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Letters from Cheapside
After Elizabeth Bennet is practically thrown out of Longbourn by her mother over her refusal of Mr. Collins, she returns to Cheapside with her Aunt and corresponds with Jane and Mary from town.
- GenresFictionFan Fiction
81 pages, ebook
First published August 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 15, 2017
This is an epistolary work from my favorite male JAFF author Wade H. It is rather short, only three chapters, but very inventive. And upon completing it I discovered that I have read all 11 of his works and I am am inconsolable. Disclaimer as this is an 'unpublished' bit of FF I do not hold it to my high standards for perfect grammar and spelling, despise me if you dare.
This is another story where Mr. & Mrs. Bennet are simply awful. I think the author has some issues with the lackadaisical parenting those two had to offer in canon; but I also think it is bloody brilliant.
Lizzy, not Jane, goes to London with the Gardiners; while Jane, not Lizzy, goes to Hunsford with the Lucases. The entire story is told in letters from Lizzy so it is either her explaining what is going on in her life, or reacting to something that was written to her off page. Lizzy is the one who pays the call on Caroline, her trip to Derbyshire is somewhat extended, Lizzy is working as a clerk with a colleague of Mr. Gardiner. Much of the rest of P&P plays out in a slightly slower fashion.
This is another story where Mr. & Mrs. Bennet are simply awful. I think the author has some issues with the lackadaisical parenting those two had to offer in canon; but I also think it is bloody brilliant.
Lizzy, not Jane, goes to London with the Gardiners; while Jane, not Lizzy, goes to Hunsford with the Lucases. The entire story is told in letters from Lizzy so it is either her explaining what is going on in her life, or reacting to something that was written to her off page. Lizzy is the one who pays the call on Caroline, her trip to Derbyshire is somewhat extended, Lizzy is working as a clerk with a colleague of Mr. Gardiner. Much of the rest of P&P plays out in a slightly slower fashion.
January 14, 2025
The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. ~ G.K. Chesterton
Elizabeth Bennet has a little trouble loving her mother.
Mrs. Bennet’s anger at her second daughter has driven that daughter from her home following her refusal of a marriage proposal from her odious cousin. Elizabeth moves to London to live with the Gardiners. Her letters to her sisters Jane and Mary tell the tale.
The story varies from canon: Jane visits Hunsford; Darcy does not; Jane enters a friendship with Colonel Fitzwilliam and discovers a truth about Bingley.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. ~Ernest Hemingway
Elizabeth’s letters reveal a cynical, angry and somewhat cowardly person. She happens upon Darcy several times and runs; she berates Bingley; she eventually breaks completely with both of her parents. She is unable to “think only of the past as it gives her pleasure.”
Late in our story, Elizabeth finally sees the extent to which her problems have been colored by her attitudes. At last, she is able to forgive and eventually reconcile, even with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet.
As a rule, I am a bit bored by those stories told by letters but not here. In “Letters from Cheapside”, each letter moves the story forward; each letter reveals more about Elizabeth and also Jane and even Mary as Elizabeth responds to their thoughts. Each letter holds my interest.
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. ~Confucius
This is an unpublished story available at:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
Elizabeth Bennet has a little trouble loving her mother.
Mrs. Bennet’s anger at her second daughter has driven that daughter from her home following her refusal of a marriage proposal from her odious cousin. Elizabeth moves to London to live with the Gardiners. Her letters to her sisters Jane and Mary tell the tale.
The story varies from canon: Jane visits Hunsford; Darcy does not; Jane enters a friendship with Colonel Fitzwilliam and discovers a truth about Bingley.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. ~Ernest Hemingway
Elizabeth’s letters reveal a cynical, angry and somewhat cowardly person. She happens upon Darcy several times and runs; she berates Bingley; she eventually breaks completely with both of her parents. She is unable to “think only of the past as it gives her pleasure.”
Late in our story, Elizabeth finally sees the extent to which her problems have been colored by her attitudes. At last, she is able to forgive and eventually reconcile, even with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet.
As a rule, I am a bit bored by those stories told by letters but not here. In “Letters from Cheapside”, each letter moves the story forward; each letter reveals more about Elizabeth and also Jane and even Mary as Elizabeth responds to their thoughts. Each letter holds my interest.
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. ~Confucius
This is an unpublished story available at:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
July 4, 2019
As usual, Wade H. delivers a strong, non-canon storyline, executing it this time using only letters authored by Elizabeth. This is a challenging way to tell a story, and it's handled beautifully.
The titles gives away the first departure from the original - Elizabeth moves to Cheapside, which happens not long after refusing Mr. Collins's marriage proposal. She stays with the Gardiners in order to allow Mrs. Bennet some time to cool down. That never happens, with Mrs. B. only becoming more vocal in vilifying her second oldest to anyone within hearing distance. Elizabeth learns this from Mary and Jane, her only correspondents at her former home.
It's Elizabeth who visits and is snubbed by the Bingley sisters in London. Meanwhile, it's Jane who visits Charlotte at Hunsford and makes the acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Elizabeth inevitably sees Darcy in London and again in Lambton but, as furious as she is with him, she does her best to avoid a face-to-face meeting.
Elizabeth's misconceptions regarding Mr. Wickham, Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and especially Mr. Darcy are comical to readers who know the truth about these men. However, her impressions are quite reasonable based on the evidence she has.
There are many interesting subplots wound up together. I particularly enjoyed Wickham's unusual fate.
The writing itself is excellent, though I have to mention the repeated misspelling of what should have been "counsel" - the author insists on using the homonym "council," which has a different meaning. There's a small smattering of typos, but those are fewer that I usually see in an unpublished work. It's still well worth 5 stars. Content is clean.
The titles gives away the first departure from the original - Elizabeth moves to Cheapside, which happens not long after refusing Mr. Collins's marriage proposal. She stays with the Gardiners in order to allow Mrs. Bennet some time to cool down. That never happens, with Mrs. B. only becoming more vocal in vilifying her second oldest to anyone within hearing distance. Elizabeth learns this from Mary and Jane, her only correspondents at her former home.
It's Elizabeth who visits and is snubbed by the Bingley sisters in London. Meanwhile, it's Jane who visits Charlotte at Hunsford and makes the acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Elizabeth inevitably sees Darcy in London and again in Lambton but, as furious as she is with him, she does her best to avoid a face-to-face meeting.
Elizabeth's misconceptions regarding Mr. Wickham, Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and especially Mr. Darcy are comical to readers who know the truth about these men. However, her impressions are quite reasonable based on the evidence she has.
There are many interesting subplots wound up together. I particularly enjoyed Wickham's unusual fate.
The writing itself is excellent, though I have to mention the repeated misspelling of what should have been "counsel" - the author insists on using the homonym "council," which has a different meaning. There's a small smattering of typos, but those are fewer that I usually see in an unpublished work. It's still well worth 5 stars. Content is clean.
July 5, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised with this story although at one point I was wondering if we were going to have our HEA for ODC.
Told with letters from Elizabeth we read very strong opinions and interpretations about the actions of others, including that of her parents. She cuts herself off from those parents and has very harsh words to say about both. Her opinion of Mr. Darcy wavers back and forth as she makes judgments about his motives and actions.
One of the greatest differences is that Elizabeth goes into trade working as a clerk for an associate of her Uncle Gardiner's. At first this was to only be a temporary position but as she cuts herself out of the Bennet family she must support herself in some way.
Her letters at to and from Jane and Mary for the most part. I highly recommend this novella.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
Told with letters from Elizabeth we read very strong opinions and interpretations about the actions of others, including that of her parents. She cuts herself off from those parents and has very harsh words to say about both. Her opinion of Mr. Darcy wavers back and forth as she makes judgments about his motives and actions.
One of the greatest differences is that Elizabeth goes into trade working as a clerk for an associate of her Uncle Gardiner's. At first this was to only be a temporary position but as she cuts herself out of the Bennet family she must support herself in some way.
Her letters at to and from Jane and Mary for the most part. I highly recommend this novella.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
July 2, 2019
I really enjoyed the story.
Mrs. Bennet constantly says terribly nasty things about Lizzy after Lizzy turns down Collins.
After Christmas she goes to live with the Gardiners.
I can remember the very few times my mother said something mean about me and both times I felt like I had punched in the gut. I can’t even imagine a how a person having that kind of mental abuse would feel.
Lizzy eventually cuts all ties with the Bennets and changes her name to Gardiner. A pretty emotional moment but I think a believable one.
The HEA hard to achieve given Lizzy pride, stubbornness, and emotional scars but is finely achieved. I recommend the story.
Mrs. Bennet constantly says terribly nasty things about Lizzy after Lizzy turns down Collins.
After Christmas she goes to live with the Gardiners.
I can remember the very few times my mother said something mean about me and both times I felt like I had punched in the gut. I can’t even imagine a how a person having that kind of mental abuse would feel.
Lizzy eventually cuts all ties with the Bennets and changes her name to Gardiner. A pretty emotional moment but I think a believable one.
The HEA hard to achieve given Lizzy pride, stubbornness, and emotional scars but is finely achieved. I recommend the story.
November 30, 2017
“More than kisses, letters mingle souls.” John Donne
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
I really enjoy WadeH’s work; however, this was not my favorite of his stories. It was epistolary in form and one POV. We never knew what was happening until the information was conveyed in a letter either written or received. That was tough and a bit strange, as we had to wait for information.
I must say it was true to form. I frequently write to a friend [yes, we still use snail mail] lambasting something someone in the family has done or did not do. I’ve ranted and raved and gotten it out of my system. She, in turn, has used me as her sounding board and ranted and raved about her situation. We each have a standing agreement… all correspondence goes in the shredder. We don’t have a fireplace or that would be our first recourse.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12630330...
I really enjoy WadeH’s work; however, this was not my favorite of his stories. It was epistolary in form and one POV. We never knew what was happening until the information was conveyed in a letter either written or received. That was tough and a bit strange, as we had to wait for information.
I must say it was true to form. I frequently write to a friend [yes, we still use snail mail] lambasting something someone in the family has done or did not do. I’ve ranted and raved and gotten it out of my system. She, in turn, has used me as her sounding board and ranted and raved about her situation. We each have a standing agreement… all correspondence goes in the shredder. We don’t have a fireplace or that would be our first recourse.
November 30, 2017
This Pride and Prejudice variation is told entirely from Elizabeth's point of view via letters to her sisters. It is quite strong but fun to read as Elizabeth finally sees Darcy's love for her. It is not quite the cannon story as she writes the letters from Cheapside where she resides to escape the wrath of her mother. As a result of her stay, Jane visits Hunsford and a few other things happen out of traditional order in a good way. It was a short but enjoyable read.
October 15, 2017
Enjoyed these letters coming from Elizabeth's POV. They were off cannon and creative as far as variation.
September 15, 2020
Great story in form of letters. Sometimes sad and sometimes funny. Highly recommended!
July 29, 2019
I wish I had reviewed this while it was fresh in my mind, but I got busy and didn't have the chance. Let me say now that this novella written in the form of letters is an excellent Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF) story based on Pride and Prejudice. I found it - it's on a JAFF website, not for sale as a book - because of a review I saw here at Goodreads, and I'm very glad I gave it a read. I couldn't stop reading until I finished it. Highly recommended.
March 11, 2022
Wonderful story! I particularly like the epistolary format, and you handled it very well. I enjoyed seeing Elizabeth's constant misunderstandings and changing opinions. I also like her enjoyment and competence at business matters, and how she enjoys a bit more freedom as a tradeswoman.
December 29, 2021
A P&P variation where when Elizabeth refuses Mr Collins, Mrs Bennet sends her to stay with the Gardiners. There is corresponds with Jane and Mary. Does this alter their future.
An entertaining story
An entertaining story
November 6, 2023
I loved this Elizabeth and her cheeky letters. After Collins's proposal and rejection, it was Elizabeth who accompanied Gardiners to London instead of Jane. The story deviates there and takes a very unusual path to HEA. You get a unique look at events from Elizabeth's POV and a healthy dose of her wit and skepticism. The writing is delightful.
November 26, 2025
It's well-written, but because it's entirely from Elizabeth's POV, some issues weren't addressed to satisfaction. Mrs. Bennet's malicious words towards Elizabeth were so vile that Mary refused to repeat them. Elizabeth cut off contact with the Bennet family and changed her surname. How could Elizabeth have forgiven her in the end? Where did Darcy's confidence come from when he finally reconciled with Elizabeth? Before that meeting, he had no clue that Elizabeth had softened. Why was he so confident in his words? How is Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Bennet now (I really enjoyed her scolding him)? I hope these contents can be more detailed.
August 24, 2018
4.2 stars.
So far the best work from this author I've read. It has an interesting but consistent (even in the epilogue) style of writing, which is by letters, the writing is great as per usual, and it doesn't have the problems I had with the other fanfictions by this author.
My only problem was
Other than that, a great fanfiction.
So far the best work from this author I've read. It has an interesting but consistent (even in the epilogue) style of writing, which is by letters, the writing is great as per usual, and it doesn't have the problems I had with the other fanfictions by this author.
My only problem was
Other than that, a great fanfiction.
November 4, 2023
Not a favourite by this author
I enjoy the epistolary format of this book and liked the brave decision to only include the letters written by Elizabeth. However I found the rapid jump in Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy to be a bit too drastic.
I enjoy the epistolary format of this book and liked the brave decision to only include the letters written by Elizabeth. However I found the rapid jump in Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy to be a bit too drastic.
December 27, 2017
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews