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The Portrait of Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
As Fitzwilliam Darcy's mother lay dying, she made him promise that when he came of age, he would ignore society's requirement to enter into a marriage of "convenience" to join together wealthy families for status, and only marry for love. She promised him that even in the afterlife if there was a way, she would help guide him to find the perfect woman to marry. "I want you to know, my son, that I will always be with you, watching over you. If it is in my power, even in the afterlife, I will guide you toward the happiness you deserve." Years later, after tiring of the search for a woman of substance among the vapid and mercenary women of society, Darcy began experiencing mysterious events, ultimately taking him on an unexpected journey to an unlikely country estate outside of London. There, he is strangely drawn to a woman far beneath society's expectations for him. Though from totally different worlds, they are attracted to each other, but due to misunderstandings and interference from those who would stand in their way, their path to happily ever after is thwarted at every turn. Will Darcy and Elizabeth find what they both desire on their own, or will they need a little help from the afterlife?
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2018
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 5, 2018
I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~ Abraham Lincoln
The story of Lady Anne reaching her son from beyond the grave was charming: loved Darcy gradually recognizing the signs of his Mother’s presence; loved the painting they created together.
Unfortunately, this is a story without an editor.
Most of the first half of the book could be eliminated altogether. Each character’s appearance causes pages of backstory about how he came into Darcy’s life – backstories for new characters created for this story but also backstories for characters from canon.
Most readers of JAFF know the canon story and they know the “fanon” story. It isn’t necessary to devote a chapter to the childhood of Darcy and Wickham or Darcy and the good Colonel. In a story where the Colonel is "Evil" or Wickham is "Good" a backstory might be needed but here it just creates reader yawns.
The French family story is entirely outside the story of Lady Anne and her son. All the background of the French revolution just keeps the story from advancing. Unfortunately, the dates are also confusing and inaccurate historically.
Example: Darcy and his friends take a Grand Tour beginning with months in France.
Quote from the book: They traveled outside of Paris to the exquisite Palace of Versailles, the recent marriage site of Louis-Auguste Dauphin of France to the Austrian Archduchess Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette was married in 1770 and executed in 1793.
Other historical references put the story closer to the usual date of 1811. Darcy’s French friends escaped France during the Revolution. There is a reference to the “Prince Regent and his barmy Father” so it must be during the Regency. Not only would Darcy’s tour not be shortly after the Royal Marriage, it is unlikely that young Englishmen would have visited France at all during the Napoleonic wars.
Some readers may not be bothered by historical inaccuracy as much as I am; but for me, if I have to stop reading and check Wikipedia, it becomes a major black mark on the book.
I hate to write negative reviews. This is the only book I find under this author’s name, so I will ask the author to take this as constructive criticism. Please keep your story on point. Your descriptive blurb refers to Lady Anne’s promise to her son. That is your story and it was a good one.
2.5 Stars – raised to 3 Stars because I am being generous to a new author
What are Raphael’s Madonnas but the shadow of a mother’s love, fixed in permanent outline forever? ~ Thomas Wentworth Higginson
The story of Lady Anne reaching her son from beyond the grave was charming: loved Darcy gradually recognizing the signs of his Mother’s presence; loved the painting they created together.
Unfortunately, this is a story without an editor.
Most of the first half of the book could be eliminated altogether. Each character’s appearance causes pages of backstory about how he came into Darcy’s life – backstories for new characters created for this story but also backstories for characters from canon.
Most readers of JAFF know the canon story and they know the “fanon” story. It isn’t necessary to devote a chapter to the childhood of Darcy and Wickham or Darcy and the good Colonel. In a story where the Colonel is "Evil" or Wickham is "Good" a backstory might be needed but here it just creates reader yawns.
The French family story is entirely outside the story of Lady Anne and her son. All the background of the French revolution just keeps the story from advancing. Unfortunately, the dates are also confusing and inaccurate historically.
Example: Darcy and his friends take a Grand Tour beginning with months in France.
Quote from the book: They traveled outside of Paris to the exquisite Palace of Versailles, the recent marriage site of Louis-Auguste Dauphin of France to the Austrian Archduchess Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette was married in 1770 and executed in 1793.
Other historical references put the story closer to the usual date of 1811. Darcy’s French friends escaped France during the Revolution. There is a reference to the “Prince Regent and his barmy Father” so it must be during the Regency. Not only would Darcy’s tour not be shortly after the Royal Marriage, it is unlikely that young Englishmen would have visited France at all during the Napoleonic wars.
Some readers may not be bothered by historical inaccuracy as much as I am; but for me, if I have to stop reading and check Wikipedia, it becomes a major black mark on the book.
I hate to write negative reviews. This is the only book I find under this author’s name, so I will ask the author to take this as constructive criticism. Please keep your story on point. Your descriptive blurb refers to Lady Anne’s promise to her son. That is your story and it was a good one.
2.5 Stars – raised to 3 Stars because I am being generous to a new author
What are Raphael’s Madonnas but the shadow of a mother’s love, fixed in permanent outline forever? ~ Thomas Wentworth Higginson
December 24, 2018
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy is inspired by his mother's spirit to paint a portrait, where he normally only keeps with landscapes, etc. Imagine his surprise when he visits Bingley at Netherfield to meet his subject face to face. The same pride and prejudice must be overcome but with the help of a floating breeze of lavender.
February 15, 2019
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Besides some of the historical inaccuracies mentioned by Rose, I was annoyed that the author changed the spellings of Bennet to Bennett, de Bourgh to de Bourg and Mrs. Younge to Mrs. Young. If the author was using her own original characters she would have a right to spell those names as she wished but in using Jane Austen's character she has a duty to spell those as JA did.
As Rose mentioned the whole French connection seemed to have no real part in the story other than the fact that Darcy took some lessons from a well known artist who painted portraits of some of Darcy's family members. Knowing that this is the first in a series I can only assume that that family will come up in further sequels as there was a hint that Georgiana was attracted to one member of that family.
We do have a completely different slant in several ways: Darcy takes those art lessons and his relationship to his mother goes beyond just the mother/son attachment. He spends much time with her and upon her death bed she not only advises him to marry for love but also promises that she will seek to guide him after death. Thus the scent of lavender which he associates with his mother waifs around him when happenings seem to be giving him hints as to directions or meanings. Sometimes there are unexplainable things i.e., a candle lit in his art studio which is off limits to all.
The title has to do with a painting which Darcy was led to paint and which was not inspired by anyone or anything or any place draw from his life...a mystery...until he meets Elizabeth and her home, Longbourn. As in canon he has gone with Bingley to Netherfield to give him advice about the estate Bingley seeks to lease.
There are many distractions in the relationship developing between Darcy and Elizabeth. His cousin, Anne, has a major crisis in her life and Darcy is called upon to help. The Chastain family seeks information and shelter and again Darcy is there to direct them. His cousin, Richard, is part of the story as are Lady Catherine and Wickham. Time and again Darcy wants to speak to Elizabeth about misunderstandings and reasons especially as she is given or hears false information. This doesn't happen until almost the last page and then we read "...to be continued".
Howbeit, I did enjoy this story and hope that the author can correct some of the errata: both spellings and historical facts.
Besides some of the historical inaccuracies mentioned by Rose, I was annoyed that the author changed the spellings of Bennet to Bennett, de Bourgh to de Bourg and Mrs. Younge to Mrs. Young. If the author was using her own original characters she would have a right to spell those names as she wished but in using Jane Austen's character she has a duty to spell those as JA did.
As Rose mentioned the whole French connection seemed to have no real part in the story other than the fact that Darcy took some lessons from a well known artist who painted portraits of some of Darcy's family members. Knowing that this is the first in a series I can only assume that that family will come up in further sequels as there was a hint that Georgiana was attracted to one member of that family.
We do have a completely different slant in several ways: Darcy takes those art lessons and his relationship to his mother goes beyond just the mother/son attachment. He spends much time with her and upon her death bed she not only advises him to marry for love but also promises that she will seek to guide him after death. Thus the scent of lavender which he associates with his mother waifs around him when happenings seem to be giving him hints as to directions or meanings. Sometimes there are unexplainable things i.e., a candle lit in his art studio which is off limits to all.
The title has to do with a painting which Darcy was led to paint and which was not inspired by anyone or anything or any place draw from his life...a mystery...until he meets Elizabeth and her home, Longbourn. As in canon he has gone with Bingley to Netherfield to give him advice about the estate Bingley seeks to lease.
There are many distractions in the relationship developing between Darcy and Elizabeth. His cousin, Anne, has a major crisis in her life and Darcy is called upon to help. The Chastain family seeks information and shelter and again Darcy is there to direct them. His cousin, Richard, is part of the story as are Lady Catherine and Wickham. Time and again Darcy wants to speak to Elizabeth about misunderstandings and reasons especially as she is given or hears false information. This doesn't happen until almost the last page and then we read "...to be continued".
Howbeit, I did enjoy this story and hope that the author can correct some of the errata: both spellings and historical facts.
December 12, 2018
A recitation, not a novel
I got about 20% into the book after nothing but a recitation of standard fare and the vague but overpowering references to the holy ghost of Darcy’s mother. Perhaps some day I’ll get back to it, but really, nothing in the first fifth of the book held any interest for me.
I got about 20% into the book after nothing but a recitation of standard fare and the vague but overpowering references to the holy ghost of Darcy’s mother. Perhaps some day I’ll get back to it, but really, nothing in the first fifth of the book held any interest for me.
December 9, 2024
love this beautiful book
Just wish it had been continued I would love to see where the story goes
It is a shame book 2 has not been forthcoming
Just wish it had been continued I would love to see where the story goes
It is a shame book 2 has not been forthcoming
December 23, 2018
Trips over it's own feet
Does not sync between devices. Needs a professional editor to get rid of inconsistencies and fix misused words (countenance, estate). Kinda think the whole French family should be edited out: nothing but distraction. And when was this story supposed to have taken place? No mention of the continent, esp. France, being unsafe due to Napoleanic wars. And at what age did young men graduate from Cambridge? Ok bones, needs a good edit.
Does not sync between devices. Needs a professional editor to get rid of inconsistencies and fix misused words (countenance, estate). Kinda think the whole French family should be edited out: nothing but distraction. And when was this story supposed to have taken place? No mention of the continent, esp. France, being unsafe due to Napoleanic wars. And at what age did young men graduate from Cambridge? Ok bones, needs a good edit.
December 13, 2018
Okay?
I am confused about the artist and his family, but I am sure you will explain it in the next book. I feel like I have read similar parts of the story in other p&p variations, but over all I enjoyed reading it. I found it well written. I looked forward to book 2, hopefully soon!
J. Maner
I am confused about the artist and his family, but I am sure you will explain it in the next book. I feel like I have read similar parts of the story in other p&p variations, but over all I enjoyed reading it. I found it well written. I looked forward to book 2, hopefully soon!
J. Maner
December 27, 2018
Incredibly boring, it needs a heavy trim. It seems the author was in love with her words and didn't want to cut anything. It was predictable and too long for what it was. It felt like an unedited fanfic.
December 12, 2018
Incredible
I loved it til.......to be continued..? have looked but apparently that's where it ends that's my only disappointment tis all
I loved it til.......to be continued..? have looked but apparently that's where it ends that's my only disappointment tis all
January 14, 2019
Excellent
Great book. Alot of info to get thru to set the stage. Once there it was worth the long wait
Great book. Alot of info to get thru to set the stage. Once there it was worth the long wait
January 7, 2020
What An Excellent Tale
All my emotions were touched when I read this story. I am so looking forward to reading more. I loved the scent of lavender.
All my emotions were touched when I read this story. I am so looking forward to reading more. I loved the scent of lavender.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews