The Three Colonels: Jane Austen's Fighting Men (Jane Austen's Fighting Men, #1) in Austen Variations

Mar 22, 2012 Anna added it · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque

Check out my review on Diary of an Eccentric ...more

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Mar 21, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

Actually 4.5 stars

I have had this book on my Wish List for some time and now, as the author is writing more stories which intertwine JAFF and history, I have to go back to the beginning. I have read two other stories by Jack but haven't read the ranch one. Western settings don't draw me in as much as do Regency England.

I have to say that this book did strike my interest immediately in the reading of it. And I found it to be more of Caroline's story than anyone else's. This Caroline (one of three Actually 4.5 stars

I have had this book on my Wish List for some time and now, as the author is writing more stories which intertwine JAFF and history, I have to go back to the beginning. I have read two other stories by Jack but haven't read the ranch one. Western settings don't draw me in as much as do Regency England.

I have to say that this book did strike my interest immediately in the reading of it. And I found it to be more of Caroline's story than anyone else's. This Caroline (one of three JA figures we love to hate) was a re-born woman! Are we talking about the same Caroline? Does this author know the characteristics Jane bestowed upon Caroline Bingley? Can anyone turn 180 degrees around, as did this Caro? Yes, she is new and Jack does give us an explanation, which you will have to read for yourself. Her husband, Colonel John Buford has his own history so are they to have a marriage of convenience? Does love enter into this arrangement? Loved how this part of the story developed.

Anne and her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam: This has been done before but here it is with so much more angst. The author gives Anne's companion, the steward and the housekeeper roles that put them in opposition to Lady Catwitch. And Jack, again, has a very logical and/or humanistic reason, an explanation for how they can do so. So well thought out, so well documented, my Lady. You can just see Lady C. tearing her hair out at being thwarted. For me, after reading so many stories in which Col. Fitzwilliam has a secondary role, a minor supporting part, I was pleased to have him as a main character and in finding some rewards, both on the field of battle in France and in England.

Marianne and Colonel Brandon (Christopher): Having read Sense and Sensibility, he was always one for whom I cheered, one whose true worth I thought was unrecognized. Here we read of a happy family. And we learn if Marianne, when meeting with Willoughby, while Christopher is at war, falls for his false charms and handsome face again or still (maybe she has not forgotten?).

The description of one of the most famous battles in history (How many times have we heard the phrase "met his Waterloo"?) was detailed. I attempted to read this very slowly but think I could do with a layout such as the electronic map at Gettysburg, to show me exactly where everyone was stationed and the movements. We all know the outcome and I know that there were thousands of men lost in that battle. Mr. Caldwell does not leave us without knowledge of the forces and the expectations on the field.

Lastly, we do have several other "favorite" couples showing their faces at times. Elizabeth and Darcy, Wickham and Lydia are not forgotten. And there have been some births since we last read P&P and S&S.

This was an excellent weaving of two favorite stories' characters and their continuing tales. I now look forward to the next book. ...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Barb rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-fan-fiction-read, books-i-own-e-book

I have to admit that I kept putting off starting this Austen fanfic because I knew it wasn't long in Darcy and Elizabeth. But this turned out to be one of the best I have read. The Napoleon era was not something familiar to me, but I found the battle at Waterloo to be totally fascinating. The stories of each of the Colonels and their loves was beautifully told. I especially enjoyed seeing Caroline Bingley mature into an amazing character. She surprisingly had much in common with Mrs Bennet in he ...more

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