Undoing in Austen Variations

Apr 04, 2020 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

This is another long book, which also includes that angst I am so fond of.

Elizabeth, in this variation, acts to provide for her sisters' future...no, she doesn't marry Mr. Collins. However, she does NOT marry for love. Thomas Osborne, the Duke of Leeds has come to Hertfordshire to check on his property, Stoke. He meets and offers for Elizabeth. He finds her intelligence, wit, etc. perfect for the position of his wife and he needs an heir. He also explains that he will set up dowries and see the This is another long book, which also includes that angst I am so fond of.

Elizabeth, in this variation, acts to provide for her sisters' future...no, she doesn't marry Mr. Collins. However, she does NOT marry for love. Thomas Osborne, the Duke of Leeds has come to Hertfordshire to check on his property, Stoke. He meets and offers for Elizabeth. He finds her intelligence, wit, etc. perfect for the position of his wife and he needs an heir. He also explains that he will set up dowries and see the Mr. Bennet does what he should as far as taking his younger daughters out of society until they are old enough plus see to their education.

However, their wedding night when he comes to her it is, "I can't" and he leaves. So it is a marriage unconsummated.

We learn that this Duke is the Darcys' cousin...Mr. George Darcy still being alive and near in age to Thomas. And in the story it is cousin Nicholas Fitzwilliam, Viscount Carlisle, who is like a brother to our Fitzwilliam Darcy. Richard Fitzwilliam is on good terms with Thomas’s nephew and heir, James Osborne, whom we learn is a rake, a gambler and a wastrel who has been spending the inheritance he expects when Thomas dies...as Thomas has no heir.

I would spoil it if I relate how Thomas expects to gain an heir when "he can't" and further "why". He goes to great and shocking lengths and compromises more than one person in his scheme. And it is all kept a secret from society as well as most of his family and close acquaintances.

Yes, Darcy finds himself drawn to Elizabeth immediately and they soon form a friendship. Both admit to themselves that their feelings are more than just that of friends and both struggle to keep those feelings hidden, to not cross moral boundaries, even if some in society would look the other way.

Elizabeth and her husband spend a lot of time with the Darcys. Their estates are close to each other. But they also have friends in London's ton and are active there. Georgiana, who is in school, also becomes part of this circle of friends. However, it is Viscount Carlisle who meets and romances Jane Bennet.

As Thomas finds a way to thwart his nephew he also has now given that man a reason to want Elizabeth (and another) out of his way. So the protection of Elizabeth brings another danger and causes a circle to form around her.

I highly recommend this story. There is so much I have not revealed here. Know also that there are MA scenes.

9/18/2020: I am listening to this book on Audible. 10/14/2020: I finished listening to this on Audible.
3/11/2021: I am again listening to this on Audible while walking outside. ...more

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Jun 06, 2020 Dung rated it liked it

Shelves: austen-inspried, books-owned-kindle-ibook

I have mixed feelings about this book... the writing is good and I understand the plot. As a re-imagining it definitely moves away from cannon and is not for Austen purists.

Darcy and Elizabeth HEA (happy ever after) comes at the expense of my morals and something I truly believe they would never do even when they were tricked into it at the beginning thus my mixed feelings about the novel.

I understand why it happened but just can’t get over it. I’m disappointed in Colonel Fitzwilliam in this s ...more

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Nov 13, 2020 Adele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: p-p-angsty, ja-ff, p-p-babies

Over the last few months I’ve been on a Jane Austen binge including Fan Fiction. Other than Austen’s original work this is the first 5 stars I’ve given out. It’s off cannon. The villains are familiar and also some surprises.
Darcy and Elizabeth are well fleshed out. The duke does some reprehensible things but you may find some sympathy for him. There is angst, tenderness and some comeuppance. It was also pretty well edited. I have found that a lot of the fan fiction seems to be slapped together ...more

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Jun 13, 2020 M rated it liked it

3.5 for original storyline. First half was more gripping than second, with more detail and emotion.

I think the author was successful in making the reader like Thomas, and feel for him, despite his selfishness. I didn’t feel as sorry for Lizzy as I expected, given her circumstances - she clearly and openly disliked her family (apart from Jane) so the Duke removing him from them didn’t really seem unreasonable. The confrontation was quite OOC I felt.

How the author got past the impasse with the o ...more

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