What If Pride and Prejudice Was Set During The Great Depression?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
What would altering the time period and setting of Pride and Prejudice do to the beloved characters and familiar storyline of Jane Austen’s masterpiece? What would happen if the Bennets and the Darcys lived in a time of economic depression, unemployment and poverty, Nazism, jazz music, and motor cars?
In a splendid rerelease of her award-winning debut, Karen Cox transplants Jane Austen’s characters to the year 1932 where Mr. Bennet is a recently laid-off English professor that must move his family to Meryton, Kentucky to live on his brother Gardiner’s abandoned farm; William Darcy is the owner of a prosperous farm in Meryton and the devoted uncle/father figure to his sister’s children; and Elizabeth Bennet is the daughter forced to give up her pursuit of a college degree and pampered lifestyle in order to help support her family.
William Darcy is intrigued by and drawn to newcomer Elizabeth Bennet. He sees the way his nieces adore her and admires her sense and intellect. He alights upon the idea of marrying Elizabeth Bennet, not because his “feelings will not be repressed,” but because it is a practical decision that will benefit both their situations. Would Elizabeth ever consider a marriage of convenience? Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet was aghast at Charlotte’s prudent and unromantic decision to marry Mr. Collins, but would an Elizabeth Bennet living in the 1930s who was aware of her family’s dire predicaments think differently?
My favorite element of this and any Austen-inspired retelling that Karen Cox pens is how she brilliantly blends together characters and themes from Jane Austen’s novels with diverse and unique time periods and settings. Whether the story is set in the early 1980s, late 1950s, or early 1930s Karen Cox imbues her story with an abundance of historical detail and pertinent socio-economic themes that create a story that is familiar yet at time a little unpredictable. I truly love every time period Ms. Cox has selected to write about, and I greatly admire the thoughtful deviations that take place in these retellings because of their altered time periods.
What I loved most about 1932 when I read it 10 years ago and what I still love about it now, is the 
journey William and Elizabeth take to discovering their love for each other. While there may be less pride and prejudice at the beginning, the absence of love, trust, and understanding leads their relationship to face some challenges. The slow and private romantic development between William and Elizabeth was exquisitely rendered. I loved how both felt the shift in their feelings come on gradually, and both were hesitant to reveal or act on their feelings. William makes me swoon in this story with his intense feelings of love and tenderness for Elizabeth… 😍There are a few additional scenes and chapters in this new edition of 1932 that create even more lovely segments in William’s and Elizabeth’s romantic journey, and I loved them all. Note: Because of the inclusion of several (not overly graphic) intimate scenes, I’d recommend this book for Mature Audiences.
I could spend all day extolling all the excellent aspects of Karen Cox’s writing and this remarkable retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but instead I will sum up briefly some other elements I greatly enjoyed in this tale, such as: Maggie and Ruth – oh my goodness, so adorable, Georgiana’s storyline – loved how this brought new drama and suspense to this story, the Bennets – I enjoyed seeing some shifts in demeanors and behaviors amongst the Bennets because of their altered circumstances. And I must add, Mr. Gardiner is just full-on wonderful in this tale. Love him.
Emotionally-charged and beautifully expressive – 1932 is an exceptionally well-crafted Pride and Prejudice retelling that is a MUST read for Jane Austen fans. Even though she has gifted readers with several other magnificent Austen-inspired retellings, I dearly hope Ms. Cox will continue to write more in this style – I adore these retellings and Ms. Cox is a master at uniting Jane Austen with different eras.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with her blog tour and celebrating the rerelease of 1932, Karen Cox is giving away a lovely prize pack of: a signed paperback copy of 1932, some fun Jane Austen note cards from The Quill Ink, What Would Jane Do? and a Jane Austen coffee mug (if US winner) and an ebook copy of 1932 + $25 Amazon Gift Card (if international winner).
To enter this giveaway, click this link
- This giveaway is open worldwide.
- This giveaway ends March 1st.
~ Be sure to check out the rest of Karen’s tour ~
“Emotionally-charged and beautifully expressive – 1932 is an exceptionally well-crafted Pride and Prejudice retelling that is a MUST read for Jane Austen fans.”
I wholeheartedly agree with you on your thoughtful and beautifully crafted review. This was a favorite of mine years ago—it’s the first I ever read of Karen’s. When I heard she was re-releasing it under her own banner after a hard edit and adding scenes and chapters—I wasn’t sure how she could improve upon it. Well, she did! I think, like me, readers who were already fans will love the buff and polish as well the additions—and readers who haven’t read it yet, well…they are in for something wonderful!
Thanks for stopping by, Christina! Glad you enjoyed 1932 🙂
Thank you, Christina! It was quite easy to sing this book’s praises! I definitely loved the improvements, they added such a fuller picture and development to Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship. Well done, Karen! I am so glad Karen undertook rereleasing and editing this already fantastic work!
Such a lovely review Meredith! I have the original of this as well as the companion book but I must admit the thought of more romance between Darcy and Elizabeth is very, very tempting so I have added it to my list.
Thank you for the giveaway but I now enter ‘comment’ only giveaways (I’ve had so many problems with link clicking that I absolutely refuse to try again. However this won’t stop me from commenting) 🙂
I hope you enjoy it, Glynis, Pride and Prejudice fan that you are. Thanks for your comment.
Thank you, Glynis!! I loved that the extra scenes gave us more Darcy and Elizabeth and I know you will too!
I loved this book when I first bought it 10 years ago. My mother is from Kentucky so it has a special appeal, plus Darcy SINGS! (Night and Day to Elizabeth when they are dancing.) I have many mental audios of his deep baritone. Sigh. Looking forward to getting my new copy – must have it in print! Thanks gals.
I’m grateful for the support you’ve always shown for 1932, Jennifer, and so glad it has special meaning for you – both for the setting and a singing Darcy 😀 Happy reading!
Oh I know! That scene makes me melt into a puddle.
wonderful thoughts on the book
denise
Meredith certainly has a way, doesn’t she? Her love for the Austen-inspired genre shines through her reviews. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you, Denise! I hope you get the chance to read this gem soon!
I loved their slow stroll to love and the complications they had to face, too. Great review, Meredith!
I think Darcy would have preferred a faster pace – lol. But some things are worth the wait – and true love is one of those. Thank you for stopping in!
What a great way to describe it, Sophia! I loved seeing their relationship develop this way!
I love this book! I have read it a few times over the years. I am intrigued by the new additions to the story. Can’t wait to read them! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I’m always happy to hear that “1932” touches people, even after all this time. I hope you enjoy the tenth-anniversary edition just as much. Thanks for commenting!
My pleasure! I am so glad to hear that this book is a favorite with you. 😉 I hope you enjoy the new edition as much as I did!
I read and enjoyed this in its first release. I hope to read this new edition soon.
I’m glad you’re looking forward to the 2.0 edition 😀 Thanks for your support!
Hope you love it as much as I did, Sheila!
What a wonderful book, have not read it yet. Relatively new to JAFF, but I’d love to read it. Thanks for a chance to win!
Reaching newer fans of Austen-inspired novels was one of the main reasons I revisited “1932” – and a big part of why the book is dedicated “to the readers”. If this book can make a reader smile, or think, or remember, I want that reader to find it. Thanks for your interest and for stopping in to comment!
Hi Silvia! I hope you get the chance to read 1932 soon! JAFF is full of fantastic P&P variations and modern adaptations, but P&P retellings set in a different time period are a little more unique. I definitely recommend checking out all of Karen’s books!
I can’t believe that I have missed this one!! I am fascinated by the time between the two world wars, especially in England (but Meryton, Kentucky, will do, LOL!). I have read all of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries available; we’re into WWII now after the book series started just before WWI with Maisie’s childhood. Other book series set during this period include the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries, the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, and so many others! So I am soooo excited to read 1932 and am crossing my fingers and hoping hard to win a copy!! 😀
Thanks for a delightful review, Meredith, and thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway, Karen, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of this book!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
I love the era, too – obviously 🙂 Thanks for your comment and good luck on the giveaway!
Thanks for checking out my review, Susanne! I love reading Austen-Inspired stories that take place in other time periods!
Eager to read this book. Thank you for this chance to win a copy.
You are welcome 🙂 Thanks for your interest and Good luck!
Yay! I think you will love it!