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A Lady's Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Reimagining
When her father collapses at the Netherfield ball, Elizabeth Bennet’s world crumbles. Her mother insists that she marry Mr. Collins to save the family from certain ruin, Lady Catherine makes a disastrous visit to Longbourn, and Mr. Darcy seems set on saving Elizabeth from herself whether she wants his assistance or not. Throughout it all her beloved father lays unresponsive, and with each passing day the future looks more and more uncertain. And then, just as it appears that all will be well, a letter arrives that changes everything Elizabeth thought she knew. But it is not from Mr. Darcy, and it may come too late to save the family from ruin of a different kind… A Lady's Pride is a clean Pride and Prejudice retelling of roughly 50,000 words.
- GenresRomanceRegencyHistorical
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 25, 2018
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
There are a lot of interesting twists here. It starts off with the Netherfield ball. Mr. Bennet collapses, so we're immediately thrust into the variation from canon. Several scenes occur in a different order, at a different period in time. Characters are reasonably consistent with Jane Austen's (though I do agree with another reviewer who pointed out that the Bennet housekeeper is inexplicably Mrs. Hall rather than Mrs. Hill, which seems odd). The writing flows pretty well.
Considering all that happens to Elizabeth, though, it seems to take a ridiculously long time for her to change her mind about Darcy. He rescues her in one fashion or another several times throughout the book (starting at the Netherfield ball), and she gets a major clue early on that Wickham isn't the gentleman he pretends to be. It takes a letter (NOT from Darcy) to convince her about the true characters of Wickham and Darcy. Takes much longer than that for her to realize that she loves Darcy.
I chuckled at the very brief synopsis of Elizabeth's travels with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, which are remarkable only because of their UNremarkability... meaning no Pemberley encounter between Elizabeth and Darcy. The reader is left to deduce that last bit!
Unfortunately, there's a random, serial quality to the overall plot, with crisis, resolution, followed by another crisis, etc. I mean, it's all stuff that happens to Elizabeth, but for the most part, each problem (Mr. Bennet's illness, Mr. Collins' very forceful marriage proposal, Lady Catherine's Longbourn visit, Lydia-and-Wickham, Caroline Bingley-and-Elizabeth) has nothing to do with any of the other problems.
I guess the closest thing to the book's turning point is when Elizabeth recognizes her feelings for Darcy, which coincides with him saving her (yet again), but it comes at an seemingly random time in the book with no significant tension building up to it.
Despite that, I appreciate a lot of things about the book. The extra page time Georgiana gets works really well in this story. Darcy is pretty awesome despite having the usual problems with seeming haughty to strangers and with expressing himself diplomatically. The romance between him and Elizabeth is sweet. It was nice to see the order of events shaken up, even though I think the execution is flawed. As I said earlier, I have no criticism for Ms. Kay's writing; I didn't notice any egregious errors.
Overall, this is a pleasant story, but not a great one.
There are a lot of interesting twists here. It starts off with the Netherfield ball. Mr. Bennet collapses, so we're immediately thrust into the variation from canon. Several scenes occur in a different order, at a different period in time. Characters are reasonably consistent with Jane Austen's (though I do agree with another reviewer who pointed out that the Bennet housekeeper is inexplicably Mrs. Hall rather than Mrs. Hill, which seems odd). The writing flows pretty well.
Considering all that happens to Elizabeth, though, it seems to take a ridiculously long time for her to change her mind about Darcy. He rescues her in one fashion or another several times throughout the book (starting at the Netherfield ball), and she gets a major clue early on that Wickham isn't the gentleman he pretends to be. It takes a letter (NOT from Darcy) to convince her about the true characters of Wickham and Darcy. Takes much longer than that for her to realize that she loves Darcy.
I chuckled at the very brief synopsis of Elizabeth's travels with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, which are remarkable only because of their UNremarkability... meaning no Pemberley encounter between Elizabeth and Darcy. The reader is left to deduce that last bit!
Unfortunately, there's a random, serial quality to the overall plot, with crisis, resolution, followed by another crisis, etc. I mean, it's all stuff that happens to Elizabeth, but for the most part, each problem (Mr. Bennet's illness, Mr. Collins' very forceful marriage proposal, Lady Catherine's Longbourn visit, Lydia-and-Wickham, Caroline Bingley-and-Elizabeth) has nothing to do with any of the other problems.
I guess the closest thing to the book's turning point is when Elizabeth recognizes her feelings for Darcy, which coincides with him saving her (yet again), but it comes at an seemingly random time in the book with no significant tension building up to it.
Despite that, I appreciate a lot of things about the book. The extra page time Georgiana gets works really well in this story. Darcy is pretty awesome despite having the usual problems with seeming haughty to strangers and with expressing himself diplomatically. The romance between him and Elizabeth is sweet. It was nice to see the order of events shaken up, even though I think the execution is flawed. As I said earlier, I have no criticism for Ms. Kay's writing; I didn't notice any egregious errors.
Overall, this is a pleasant story, but not a great one.
December 24, 2017
This is a diverting P&P What If. It begins at the Netherfield ball slightly before Lizzy & Darcy's dance and immediately upsets the apple cart when Mr. Bennet collapses, senseless, onto the dance floor. And Mr. Collins immediately expresses his preference for Miss Elizabeth.
None of the Bennet's are required to stay at Netherfield as Mr. Bingley secures a nurse to tend Mr. Bennet so much of the early action takes place at Longbourn. And we get an esrly visit from lady Catherine to tell Lizzy that just because she danced with Mr. Darcy she shouldn't think that he will marry her. (it's a little odd), which leads to Mr. Darcy rescuing Lizzy from a furious Mr. Collins.
Mr. Bennet's illness is really a back story that gets little coverage, Mr. Darcy's proposal also gets fast forwarded in a weird way. In fact most of P&P gets squeezed into the period between the Netherfield ball and 12th night. With Lydia and Wickham eloping.
Lizzy gets her 'letter' about Wickham from Georgiana and writes to Georgiana when the elopement is revealed. The author uses the scene from P&P 2005 as her set piece for when the letter from Mr. Gardiner arrives.
Then there is a bunch of business, Jane goes to London, when the Lucases go to Kent they offer Lizzy a ride to London. Thus Darcy & Bingley arrive at the Gardiners and soon both couples are frequently together. Caroline Bingley gets up to her typical jealous hijinks and ODCs get to their HEA and there is an epilogue
One thing that really bugged me was that Longbourn's long suffering housekeeper was called "Mrs HALL" - come on. There are a few things that are sacrosanct but Hill, and Mrs. Reynolds are two of them.
None of the Bennet's are required to stay at Netherfield as Mr. Bingley secures a nurse to tend Mr. Bennet so much of the early action takes place at Longbourn. And we get an esrly visit from lady Catherine to tell Lizzy that just because she danced with Mr. Darcy she shouldn't think that he will marry her. (it's a little odd), which leads to Mr. Darcy rescuing Lizzy from a furious Mr. Collins.
Mr. Bennet's illness is really a back story that gets little coverage, Mr. Darcy's proposal also gets fast forwarded in a weird way. In fact most of P&P gets squeezed into the period between the Netherfield ball and 12th night. With Lydia and Wickham eloping.
Lizzy gets her 'letter' about Wickham from Georgiana and writes to Georgiana when the elopement is revealed. The author uses the scene from P&P 2005 as her set piece for when the letter from Mr. Gardiner arrives.
Then there is a bunch of business, Jane goes to London, when the Lucases go to Kent they offer Lizzy a ride to London. Thus Darcy & Bingley arrive at the Gardiners and soon both couples are frequently together. Caroline Bingley gets up to her typical jealous hijinks and ODCs get to their HEA and there is an epilogue
One thing that really bugged me was that Longbourn's long suffering housekeeper was called "Mrs HALL" - come on. There are a few things that are sacrosanct but Hill, and Mrs. Reynolds are two of them.
February 21, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This tale basically has much of canon within although the order is somewhat different. The biggest exception IMHO is the character &/or behavior of Georgiana. She writes to a woman she has never met and spills the shameful details of her near elopement in that correspondence. So it is her letter and not Darcy's which causes a change in Elizabeth's impressions of both Darcy and Wickham. Wickham is much bolder in his overtures towards Elizabeth and his acts with Lydia occur much sooner in this variation.
Darcy's proposal also comes about earlier and is shorter but much the same in its insults to her family and connections.
Mr. Bennet's collapse at the Netherfield Ball is a moment for the reader which gives us a bit of angst. I was not sure if he was going to survive (neither is his family) and if Elizabeth would follow through with marrying Collins to save her family from poverty. In this and then soon after, with his aunt's arrival Darcy is present to add some intervention and support for Elizabeth, in particular.
I, and other reviews, note that Caroline is guilty of attempted murder but there are absolutely no consequences, not even a scolding, for her. Here Darcy steps in to divert a tragedy and it is a moment during which Elizabeth is shocked into coming to a realization.
Darcy doesn't have much to say, as usual, but he was a quiet and well meaning presence. When Elizabeth's pride doesn't get in the way she is able to discern the difference between a socially entertaining quality versus a good and honorable man's actions done without a call for attention.
This tale basically has much of canon within although the order is somewhat different. The biggest exception IMHO is the character &/or behavior of Georgiana. She writes to a woman she has never met and spills the shameful details of her near elopement in that correspondence. So it is her letter and not Darcy's which causes a change in Elizabeth's impressions of both Darcy and Wickham. Wickham is much bolder in his overtures towards Elizabeth and his acts with Lydia occur much sooner in this variation.
Darcy's proposal also comes about earlier and is shorter but much the same in its insults to her family and connections.
Mr. Bennet's collapse at the Netherfield Ball is a moment for the reader which gives us a bit of angst. I was not sure if he was going to survive (neither is his family) and if Elizabeth would follow through with marrying Collins to save her family from poverty. In this and then soon after, with his aunt's arrival Darcy is present to add some intervention and support for Elizabeth, in particular.
I, and other reviews, note that Caroline is guilty of attempted murder but there are absolutely no consequences, not even a scolding, for her. Here Darcy steps in to divert a tragedy and it is a moment during which Elizabeth is shocked into coming to a realization.
Darcy doesn't have much to say, as usual, but he was a quiet and well meaning presence. When Elizabeth's pride doesn't get in the way she is able to discern the difference between a socially entertaining quality versus a good and honorable man's actions done without a call for attention.
April 18, 2018
A wonderful reimagining
I liked this. The story was interesting, the drama fun to read. A little less Mr. Collins and I would be set. Oh and Lydia lol. A great read!
I liked this. The story was interesting, the drama fun to read. A little less Mr. Collins and I would be set. Oh and Lydia lol. A great read!
January 8, 2018
An unexpected mishap for Mr Bennet starts this Pride and Prejudice variation. All the misunderstandings and exchanges happen at Netherfield. An unexpected letter from Georgiana explains a lot and a trip to London leads to happily ever after.
February 11, 2018
Top Notch Novella
A rare book where the characters created by Miss Austen are actually portrayed as she wrote them. The author takes the required liberties of rearranging events to alter the timeline, reasonably so. Only two criticisms noted: Mr. Bennet heads off to London almost immediately after his recovery. This swift action was a bit bizarre, his having been too fragile to remove for five or six days from his collapse at Netherfield, IMHO. I'm supposing he saw the light of his neglectful parenting whilst he recovered from death's door. And I think an update on the Lydia/Wickham scenario should have been included in the epilogue chapter. Otherwise, this was a very enjoyable, clean variation that should satisfy even the purists who enjoy a diversion from canon.
A rare book where the characters created by Miss Austen are actually portrayed as she wrote them. The author takes the required liberties of rearranging events to alter the timeline, reasonably so. Only two criticisms noted: Mr. Bennet heads off to London almost immediately after his recovery. This swift action was a bit bizarre, his having been too fragile to remove for five or six days from his collapse at Netherfield, IMHO. I'm supposing he saw the light of his neglectful parenting whilst he recovered from death's door. And I think an update on the Lydia/Wickham scenario should have been included in the epilogue chapter. Otherwise, this was a very enjoyable, clean variation that should satisfy even the purists who enjoy a diversion from canon.
October 16, 2022
GoodReviewed in Canada on February 6, 2019
A little too much Wickham, but overall, a good story. Oh Caroline, you really are too much. Loved Georgiana in this variation. There’s one reference by Elizabeth of their “home in Netherfield”. That had to be an error.
A little too much Wickham, but overall, a good story. Oh Caroline, you really are too much. Loved Georgiana in this variation. There’s one reference by Elizabeth of their “home in Netherfield”. That had to be an error.
October 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this... at the Netherfield Ball Mr Bennet collapses and Collins steps up his efforts to secure Elizabeth as his wife. The direction of the story changes with an early proposal from Darcy and an early misunderstanding as Elizabeth throws it back in face. The tale changes direction with a letter to Elizabeth from Georgiana and the two become firm friends. The story concludes in London after an adventure in Hyde Park.
This Lizzy is fierce... I liked her a lot. The way Collins was with her was just awful. Although, her defence of Wickham seemed a bit ridiculous given how he behaved towards her... he was a cad from the off and I thought it a bit daft she didn't notice. This Darcy is so stuck up at the beginning, but you can always see his true character peeking through. I felt really sorry for him as time went on... especially when he was comparing himself to colonel Fitzwilliam.
There were so many things that were a little distracting that have stopped me giving a higher rating... at times the language was a bit off and the style of writing not always in keeping with the times. But I really enjoyed reading it - so was much more able to forgive these things than I am when the story is lacking. This is a relatively short book, it didn't take much over two hours to read, but it felt much longer as it had a good pace yet I felt I knew these characters really well. I'll definitely read other books by this author.
This Lizzy is fierce... I liked her a lot. The way Collins was with her was just awful. Although, her defence of Wickham seemed a bit ridiculous given how he behaved towards her... he was a cad from the off and I thought it a bit daft she didn't notice. This Darcy is so stuck up at the beginning, but you can always see his true character peeking through. I felt really sorry for him as time went on... especially when he was comparing himself to colonel Fitzwilliam.
There were so many things that were a little distracting that have stopped me giving a higher rating... at times the language was a bit off and the style of writing not always in keeping with the times. But I really enjoyed reading it - so was much more able to forgive these things than I am when the story is lacking. This is a relatively short book, it didn't take much over two hours to read, but it felt much longer as it had a good pace yet I felt I knew these characters really well. I'll definitely read other books by this author.
May 22, 2018
Interesting
Something happens at the Netherfield Ball and we skip going to Hunsford. An unexpected letter reaches Elizabeth that clarifies things. Very imaginative.
Something happens at the Netherfield Ball and we skip going to Hunsford. An unexpected letter reaches Elizabeth that clarifies things. Very imaginative.
January 31, 2018
Elizabeth was just too unlikable in this book! Each word she said to Darcy was more bitter and hate-filled than the last. Then she suddenly realizes she's in love with him? It seemed that once she saw how he lived, she was in love with him. She had not spent any more time with him to learn more about him. I was disappointed that Caroline didn't get her comeuppance, and there was just TOO MUCH Wickham in this book.
January 28, 2018
Poor editin
Several places in book have odd English, missing or misplaced words making a sentence difficult to understand. Things like this affect my enjoyment of a book. Several scary characters in this story and none are called out on it. I do not care for the rearrangement of happenings in this version, makes story even less believable.
Several places in book have odd English, missing or misplaced words making a sentence difficult to understand. Things like this affect my enjoyment of a book. Several scary characters in this story and none are called out on it. I do not care for the rearrangement of happenings in this version, makes story even less believable.
January 27, 2018
Avid Reader
Another enjoyable story by this author. I like the way Georgina took control and contacted Elizabeth about Wickham and her brother 's love for her. What I didn't like was Caroline getting away with pushing Elizabeth in front of a horse and getting away with it. Where was the set down and cutting from Darcy or Bingley? Even Jane remained silent. The incident forces Darcy to reiterate his love for Elizabeth since he captures Elizabeth in his arms and saved her from permanent injury or death.
Another enjoyable story by this author. I like the way Georgina took control and contacted Elizabeth about Wickham and her brother 's love for her. What I didn't like was Caroline getting away with pushing Elizabeth in front of a horse and getting away with it. Where was the set down and cutting from Darcy or Bingley? Even Jane remained silent. The incident forces Darcy to reiterate his love for Elizabeth since he captures Elizabeth in his arms and saved her from permanent injury or death.
February 9, 2020
2.5
Sir William or Sir William Lucas, not Sir Lucas!
Could do with an edit for anachronistic language and spelling mistakes/missing words.
A shortening of the original timeline. Sometimes this means that feelings aren’t explored or things happen unrealistically. Mr B recovers extremely quickly. Even for Miss B the idea the Bennets wouldn’t visit his supposed death bed was very harsh. I liked Georgianna & Jane is a little cheekier. Lizzy and Darcy have some cute exchanges. Enjoyable enough quick read.
Sir William or Sir William Lucas, not Sir Lucas!
Could do with an edit for anachronistic language and spelling mistakes/missing words.
A shortening of the original timeline. Sometimes this means that feelings aren’t explored or things happen unrealistically. Mr B recovers extremely quickly. Even for Miss B the idea the Bennets wouldn’t visit his supposed death bed was very harsh. I liked Georgianna & Jane is a little cheekier. Lizzy and Darcy have some cute exchanges. Enjoyable enough quick read.
July 30, 2019
A fun twist on what would happen if Mr. Bennett fell ill and the Netherfield party was forced to stay beyond the ball. One of my favorite parts of this book is how the author finds a way to connect Elizabeth and Georgiana early in the story and it allows them to form a friendship that is not quite so dependent on Darcy. It creates a nice exploration of their relationship. Overall, I can't say it was a gripping read, but a nice variation that is fun and easy to read.
March 28, 2023
Follows a rough framework of Pride & Prejudice with several direct quotes included in the story. Jennifer Kay is a talented author but she has a tendency to allow minor plot points or incidents to drop without any conclusion. For example, Mr. Bennet has an important role in the story that is critical to subsequent events and yet, it is never satisfactorily resolved or explained. Miss Bingley's actions at Hyde Park never receive any consequences. It leaves a vague taste of frustration in the month when the novel is completed.
January 29, 2018
Lovely light read
I enjoyed this book as it was a retelling of Pride And Prejudice with interesting tweaks in various places. The whole timeline shifts to earlier than the original, with Mr Bennet falling ill at the Netherfield ball. It makes the story flow differently, but still very enjoyable. This is one I story I will read again.
I enjoyed this book as it was a retelling of Pride And Prejudice with interesting tweaks in various places. The whole timeline shifts to earlier than the original, with Mr Bennet falling ill at the Netherfield ball. It makes the story flow differently, but still very enjoyable. This is one I story I will read again.
March 25, 2020
Just okay
I normally don't care much for Elizabeth's character when the book is based on her pov only. It seems when too much time is devoted to her she comes across as immature, annoying, hardheaded or too smug, to the point that I don't care if she has a hea. Also, it is a bit puzzling that the Darcy's continued to socialize with Caroline (head scratcher.)
I normally don't care much for Elizabeth's character when the book is based on her pov only. It seems when too much time is devoted to her she comes across as immature, annoying, hardheaded or too smug, to the point that I don't care if she has a hea. Also, it is a bit puzzling that the Darcy's continued to socialize with Caroline (head scratcher.)
January 24, 2018
Well written
This book is well written and enjoyable. I didn't give it a higher rating because it didn't have enough of a twist to really draw me in.
This book is well written and enjoyable. I didn't give it a higher rating because it didn't have enough of a twist to really draw me in.
January 8, 2019
Lovely
A rather lovely and enjoyable variation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Events happen differently but an interesting read
A rather lovely and enjoyable variation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Events happen differently but an interesting read
August 12, 2020
An excellent story which could be read with greater enjoyment were the too-frequent errors in the text to be corrected.
May 14, 2023
This was a familiar trope but I enjoyed it.
July 2, 2022
This is one of those books that will be re-read more than once. All the favourite characters are there; Mr. Collins is his slimy self, Wickham is as reprehensible as ever, and the cream of the crop is Carolyn Bingley, the ever conniving, scheming, screeching sister of Mr. Bingley. Each character brings his or her best to the table and Darcy and Elizabeth must navigate through the mire to find their own happiness and love ever after.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews