Lit Reader’s Reviews > A Most Determined Lady: A Pride and Prejudice Variation > Status Update

At this point the Matlocks + Lady Catherine keep parroting that the Whickhams are honorable & trust-worthy because Mrs. Wickham “is family” (a distant connection)… but they are deaf & blind to the fact that Fitzwilliam Darcy is literally their nephew by blood, son of the Earl’s sister, so they keep insulting him and accusing him because Mrs. Wickham is OWED their trust — it doesn’t stand scrutiny!

There is theft at Pemberley, we all know this, Darcy knows this, Elizabeth knows this, a local attorney knows this, an under steward and two clerks know this. But the issue needs to be explained, mansplained, rehashed and presented as SHOCK several times over different chapters [ eye roll ]

Details like these make me think of different drafts written & more than one added to the final copy instead of picking one

In the last 40%-ish small glitches become evident — for example, Elizabeth’s companion is sent to Hertfordshire on an urgent, important errand, next thing she is said to be at home, before she has had time to accomplish it, or is said to arrive back.

The use of language is overwhelmingly rich, precise, and somewhat nuanced. Some (few) modern words/modern usage is made conspicuous by contrast >> bully, for ex.

Several short scenes, conversations, and exchanges are repeated (copy-pasted?) more than once…

This slow burn tease has found some “closure” at precisely the halfway mark.

If Longbourn is mentioned, each one of its inhabitants is listed and cleverly described in a few witty lines ; if the dinning room is broight up, each one of the room’s features is mentioned in animate detail (having opinions, judging, rebelling)… wallpaper, drapes, table, chairs, fireplace !

It goes beyond “a style”, and into an aggressive campaign of word padding, in my opinion.

Elizabeth has been busy meeting with several men of business, only socializing with elderly ladies (friends of her late aunt who took her as a ward).

And only NOW we are told the Gardiners exist and live in London ?????? Why hasn’t she met with them at all ? Never invited them for tea, never asked her uncle for help or advice until now !

“My aunt and uncle Gardiner may know someone suitable,”

The narration is VERY repetitive; everything must be told & retold, a handful of features to be summarized every time a name gets mentioned — it gets tiresome…

Elizabeth and Darcy meet by chance on the street; he is in reduced circumstances, and it seems so far it’s Elizabeth who is interested and might take action to pursue him — interesting !