A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near. ~ Author unknown
It’s all about the Fairies, after all.
The Prologue reveals a young woman overhearing a conversation between two men — one her protector; the other refuses to marry her.
Years later, the story opens at Longbourn with a visit from the neighborhood gossip — yes, in addition to the Mesdames Bennet, Lucas and Phillips, we have Mrs. Hanrahan who lives alone outside Meryton and disapproves of the people moving into a cottage near her.
Of course, Elizabeth encounters the new neighbors in one of her woodland rambles.
Quote from the book: The girl shook her head, prouder still. “I have run away … I am exceedingly good at running … she never catches me. She is terrible at running.”
The fairies went from the world, dear,
Because men's hearts grew cold:
And only the eyes of children see
What is hidden from the old...
~ Kathleen Foyle
Anna is an enchanting and determined 5-year-old.
Quote from the book: “She is my mother’s cousin. I live with her in Persimmon Cottage. She does not like it, but I do, because it is near some woods that I know are magic, for I leave scraps out for the fairies every evening and they are gone every morning, though I have yet to see one.”
“You have to be ever so quiet to see a fairy,” Elizabeth told her solemnly. “They will not allow you to see them unless you are very, very still.”
So, here is the mystery central to this love story:
Who is Anna?
Who are her parents?
Why is she in Meryton?
No child but must remember laying his head in the grass, staring into the infinitesimal forest, and seeing it grow populous with fairy armies. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Thanks to the neighborhood gossips, the Netherfield party is only marginally welcomed into Hertfordshire. Some of the most damaging gossip comes from the local pastor who is aided and abetted by Mr. Collins. Our favorite cad, George Wickham, lets a few secrets out in the open. But, we know what a little fibber he can be!
The standard characters are at Netherfield. Charles Bingley is the youngest of the family this time. Louisa Hurst is 27 and Caroline slightly younger.
The author kept her secret to the end, even as the canon Pride & Prejudice coincidences occur: a dance at Netherfield; a meeting at Hunsford; a meeting in Derbyshire.
I made many guesses about Anna’s life story. At one point, I actually had the correct idea but I abandoned it in favor of a scenario that seemed more likely. Hah! That should teach me!
I loved this book! 5 Stars all the way.
I received an ARC with no promise given of a review.
And though you should live in a palace of gold,
or sleep in a dried up ditch,
You could never be as poor as the fairies are,
and never as rich.
~ Rose Fyleman