Mistaking Her Character: A Pride and Prejudice Variation in Austen Variations

Jun 02, 2015 Erika rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen

Maria Grace has done it again!!!

This story is far left of canon, starting with the Bennets living in Kent, Mr Bennet is actually Dr Bennet hired specifically to treat and fawn over Anne de Bourgh, Mrs Bennet is the second wife and mother only to Mary, Kitty and Lydia. As you read there are lots of questions, some of which are answered/explained later while others are not, for instance why is Dr Bennet such a kermudgen towards Elizabeth, yet expects so much from her? He is the hardest on her, so Maria Grace has done it again!!!

This story is far left of canon, starting with the Bennets living in Kent, Mr Bennet is actually Dr Bennet hired specifically to treat and fawn over Anne de Bourgh, Mrs Bennet is the second wife and mother only to Mary, Kitty and Lydia. As you read there are lots of questions, some of which are answered/explained later while others are not, for instance why is Dr Bennet such a kermudgen towards Elizabeth, yet expects so much from her? He is the hardest on her, so is Mrs Bennet. Though I think if I remember back I think somewhere it may say that Elizabeth most resembled her mother, that explains Mrs Bennet's response but not Dr Bennet's. Dr. Bennet is a good and forward-thinking physician, but his character leaves much to be desired. He blames Elizabeth for everything that goes wrong, for every instance his patroness' ire is raised against them.

In the beginning, the Bennets (Dr and Mrs Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth) are getting ready for a night at Rosings with Lady Catherine playing matchmaker for Jane and Elizabeth. Lady Catherine is similar to canon feeling all the importance of rearranging everyone's lives to her liking. Mr Darcy is present with Col Fitzwilliam, Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr Wickham. Lady Catherine has plans for Jane and Mr Bingley, and for Elizabeth she plans Mr Wickham. Lady Catherine is grossly wrong about Mr Wickham's character, having listened to him and believing his fabrications.

Due to the emotional abuse Elizabeth is not the same outspoken witty character, but the essentials of her character are present. Her character is a very realistic portrayal of an emotionally abused person. This is an Elizabeth who is emotionally abused and does not have the loving attention of a doting father therefore her character is out of canon and some of the others are as well. I found that the romance is sweet and poignant, Regency life is described faithfully, a lot of interesting information is included on Regency medical practices, the loyalty of the Rosings servants (to Elizabeth) is touching, the style is flowing and beautiful, the text is well edited and free of errors, and the protagonist characters are both honorable, caring and courageous.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all JAFFers and regency romance lovers. ...more

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Jul 13, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

4.5 stars

I read this as a WIP and then having obtained the book when it was published put off writing a review until I reread it. There is little resemblance to canon although we do have most of our main characters from such.

Set at Rosings and then in London the Bennets are living nearby the former as Dr. Bennet has been hired by Lady C. due to Anne’s worsening condition and upon Mr. Collins’ recommendation.

Caroline is barely mentioned. But Lady Catherine plays a major role going so far as to a 4.5 stars

I read this as a WIP and then having obtained the book when it was published put off writing a review until I reread it. There is little resemblance to canon although we do have most of our main characters from such.

Set at Rosings and then in London the Bennets are living nearby the former as Dr. Bennet has been hired by Lady C. due to Anne’s worsening condition and upon Mr. Collins’ recommendation.

Caroline is barely mentioned. But Lady Catherine plays a major role going so far as to arrange marriages between her physician’s two older daughters as well as between Darcy and Anne (enter Mr. Collins, then Charles Bingley and Wickham). Woebegone to any who attempt to usurp her role as advisor to the masses much less disobey her. Mr. Bennet now has a second wife and is not in possession of an estate...plus he plays a truly cruel role in the life of our dear Elizabeth, using her much like he would a scapegoat. The present Mrs. Bennet favors her three biological daughters over her two step-daughters but Elizabeth never concedes to her plans and thus is daily subjected to reminders of her failures. The Gardiners have been pushed aside as Mrs. Bennet considers people of trade beneath her and her family’s recognition. Aunt Gardiner is above all a staunch supporter of all that is good and as she says to Elizabeth, “…You are too accustomed to sacrificing your happiness to the convenience of others…” we want to hug her and say, “Well done.”

As Debbie B. states in her review this story has echoes of the story of Cinderella. However for me it is much more about how Elizabeth perceives herself above everything else. A worse case of negative self image you may never find in reading. Although Jane is her main friend, even she offers not only no solutions to how Elizabeth is treated and to daily choices Elizabeth is forced to make for all around her but also Jane NEVER stands up for Elizabeth even among the family members. Jane seems to always think that Elizabeth needs to make changes in her opinions and her reactions. Finally at the end we read of Jane saying, “I shall never have your happiness apart from your goodness” in a twist from canon.

Darcy quickly assesses Elizabeth’s relationship to all around her: Lady Catherine, Anne, Dr. Bennet but also the entire staff at Rosings. Long Tom’s reactions to Elizabeth give him an early clue of her goodness. And when he hears her time and again blame herself or give excuses for how others treat her we read, “More (self) criticism? Why do you not let me be the judge of what I will call foolish?” Why did he have to be so persistent? Could he not allow her this? “When one knows fault will be found with them, it is…more manageable if one—” “Offers up what is to be criticized, like a sacrifice? It is less painful than having it torn from you?”

There are situations which do resemble canon, Lydia has not changed. And Jane has her Bingley. But Mary does better in this story.

The servants respond so well after Elizabeth, with no prompts or reminders, keeps attending to their woes secretly so as not to arouse the dragon lady nor to allow her father to heap more dung on her head. Long Tom and his nephew reward Elizabeth in the final chapters with a unique and long lasting recognition.

This is a well done variation which brings us to love both Elizabeth, above all others, and Darcy as he has the wisdom to see all that is good in her character. ...more

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Jun 06, 2015 Anna added it

Shelves: austenesque

Quick summary: Maria Grace’s latest variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is her most unique yet. Mistaking Her Character (Book 1 in The Queen of Rosings Park series) imagines that Elizabeth Bennet is the daughter of a doctor, Thomas Bennet, who has been hired by Lady Catherine to care for her daughter, Anne. Elizabeth helps her father care for his patients and has earned the respect of Rosings Park’s servants by caring for them, too. Her kindness, intelligence, and keen eye grab the at ...more

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Jun 03, 2015 Deborah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ja-read, 2015-austenesque-reading-challenge

This was such a great book and very difficult to put down. This was one of the most dislikable Mr. Bennet I've ever read. In this variation, Mr. Bennet is a personal doctor to Anne deBurgh. He expects Lizzy to be at his beck and call to care for Miss deBurgh, but does not appreciate her. Lizzie's character is more subdued and she tries to not be noticed while doing what's best for people. Due to the emotional abuse she is not the same outspoken witty character, but the essentials of her characte ...more

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Oct 27, 2015 Nicole Barton Sasser rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, jaff, p-and-p, 2015-austenesque-lovers-challenge

3.5 Stars

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Aug 03, 2016 Barb rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: austen-fan-fiction-read, borrowed-e-book

Need to reread to review.

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May 26, 2020 Dawn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-austen

3.5 rounded up. I listened to this as an audiobook and found that I did not enjoy the narration. It was somewhat robotic and detracted from my enjoyment of the book. This story is very different from canon in that Mr. Bennet is not a land owner, but a Dr. that has been hired by Lady Catherine to care primarily for Anne. Jane and Elizabeth's mother died and Mr. Bennet is remarried he was and the younger belong to the current Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Bennet is not the most likeable character in thi ...more

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