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A Matter of Manipulation; a Pride & Prejudice Variation
In which Jane Bennet is not quite what she appears and neither are her motives.
Will her agreement with Wickham hold, or will her plan fall to pieces? The answer becomes a matter of manipulation.
_______________________________
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13042700...
Will her agreement with Wickham hold, or will her plan fall to pieces? The answer becomes a matter of manipulation.
_______________________________
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13042700...
- GenresFan Fiction
ebook
First published August 27, 2018
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 15, 2025
The last I heard from my destiny, it wanted me to make a legal U-Turn at my next opportunity. ~ Robert Brault
I admit that after the first chapter of this story, I expected to meet Jeanne’s NSNJ (not-so-nice-Jane). I even thought I might meet Debbie’s FOBJ (full-out-bitch-Jane).
Happily,
I met STTJ (sees-the-truth-Jane).
I met KWSWJ (knows-what-she-wants-Jane).
I met KHTGIJ (knows-how-to-get-it-Jane).
I shall seize fate by the throat. ~ Ludwig van Beethoven
Jane is an observer and much more clear-eyed than her sister Elizabeth who is often blinded by her prejudices. Jane wants to be married. Bingley is her ideal husband – he is even accustomed to being manipulated by his sisters. Of course, after she marries Bingley, the sisters will have to live elsewhere. Jane is not so easily manipulated.
So, what strings to pull to reel Bingley into the net? She must deal with Darcy who holds most of the influence. Of course, if Darcy was himself married to a Bennet sister …
Jane is a master manipulator but in the end she is also a kind manipulator, in control of the fate of all her family.
You’re gonna wanna meet this Jane!
Jane’s story is available here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13042700...
But how can this Jane be involved with Wickham?
As she has planted, so does she harvest; such is the field of karma. ~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib
I admit that after the first chapter of this story, I expected to meet Jeanne’s NSNJ (not-so-nice-Jane). I even thought I might meet Debbie’s FOBJ (full-out-bitch-Jane).
Happily,
I met STTJ (sees-the-truth-Jane).
I met KWSWJ (knows-what-she-wants-Jane).
I met KHTGIJ (knows-how-to-get-it-Jane).
I shall seize fate by the throat. ~ Ludwig van Beethoven
Jane is an observer and much more clear-eyed than her sister Elizabeth who is often blinded by her prejudices. Jane wants to be married. Bingley is her ideal husband – he is even accustomed to being manipulated by his sisters. Of course, after she marries Bingley, the sisters will have to live elsewhere. Jane is not so easily manipulated.
So, what strings to pull to reel Bingley into the net? She must deal with Darcy who holds most of the influence. Of course, if Darcy was himself married to a Bennet sister …
Jane is a master manipulator but in the end she is also a kind manipulator, in control of the fate of all her family.
You’re gonna wanna meet this Jane!
Jane’s story is available here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13042700...
But how can this Jane be involved with Wickham?
As she has planted, so does she harvest; such is the field of karma. ~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib
January 2, 2024
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13042700...
Blurb: “In which Jane Bennet is not quite what she appears and neither are her motives. Will her agreement with Wickham hold, or will her plan fall to pieces? The answer becomes a matter of manipulation.”
>>Rating: clean >>Angst Level: low >>Source: Unpub FF >>Status: Complete at 6 chapters + an epilogue >>Fan Points: Oh, my goodness. What a marvelous Darcy character. Whew!
“The best way to manipulate a man is to make him think he is manipulating you.” –John Smith
Jane, Jane, Jane… what really goes on behind the façade of that demure smile and angelic face? Well, this story certainly pulls back the curtain and we get to see the real Jane Bennet. This isn’t exactly a NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane] trope, although she isn’t so nice. It is more a manipulative Jane, thus, the title.
Jane is rather a self-serving creature that has been forced to operate in self-preservation mode. She is very aware of the writing on the wall regarding the entail on Longbourn. Jane sees with disgust her father’s neglect of his estate, his indolence regarding their finances [not saving for his family’s future after his death], his neglect as a parent [not reining in the younger girls], and his teasing and laughing at his wife’s nervous complaints. Her mother was no better in spending more than she should [instead of saving for her own future], her caustic comments to Elizabeth and Mary [in company], and her lack of restraint and guidance for the younger girls. Jane felt completely hopeless as neither parent was willing to do anything to improve their situation. So, Jane decided it was up to her to set things in motion that would secure her comfort as well as her happiness. Seeing the Bennet family through Jane’s eyes was funny, I have to admit. I caught myself laughing several times.
Unlikely confederates: Jane needed help in pulling all the components together for her plan to secure Mr. Bingley to succeed. Collins and Mr. Darcy were two obstacles in the way of her reaching her happiness. What to do… what to do? OMG! Lizzy has always been considered the sister that was the most intelligent. In this story… it was Jane. She, by far, out-shown Lizzy. This was fun watching the machinations needed to pull this off. Wow! Very sneaky and devious. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it. The creative spin on our canon story was well done. I loved Darcy even if we didn’t have much page time with him. He was shown as the honorable man that he was. I just adored him at the end. OMG! That was swoon-worthy. Fan points!
“When you know what a man wants you know who he is, and how to move him.” –George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords
1st read: 8-28-18
2nd read: 4-18-19
3rd read: 1-2-24
Blurb: “In which Jane Bennet is not quite what she appears and neither are her motives. Will her agreement with Wickham hold, or will her plan fall to pieces? The answer becomes a matter of manipulation.”
>>Rating: clean >>Angst Level: low >>Source: Unpub FF >>Status: Complete at 6 chapters + an epilogue >>Fan Points: Oh, my goodness. What a marvelous Darcy character. Whew!
“The best way to manipulate a man is to make him think he is manipulating you.” –John Smith
Jane, Jane, Jane… what really goes on behind the façade of that demure smile and angelic face? Well, this story certainly pulls back the curtain and we get to see the real Jane Bennet. This isn’t exactly a NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane] trope, although she isn’t so nice. It is more a manipulative Jane, thus, the title.
Jane is rather a self-serving creature that has been forced to operate in self-preservation mode. She is very aware of the writing on the wall regarding the entail on Longbourn. Jane sees with disgust her father’s neglect of his estate, his indolence regarding their finances [not saving for his family’s future after his death], his neglect as a parent [not reining in the younger girls], and his teasing and laughing at his wife’s nervous complaints. Her mother was no better in spending more than she should [instead of saving for her own future], her caustic comments to Elizabeth and Mary [in company], and her lack of restraint and guidance for the younger girls. Jane felt completely hopeless as neither parent was willing to do anything to improve their situation. So, Jane decided it was up to her to set things in motion that would secure her comfort as well as her happiness. Seeing the Bennet family through Jane’s eyes was funny, I have to admit. I caught myself laughing several times.
Unlikely confederates: Jane needed help in pulling all the components together for her plan to secure Mr. Bingley to succeed. Collins and Mr. Darcy were two obstacles in the way of her reaching her happiness. What to do… what to do? OMG! Lizzy has always been considered the sister that was the most intelligent. In this story… it was Jane. She, by far, out-shown Lizzy. This was fun watching the machinations needed to pull this off. Wow! Very sneaky and devious. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it. The creative spin on our canon story was well done. I loved Darcy even if we didn’t have much page time with him. He was shown as the honorable man that he was. I just adored him at the end. OMG! That was swoon-worthy. Fan points!
“When you know what a man wants you know who he is, and how to move him.” –George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords
1st read: 8-28-18
2nd read: 4-18-19
3rd read: 1-2-24
August 22, 2021
This is a simply brilliant, short story about a darker more 'woke' Jane Bennet. She is observant, manipulative and brilliant. Still mostly not evil. She gets a whole lot of HEAs.
August 28, 2018
A thrilling fast read with a "bad" Jane.
I thoroughly enjoyed this off canon story with a very conniving Jane. Cheif manipulator with her own interest at heart, ends up with an altogether not too bad result.
We never left Meryton in this story and there was HEA for several of the Bennet sisters who were managed like puppets on a string by Jane. Wickham was dealt with and used for nefarious purposes as well by the not so sweet Jane.
I loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this off canon story with a very conniving Jane. Cheif manipulator with her own interest at heart, ends up with an altogether not too bad result.
We never left Meryton in this story and there was HEA for several of the Bennet sisters who were managed like puppets on a string by Jane. Wickham was dealt with and used for nefarious purposes as well by the not so sweet Jane.
I loved it!
August 29, 2018
What an entertaining short story! Jane is the consummate actress, clearly seeing what's going on with everyone around her and playing them all like chess pieces to get the results she wants. Lizzy is as much a pawn as everyone else in Jane's capable hands. Jane loves her sister but recognizes her tendency to make incorrect snap judgements and stubbornly stick to them, including her opinions about Darcy and Wickham. We find that it's Mary rather than Lizzy who has many of Jane's shrewd qualities.
With Mr. Wickham coerced into being an ally, Jane sets out to make the night of the Netherfield ball an eventful one. I love the inclusion of a Regency era equivalent of Mother's Little Helper to subdue Mrs. Bennet and Lydia so they don't spoil things.
There are a few grammar/spelling-type errors sprinkled about, but that's typical in the vast majority of unpublished works and don't really affect the flow of the writing. Sometimes the phrasing gets a little stiff, but generally the writing itself is pretty good.
With Mr. Wickham coerced into being an ally, Jane sets out to make the night of the Netherfield ball an eventful one. I love the inclusion of a Regency era equivalent of Mother's Little Helper to subdue Mrs. Bennet and Lydia so they don't spoil things.
There are a few grammar/spelling-type errors sprinkled about, but that's typical in the vast majority of unpublished works and don't really affect the flow of the writing. Sometimes the phrasing gets a little stiff, but generally the writing itself is pretty good.
September 3, 2018
"Planning, persistence and manipulation"...on the part of Jane Bennet leads to a triple wedding. And the surprise here is that Wickham is her partner in the follow through with her plans. This short story has 7 chapters; the last of which is an epilogue.
It all happens in Meryton and all within a few short days. Jane shows great insight into Wickham's true character, calls him on it and then uses him to steer things her way. While she, alone, is responsible for taking care of the "Collins" situation it also turns out as well as can be expected in the end. Plus her solution to calming her mother's nerves as well as gaining some control over Lydia's and Kitty's behavior brings out a trait no one can have expected to find in dear, sweet, lovable Jane.
Jane takes main stage in this tale with HEAs for her, Elizabeth and Mary.
It all happens in Meryton and all within a few short days. Jane shows great insight into Wickham's true character, calls him on it and then uses him to steer things her way. While she, alone, is responsible for taking care of the "Collins" situation it also turns out as well as can be expected in the end. Plus her solution to calming her mother's nerves as well as gaining some control over Lydia's and Kitty's behavior brings out a trait no one can have expected to find in dear, sweet, lovable Jane.
Jane takes main stage in this tale with HEAs for her, Elizabeth and Mary.
March 18, 2021
While this is a well thought out story line, it takes an iron stomach to read of Jane as found in this version.
At least she is not motivated by cruelty or meanness. She ultimately wants what's best for herself and her family. She just won't let anything get in the way of her end goals and will use any tool available, person or herb, to achieve them.
Written like it is Jane's diary, it gives the reader a view of Jane's world via her eyes.
At least she is not motivated by cruelty or meanness. She ultimately wants what's best for herself and her family. She just won't let anything get in the way of her end goals and will use any tool available, person or herb, to achieve them.
Written like it is Jane's diary, it gives the reader a view of Jane's world via her eyes.
October 10, 2023
5 stars for concept. if it was published it would be 4.5 for execution but as its FFiction, no downgrade. Please read Varrin and Rose's reviews as they capture my thoughts perfectly. Fascinating book. Love this Jane!
August 28, 2018
As I commented on Wose's review, I strongly prefer sweet-as-pecan-pie-Jane...this is not her!! Lol...still very interesting indeed. I'm especially pleased for Mary Bennet.
November 8, 2019
What-if Jane was a master manipulator?
Our Jane firmly believes the end justifies the means. Fun, somewhat scandalous story about Jane taking control of her family.
A pretty good story.
Our Jane firmly believes the end justifies the means. Fun, somewhat scandalous story about Jane taking control of her family.
A pretty good story.
September 22, 2018
I think I am in shock by this Pride and Prejudice variation. It is written from the point of view of Jane. Jane is not evil but she is by no means sweet. She knows what she wants and she is willing to tip the scales in her favor and even bring a few people down a peg or two.
April 17, 2022
Jane orchestrates three marriages and experiments with herbs.
March 22, 2021
This devious Jane was an interesting and entertaining character, if somewhat shocking. A good story to while away an afternoon.
dnf
September 24, 2021I was so enjoying this version of Jane . It makes a change for her to have some intelligence but when it became obvious that it would be Mary and Collins I gave up. A totally unacceptable pairing.
November 4, 2021
This Jane is awesome even when she is being selfish. I really liked her mental comments on others. A very different story.
January 2, 2024
Deliziosamente cinico!
Read
November 25, 2025The writing is good, but I really can't accept that Jane is so domineering and controlling everyone, especially ODC. JUST NO.
December 14, 2023
Very different take on Jane. Enjoyable.
January 28, 2021
Reread with pleasure.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews