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Pride and Prejudice Reimagined #3
Courtships & Corruption
Charles Dickens meets Jane Austen in this retelling of the historical classic, Pride and Prejudice. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are daughters of a country squire hoping to find love. Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy are best friends and two of the most eligible bachelors to have visited the small town of Meryton in years. While this quartet struggles to find happiness and romance within the confines of Regency Era England, those who serve them struggle to survive. All the while, an evil sociopath lurks in the shadows impacting all those with whom he comes in contact. How those spared from this destructive force react to those who are less fortunate will reveal the virtuous from the apathetic. A portrait of the dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor, Courtship and Corruption, paints life using every available shade of emotional color.
328 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2018
83 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Cinnamon Worth
27 books47 followersCinnamon Worth is a native of San Diego. She grew up with a large family. Her parents had seven sons and three daughters. Cinnamon was their youngest. Her brothers and sisters would get into a lot of trouble, but would have the best stories to tell years later. Cinnamon was not as cool. She pretty much focused on school and kept her nose clean.
When she went off to college, she ran into the same dilemma most college students do. Her nicely defined path was running out. She would need to make some choices. Chief among them – what was she supposed to do for a living?
She had the good fortune to meet an amazing man the summer before her junior year of college. Sadly, she had already signed up to spend a year studying abroad. But the couple weathered the challenges of a long distance relationship and have now been married for over twenty years. Of course, all this did not solve that pesky problem of making a living – at least not right away.
That romance did, however, shape so many choices in her life. She decided to obtain an MBA after college because that boy had two years left in college and wanted her to stay put in San Diego during that time. Then, after the two years ended, they married, and he dragged her away from her hometown so he could begin work on his PhD and his MD. The college he attended happened to be located near Sacramento, so with her MBA in hand and zero experience, she went door to door begging for work, which she eventually found.
Her career ended up being in public finance – remember the Sacramento’s main industry is government. Year after year passed. Two beautiful children were born. Her husband studied and studied. After a little more than thirteen years, he had completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and his medical degree. But he still needed to do his residency.
Once again they set off on a new journey and had the good fortune to spend a few years living and working just outside of San Francisco. But there is no place like home and once her husband completed his training, his career brought them right back to the city where they met. Cinnamon turned in her 10-key for an apron and became a homemaker. This has led to a boom in sales for local restaurant owners. Surprisingly, one finds free-time when they avoid housekeeping, refuse to cook, and have no job, so she started writing for fun and demonstrated for her children the advantages of finding someone to marry who will let you goof off all day.
She loves humor, and even when she tries to be serious, it seeps into her writing. She has been thrilled to discover a small cluster of readers who are clearly brilliant, have excellent taste, and obviously possess a wickedly, awesome sense of humor. Yes – I mean those that are reading her books! Thus far, she has published books that use Jane Austen’s wonderful characters from Pride and Prejudice. The fifth such book will be released in early 2019.
When she went off to college, she ran into the same dilemma most college students do. Her nicely defined path was running out. She would need to make some choices. Chief among them – what was she supposed to do for a living?
She had the good fortune to meet an amazing man the summer before her junior year of college. Sadly, she had already signed up to spend a year studying abroad. But the couple weathered the challenges of a long distance relationship and have now been married for over twenty years. Of course, all this did not solve that pesky problem of making a living – at least not right away.
That romance did, however, shape so many choices in her life. She decided to obtain an MBA after college because that boy had two years left in college and wanted her to stay put in San Diego during that time. Then, after the two years ended, they married, and he dragged her away from her hometown so he could begin work on his PhD and his MD. The college he attended happened to be located near Sacramento, so with her MBA in hand and zero experience, she went door to door begging for work, which she eventually found.
Her career ended up being in public finance – remember the Sacramento’s main industry is government. Year after year passed. Two beautiful children were born. Her husband studied and studied. After a little more than thirteen years, he had completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and his medical degree. But he still needed to do his residency.
Once again they set off on a new journey and had the good fortune to spend a few years living and working just outside of San Francisco. But there is no place like home and once her husband completed his training, his career brought them right back to the city where they met. Cinnamon turned in her 10-key for an apron and became a homemaker. This has led to a boom in sales for local restaurant owners. Surprisingly, one finds free-time when they avoid housekeeping, refuse to cook, and have no job, so she started writing for fun and demonstrated for her children the advantages of finding someone to marry who will let you goof off all day.
She loves humor, and even when she tries to be serious, it seeps into her writing. She has been thrilled to discover a small cluster of readers who are clearly brilliant, have excellent taste, and obviously possess a wickedly, awesome sense of humor. Yes – I mean those that are reading her books! Thus far, she has published books that use Jane Austen’s wonderful characters from Pride and Prejudice. The fifth such book will be released in early 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 2, 2018
We say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true. Slavery still exists, but now it applies only to women and its name is prostitution. ~ Victor Hugo
What, you ask, does prostitution or slavery have to do with a Pride & Prejudice story?
This is a book with two stories:
– the “upstairs” story of canon Pride & Prejudice.
– the “downstairs” story of young maids disappearing from Netherfield.
Prostitution and corruption are two things that mankind has had to live with for so long. ~ Najib Razak
In spite of these criticisms, the story held my attention to the end. It is well-written and proofread but to my notion, it could have been tightened up a bit.
Very different from the last story from this author. Overall I liked it and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.
Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk. ~ Henry David Thoreau
What, you ask, does prostitution or slavery have to do with a Pride & Prejudice story?
This is a book with two stories:
– the “upstairs” story of canon Pride & Prejudice.
– the “downstairs” story of young maids disappearing from Netherfield.
Prostitution and corruption are two things that mankind has had to live with for so long. ~ Najib Razak
In spite of these criticisms, the story held my attention to the end. It is well-written and proofread but to my notion, it could have been tightened up a bit.
Very different from the last story from this author. Overall I liked it and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.
Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk. ~ Henry David Thoreau
August 31, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
Much of this story is simply a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in the author's own words. She makes a fair attempt at using Regency wordage but is not wholly successful there. The other part of the story involves the lower classes. In particular it deals with servants at Netherfield, Caroline's handling i.e., hiring and firing, of such, as well as both Bingley's and Darcy's attitudes about relationships with those under their command. Plus it deals with the fate of two of the maidservants and then in connection with that - the fate of a young lady in town whose father owns the bookstore but who then dies, leaving her and her elderly grandfather on their own. This young lady is also a friend to Elizabeth based initially on Elizabeth's love of reading.
Darcy extends his concerns about the families of hires to actually dipping into trade (although secretly). This interest soon involves others in the area and even later his cousin. This is a trait which can only bring admiration from any who learn of such. Darcy, obviously, does not disdain seeing to the welfare of those beneath his social status.
Much of this story was very predictable. Thus there was little angst. What angst there is involves the disappearance of three young women and then the discovery of two bodies: one so decayed that her identity was difficult to establish. The fate of the third was handled well in the end; although she went through "hell" before finding a better life.
If you like P&P variations with little angst and no MA scenes this story would fit your requirements.
Much of this story is simply a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in the author's own words. She makes a fair attempt at using Regency wordage but is not wholly successful there. The other part of the story involves the lower classes. In particular it deals with servants at Netherfield, Caroline's handling i.e., hiring and firing, of such, as well as both Bingley's and Darcy's attitudes about relationships with those under their command. Plus it deals with the fate of two of the maidservants and then in connection with that - the fate of a young lady in town whose father owns the bookstore but who then dies, leaving her and her elderly grandfather on their own. This young lady is also a friend to Elizabeth based initially on Elizabeth's love of reading.
Darcy extends his concerns about the families of hires to actually dipping into trade (although secretly). This interest soon involves others in the area and even later his cousin. This is a trait which can only bring admiration from any who learn of such. Darcy, obviously, does not disdain seeing to the welfare of those beneath his social status.
Much of this story was very predictable. Thus there was little angst. What angst there is involves the disappearance of three young women and then the discovery of two bodies: one so decayed that her identity was difficult to establish. The fate of the third was handled well in the end; although she went through "hell" before finding a better life.
If you like P&P variations with little angst and no MA scenes this story would fit your requirements.
August 27, 2018
3.5 rounded up to 4.
In her thorough introduction the author admits she took pieces of two of her incomplete stories and welded them together to make this story and I have to see you can see the joints.
This is a P&P story with aspects of murder, white slavery, and the industrial revolution. The problem I had with the story was the two parts were like oil & vinegar if you shake and stir really hard you get an emulsion but if you let it sit they begin to separate... things didn't quite line up and other things didn't make sense.
The strictly P&P parts mostly follow canon but frequently switch POV so we can get every one's thoughts. There is too much that is related as already happened. The mystery part doesn't really fit in and the final attack in the book strained credulity . Also the baddie is revealed rather early in the story so the only mystery is will he be caught. There is a subplot with Darcy investing in cottage industry, being the silent partner, but we are never given a good explanation as to why.
The writing and language are beautiful...
In her thorough introduction the author admits she took pieces of two of her incomplete stories and welded them together to make this story and I have to see you can see the joints.
This is a P&P story with aspects of murder, white slavery, and the industrial revolution. The problem I had with the story was the two parts were like oil & vinegar if you shake and stir really hard you get an emulsion but if you let it sit they begin to separate... things didn't quite line up and other things didn't make sense.
The strictly P&P parts mostly follow canon but frequently switch POV so we can get every one's thoughts. There is too much that is related as already happened. The mystery part doesn't really fit in and the final attack in the book strained credulity . Also the baddie is revealed rather early in the story so the only mystery is will he be caught. There is a subplot with Darcy investing in cottage industry, being the silent partner, but we are never given a good explanation as to why.
The writing and language are beautiful...
February 12, 2019
This is an ambitious story that takes a gentry class/working class approach to the classic Pride and Prejudice along with a few other twists. Not only do we have the story of Darcy and the Bennets and Bingleys et al, we get a peek into life for some Netherfield servants and Meryton residents. There's also a dark side here, as a predator recently moves into the area with a history of paying his gambling debts by kidnapping young servant women and selling them into slavery at a London brothel. It's a combination of plotlines that do eventually intersect near the book's end.
The book effectively demonstrates how necessary an estate like Netherfield is for the financial well-being of a small town like Meryton. Longbourn, Netherfield, Lucas Lodge and similar fine homes offer employment for servants and buy provisions from local tradespeople. When Caroline Bingley unilaterally decides to move out and shut up Netherfield, it adversely affects many households that are already living hand to mouth.
Although the writing itself is quite good most of the time and it's well edited, the book's point of view is scattered, jumping from one character to another in quick succession with information that often is just not necessary. There's a lot of telling us what each character is thinking. Some thoughts are obvious, and some can be deduced from the characters' actions. It makes the book feel long even though there's plenty going on.
While individual elements of the book are quite good, I don't think they mesh together smoothly. This author's other books have a more cohesive storyline.
The book effectively demonstrates how necessary an estate like Netherfield is for the financial well-being of a small town like Meryton. Longbourn, Netherfield, Lucas Lodge and similar fine homes offer employment for servants and buy provisions from local tradespeople. When Caroline Bingley unilaterally decides to move out and shut up Netherfield, it adversely affects many households that are already living hand to mouth.
Although the writing itself is quite good most of the time and it's well edited, the book's point of view is scattered, jumping from one character to another in quick succession with information that often is just not necessary. There's a lot of telling us what each character is thinking. Some thoughts are obvious, and some can be deduced from the characters' actions. It makes the book feel long even though there's plenty going on.
While individual elements of the book are quite good, I don't think they mesh together smoothly. This author's other books have a more cohesive storyline.
August 6, 2018
So so story, great ending
With murders happening around town, I didn’t experience the fear vividly enough that I thought everyone would have in a small town with no infrastructure to deal having a murderer lose among them.
I really enjoyed the ending. The ending is almost exactly the same as the ending in the original P&P but from Darcy’s point of view. That was fun.
With murders happening around town, I didn’t experience the fear vividly enough that I thought everyone would have in a small town with no infrastructure to deal having a murderer lose among them.
I really enjoyed the ending. The ending is almost exactly the same as the ending in the original P&P but from Darcy’s point of view. That was fun.
July 11, 2020
Humorously bent, Regency era murder mystery.
(Austenesque pick it for me July challenge)
A variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice keeping the timeline of canon. The author spares the reader of any rehash which I appreciate but it would be an advantage to have read PnP prior to this book, albeit strictly not an absolute must.
During the story a murder mystery unfolds, this felt more like a sidetrack to the development of the relationship between ODC. Filled out with new events and some added behind the scenes. Written in multiple POV's which scared me witless at the first sentence in chapter 1...
An entertaining story with some farce like qualities that take more serious turns in between.
I would have liked a faster pace and less reflection/more dialogue and action.
Worthwhile.
Rated: Chaste
(Austenesque pick it for me July challenge)
A variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice keeping the timeline of canon. The author spares the reader of any rehash which I appreciate but it would be an advantage to have read PnP prior to this book, albeit strictly not an absolute must.
During the story a murder mystery unfolds, this felt more like a sidetrack to the development of the relationship between ODC. Filled out with new events and some added behind the scenes. Written in multiple POV's which scared me witless at the first sentence in chapter 1...
An entertaining story with some farce like qualities that take more serious turns in between.
I would have liked a faster pace and less reflection/more dialogue and action.
Worthwhile.
Rated: Chaste
April 20, 2022
Murder and mayhem
An interesting accompanying story that runs along favorite scenes and events, and that involves our favorite characters into it's intrigue. Thoroughly recommended.
An interesting accompanying story that runs along favorite scenes and events, and that involves our favorite characters into it's intrigue. Thoroughly recommended.
August 18, 2018
A joyous and circuitous road to a satisfactory ending.
I love a story with a sense of humor, and this one has it in spades. There are many different story lines going on, but they all connect beautifully. New characters are introduced, as well as the familiar P&P ones, and I can't think of any that were superfluous. The action moves along at a nice pace. Not a lot of unnecessary text or repetition, as in so many of these variations.
The main difference here was the Upstairs Downstairs kind of theme. Really fun and interesting since the characters were people you care about. The story line is basically the same as P&P, but so much more, and a lot of interaction between the Upstairs and the downstairs.
I should remove half a star from my review for the number of errors, both in spelling and context, but I enjoyed the book too much to do that. Someone needs to do a better job of editing next time, and I hope there will be a next time. I would love to read this author again.
I love a story with a sense of humor, and this one has it in spades. There are many different story lines going on, but they all connect beautifully. New characters are introduced, as well as the familiar P&P ones, and I can't think of any that were superfluous. The action moves along at a nice pace. Not a lot of unnecessary text or repetition, as in so many of these variations.
The main difference here was the Upstairs Downstairs kind of theme. Really fun and interesting since the characters were people you care about. The story line is basically the same as P&P, but so much more, and a lot of interaction between the Upstairs and the downstairs.
I should remove half a star from my review for the number of errors, both in spelling and context, but I enjoyed the book too much to do that. Someone needs to do a better job of editing next time, and I hope there will be a next time. I would love to read this author again.
May 3, 2020
These are good stories but
The books are in serious need of an editor. The first two books were not so bad, misused words, or missing ones. But the third book seemed to be rushed. The last third of the book, the time frames jumped all over the place. There was a lack of the romantic feelings of Darcy and Elizabeth. The tenses in sentences did not agree, and words were missing or the wrong ones used so that the story got muddled. If the author doesn't have access to an editor, she should read the book out loud to catch her mistakes.
The books are in serious need of an editor. The first two books were not so bad, misused words, or missing ones. But the third book seemed to be rushed. The last third of the book, the time frames jumped all over the place. There was a lack of the romantic feelings of Darcy and Elizabeth. The tenses in sentences did not agree, and words were missing or the wrong ones used so that the story got muddled. If the author doesn't have access to an editor, she should read the book out loud to catch her mistakes.
September 30, 2018
Too much editing needed
This is a simple retelling of P&P from different points of view and a few distracting adventures thrown in. The writing is confusing at times and it was work to correct all the typos and incorrect punctuation. Someone does not have a good handle on when, and when not, to use a comma.
This is a simple retelling of P&P from different points of view and a few distracting adventures thrown in. The writing is confusing at times and it was work to correct all the typos and incorrect punctuation. Someone does not have a good handle on when, and when not, to use a comma.
December 22, 2021
Well-written, but also, not…
I was impressed with the overall plot, tone and vocabulary, but there were so many grammatical, punctuation and even spelling errors, that it was distracting. I guess there is no such thing as proofreading any more? However, it was an entertaining read.
I was impressed with the overall plot, tone and vocabulary, but there were so many grammatical, punctuation and even spelling errors, that it was distracting. I guess there is no such thing as proofreading any more? However, it was an entertaining read.
August 29, 2018
Great P&P twist
Great P&P twist with kidnappings, love and murder. I would recommend this story to all lovers of Pride and Prejudice
Great P&P twist with kidnappings, love and murder. I would recommend this story to all lovers of Pride and Prejudice
September 10, 2018
Enjoyable Austenation with some Dickensian tendencies. There were a few anachronisms, but they weren't egregious enough to destroy my enjoyment of the story.
October 11, 2018
A delightful story
I love how she tells the story without going over what has been written previously. I truly enjoyed this book and hope to read many more by this author
I love how she tells the story without going over what has been written previously. I truly enjoyed this book and hope to read many more by this author
May 19, 2020
This was almost like two stories that didn't mesh well together. There's the P&P story, which was mostly to canon and a separate story of missing girls. Kind of boring.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews