Unleashing Pride & Prejudice
Mary Anne Mushatt
You know how at the end of a really good movie or book, there are characters who will just not leave you alone? When that happens I have always wondered ‘what if’ rather than ‘what’s next’, whittling away hours imagining new scenarios for these pesky characters. My active imagination latched on to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice in the spring of 2006 after catching the first Bridget Jones movie on cable. This led to reading the Diaries, renting (and then buying) the movies which led to renting and then buying the superlative BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. But my true compulsion began when, on a trip to Cape Cod, I read the original with an intensity that should have concerned my family. I read the book over and over again, on the plane from New Orleans to Boston, and in the car (the first time I was able to read in the car without retching since I was 7) and throughout the entire two week family visit.
And thus, my obsession was born. From there it was an easy jump to the internet and the websites devoted to continuing and expanding the adventures of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. I read everything, and I mean everything, methodically making my way from one site to another. While enjoying writers who retold the tale from various characters’ points of view, my story-lust gravitated towards authors who stretched their plots to cover new ground. For me, it is the interplay of these individuals that is mesmerizing and keeps me coming back for more. I revel in those brave authors who take my beloved characters through new situations, generously allowing me to tag along as Elizabeth and Darcy find their way to a reconfigured happily ever after. I admire how adaptable their personalities are, whether in a modern, Regency, or another historical setting. As long as they face their fates with the dignity and humor Miss Austen gave them, then I am satisfied.
Why, you may ask, do I not just write stories with new characters, since my plots tend toward the non-canonical? I have tried, honestly, I have. I have even attempted to write stories with Mr. Darcy in mind and then simply change the names to protect my secret muse. But it just doesn’t work for me. My hero lives at Pemberley, and my heroine hails from Longbourn, and I hope that I get it right, so that who they truly are comes through, enough so that other JAFF lovers recognize them, no matter what adventures they encounter. As I said, it is the dynamic between them that matters to me. In Darcy and the Duchess, not only does Elizabeth marry a doomed Duke, she bears him twins. Darcy must work through his prejudice over this unknown quantity of a girl who marries his friend, Lord Ian Gainsbridge. She must overcome the early death of her husband to find the strength to love again. Elizabeth foils Wickham and he retaliates by kidnapping her and her children. Do I succeed? Do my characters hold true? As readers, you get to decide.
What I do know is that I have thoroughly enjoyed the merry chase these literary personalities embody. It has been a unique delight following them on their adventures. To even approach doing them justice I have had to stretch my understanding of their world and my own, knowing that there are similarities in human behavior, whether in a small town in Regency England, or in a metropolitan city under the duress of rebuilding after disaster. In the six years since Hurricane Katrina, I have written five, book length stories giving both Elizabeth and Darcy new challenges. My protagonists enter the world of international espionage, horse breeding and in my most recent story Elizabeth must find her way back to her true family after being taken as a child.
I understand that there are some, many in fact, who do not enjoy this type of story. While I respect their viewpoint, I hope they understand that it is a love for the characters of Jane Austen that motivates my work. It is the essence of their characters that captivate me so, and using them as a foundation, I am able to explore and discover how these two fascinating people would react to circumstances unknown at the time of their creation.
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Mary Anne’s novel Darcy and the Duchess HERE
I like Mary’s idea of placing characters in new situations and seeing how they react. 🙂
This story sounds really intriguing! Does Darcy meet her first as the wife of his friend, or does she marry Ian sometime after Darcy has already met her?
Lizzy being a widow (to someone she really loved, it seems) and a mother adds lots of new twists. And a kidnapping thrown in, too! 🙂 I really shouldn’t smile about kidnapping but I’m hoping that means Darcy to the rescue.
I don’t mind AU plots as long as the characters are recognizable and they eventually end up together (happy!) in the end.
Eluzabeth marrying a Duke, now that is too cool
Yea, I’m one of the people who doesn’t normally like AU plots, but I’m always willing to try them. And a good writer can totally win me over. To be honest, Lizzy a Duchess sounds very intriguing!
Great post Mary Anne! I’ve always enjoyed your way of putting beloved characters in different situations and watching the ensuing story play out. That type of scenario is one of my favorite things about JA fanfiction.
Thanks for sharing your muse with us 🙂
This is very interesting! I like the wicked Mr. Wickham having his his revenge. Quite a few twists here, very, very interesting indeed!
Well hmmm… I must read.
Thank you all! I agree that the essentials of both Darcy and Elizabeth must come through, but I’m amazed at how diverse the experience can be in the hands of some wonderful writers. They amaze me in how they stretch the characters in giving them new challenges to test themselves against. I guess that is what I wanted to say.
Since I’m technically challenged, I’m signing in as anonymous, but this is Mary Anne
Huh…very interesting scenario you present. And I like your taking the beloved characters and carrying them over into such a ‘new’ story. I am intrigued :o)
Ok… I’m intrigued!! 😉
Oh, I must read this book!=)
I hate to say this has been on my tbr list and I just haven’t made it yet. I am so hoping to however.
suzan
Like you, I prefer the “what if” books. I read yours several months ago and loved it. I hope you have more coming. 🙂
I’m working on a piece now, where Jane elopes with a Lord. Additionally, I have 4 novel-length stories I’m trying to publish. I’ll keep you posted.
Thank you all for your kind words.
Best,
Mary Anne
I look forward to reading your book, Mary! 🙂
Have not heard your novel before Meredith posted her review. Just wondering whether it is plausible for the duke to marry Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in those days. I thought dukes or titled lords would marry their own kind to be in society’s good graces but then minortiy will do things their own way.
Anyway, good luck Mary Anne.
I loved this book and loved the new twist on the Elizabeth and Darcy love story. One of my favorites!
Jennifer W (google)
I love the cover. This is a fresh and intriguing story. I really need to check out your book. Your upcoming works sound just as intriguing.
Mary, I read this as Duchess on MRR. I LOVED this story!! You did a great job capturing Elizabeth and Darcy!! Did I mention I loved it?
I saw that Only for the Deepest Love is not available. Is it in print somewhere? I would like to read that!
Mary Ann…my friend. I love your characterizations and appreciate the gifts that you have shared with me in the past! I love Darcy and the Duchess! I have my copy on my treasured book shelf!
Barbara Tiller Cole
Great post! I love to see how my favorite characters react to new situations. 🙂