Pemberley Ranch in Austen Variations

May 08, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

It was interesting to read the longer of the other reviews on Amazon, some being persons whose reviews I read over and over again and with whom I usually agree. I must mention that "Voracious Reader" made some significant remarks about the accuracy of the historical details. I am not an expert on history but while many stated that Mr. Caldwell's book reflected good research I wonder who has the history correct considering those remarks? That being said, I will now say that even if the historical It was interesting to read the longer of the other reviews on Amazon, some being persons whose reviews I read over and over again and with whom I usually agree. I must mention that "Voracious Reader" made some significant remarks about the accuracy of the historical details. I am not an expert on history but while many stated that Mr. Caldwell's book reflected good research I wonder who has the history correct considering those remarks? That being said, I will now say that even if the historical details were not completely on the money I did enjoy this book. It swings 180 degrees from most P&P variations, being set in America post-Civil War. I was not sure if I would like it and it has been on my TBR list for some time. With Mother's Day the price was lowered so it was time to buy and read it. I also have to remark that I had to laugh at how many people in their reviews were seduced into using the language of that time and place. Bless their hearts!

If you read the other reviews on Amazon or even on Goodreads and/or read the Sample you will know much of what this story is about. My mother's family continues to dwell in the deep-south (Mississippi). My Great Grandfather (from Birmingham, AL) fought in the Civil War. And my mother made sure we visited many of the preserved historic sites for many of the battles as well as the Atlanta Cyclorama Civil War Museum and the Gettysburg site with its cyclorama. So I grew up learning about that war. I have read of the atrocities in the POW camps and how the number of men who died on both sides set records for war dead.

I was delighted to read names and then to recollect the roles Jane Austen had for many of the characters in this tale. Others have mentioned them: minor roles for Denny, Knightley, Tilney, Lucas, Collins, etc., as well as more significant roles for Fitzwilliam, Cate and Annie Burroughs, all the Bennet sisters with “Lydia” now being Lily, Georgiana is Gabrielle/Gaby, etc.

Darcy was a delight to read of, although the scenes in the POW camps were hard to bear, I did find his voyeuristic peeking on Beth Bennet and then dreaming of her skinny dipping amusing. Jack Caldwell gave us a man’s viewpoint in telling us of Darcy’s physical reactions to such…sweat caused not by the Texas heat spell and more!

I found much of this story new even though many of the character’s behaviors reflected those given to them by Jane Austen. The shoot out at the Bennet Ranch, ambushes, buried bodies, plans for a new railroad, cattle drives, banking practices with foreclosures, prejudices towards ex-slaves and the a “Ku Klux Klan” type of raid on one family all made for an absorbing page turner of a tale. Whithead/Wickham is pure evil and his pal, Denny the Kid is there with him.

In this tale there was one new character whose existence had a significant effect on our Beth - Samuel Bennet. Prejudices held on to and the remembrance of unforgivable acts drive many events. There is additionally the role of religious differences in this tale, which is not in most JAFF.

I would recommend this to all JAFF lovers, especially in that it is a fun romp with so many different twists for all our beloved JA characters. ...more

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May 11, 2015 Kirk rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015, civil-war, jane-austen, austenesque-lovers-tbr-pile-2015

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 26, 2014 Staciel rated it liked it

Shelves: jane-austen-inspired

Jane Austen inspired book set after the American Civil War. The setting worked for me, and all the characters are there.

It was nice to read a Jane Austen tale written by a man, and I will definitely be reading his other books.

My only 'complaint' is that while I am not a prude, not a prude, not a prude, it is coming to my attention that I may like stories where I'm not hearing about Mr. Darcy's sexual desire for Elizabeth Bennet...and there was a tiny bit of that here. ...more

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Jan 16, 2018 Elin Eriksen rated it it was amazing

Unputdownable!
P&P meets gone with the wind. Loved it! Darcy does well as Yankee, Elizabeth an beliveable cowgirl. Funny, romantic , sweet, passionate and a thrilling plot. Author has obviously a lot historical knowledge.
I absolutely loved it!

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