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Sofia-Elisabete Stories #1
I, Sofia-Elisabete: Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam: Short Story Variations I II of Pride and Prejudice
A truly compelling new character in the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction: "Sofia-Elisabete, the abandoned little girl, is impossible not to love…"
The year is 1810 and a girl is born amidst a great upheaval in Lisbon as it prepares for Napoleon’s Army to invade Portugal. Half-British, half-Portuguese-Galician, she is the natural daughter of a British Officer, he being Colonel Fitzwilliam (the cousin of Fitzwilliam Darcy), and a lindissima, she being a young beauty who worked at her father’s caza de pasto or public house.
In the first short story, A Journey to Albion, we meet this irrepressible little girl, Sofia-Elisabete, as she sails to England to search for her father. In the second short story, Chocolate Destiny, she describes the two most important people in her life, as only she can tell it.
Richly detailed and written in a humorous voice using the vernacular of the Regency Era (1811-1820), these short stories are told through the eyes of an enchanting eleven-year-old girl reflecting on her humble beginnings and her new life in England.
These short shorts of I, Sofia-Elisabete: Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam are a spin-off of the novel, Freedom Mirth: Or, A Pride and Prejudice Serio-Comic Journey, written by the same author. The Freedom Mirth stories are variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but they each of them stand on their own.
The year is 1810 and a girl is born amidst a great upheaval in Lisbon as it prepares for Napoleon’s Army to invade Portugal. Half-British, half-Portuguese-Galician, she is the natural daughter of a British Officer, he being Colonel Fitzwilliam (the cousin of Fitzwilliam Darcy), and a lindissima, she being a young beauty who worked at her father’s caza de pasto or public house.
In the first short story, A Journey to Albion, we meet this irrepressible little girl, Sofia-Elisabete, as she sails to England to search for her father. In the second short story, Chocolate Destiny, she describes the two most important people in her life, as only she can tell it.
Richly detailed and written in a humorous voice using the vernacular of the Regency Era (1811-1820), these short stories are told through the eyes of an enchanting eleven-year-old girl reflecting on her humble beginnings and her new life in England.
These short shorts of I, Sofia-Elisabete: Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam are a spin-off of the novel, Freedom Mirth: Or, A Pride and Prejudice Serio-Comic Journey, written by the same author. The Freedom Mirth stories are variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but they each of them stand on their own.
- GenresFiction
ebook
Published April 20, 2017
7 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi
8 books29 followersI'm a writer of literary historical fiction, women's fiction, and coming of age fiction. My WIP is a low fantasy Regency romance. I take delight in the sublime and the ridiculous, the extraordinary and the everyday, the magical and the mystical, and the wisdom that can be extracted from it all. My novella, Something About Lizzy, is the Grand Prize Winner - Shorts, 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards, and also a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree. My novella, My Cousin Darcy, is a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree and the Silver Medalist for Best Audiobook 2023, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. My previous works include: Only Sofia-Elisabete (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), which was named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2021 and honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion; I, Sofia-Elisabete: Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), which was named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018; Twelfth-Night Cake & the Rosings Ghost, which was a finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the UK. In 2021, my short story, “Goya’s Muse,” was published in The Copperfield Review Quarterly. Join me on Bluesky at @robinkobayashi.bsky.social
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 3, 2018
This book will touch your heart and warm your soul. A child learns (too soon) about the prejudices of the modern world, the folly of grown-ups, and how to dig deep within to find the strength you need to live a true life. The Fitzer (Colonel Fitzwilliam) and his stern father (we learn to know him as Sofia-Elisabete's Avo) add depth--and a host of interesting details--to the Darcy family history. But the star of the show is Sofia-Elisabete, with her sassy humor and indomitable spirit. Go ahead and give this one a try . . . you'll be inspired and entertained.
August 20, 2018
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
November 4, 2018
I, Sofia-Elisabete is an adorable story reminiscent of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Told through the eyes of young Sofia-Elisabete, this story tells the tale of loss, gain, and family love. Written as if from the 1800s, this tale follows the journey of Sofia-Elisabete, a child born outside of wedlock. She was abandoned by her parents at a young age and left on the streets. A kind nun, however, found her and took care of her until one day her father found her again. Sofia-Elisabete was naturally overjoyed and ready to begin a new life with her new-found father, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
As Sofia-Elisabete narrates her life with her father and the ensuing drama, love, and general childish actions to be expected from a five-year-old girl, she finds herself on a journey to discover a perfect world where her father is not troubled with sadness over secrets untold and she can have a real, permanent family. Will Sofia-Elisabete’s innocent child actions save the day?
While it may come across as a story for young children, this book would actually make a better fit for those who have already been acquainted with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The story surrounding the book’s namesake, Sofia-Elisabete, is a little rough around the edges and not best suited for younger children.
Overall, I thought this book was excellent! It’s an adorable story that reminded me of stories from the 1800s or earlier. To have such a book written nowadays is rare, and this story should be treasured! While at times it seems as if the vocabulary can’t decide whether to match the present-day or the 1800s, this flaw is easily ignored.
This book has phrases in French (and other languages that are never clearly defined) scattered throughout the story. Most books with this element provide a translation, but this book never does. However, I do not think missing the translation of the phrases interfered with my understanding of the story.
The characters are developed well and kept my interest. Sofia-Elisabete is a typical girl who wants to do boyish things but is kept back by her father and society. She is a young heroine with a smart brain that she uses to not only help herself but others as well. The rest of the characters each have their own distinct voices and all have their time in the spotlight.
In conclusion, I think this story is wonderful and definitely worth the time to read!
As Sofia-Elisabete narrates her life with her father and the ensuing drama, love, and general childish actions to be expected from a five-year-old girl, she finds herself on a journey to discover a perfect world where her father is not troubled with sadness over secrets untold and she can have a real, permanent family. Will Sofia-Elisabete’s innocent child actions save the day?
While it may come across as a story for young children, this book would actually make a better fit for those who have already been acquainted with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The story surrounding the book’s namesake, Sofia-Elisabete, is a little rough around the edges and not best suited for younger children.
Overall, I thought this book was excellent! It’s an adorable story that reminded me of stories from the 1800s or earlier. To have such a book written nowadays is rare, and this story should be treasured! While at times it seems as if the vocabulary can’t decide whether to match the present-day or the 1800s, this flaw is easily ignored.
This book has phrases in French (and other languages that are never clearly defined) scattered throughout the story. Most books with this element provide a translation, but this book never does. However, I do not think missing the translation of the phrases interfered with my understanding of the story.
The characters are developed well and kept my interest. Sofia-Elisabete is a typical girl who wants to do boyish things but is kept back by her father and society. She is a young heroine with a smart brain that she uses to not only help herself but others as well. The rest of the characters each have their own distinct voices and all have their time in the spotlight.
In conclusion, I think this story is wonderful and definitely worth the time to read!
November 4, 2018
I, Sofia-Elisabete, Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi is a charming novel that gives a new insight into living in the early 1800s.
Starting her life as a foundling in a convent turn box wheel, Sofia-Elisabete has fantasies of her father and mother being perfect people who accidentally dropped her in the turn box. Then her father finds her and marries a woman she doesn't know. She meets Pico Robinson, her half-cousin, who inspires her to act hoyendishly (boyishly). She learns how to swim from her avo (her grandfather). She learns how to beat a drum from her father's butler. And her 'mamae' has drummer girl clothes made for her.
Then she becomes a footboy for Dona Marisa. Dona Marisa tells wonderful stories of her childhood and ancestors. She tells of someone finding a perfect world of moon men up in the sky, and Sofia is determined to find these perfect moon men. Will she find members of this perfect race in her travels across Europe? Or will she come to her destination empty-handed? Will she find her real, bolero dancing mother, or will this endeavor be pointless? Find out in this elegant novel by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi.
Opinion:
I, Sofia-Elisabete, Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam: A Perfect World in the Moon is a very well-written and insightful novel about a young child in the early 1800s. I enjoyed the engaging storyline Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi presents in this story. I would encourage my friends ages 12 and up to read this book. Sofia-Elisabete's father deals with extremely addictive drugs and has a child with someone who is not his wife. These actions can be contrary to some people's beliefs.
I loved the character of Sofia-Elisabete; she is a kindred tomboy. Overall, the storyline was captivating and kept me wanting to read more. I look forward to reading more of author's works of art.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Starting her life as a foundling in a convent turn box wheel, Sofia-Elisabete has fantasies of her father and mother being perfect people who accidentally dropped her in the turn box. Then her father finds her and marries a woman she doesn't know. She meets Pico Robinson, her half-cousin, who inspires her to act hoyendishly (boyishly). She learns how to swim from her avo (her grandfather). She learns how to beat a drum from her father's butler. And her 'mamae' has drummer girl clothes made for her.
Then she becomes a footboy for Dona Marisa. Dona Marisa tells wonderful stories of her childhood and ancestors. She tells of someone finding a perfect world of moon men up in the sky, and Sofia is determined to find these perfect moon men. Will she find members of this perfect race in her travels across Europe? Or will she come to her destination empty-handed? Will she find her real, bolero dancing mother, or will this endeavor be pointless? Find out in this elegant novel by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi.
Opinion:
I, Sofia-Elisabete, Love Child of Colonel Fitzwilliam: A Perfect World in the Moon is a very well-written and insightful novel about a young child in the early 1800s. I enjoyed the engaging storyline Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi presents in this story. I would encourage my friends ages 12 and up to read this book. Sofia-Elisabete's father deals with extremely addictive drugs and has a child with someone who is not his wife. These actions can be contrary to some people's beliefs.
I loved the character of Sofia-Elisabete; she is a kindred tomboy. Overall, the storyline was captivating and kept me wanting to read more. I look forward to reading more of author's works of art.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2023
This novel was a surprise and a delight. Set in 1815, we see the world through the eyes of the narrator, 5-year old Sofia-Elisabete. Although she has been reunited with her father, Pride & Prejudice’s Colonel Fitzwilliam, she yearns to know more about her mother and sets out on a journey throughout Europe to find a more perfect world (sadly, one that doesn’t exist). As a historical novel and travelogue, it is a fascinating view into another century. I particularly enjoyed reading about crossing the Alps and meeting Denzler, the manly Swiss guide who is Sofia-Elisabete’s “first love.” But at the heart of the story is the effervescent Sofia-Elisabete—clever, high-spirited and impulsive, but also thoughtful, ever-curious and compassionate.
It’s a magical journey and Ms. Kobayashi does an amazing job of bringing this world to life through the eyes of her singular narrator. I highly recommend this novel. You won’t be able to resist Sofia-Elisabete!
It’s a magical journey and Ms. Kobayashi does an amazing job of bringing this world to life through the eyes of her singular narrator. I highly recommend this novel. You won’t be able to resist Sofia-Elisabete!
February 22, 2023
I found this story very moving. For all of her humble beginnings with its trials and tribulations, this is one little girl that bends but does not break. I felt uplifted by her resilience and her ability to love. She found beauty and humor everywhere. Having read all the books in the series, this remains my favorite and the one that lays down the character of Sofia Elisabete. I highly recommend.
Lorena
Lorena
July 13, 2024
What an adventure!
I assumed this story of Sofia-Elisabete would take place somewhere in the traditional Pride and Prejudice world. But all things Darcy barely touch this charming story of love and loss and a foundling who dances the bolero. I'm of to download the next in the series!
I assumed this story of Sofia-Elisabete would take place somewhere in the traditional Pride and Prejudice world. But all things Darcy barely touch this charming story of love and loss and a foundling who dances the bolero. I'm of to download the next in the series!
September 12, 2018
I, Sofia-Elisabeth, Love Child
A very interesting perspective and a delightful story. Quite unusual in the presentation and a fun read! I need to read more stories by this author Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi.
A very interesting perspective and a delightful story. Quite unusual in the presentation and a fun read! I need to read more stories by this author Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi.
September 15, 2018
Great read
November 27, 2018
This book was so unique!!! I really recommend it to anyone looking for something fresh to read!!
February 13, 2020
Love child?
Found this story very hard to follow. Sometimes seemed to be narrated by a child and then by someone older.
Found this story very hard to follow. Sometimes seemed to be narrated by a child and then by someone older.
Want to read
March 26, 2020Noted in a Kirkus review email.
April 12, 2023
I am afraid I abandoned this at about the 40% mark. I enjoy a whimsical book from time to time but this was too much for me.
July 29, 2019
I usually love anything Pride and Prejudice but this was hard to get through with it's stilted language.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews