What do you think?
Rate this book
Pride & Prejudice: Behind the Scenes
Please PRIDE & BEHIND THE SCENES is a substantially revised version of the out-of-print Pride & The Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote. Half of the scenes are new, never before published material. All royalties will be donated to Jane Austen related charities. What did Mr. Darcy think when he first saw Elizabeth Bennet? How did Miss Bingley talk her brother out of proposing to Jane Bennet? And how did Lady Catherine de Bourgh find out Mr. Darcy was on the verge of proposing to Elizabeth? 15 authors of Austen-inspired fiction decided to answer these questions and more. Here are the scenes Jane Austen never ones that happened off stage, such as Mr. Collins proposing to Charlotte Lucas, and actual Pride and Prejudice scenes from the point of view of different characters. PRIDE & BEHIND THE SCENES is not a complete novel in and of itself. It is a collection of scenes written independently and designed to complement the original. The reader can start at the beginning or dip into any scene they choose. Contributing authors include Abigail Reynolds, Mary Simonsen, Susan Mason-Milks, Maria Grace, Jack Caldwell, C. Allyn Pierson, Shannon Winslow, Colette Saucier, Jane Odiwe, Monica Fairview, Diana Birchall, Marilyn Brant, Kara Louise, Cassandra Grafton and L.L. Diamond.
733 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2016
40 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Reynolds
54 books788 followersAbigail Reynolds may be a nationally bestselling author and a physician, but she can’t follow a straight line with a ruler. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian and theater at Bryn Mawr College and marine biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After a stint in performing arts administration, she decided to attend medical school, and took up writing as a way to retain her sanity during her years as a physician in private practice.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 5, 2017
This is not a typical book nor is it a typical collection of short stories or vignettes. This is a collection of stories by 12 separate authors who decided to fill in the blanks in P&P.
Starting with Mr. Bingley viewing Netherfield for the first time. And giving us scenes, some long, some short that would make P&P a 'hidden camera reality show'
Because there isn't an agreed upon path to the HEA we all know will come some scenes may actually contradict others because they are written by different people from different perspectives.
some are funny, some are sad. The stories continue on after the wedding and offer a final story set far in the future.
Starting with Mr. Bingley viewing Netherfield for the first time. And giving us scenes, some long, some short that would make P&P a 'hidden camera reality show'
Because there isn't an agreed upon path to the HEA we all know will come some scenes may actually contradict others because they are written by different people from different perspectives.
some are funny, some are sad. The stories continue on after the wedding and offer a final story set far in the future.
August 21, 2017
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
There are some marvelous authors who contributed to this anthology of vignettes showing us the details not shown in Pride and Prejudice. Each is very well written, and characters are true to Jane Austen's. Some have never been published before, while others have been pulled from a full-length work, and they have been put together in chronological order to present all the nuances "behind the scenes" of that revered book.
As intriguing a project as this might sound, I had trouble pushing through it. Considering that I generally read several books per week, I started it in mid-June, and it's now mid-August when I finally finished, you can correctly assume I often put it down and stopped until returning to it weeks later. I think it is a collection well-suited to busy, busy people whose lack of time makes reading just a short piece at a time a happy break from their work or family life.
For me, nothing prompted me to keep moving ahead in the book. We all know the story of P&P, or we wouldn't be reading this. Without it to provide framework, there's no buildup of tension or mystery. I recognized several segments that were excerpts from P&P variations I'd read before, and I enjoyed them far more in the context of those full books than I did as isolated stories here.
My feelings about the collection as a whole is not a reflection on the high quality of each individual piece. You do learn more in depth about the various characters and what their thoughts are at specific times. Some bits are more humorous; others are more reflective and serious. Sometimes a story will contradict what you just read in a previous story; it's the nature of this mixed assortment of interpretations. For example, Mr. Wickham plotted in advance specifically to tempt Lydia into escaping with him from Brighton, and in the next tale, he just responded to the opportunity Lydia offered at the moment.
The editing is quite good, which is always pleasant to find, except for one story that had a number of errors. (I apologize for not noting which one, but it was in the last one-eighth of the book or so.) For those who have a kindle edition, be advised that there is an Expanded Table of Contents at the END of the book that allows you to click and get to a specific vignette. I didn't discover this until I had finished reading all the stories, wishing I could skip from one to the next as I usually can with chapters when reading a book. This ETOC would have allowed me to do that.
If you enjoy anthologies, this is chock full of excellent pieces by authors who are among the best in the JAFF world. As for me, I'm more satisfied reading these pieces in context in the authors' excellent books.
There are some marvelous authors who contributed to this anthology of vignettes showing us the details not shown in Pride and Prejudice. Each is very well written, and characters are true to Jane Austen's. Some have never been published before, while others have been pulled from a full-length work, and they have been put together in chronological order to present all the nuances "behind the scenes" of that revered book.
As intriguing a project as this might sound, I had trouble pushing through it. Considering that I generally read several books per week, I started it in mid-June, and it's now mid-August when I finally finished, you can correctly assume I often put it down and stopped until returning to it weeks later. I think it is a collection well-suited to busy, busy people whose lack of time makes reading just a short piece at a time a happy break from their work or family life.
For me, nothing prompted me to keep moving ahead in the book. We all know the story of P&P, or we wouldn't be reading this. Without it to provide framework, there's no buildup of tension or mystery. I recognized several segments that were excerpts from P&P variations I'd read before, and I enjoyed them far more in the context of those full books than I did as isolated stories here.
My feelings about the collection as a whole is not a reflection on the high quality of each individual piece. You do learn more in depth about the various characters and what their thoughts are at specific times. Some bits are more humorous; others are more reflective and serious. Sometimes a story will contradict what you just read in a previous story; it's the nature of this mixed assortment of interpretations. For example, Mr. Wickham plotted in advance specifically to tempt Lydia into escaping with him from Brighton, and in the next tale, he just responded to the opportunity Lydia offered at the moment.
The editing is quite good, which is always pleasant to find, except for one story that had a number of errors. (I apologize for not noting which one, but it was in the last one-eighth of the book or so.) For those who have a kindle edition, be advised that there is an Expanded Table of Contents at the END of the book that allows you to click and get to a specific vignette. I didn't discover this until I had finished reading all the stories, wishing I could skip from one to the next as I usually can with chapters when reading a book. This ETOC would have allowed me to do that.
If you enjoy anthologies, this is chock full of excellent pieces by authors who are among the best in the JAFF world. As for me, I'm more satisfied reading these pieces in context in the authors' excellent books.
September 11, 2016
Loved it! The only scenes missing are the hot and sexy ones and how Darcy changes to being less disdainful of others. So much fun! Terrific that all the money goes to The Jane Austen House Museum.
July 9, 2020
Wonderful Perspectives
It is truly amazing how so many authors can come together to write a story within a story, especially my all-time favorite, Pride and Prejudice. Looking at how events might have taken place or emotions felt among all our beloved characters beyond the pages of Jane Austen’s original story was a pleasure to read. It flows exceedingly well from beginning to end forming its own narrative. The reader is only obliged to recall the canon part of the story within their mind’s eye as they read through the book to complete this very well written compilation of short stories. It’s a long book, and I chose to read the stories in order, however it’s not necessary to do so. I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading “Persuasion Behind the Scenes” in the future.
It is truly amazing how so many authors can come together to write a story within a story, especially my all-time favorite, Pride and Prejudice. Looking at how events might have taken place or emotions felt among all our beloved characters beyond the pages of Jane Austen’s original story was a pleasure to read. It flows exceedingly well from beginning to end forming its own narrative. The reader is only obliged to recall the canon part of the story within their mind’s eye as they read through the book to complete this very well written compilation of short stories. It’s a long book, and I chose to read the stories in order, however it’s not necessary to do so. I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading “Persuasion Behind the Scenes” in the future.
April 6, 2017
I enjoyed this anthology, though not all the stories to the same extend. Good read.
August 26, 2016
Pride and Prejudice: Behind the Scenes
Absolutely delightful group of stories giving a peek into more everyday, intimate activities of Our Beloved Couple, and their friends, and relatives, from the excellent writing skills of a group of talented Authors! Definitely a book for just about everyone, I enjoyed every page. Excellent read.
Absolutely delightful group of stories giving a peek into more everyday, intimate activities of Our Beloved Couple, and their friends, and relatives, from the excellent writing skills of a group of talented Authors! Definitely a book for just about everyone, I enjoyed every page. Excellent read.
November 6, 2017
It was actually quite good, but solidified for me that Abigail Reynolds is one of the best JAFF writers out there (I'm also fond of Elizabeth Aston). However, I have tried a few new JAFF authors as a result. This cherry picks the best of their work.
June 18, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was fun to read the different perspectives on things that happened "offstage" in the actual story. I especially enjoyed the scenes about Charlotte Lucas and how/why she married Mr. Collins. I was less inspired by the scenes of Darcy privately agonizing over his feelings for Elizabeth.
At times it was odd reading because of missing the scene that was actually written by Jane Austen. (For example, there was a scene where Mr. Collins expressed to Lady Catherine the expectation that Darcy would become engaged to Elizabeth, followed by a scene where Lady Catherine drives to Longbourn to confront Elizabeth, followed by a scene with Lady Catherine's reactions after meeting with Elizabeth. But no re-write or quotes of the actual meeting.)
This was fun to read the different perspectives on things that happened "offstage" in the actual story. I especially enjoyed the scenes about Charlotte Lucas and how/why she married Mr. Collins. I was less inspired by the scenes of Darcy privately agonizing over his feelings for Elizabeth.
At times it was odd reading because of missing the scene that was actually written by Jane Austen. (For example, there was a scene where Mr. Collins expressed to Lady Catherine the expectation that Darcy would become engaged to Elizabeth, followed by a scene where Lady Catherine drives to Longbourn to confront Elizabeth, followed by a scene with Lady Catherine's reactions after meeting with Elizabeth. But no re-write or quotes of the actual meeting.)
April 7, 2023
This is a collection of short vignettes by various authors, several by some of my favorite writers. I confess that I skimmed some of the chapters because they were missing scenes that I never missed. But there are some good ones here.
July 2, 2020
2.5 stars rounded down to two.
July 23, 2024
*2.5 stars
September 23, 2016
Interesting shorts of Pride and Prejudice
I bought this because it had a charitable donation attached to it. . I found some chapters interesting. Overall it is well written. But, I think it lacked passion...not sexual passion but passion of characters.
I bought this because it had a charitable donation attached to it. . I found some chapters interesting. Overall it is well written. But, I think it lacked passion...not sexual passion but passion of characters.
November 1, 2016
The chapters in this book are a fun addition to Pride and Prejudice. The happenings Jane didn't tell us, but the authors thought of. I am hoping to read this in conjunction with Pride and Prejudice once I retire. I think that will be a hoot!
May 9, 2018
On the whole an enjoyable set of stories filling in the blanks left my Jane Austen. Some stories did contradict each other but that was fine. Though I probably would have liked more tales about people other than Darcy and Elizabeth.
July 5, 2020
Really enjoyed the book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews