Love and Libertine

 


Title and Author: Love and Libertine by Jann Rowland
Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation
Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth
Romance Level: Austen-esque
Recommended: yes, 3 stars
Access: Free for Kindle Unlimited

Summary: This variation starts when Elizabeth goes to visit Hunsford to stay with Charlotte and Mr. Collins. Sir Lewis de Bourgh is a wealthy man with little to stop him from getting what he wants (generally the prettiest young woman in the vicinity).  Lady Catherine asks Darcy and the Colonel to visit Rosings early to help protect Elizabeth and Maria Lucas from Sir Lewis. When Darcy sees Elizabth again and is forced to keep her company for safety, he must decide if he wants to please his family or follow his heart. 

Pros:
* This is a unique take on a Darcy Elizabeth story. It makes Lady Catherine and Anne both make more sense. 
* Lady Catherine is likable here and eventually decisive too.
* I do like a story that puts Caroline in her place. 

Cons:
* This is a darker variation. Elizabeth is in danger on several occasions and I do wonder why she would not have left earlier. 
* It feels incredible that a man (even one of power and wealth) can get away with this. Wouldn't an angry father have arranged a riding accident before this?
* We don't see much of the Bennett family in this one. (We do see Jane and the Gardiners at the end). 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Challenge of Entail

Image
Title and Author: The Challenge of Entail by Jann Rowland Type: P&P Variation Perspective: Elizabeth and Darcy Romance Level: P&P Recommended: yes, 3 stars Summary: In this P&P variation, Mr Phillips had discovered how to end the Entail on Longbourne and so that Mr Bennett can bequeath it to Jane. With increased security, each of the members of the family each are a better version of himself, Mr Bennett putting more care into the home and family, Mrs. Bennett with no need for nerves or scheming for husbands for her daughters, Kitty and Lydia have a governess and are not "out" and so on.  Things I Liked: * I enjoyed seeing Mr. Bennett more engaged with his family. This is one place where the original story bothers me. * I liked how Mr. Collins was put in his place. * Darcy also is his best self, giving Georgiana more freedom, but also more power and assertion. * We see more of Colonel Fitzwilliam in this retelling and he gets his o
Read more

Mr. Darcy's Diary

Image
Title and Author: Mr. Darcy's Diary , Amanda Grange Type: P&P Parallel (true to the original plot, told from a different perspective) Perspective: Darcy Romance Level: Austen-esque Recommend: Yes, 3.5 stars This book is true to the orginal P&P storyline, but is told from Darcy's perspective. It does start before Darcy meets Elizabeth, but still covers events well known from the story.  The main parts of their story are covered, meeting in Hertfordshire, time at Netherfield, time at Rosings/Hunsford, at Pemberley and then back in Hertfordshire. It also extends several months into their marriage. I enjoyed this book, but not as much as some other Darcy retellings. Things I liked: * The diary format gave us Darcy's inner thoughts about the people in the novel. I did enjoy seeing how he is drawn to Elizabeth because she is unlike the other ladies of his acquaintance. * I enjoyed getting to know some of the lesser characters more (especailly Colonel Fitzwill
Read more

Elizabeth's Refuge

Image
Title and Author: Elizabeth's Refuge , Timothy Underwood Type: P&P Variation Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: Kissing and vague references to married life Recommended: yes, 3.5 stars Summary: While touring the lakes, Elizabeth is called back home before she meets Darcy at Pemberley. Wickham abandons Lydia, leaving Mr. Bennett to die in his distress. Three years later, Elizabeth takes a position as governess for a lech who attempts to have his way with her. Convinced she has killed him in the attempt to stop his advances, she flees into London, fearing she is a criminal. Desperate, she turns to Darcy for help. Darcy is shocked to see her again and vows to help as much as he can, which turns out for a wealthy man, is quite a lot. Things I Liked: * This was a unique, original storyline and it was compelling. *I liked Colonel Fitzwilliam in this story. He had took initiative and was a much larger character in this story. * It was fun to see Darcy
Read more