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A Nudge in the Right Direction: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Novella
Caroline Bingley is most determined to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, cost what it may. In her determination to make the man see reason she develops a most ingenious plan, engaging the help of her sister. But when she upsets Mrs. Hurst, her sister starts to follow her own scheme instead of helping her. - With rather unexpected results.
This story contains some slight sexual innuendo.
Re-edited!
This story contains some slight sexual innuendo.
Re-edited!
193 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2017
41 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 13, 2017
Proofread: to read (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) in order to detect and mark errors to be corrected.
This is another otherwise cute story hampered by errors.
Did this author use voice-to-text software? I certainly don’t object to authors using any means available to convert their thoughts to print. But, please, when you have finished dictating – READ THE STORY. Or ask someone else to read it for you. This story has multiple errors in sound-alike words – off/of; weary/wary; set/sat; et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!
The story itself is low-angst, clean and has some possibilities including an unusual portrait of a noble patroness and a different ending to the Wickham story.
I wish I could give a higher rating.
But …
Consider this phrase, for example: “as the man tried to stable himself”. The man was falling, so perhaps “stabilize” would have been a better choice. Or maybe the man just liked horses.
Another example: “It was with some concern she realised that Mr. Darcy was nowhere to bee seen either.” I always knew that man used honey in his tea!
And this sentence: “It was quite despiteous to be sure, but it could not be helped.” What is despiteous? Considering the context, I think the author may have wanted to say “duplicitous” but that’s just a guess.
I’m not trying to be cruel and I hope the author takes this as constructive criticism -- or as A Nudge in the Right Direction!
I should mention something that nobody ever thinks about, but proofreading takes a lot of time. After you write something, there are these proofs that keep coming, and there's this panicky feeling that 'This is me and I must make it better.' -- John Updike
10-13-2017: After my criticism in this review, the author pointed out that despiteous is indeed a word: "By the way, despiteous is another word for spiteful and correct British English." I stand corrected! I must check word definitions in a dictionary more complete than my Kindle. And the author tells me she has corrected other errors I mentioned.
This is another otherwise cute story hampered by errors.
Did this author use voice-to-text software? I certainly don’t object to authors using any means available to convert their thoughts to print. But, please, when you have finished dictating – READ THE STORY. Or ask someone else to read it for you. This story has multiple errors in sound-alike words – off/of; weary/wary; set/sat; et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!
The story itself is low-angst, clean and has some possibilities including an unusual portrait of a noble patroness and a different ending to the Wickham story.
I wish I could give a higher rating.
But …
Consider this phrase, for example: “as the man tried to stable himself”. The man was falling, so perhaps “stabilize” would have been a better choice. Or maybe the man just liked horses.
Another example: “It was with some concern she realised that Mr. Darcy was nowhere to bee seen either.” I always knew that man used honey in his tea!
And this sentence: “It was quite despiteous to be sure, but it could not be helped.” What is despiteous? Considering the context, I think the author may have wanted to say “duplicitous” but that’s just a guess.
I’m not trying to be cruel and I hope the author takes this as constructive criticism -- or as A Nudge in the Right Direction!
I should mention something that nobody ever thinks about, but proofreading takes a lot of time. After you write something, there are these proofs that keep coming, and there's this panicky feeling that 'This is me and I must make it better.' -- John Updike
10-13-2017: After my criticism in this review, the author pointed out that despiteous is indeed a word: "By the way, despiteous is another word for spiteful and correct British English." I stand corrected! I must check word definitions in a dictionary more complete than my Kindle. And the author tells me she has corrected other errors I mentioned.
October 13, 2017
So this is a clever idea where Caroline designs a plot so convoluted it is bound to fail to compromise Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield ball. Especially when she is being sabotaged from inside her organization so to speak.
In this short book, Darcy decides to warn the good people of Meryton about Wickham and enlists Bingley to assist him in communicating, recognizing that he hasn't made a good impression. And Jane and Bingley are engaged before the Ball.
So what's not to love? Grammar and typos and errors -oh my. Caro tells Lousia "You SAT me up, you SAT me up you...." "which lead out to the law" and 'But they were in their best dresses' which made me think that Caro was marrying a transvestite.
I found the last 1/4 of the book quite unbelievable.
In this short book, Darcy decides to warn the good people of Meryton about Wickham and enlists Bingley to assist him in communicating, recognizing that he hasn't made a good impression. And Jane and Bingley are engaged before the Ball.
So what's not to love? Grammar and typos and errors -oh my. Caro tells Lousia "You SAT me up, you SAT me up you...." "which lead out to the law" and 'But they were in their best dresses' which made me think that Caro was marrying a transvestite.
I found the last 1/4 of the book quite unbelievable.
October 13, 2017
This begins well, but the plot disintegrates as it goes along. There are also distracting misused words, particularly "off" that should be "of"... an error that appears repeatedly.
The interesting premise is that Bingley disagrees and stands up to Darcy regarding Jane's affection for him, and Darcy supports his friend's decision to propose. This occurs after their encounter in Meryton with the Bennet sisters, Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham. On talking about Wickham with Bingley, Darcy realizes he should warn the neighborhood about the scoundrel's tendencies.
Unfortunately, by the time he tries to speak with Elizabeth, she has already heard Wickham's sob story. She refuses to listen and they both lose their temper.
Meanwhile, Caroline has come up with an outrageous plot to compromise Darcy during the Netherfield Ball. While the way her plans get derailed makes sense and is very humorous, a second compromise during the ball is less understandable.
This book really could have used a good editor to eliminate the many avoidable grammar and spelling errors.
I also had trouble with the large amount of out-of-character behavior. Mr. Hurst and Lady Catherine are the primary offenders, but Mr. Wickham and Caroline Bingley go through less than believable attitude changes by the end of the story. Many variations will take liberties altering one or two characters, but these drastic changes derailed the plot to the point where it seemed bizarre to me.
There's also a completely unnecessary series of conversations and advice about the wedding bed. I'm far from a prude, but this had nothing to do with the rest of the story.
Not exactly one of my favorites.
The interesting premise is that Bingley disagrees and stands up to Darcy regarding Jane's affection for him, and Darcy supports his friend's decision to propose. This occurs after their encounter in Meryton with the Bennet sisters, Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham. On talking about Wickham with Bingley, Darcy realizes he should warn the neighborhood about the scoundrel's tendencies.
Unfortunately, by the time he tries to speak with Elizabeth, she has already heard Wickham's sob story. She refuses to listen and they both lose their temper.
Meanwhile, Caroline has come up with an outrageous plot to compromise Darcy during the Netherfield Ball. While the way her plans get derailed makes sense and is very humorous, a second compromise during the ball is less understandable.
This book really could have used a good editor to eliminate the many avoidable grammar and spelling errors.
I also had trouble with the large amount of out-of-character behavior. Mr. Hurst and Lady Catherine are the primary offenders, but Mr. Wickham and Caroline Bingley go through less than believable attitude changes by the end of the story. Many variations will take liberties altering one or two characters, but these drastic changes derailed the plot to the point where it seemed bizarre to me.
There's also a completely unnecessary series of conversations and advice about the wedding bed. I'm far from a prude, but this had nothing to do with the rest of the story.
Not exactly one of my favorites.
November 17, 2024
Not really about D and E. They are sorta secondary characters. This is more about Caroline. I found the plot interesting. The shift in C's character seems to come out of the blue. I did enjoy the snarky sexual humor and innuendo. I also loved Lady Catherine's character. But as a story it lacks cohesion and character development so that it makes sense for the path the characters take. But otherwise, I enjoyed it.
But there are lots of grammatical errors and typos. It really was a bit distracting.
But there are lots of grammatical errors and typos. It really was a bit distracting.
November 20, 2017
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Caroline is determined to have Darcy at any cost and comes up with a compromise scheme for the night of the Netherfield ball. Some unexpected characters actually end of help resolve the story in a different light - much to most people's satisfaction.
There were two unique things in this story that I really liked - a good friend conversation between Darcy & Bingley that seemed more real to me. I felt they were good friends at the same level. The second was Caroline finding something that made her happy.
I agree with other reviewers that the editing left much to be desired, but the story did have some strong points.
There were two unique things in this story that I really liked - a good friend conversation between Darcy & Bingley that seemed more real to me. I felt they were good friends at the same level. The second was Caroline finding something that made her happy.
I agree with other reviewers that the editing left much to be desired, but the story did have some strong points.
July 19, 2019
Kind of original but boring
In depth details on an ongoing attempt at a compromise by Caroline of Darcy. Not a well thought out plan by Caroline yet there are VERY long sequences of what Caroline is thinking. What she is thinking is incorrect and even stupid and it’s certainly not interesting.
The Lady Catherine in this story is the one from the P&P movie from the 1930s starring Greer Garson.
I don’t recommend this book.
In depth details on an ongoing attempt at a compromise by Caroline of Darcy. Not a well thought out plan by Caroline yet there are VERY long sequences of what Caroline is thinking. What she is thinking is incorrect and even stupid and it’s certainly not interesting.
The Lady Catherine in this story is the one from the P&P movie from the 1930s starring Greer Garson.
I don’t recommend this book.
November 22, 2023
3.5 stars
The story is a bit choppy, but Caro’s and Wickham’s story arcs make it worth the read. LCdB is refreshingly out of character, as well.
The story is a bit choppy, but Caro’s and Wickham’s story arcs make it worth the read. LCdB is refreshingly out of character, as well.
November 29, 2017
Not a Bad Storyline, Not that Good an Execution
The storyline is farcical, Caroline Bingley wants Mr Darcy as her husband so desperately she will compromise them to attain it. She assumes that nothing she says will change the cooperation of her sister, Louisa... there she errs grievously. Louisa now has her own agenda and her husband has one also. Who'd have thought he even had a thought let alone a cunning mind?
The problem with this variation is in the execution of said storyline. Do only a few of these JAFF authors bother to read their books after they've written or, dare I say, dictated them? The obvious grammatical errors are not indecipherable but, rather annoying. It is a shame when it could be a totally enjoyable read. If these things don't bother you, enjoy it. It is quite funny.
The storyline is farcical, Caroline Bingley wants Mr Darcy as her husband so desperately she will compromise them to attain it. She assumes that nothing she says will change the cooperation of her sister, Louisa... there she errs grievously. Louisa now has her own agenda and her husband has one also. Who'd have thought he even had a thought let alone a cunning mind?
The problem with this variation is in the execution of said storyline. Do only a few of these JAFF authors bother to read their books after they've written or, dare I say, dictated them? The obvious grammatical errors are not indecipherable but, rather annoying. It is a shame when it could be a totally enjoyable read. If these things don't bother you, enjoy it. It is quite funny.
October 15, 2017
This novella is in serious need of a proofreader! I can overlook quite a bit, but the punctuation, spelling and word usage errors were so frequent that it was impossible to ignore. The storyline was original and it reminded me of backward day at school - day was night, right was wrong, black was white. Everyone behaved in a different manner than they did in P&P.
July 28, 2019
Delightful surprise!
For a story about Caroline attempting to compromise Darcy, this story took many surprising and delightful turns. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say it incorporated many different P&P tropes from other variations, but brought together in an original way.
For a story about Caroline attempting to compromise Darcy, this story took many surprising and delightful turns. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say it incorporated many different P&P tropes from other variations, but brought together in an original way.
September 1, 2019
A fun little JAFF story I read on a fan fiction site. Caroline Bingley has a plan to trap Darcy at the Netherfield ball but it's not flawless. Eventually everyone is happily disposed of. Some people are acting out of character but I didn't mind.
June 3, 2019
Caroline gets her just desserts
And it’s served up by her sister Louisa and Mr. Hurst. Entertaining story that was well written. Well worth the time to read.
And it’s served up by her sister Louisa and Mr. Hurst. Entertaining story that was well written. Well worth the time to read.
February 11, 2022
I get thwarting your sister's plans to compromise someone but doing it by instead orchestrating an even crueler scheme seems a bit too much to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2024
Hilarious, creative, and a cute diversion for an afternoon!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews