Unwilling: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary in Austen Variations

Apr 11, 2016 Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog rated it really liked it

Shelves: regency-era, pride-and-prejudice, 2016-austenesque-lovers-challenge, marriage

Pride, Prejudice, and Stories

I had a delightful time reading this book! The story starts with Mr. Bennet finding out his days are numbered, prompting him to seriously consider his children and wife's prospects upon his demise. Instead of locking himself in his bookroom, he takes charge in making sure his daughters are marriageable, if not through their dowries, at least through their talents. He hires masters for music, French, and he himself teaches the girls literature and history. Kitty and Pride, Prejudice, and Stories

I had a delightful time reading this book! The story starts with Mr. Bennet finding out his days are numbered, prompting him to seriously consider his children and wife's prospects upon his demise. Instead of locking himself in his bookroom, he takes charge in making sure his daughters are marriageable, if not through their dowries, at least through their talents. He hires masters for music, French, and he himself teaches the girls literature and history. Kitty and Lydia are no longer out, and Lydia is moved back to the nursery.

Mr. Bennet then decides to bring his family to Margate to enjoy the seaside, but before they all go, Jane is to go to London to visit the Gardiners, and Elizabeth is to go to Kent to visit Charlotte. Of course, Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy in Kent. And Mr. Darcy. Dear, sweet Mr. Darcy. He is such a sweetheart. He is so obviously enamored with Elizabeth; I almost felt bad reading the part where he was "courting" her because Elizabeth had no idea of his feelings and intentions. Zero. Nada.

By the time the Bennets have arrived in Kent to pick up Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy has made up his mind to ask for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. Instead of immediately proposing to her, he goes to Mr. Bennet to ask permission. Mr. Bennet, knowing he could not possibly reject a respectable suitor, gives his permission and blessing. The next day, Mr. Darcy proposes, and Elizabeth had no choice but to say yes.

The rest of the story revolves around their engagement, with Mr. Darcy waxing poetic declarations of love in his first letter to Elizabeth, and with Elizabeth coming to terms with her impending marriage to a man she once abhorred. Mr. Darcy finds out she doesn't feel as strongly as he does, but he tries his best to warm her up to the idea of spending the rest of her life with him. Slowly but surely, the two learn more about each other, and Elizabeth learns to see Mr. Darcy in an unbiased light. I loved that she did not fall in love with him immediately.

What I also liked about this book was that Jane learned to be more discerning. She still tried to see the good in people, but she wasn't as naive as she was. She questions Mr. Bingley's character and intentions, and if she’s better off with her steadier suitor.

Without major conflicts like Wickham, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Caroline Bingley, this was a fairly light read. Seeing Mr. Darcy have free reign in expressing his love and affection made me grin and feel butterflies in my stomach. ...more

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Apr 02, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

There are several reviews which provide an excellent overview of this variation: Nissa’s, Claudine A. Pepe’s and J. W. Garrett’s. As I don’t want to be redundant I will not repeat the complete outline.

Most of us have expressed how we love compromise situations or others in which ODC find one or both being forced into a marriage they did not want or in which one wants this pairing and the other does not have any desire to be with, much less married to, the other. This is a situation in which Darc There are several reviews which provide an excellent overview of this variation: Nissa’s, Claudine A. Pepe’s and J. W. Garrett’s. As I don’t want to be redundant I will not repeat the complete outline.

Most of us have expressed how we love compromise situations or others in which ODC find one or both being forced into a marriage they did not want or in which one wants this pairing and the other does not have any desire to be with, much less married to, the other. This is a situation in which Darcy has won the agreement of Mr. Bennet for the hand of Elizabeth in marriage. “If I may give you a piece of advice,” Mr. Bennet said. “Go slowly with Elizabeth. My daughter does not tell me everything, but I believe I am correct when I say her feelings are not equal to yours.”

Darcy, as in canon, has no idea that Elizabeth holds several grudges against him (and we all know those from canon). Elizabeth has accepted this arrangement but as the title tells us UNWILLINGLY. The author does a very fine job of building the love from Elizabeth’s side while also having Darcy address faults that he is unaware of…until Elizabeth tells him. I did so love the part where he tells her that he will do anything for her in trade for her kisses.

The main premise here as the book description and other reviews tell us is the change in Mr. Bennet. He finally becomes the father and the husband we all want him to be. I absolutely loved the way the author has him “persuading” his wife to fall into line with his plans. (“A little sea bathing would set me up just fine.”) And I also adored the way he handles Lydia’s rebellion against any and all changes. Then there is the scene, after OCD’s wedding, in which the four sisters meet in one bedroom and speculate about Darcy and Elizabeth and what is happening now that they are married. Girly giggles and bouncing on their beds and hugs galore!

This story has little angst but provides another variation of how our dear couple overcomes misunderstandings, pride and prejudices. But it is in the way that is done that this author provides a story which rates an overwhelming endorsement from many as well as from me. This is another one which I will reread in the future. ...more

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Apr 15, 2016 JMarcy rated it really liked it

Shelves: jaff-regency

From the blurb on Kindle, I thought at first this would be a forced marriage scenario, but was glad to find it more than that. Despite the usual misconceptions and miscommunications (along with a few new ones for good measure) it was surprisingly fairly low angst, but very character driven. Along with Darcy and Elizabeth, there is a lot of growth in many of the secondary characters. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until finished. ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Dung rated it really liked it

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

I received this ebook in a giveaway.

I enjoyed the premise of this story and the change in the Bennett household. The story center mostly on Darcy and Elizabeth but does mention the other sisters. I like that Jane through her transformation learns to think rationally of people and their intentions.

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Dec 04, 2018 M rated it really liked it

3.5 rounded up to 4 as I have re-read a number of times. I find that the start is quite slow but it picks up towards the end, when I began - as a reader - to *feel* with the characters, rather than simply be told their story. It’s one of those stories that doesn’t necessarily pull one in, but that overall is far more readable multiple times - important for me in a JAFF.

I think it is particularly commendable as one of the most realistic Hunsford ‘forced’ marriage scenarios. There is a deeply in l 3.5 rounded up to 4 as I have re-read a number of times. I find that the start is quite slow but it picks up towards the end, when I began - as a reader - to *feel* with the characters, rather than simply be told their story. It’s one of those stories that doesn’t necessarily pull one in, but that overall is far more readable multiple times - important for me in a JAFF.

I think it is particularly commendable as one of the most realistic Hunsford ‘forced’ marriage scenarios. There is a deeply in love Darcy who is still proud and somewhat thoughtless (or rather very thoughtful in some ways, but completely oblivious to Elizabeth’s feelings in others), easily offended but also quick to try and make amends. Elizabeth is initially skittish but forces herself to be understanding and make the best of things, she tries very hard to meet him at least half way, she opens herself up to him, she is brave and seeking of happiness. It felt like a reasonable way of behaving between two people who know each other very superficially but must make a life together. Their arguments, quick passion and equally quick regret, felt in character. It was both calmer and more anxious by turns as each issue originally dealt with at & after Hunsford was raised and debated while knowing marriage was inevitable. I liked that they had physical comparability - I think the author did a good job of conveying the historical reality of a man expecting certain liberties and a woman feeling she must grant them without stepping over the boundary into dubcon, and the fact that Elizabeth clearly desires him really helped. I also liked that he eventually comes to the realisation that *enthusiastic* consent is the goal and tells her so.

The glimpses of Jane/Bingley and Mr Bennet/Mrs Bennet were great. The fact that both women end up with more agency and happiness is really excellent. I also enjoyed the glimpses of sisterliness amongst the Bennet girls.

I did think Mr Bennet’s turnabout was somewhat unrealistic for his character, though necessary for the story. I didn’t really like the epilogue - I felt there were extra questions raised for me. In general I felt like like the story skipped over some parts; it doesn’t feel entirely ‘full’, hence the lower rating.

Occasional anachronistic language /Americanisms, but nothing super annoying. ...more

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Mar 28, 2021 Martha rated it really liked it

A worthy read

I enjoyed the story and do recommend it. My only slight disappointment (minor spoiler here) was the absence of a follow-up meeting between D and the Gardiners. I believe he need to do penance there.

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Jan 04, 2019 Michelle David rated it really liked it

Lovely

A rather enjoyable variation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Wildly different from their usual path but enjoyable nonetheless

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May 05, 2021 Liliya rated it it was amazing

Delightful book. Takes you through a range of emotions but it’s quite sweet. The epilogue is the cherry on top!

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Nov 24, 2016 Deborah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ja-read, 2016-austenesque-reading-challenge

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Elizabeth's father is seriously and tries to hide it from the family. Only Lizzy suspect something is wrong. Mr. Bennet takes his household in control limiting unnecessary spending,hiring tutors for the girls, and taking control of the younger ladies and his wife.
Lizzy accept Mr. Darcy's hand at the direction of her father and we follow them on their journey of discovery throughout their engagement. Mark Topping did a beautiful narration for this story. ...more

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Oct 25, 2016 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, historical, austen, jaff-trope-forced-marriage, jaff-trope-marriage-before-love, regency

I enjoyed this more the second time around and would read again.

I loved the development of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship - lots of tentative steps, lots of romance, and swoonworthy moments. And I loved the twist in the epilogue!
...more

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