A Good Name

by Sarah Courtney

George Wickham's childhood friendship with Lizzy Bennet saved his life. How will it change her future?

Ten-year-old George Wickham was hungry, lonely, and desperate until the day he met Lizzy Bennet. She transformed his life with a peanut butter sandwich and the magic of books. Losing her friendship devastated him, until his meeting with the Darcy family set him on a course to a new life.

Will Darcy insulted Elizabeth Bennet at their first meeting and accidentally injured her a few months later. She is just starting to overcome her first impression of him when something from his past comes to light. Will the revelation of Elizabeth’s childhood friendship with George Wickham change everything?


"A Good Name" is a clean modern variation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," not a retelling. Is George Wickham born to be the villain, or can he be something more? At its heart, this is a Darcy & Elizabeth romance. This is a full-length novel of about 96,000 words.

Genres: Contemporary, Jane Austen

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2019

Reviews

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising, Unique, and Heartwarming!

A hungry, lonely, and neglected ten-year-old George Wickham meets a friendly, selfless, and imaginative eight-year-old Lizzy Bennet at a nearby park. For two years the two form a friendship that revolves around reading together, sharing food, and escaping their home lives. But when Lizzy’s family goes through some drastic changes, she can’t continue to meet her young friend and the two sadly are unable to stay in touch.

What will become of George Wickham? How does he survive such a heartbreaking and unhappy childhood? Will he ever cross paths again with the girl who brought him some moments of happiness?

This review is a bit of a challenge to write, because there are plenty of delicious surprises in store for readers and I do not want to spoil any of them! So please excuse any lack of detail or vagueness in my review. What I can tell you though, is that I found so much to appreciate and admire in this modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice by Sarah Courtney – it truly is unlike any other P&P modern I have read. And with that being said, I would caution readers to not expect this story to adhere very closely to the plot points and characters of Pride and Prejudice. This tale is its own original and inspiring variation on Jane Austen’s beloved novel than a scene-by-scene translation.

From the very first page, this story and Sarah Courtney’s sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of George Wickham will touch readers’ hearts. Her descriptions of his emotions and the revelation of his private thoughts were skillfully and perceptively rendered. His narrative voice felt so authentic and endearing. My heart was full of compassion for this sad little boy who has to look out for himself, is ashamed of all his shortcomings, and has learned to expect disappointment in life. In addition, this story in general, continuously displayed an empathetic and insightful viewpoint on hard situations and children who experience homelessness, neglect, and an unstable home life. It was eye-opening and inspiring at the same time.

Aside from neglected/homeless children, this story also shines a spotlight on the joy and comfort reading brings. I loved seeing all the avid readers in this novel and the literary adventures they embarked upon together. It is obvious that Sarah Courtney is a fan of children’s classics (as well as Harry Potter!). I loved the long list of books featured in this story and was completely charmed by all the imaginative play they inspired.

Now let’s devote a little time to Will Darcy, shall we? I loved the modern parallels Ms. Courtney created for her Mr. Darcy. His overheard insult, his prejudices, and his intention behind his interference with Charles’ and Jane’s relationship – were all cleverly and believably updated. Moreover, in regards to Will Darcy and his external conflicts, readers are in for some dramatic turns of events and surprises. Ones that were so cleverly created!!

A Good Name is a wonderfully pure and heart-touching tale about love. And not just romantic love, but love between friends, parents and children, and siblings. I greatly admire Sarah Courtney’s unique premise, her real and endearing characters, and her well-constructed execution full of delightfully surprising twists. I am all anticipation for Sarah Courtney’s newest release, Beauty and Mr. Darcy!

Austenesque Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have tears in my eyes. This is a very special story: one that only echoes P&P but still is one I would urge all JAFF fans to read. Having worked in social work as a caseworker in an abuse unit and then in an adoption unit I could relate to much of this story although going through all the our hero did, like so many children, is only truly understood in full by those who experience(d) it.

I don't want to give away what this story is about as it was so wonderful to read all the unfolding of events that I would hope readers take on for themselves. Elizabeth Bennet's home life is not revealed until late in the story but she becomes a heroine for a boy who is only two years older than she is as she shares/brings food for him to eat and then opens up a world of adventure with reading to him, lending him books and even giving him books and then, her old library card, when she moves out of the neighborhood and out of his life.

That young pre-adolescent embarks on a journey which is initiated when a man at a shelter bonds with him over a book. (An event which would not have happened if Elizabeth had not led him to love reading.) As his life moves into happier spheres he attempts to locate his friend but is unsuccessful. Fate intervenes when his friend, Charles Bingley, begins dating Jane Gardiner.

This can be called a "Cinderella" story in one way. As ODB grows up and enters a professional world and makes a name for himself "the evil stepmother" type figure enters the picture claiming to be the one responsible for his upbringing and thus his success. How to prove him wrong becomes the question. Is it only to be his word against our boy's/our man's? And in even denying the story put forth will he only come across as an ingrate who is only seeking wealth through better connections than this man?

This story grabbed my attention and I could barely put it down when sleep called. I did not think I would be able to finish it before the new year entered but I did and so this becomes my last book read in 2019. Excellent book - highly recommend it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that completely took me by surprise. I'm still gobsmacked by it. Do NOT be put off by the fact that the first part of the story - well, actually, the whole book - is centered squarely on George Wickham. Please trust me. It works.

The book's Prologue tugs at your heartstrings, introducing George at age ten. His mother is a neglectful drug addict, and he doesn't even know who his father is; Rebecca Wickham has had a number of boyfriends, and Mark, the guy she's currently living with, is better than most only because he doesn't beat them. George has just one set of clothes, and he's always hungry. He gets bullied at school. He reads, but not very well. With such a start in life, it would be no surprise for him to turn out bad. But then little eight-year-old Lizzy Bennet approaches him on a playground bench, offers him a sandwich, and unconsciously introduces him to the escape from his miserable life that he can find through reading.

The story continues, George's situation improves thanks to Mr. Darcy (senior), and Fitzwilliam Darcy eventually makes an entrance. It's a twist I still can't get over, and I hope other reviewers are kind enough not to spoil it for others. The plot gets into more recognizable Pride and Prejudice territory when Darcy reluctantly attends a party and resists Charles Bingley's suggestion that he come and meet Jane Gardiner's sister, Elizabeth. Naturally, this includes Darcy making a rude assumption about Elizabeth that she overhears... and we're off!

While the storyline doesn't exactly parallel P&P, IMO it retains plenty of the classic's essential elements. It also points a large spotlight on the plight of homeless children and how books can be a positive influence in their lives. The cruelty of kids (including Richard Fitzwilliam) to children who are "different" is (sadly) portrayed realistically. George may have been ignored by his mother, but we also glimpse another kind of miserable childhood due to a verbally abusive parent. An intriguing mystery emerges, with Darcy and Elizabeth chasing down clues from those first troubled years of George's life.

My sole reservation is Caroline Bingley's character. For once, Darcy is very direct about discouraging her. She seems narcissistic, not stupid - why doesn't she ever back off?

Aside from that, there's so much great stuff packed in here that all fits together beautifully with an uplifting conclusion. I believe this is a debut publication for this author, and I think it's a stunner. She has another coming out in January 2020, and I'll be joining the line to read it!

Content is clean.

[Anna]

Sarah Courtney's A Good Name, a modern Pride and Prejudice variation, was an unexpected treat from start to finish. The first half of the book details the childhood friendship of George Wickham and Lizzy Bennet. Told from George's point of view, readers see the harsh life the young boy has endured. His mother has a drug problem and goes from boyfriend to boyfriend. He's always hungry, and his worries about food and homelessness mean he has little time to worry about clean clothes, playing with other children, and learning to read. But when he meets Lizzy, his eyes are opened to the power of reading and friendship. When she moves away, she leaves a gaping hole, but her influence leads to new possibilities.

The second half of the book centers on Will Darcy, the new CEO of his father's company, suffocating under the weight of his responsibilities and a bit fed up with his friend Charlie Bingley's attempts at matchmaking. This part of the book follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice more closely -- with the insult to Elizabeth Bennet, Caroline Bingley hoping to snap him up, his poor advice to Charlie regarding his relationship with Elizabeth's sister Jane, and the eventual blowup with Elizabeth just when he thinks he's found true love -- albeit with a modern spin.

I don't want to say more about the plot, but the way in which both parts of the book are woven together made A Good Name one of the best modern variations I've ever read. Courtney does a great job developing her versions of Austen's characters, layer by layer, so that readers really understand their motivations, strengths, and fears. I loved the twists and turns, and with the freedom of a modern variation, there were plenty of surprises on the way to Will and Elizabeth's happily ever after. Courtney's take on George Wickham was so clever, both heart-wrenching and hopeful, and so completely unexpected. She does a fantastic job with the heavy issues of drug addiction, poverty, and homelessness and their impact on children, balancing them with the lighthearted moments that George shared with Lizzy in the park and, later, Will's outings with Elizabeth -- particularly the scene involving an overturned kayak.

Ultimately, A Good Name is a powerful story, one that makes you think about how we cope with the obstacles thrown at us and how our past shapes our future. But it also is a love story, and an emotional and touching one at that. I can't wait to read Courtney's next novel, Beauty and Mr. Darcy, a Regency variation, and I do hope that she writes another modern variation in the future.

Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Names have power.” –Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

“I’m not my name. My name is something I wear, like a shirt. It gets worn. I outgrow it, I change it.” –Jerry Spinelli

Rating: mature-reader [->13] suggested as tough issues will be discussed: Angst level: mild but a bit stressful: Source: Borrowed KU [1-12-21]

“It ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.” –W.C. Fields

Why on earth did I wait so long to read this? I know why… George Wickham. I do not like stories about George Wickham. I have such a prejudice against that man. His very name makes me shudder. I am not proud of the fact I put this off because I knew it was about—that man. What changed my mind? The title and that marvelous picture on the cover. I did not read the reviews and now I am glad I didn’t.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” –Albert Einstein

This modern story is in two volumes. Volume one is a childhood that no one should have. My heart was broken by the backstories of these two children. The boy and the girl met in the park and over time become good friends reading stories from books. I wanted to cry, to rail against circumstances that caused such pain to these children. My emotions were all over the place. This first volume was a quick read as it was presented in clips that progressed over time. I enjoyed this style as I wanted to see what happened next.

“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older [sic] they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.” –Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

The life of George Wickham changed on the day he met George Darcy at the homeless shelter. I wanted to cry at the tenderness this man and his wife Anne showed this child. I will not spoil the reveal. I loved this couple for their kindness. Oh-My-Gosh! I did not see this reveal coming at all. I was stunned and shocked out of my senses. I tear up every time I think about it. Anyone who has worked with homeless families, foster children, and orphans [wards of the state] will relate to this story. It will break your heart.

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” –Tom Robbins, Still Life with Woodpecker

Volume two had all our P&P characters as adults. This was so well presented and I was amazed at the path our author chose for our main characters. I was really impressed. Our hero was presented with a crisis that nearly destroyed him. It hurt to see him so devastated and angry. The resolution our author took was something like what you’d see on those reality TV shows. I loved it. I HIGHLY recommend this story. It will absolutely amaze with the creative bent our author took.

“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

–William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just a wonderful story,the beginning enchanting,the characters human and the strains on your heartstrings an emotional rollercoaster.

Highly recommended.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice modern retelling

Pleasant story with some original turns. There are enough plot to make the story a fun read. I recommend the story for light reading.

[Tlotem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this book thanks to Debbie‘s recommendation and I’m so happy I did! The plot is very original and works perfectly. I loved many things in this book : friendship, love, books as a hope for better life, the influence of Pride and Prejudice but not a plagiarism at all ... they are also some villains. It’s a very emotional book and I would recommend it to all lovers of Jane Austen.

[Val F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual variation. And although the novel at times resembled a fairy tale (without magicians and wizards, but still...), I applaud the author for the cleverly constructed plot. A truly new, unique approach to the relationship between George Wickham and Fitzwilliam Darcy. I especially liked part 1 - 4.5*. Part 2, in which the elements of P&P were traced, was weaker, but still-a solid 4*.

[abmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ stars. One of the best modern variation ever. This story really touches your heart at times. We have many familiar sequences and phrases at different settings but there is a lot which is different and lovely.

[Madenna U · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Pride and Prejudice retelling touches so many different points - being kind just because, being comfortable in your own skin, some people are absolute jerks looking out for themselves at all costs, living up to others expectations/perceived standards, what you see on the surface doesn't always reflect what is underneath, the impact of fostering, and absolute love.

It was a wonderful story that I could not put down.

[Liz H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent characterizations of Wickham and Darcy. Lizzie's home life and inner thoughts are revealed slowly throughout the book, though much can be inferred in the early chapters. This is a very different story line from canon, even as compared to other modern retellings.

I read this book because the short stories on Courtney's blog are so good. I was not at all disappointed! I almost never give books 5 stars these days, but this book deserves it.

[lori huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

It's pretty amazing to come across a totally original idea for a P&P variation. I've read so many very good JAFF books and this is one of the best. A modern day version, wherein ODC meet as children, are separated for many years, and meet again as adults. The situations of their lives are difficult, both having to overcome deeply troubling family circumstances. The author isn't shy about giving her characters huge obstacles, or about addressing issues that we maybe don't consider much in our lives.

Although this is called a P&P variation, you won't find much resemblance to the original. However, I can't object to the direction this story takes because it's so fascinating, the characters are so engaging, the drama is so compelling, the emotions are so poignant. Although there are many very sad and challenging difficulties that Darcy and Elizabeth face, overall the story is uplifting, and spotlights the very many good and kind people to be found in the world.

There were quite a few editing errors, mostly missing words, but not enough to be a distraction. The book is well written, a great story, and I recommend it highly.

[Amanda Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Courtney doesn't just go for a straight-up modern Pride and Prejudice, she does it with an interesting twist: Darcy is the adopted son of George and Anne Darcy, but he knew Elizabeth in his childhood under his birth name-- George Wickham.


I enjoyed this scenario, especially since Lizzy and Will/George originally bond over books. Lizzy's taste in books (and presumably the author's) is a lot like mine, including Harry Potter, Narnia, and many other classic books.


The twist is even more compelling since Lizzy and George don’t recognize each other at first when they meet again as adults. Lizzy is unaware that George is now going by the name Will Darcy and is a wealthy CEO, and he looks down on Lizzy for “couch-surfing” at her sister’s place after losing her job, not realizing she’s the same little girl who fed him sandwiches and brought his world to life with books.


If you like unique modern interpretations of Pride and Prejudice, this was a fun and heartwarming read.

[Adelle Stavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best modern variations!

One of the best modern versions with in the sweetest, kindest set up. George Wickham is a neglected, disadvantaged kid who meets Lizzy Bennet on a playground. Lizzy recognizes a kindred spirit. George is hungry, for both food and friendship and she offers both, sharing her greatest love - books. For two years,  Lizzy brings George food and books until she moves away.

The remainder of the story is the continued impact/consequences of Lizzy's influence on George's life as he slowly grows into a better self with a new name - Fitzwilliam Darcy - and being reunited with Lizzy Bennet.

Much literary analysis has explored Darcy and Wickham as two sides of the same person. Here the author has made the jump to their being the same person. The characters are honest and true within the difficult story line of being neglected and/or emotionally abused. The dialogue and pacing reflect that honesty adding to the clarity of the depictions. A truly innovative and touching adaptation

[Jennifer Thill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story

This review contains a spoiler alert!
I was enamored with the idea that George Wickham could have a different storyline from his typical debauchery and villainy, especially since we meet him as a vulnerable 10 year old. I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about George Wickham and Fitzwilliam Darcy being the same person. At first, it felt like a travesty of our beloved Jane Austen’s creation that our very hero and his nemesis would be such since P&P itself never hints at any remorse or redemption for Mr. Wickham. But of course, this story is meant to be a modern version of the characters we so dearly love, and truly not in any way, another version of P&P. In that, this novel shines, and Sarah Courtney masterfully tells a heartwarming NEW story about the path to love these two people take. This is a lovely story, sweet, tender, and gracious. The names may be familiar, but the story is unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Bethanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story!

Elizabeth as a child meets a poor, hungry George in the park and spends the next 2 years feeding him and helping him read. Unfortunately her family breaks up and she moved away while he lived poorly with his drug addicted mother until her overdose.
Years later they meet but it's months before they realise who each other is.
The story addresses poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, and it's effects on children. It's painful to read at times but 90% of the characters have good intentions!

[Eilish C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long and not very believable

This is definitely a case of too much exposition. The first third of the book is just George growing up and took way too long to get to the point. Even then, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a P&P variation, outside of the character names and relationships it’s not really related. And a few things are so unbelievable (like Will ever getting Applebees for dinner) they really took me out of the story.

[Angela Kamanzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

A George Wickam who turns into a Fitzwilliam Darcy! I didn't see it coming. Chris Younge had me hold my breath. It looked like he had all the good cards. I like the fact that Darcy didn't lose his parents in the accident. It would have been horrible. All in all, such a beautiful, gripping story.

[L Syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great modern twist on an old story.

Lizzy and George meet as children in a park and are then separated until they meet again as adults and the story evolves from there.
I enjoyed this story and I hope you do too.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very original idea. I enjoyed George’s story. The Lizzy/Darcy relationship part a little short and very speedily resolved.

[Faustine]

I couldn’t connect with the characters. Not sexy. Too far from my way of thinking maybe?

[wendy luther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so well written. And it threw me off well done BRAVO

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most creative connection between Darcy and Wickam that I've ever seen or even heard of.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this one. Too far from the original Pride and Prejudice. Too much angst for me.