let me give you a warning right now: Nothing and no one is this book is similar to the canon except for the names & familial relations. It is very presumptuous to call this book a Pride and Prejudice vagary.
July 7, 2016
I have never cried reading a P&P variation, but this was the first time. The subject and storyline was not typical and very risqué. It was risqué for the Recency period, not today. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy was amazing. All the characters were extremes of their usual self with quite a few surprises with lots of love.
July 3, 2016
To the Purists, be warned: Stop Now
I am not a purist when it comes to my JAFF. I adore a story with creativity and authors with the guts to let their imaginations lead the way when an idea presents. There are no shortages of "when Mr. Bennet dies .... " stories, but this one turns so many things upside down - what a pleasure! Heads up: Though the 'mistress' plotline is foremost, the rating here would, IMO, be PG-13, alas, and a good part of the reason for my four, rather than five stars. And for anyone who searches out "Truly Ghastly Mrs. Bennet" stories, well, here you go! I only wish Darcy had tested Lizzy's proficiency in Latin. But well worth the donation, Mr. Underwood, again.
I am not a purist when it comes to my JAFF. I adore a story with creativity and authors with the guts to let their imaginations lead the way when an idea presents. There are no shortages of "when Mr. Bennet dies .... " stories, but this one turns so many things upside down - what a pleasure! Heads up: Though the 'mistress' plotline is foremost, the rating here would, IMO, be PG-13, alas, and a good part of the reason for my four, rather than five stars. And for anyone who searches out "Truly Ghastly Mrs. Bennet" stories, well, here you go! I only wish Darcy had tested Lizzy's proficiency in Latin. But well worth the donation, Mr. Underwood, again.
December 18, 2024
I really love the variations that go waaay out of canon and hoo-boy did this one do that! It was so out of canon it wrong-footed me a little, seeing these characters I know so well be so very different gave me an almost funhouse mirror sort of disconnect. But all the changes (charmingly amoral Darcy, pragmatic Jane, overwrought Lizzy…) were completely justified by the new backstory. And in the end I could see our well-loved characters still there underneath those believable alterations. Bit of a masterpiece, really.
July 29, 2016
Great read!
What can i say? I loved the book and i would love to read about ODC married life a bit more but it was a great to read it in almost one go!
I was a bit reluctant to read it further after first few chapters, as both Lizzy and Darcy are very much OOC, but it was completely believable after reading about their teenage years and how deaths of Mr.Bennet and Mr.Darcy had affected them.
I have to say that i could not stop crying for about 1/4 of the book, so if you are tender hearted beware!
What can i say? I loved the book and i would love to read about ODC married life a bit more but it was a great to read it in almost one go!
I was a bit reluctant to read it further after first few chapters, as both Lizzy and Darcy are very much OOC, but it was completely believable after reading about their teenage years and how deaths of Mr.Bennet and Mr.Darcy had affected them.
I have to say that i could not stop crying for about 1/4 of the book, so if you are tender hearted beware!
August 10, 2016
Gave Up
The author had changed the characters so much as to be unrecognizable. I couldn't finish this book, to me it is acceptable to change the Bennet's situation and circumstances, but not their characteristics. This was written on the back of Pride and Prejudice, but has very little to do with it, apart from the names of the characters. A pity.
The author had changed the characters so much as to be unrecognizable. I couldn't finish this book, to me it is acceptable to change the Bennet's situation and circumstances, but not their characteristics. This was written on the back of Pride and Prejudice, but has very little to do with it, apart from the names of the characters. A pity.
May 11, 2018
Worst variation ever! None of the characters resembled Jane Austen's.
Could not stand this Elizabeth. All the persons nearly made me sick. I read it all to see if any character had any commen sense, but they just got sillier.
Could not stand this Elizabeth. All the persons nearly made me sick. I read it all to see if any character had any commen sense, but they just got sillier.
November 6, 2025
This was a truly different Darcy raised by his uncle, the Earl, in a very unconventional manner. The Earl is also the guardian of his sister, Georgiana, as well and brings her up with much knowledge not generally permitted for young ladies of her station. His uncle has kept Darcy continuously supplied with mistresses from a young age in an effort to prevent him from falling in love and following in his father’s unfortunate footsteps.
Elizabeth loses her father at a young age and her mother quickly bankrupts herself, spending all of her dowry in a handful of years. Elizabeth, her mother and sisters are then all at the mercy of their two uncles who would prefer not to have the burden of their upkeep. Although Uncle Gardiner is marginally nicer than Phillips, neither is thrilled with having the responsibility for their care. Mary alone is invited to live with Mr and Mrs Collins (formerly Charlotte Lucas) as a kind of unpaid nanny for their children. To make matters worse, Lydia has become impregnated by, and then marries, a blacksmith. The Bennets are only accepted by a very few in Meryton society. After Jane’s chances for a marriage in London are spoiled (much to her relief) by Lydia’s antics she and Elizabeth return to Meryton and Kitty goes to London in their place. Elizabeth and Jane are treated as semi servants in their Uncle Phillips’ home.
When Bingley leases Netherfield Darcy comes along and is looking for a new mistress that he selects for himself. He is tired of the (eventually) boring women his uncle has chosen for him, but determined to make a society match and keep a mistress he finds more interesting to talk to. His uncle and cousins have taught him to be charming and so in this version he befriends the nearly social outcast Elizabeth instead of insulting her. Bingley is quite taken with Jane but is wary of any involvement once he learns of her family’s situation. Darcy convinces him that he can flirt with her as long as he doesn’t become involved or give her hopes of marriage.
This version of Elizabeth has Jane’s rose-colored glasses firmly superglued on herself. She believes Jane to be a perfect paragon and imagines successful love matches for Jane, and even herself, despite their very desperate situation. She refuses to accept that they are in the direst of situations and believes that everything will work out well. Specifically she believes that Jane and Bingley love each other and that Bingley will marry Jane despite everything against them. She is therefore shocked when Darcy proposes to take her under his protection. She refuses him (but lets him know she loves him) and Darcy hies off to London engaging himself to a Lady in a short period of time.
Elizabeth is unhappy but firmly believes Darcy will change his mind and come back to marry her. And then Jane disappears with Bingley. All Elizabeth’s illusions are about to be shattered in the most painful way possible. Will she ever find her happiness again? This is a very different kind of variation with Darcy, Elizabeth and Jane behaving very out of character. I found it to be an engaging read and highly recommend it.
Elizabeth loses her father at a young age and her mother quickly bankrupts herself, spending all of her dowry in a handful of years. Elizabeth, her mother and sisters are then all at the mercy of their two uncles who would prefer not to have the burden of their upkeep. Although Uncle Gardiner is marginally nicer than Phillips, neither is thrilled with having the responsibility for their care. Mary alone is invited to live with Mr and Mrs Collins (formerly Charlotte Lucas) as a kind of unpaid nanny for their children. To make matters worse, Lydia has become impregnated by, and then marries, a blacksmith. The Bennets are only accepted by a very few in Meryton society. After Jane’s chances for a marriage in London are spoiled (much to her relief) by Lydia’s antics she and Elizabeth return to Meryton and Kitty goes to London in their place. Elizabeth and Jane are treated as semi servants in their Uncle Phillips’ home.
When Bingley leases Netherfield Darcy comes along and is looking for a new mistress that he selects for himself. He is tired of the (eventually) boring women his uncle has chosen for him, but determined to make a society match and keep a mistress he finds more interesting to talk to. His uncle and cousins have taught him to be charming and so in this version he befriends the nearly social outcast Elizabeth instead of insulting her. Bingley is quite taken with Jane but is wary of any involvement once he learns of her family’s situation. Darcy convinces him that he can flirt with her as long as he doesn’t become involved or give her hopes of marriage.
This version of Elizabeth has Jane’s rose-colored glasses firmly superglued on herself. She believes Jane to be a perfect paragon and imagines successful love matches for Jane, and even herself, despite their very desperate situation. She refuses to accept that they are in the direst of situations and believes that everything will work out well. Specifically she believes that Jane and Bingley love each other and that Bingley will marry Jane despite everything against them. She is therefore shocked when Darcy proposes to take her under his protection. She refuses him (but lets him know she loves him) and Darcy hies off to London engaging himself to a Lady in a short period of time.
Elizabeth is unhappy but firmly believes Darcy will change his mind and come back to marry her. And then Jane disappears with Bingley. All Elizabeth’s illusions are about to be shattered in the most painful way possible. Will she ever find her happiness again? This is a very different kind of variation with Darcy, Elizabeth and Jane behaving very out of character. I found it to be an engaging read and highly recommend it.
July 6, 2021
Very OOC, but Good
An older book I am only now reading, there are existing reviews that provide enough background into the story, so I’ll get right to my impressions.
I don’t mind off-canon stories and this one certainly is. This Elizabeth and Darcy were hardly recognizable to me being so very out of character, but I liked them nevertheless. She being very naive and blindly optimistic, my heart really went out to her. Darcy is a man who takes mistresses which isn’t entirely unknown in JAFF, but in this case, he was raised to believe doing so was acceptable and expected, so I can’t really fault him for it. Even more different in Darcy was his willingness to participate to a larger degree in social gatherings, even though he still particularly didn’t like it. He is also a practiced flirt with past instruction from his Matlock cousins, and he does it well. The banter of such with Elizabeth I found entertaining. He also had very genuine moments in expressing himself at serious times though and I liked that. There were some emotional moments between ODC, and Elizabeth and Jane that brought tears to my eyes, but the one between Darcy and Lord Matlock where he gets Darcy to swear on something really got to me. No spoiler. The way Elizabeth and her sisters are treated by her Uncle Philips and Mrs. Bennet is awful.
Very different, and I can see perhaps why this is called an Elizabeth and Darcy Story, as opposed to a Pride and Prejudice Variation. I’m only sorry it’s taken me so long to read it.
An older book I am only now reading, there are existing reviews that provide enough background into the story, so I’ll get right to my impressions.
I don’t mind off-canon stories and this one certainly is. This Elizabeth and Darcy were hardly recognizable to me being so very out of character, but I liked them nevertheless. She being very naive and blindly optimistic, my heart really went out to her. Darcy is a man who takes mistresses which isn’t entirely unknown in JAFF, but in this case, he was raised to believe doing so was acceptable and expected, so I can’t really fault him for it. Even more different in Darcy was his willingness to participate to a larger degree in social gatherings, even though he still particularly didn’t like it. He is also a practiced flirt with past instruction from his Matlock cousins, and he does it well. The banter of such with Elizabeth I found entertaining. He also had very genuine moments in expressing himself at serious times though and I liked that. There were some emotional moments between ODC, and Elizabeth and Jane that brought tears to my eyes, but the one between Darcy and Lord Matlock where he gets Darcy to swear on something really got to me. No spoiler. The way Elizabeth and her sisters are treated by her Uncle Philips and Mrs. Bennet is awful.
Very different, and I can see perhaps why this is called an Elizabeth and Darcy Story, as opposed to a Pride and Prejudice Variation. I’m only sorry it’s taken me so long to read it.
October 28, 2020
Darcy was horrid and Elizabeth was ridiculous!
Even though there were very funny parts in this Pride and Prejudice variation the story was just not believable. I really did not like my two favorite characters. Elizabeth was a weak version of Caroline Bingley. Absolutely pathetic! I hated how her family family treated her. I will say it was believable that Mrs. Bennet would spend her fortune on cloths and lace and become poor with 5 daughters to feed.
I was so disappointed in Darcy. I know many men have mistresses but imagining Darcy with a mistress and him asking Elizabeth to be his mistress really pissed me off.
The unbelievable parts were Darcy’s family approving him marrying a women with unsuitable connections, his former fiancé not being mad for being jilted, Jane asking to be Bingley’s mistress, Darcy’s Uncle actually allowing Georgina to know her Governess was his mistress and his Uncle speaking so freely to everyone about how he and his wife both have lovers. I just couldn’t believe it. I wanted to stop reading the book so many times. I have found I really enjoy when they finally are happy so I stuck it out.
Even though there were very funny parts in this Pride and Prejudice variation the story was just not believable. I really did not like my two favorite characters. Elizabeth was a weak version of Caroline Bingley. Absolutely pathetic! I hated how her family family treated her. I will say it was believable that Mrs. Bennet would spend her fortune on cloths and lace and become poor with 5 daughters to feed.
I was so disappointed in Darcy. I know many men have mistresses but imagining Darcy with a mistress and him asking Elizabeth to be his mistress really pissed me off.
The unbelievable parts were Darcy’s family approving him marrying a women with unsuitable connections, his former fiancé not being mad for being jilted, Jane asking to be Bingley’s mistress, Darcy’s Uncle actually allowing Georgina to know her Governess was his mistress and his Uncle speaking so freely to everyone about how he and his wife both have lovers. I just couldn’t believe it. I wanted to stop reading the book so many times. I have found I really enjoy when they finally are happy so I stuck it out.
March 27, 2021
This is quite the P&P variation. While many of the characters remain the same, the moral compass and sense of family values is very skewed for some. I must say I was a bit taken back by some of the very frank, rude and hurtful comments publicly made about the Bennet girls and especially Lizzie by many family and extended family members. Once I got past this, it was easy to embrace the characters in this new reality for them. You could feel the vulnerability of all these women who are at the mercy of society opinions and rich men bestowing favours. In the end I found I did enjoy the new version of many of the characters as some part of the original HEA was achieved. The little snapshot 25 years in the future was just the icing on the cake.
June 15, 2020
Different, interesting, intriguing
This was a very different, but yet incredible variation. This emotional roller coaster of feelings throughout the story was incredible. I found myself crying along with Elizabeth in age story. I would have never thought Darcy would have a "rakish" side. This author not only hits the mark, but makes you think. The reality of the time came through in his writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I highly recommend it to read, but I would have to do for mature people.
This was a very different, but yet incredible variation. This emotional roller coaster of feelings throughout the story was incredible. I found myself crying along with Elizabeth in age story. I would have never thought Darcy would have a "rakish" side. This author not only hits the mark, but makes you think. The reality of the time came through in his writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I highly recommend it to read, but I would have to do for mature people.
June 9, 2020
This was a much better read than my previously reviewed Underwood novel. It was quite different than other P&P variations I've read and the plot could have swerved into multiple endings - I'm pleased that this is the ending we received and not the one I thought was coming. It was nice to read a different Darcy, (as usually it's Lizzy who has a huge character shift), and see how his personality change changes the story.
March 22, 2020
An enjoyable and different idea, though I didn’t always like the characters. There were some good scenes.
I found myself frequently distracted and the story jarred by modern Americanisms, especially in speech, which lowered the rating.
I also thought the last chapter was weak - ending on “forever” would have been much better.
I found myself frequently distracted and the story jarred by modern Americanisms, especially in speech, which lowered the rating.
I also thought the last chapter was weak - ending on “forever” would have been much better.
July 23, 2020
This is massively AU from the original Pride and Prejudice, with a Darcy that's much more like a Wickham - so much so that Wickham didn't actually say anything about him that wasn't worse than he already was. This is not for the purist or the faint of heart. It's angsty AF and exhausting. All that said, it was exactly the type of junk food my brain needed during all the pandemic stress.
February 18, 2025
Couldn’t decide
I couldn’t decide whether to give this one four stars or five. The characters are presented in an interesting but definitely non-canon way. Jane the realist? Elizabeth the idealist? Georgianna a very worldly young woman? Darcy raised by uncle Matlock? Somehow it all works.
I couldn’t decide whether to give this one four stars or five. The characters are presented in an interesting but definitely non-canon way. Jane the realist? Elizabeth the idealist? Georgianna a very worldly young woman? Darcy raised by uncle Matlock? Somehow it all works.
June 7, 2025
A Dishonorable Offer
At first I was appalled with how this unfolds. I generally like higher morals and values. But it nicely recoups.
Angst, love and amazement. Ending resolves it.
At first I was appalled with how this unfolds. I generally like higher morals and values. But it nicely recoups.
Angst, love and amazement. Ending resolves it.
July 1, 2016
Very well done
Mr. Underwood is fast becoming a favorite of mine. His stories are unique and interesting. His latest is so far from cannon that makes it a new story with the same problems.
Darcy is this side of being a rake. He has been taught how to flirt and to smile. Elizabeth is such a Pollyanna, but still wonderful. Jane has reached her breaking point and shows she is not an angel. Caroline is a non-player. Lady Catherine is not in the story at all and neither is Anne. Wickham isn't a bother as much as he is a joke due, in part, to the fantastic way Georgiana is portrayed. Normally, I dread Georgiana in books. This time she was fantastic. My only problem with the book was the use of contractions, however this book was so far from Jane Austen that it actually doesn't matter.
This is a great sunny day read.
Mr. Underwood is fast becoming a favorite of mine. His stories are unique and interesting. His latest is so far from cannon that makes it a new story with the same problems.
Darcy is this side of being a rake. He has been taught how to flirt and to smile. Elizabeth is such a Pollyanna, but still wonderful. Jane has reached her breaking point and shows she is not an angel. Caroline is a non-player. Lady Catherine is not in the story at all and neither is Anne. Wickham isn't a bother as much as he is a joke due, in part, to the fantastic way Georgiana is portrayed. Normally, I dread Georgiana in books. This time she was fantastic. My only problem with the book was the use of contractions, however this book was so far from Jane Austen that it actually doesn't matter.
This is a great sunny day read.
July 1, 2016
Wonderful Story!
Initially, the "delusional" Lizzie of this story annoyed me to no end since she didn't jive with the "sensible" version I so often see in other alternative PP stories. However, as I continued to read this wonderful story the author did a masterful job of showing the reader how "sensible" Lizzie actually was in her stubborn idealism given the hopeless situation the Bennett family were in. Lizzie consciously chose to find hope in a hopeless situation. I also loved the expanded role of the Matlock family in Darcy's and Georgiana's life. They were an absolute hoot! Really enjoyed this story!
Initially, the "delusional" Lizzie of this story annoyed me to no end since she didn't jive with the "sensible" version I so often see in other alternative PP stories. However, as I continued to read this wonderful story the author did a masterful job of showing the reader how "sensible" Lizzie actually was in her stubborn idealism given the hopeless situation the Bennett family were in. Lizzie consciously chose to find hope in a hopeless situation. I also loved the expanded role of the Matlock family in Darcy's and Georgiana's life. They were an absolute hoot! Really enjoyed this story!
September 19, 2016
A wholly different story
I really enjoyed this story, but I don't think the characters personalities resemble Jane Austen's characters at all.
Still it is a lovely tale worth the time and money.
I really enjoyed this story, but I don't think the characters personalities resemble Jane Austen's characters at all.
Still it is a lovely tale worth the time and money.
July 8, 2016
So different. But I loved every wood.
Everybody out of character, but I loved it so much I just couldn't put it down. I will be eagerly awaiting for the next book from this author.
Everybody out of character, but I loved it so much I just couldn't put it down. I will be eagerly awaiting for the next book from this author.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews