Bitterness of Spirit


Title and Author: Bitterness of Spirit
Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation
Perspective: Elizabeth and Darcy
Romance Level: Steamy (Chapter 28 is a pretty detailed marriage night)
Recommended: yes, 4 stars without chapter 28

Summary: In this P&P variation, Mrs. Gardiners long lost brother returns to England, having made his fortune abroad. He arrives just after Bingley leaves Netherfield, but the story continues close to the cannon until just after the Hunsford proposal. Elizabeth returns to London to the Gardiners, only to find they have been displaced from their home and are staying one street over from Darcy. Running into each other at the park, their extended families become acquainted and the couple is able to slowly get to know each other. Mr Wilson, the long lost uncle, adds his own drama that causes the couple confusion too. 

Things I Liked:
* Elizabeth's family gets a lot more respect in this version. Darcy's family is pretty awful, so it makes hers look good.
* Colonel Fitzwilliam gets his own happy ending in this one.
* This version features more of Anne and I like the friendship she develops with Elizabeth.

Things I Didn't Like:
* The marriage night part was over the top for me. I don't need details on this part.
* Wickham is out of the story pretty early on, but doesn't really get dealt with well.
* Darcy's family is over the top awful. I never liked Lady Catherine, but she has no redeeming qualities here.

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