Hi readers! Just a couple weeks ago, Victoria Kincaid was here sharing the cover reveal of her new release, Rebellion at Longbourn. And today, Victoria is visiting again to talk about…Mr. Collins! 😬🙈😮 I know, I know. 😉 But keep reading, because Victoria is sharing a list (we love lists!) and an excerpt from Rebellion at Longbourn. We hope you enjoy!
Hi Meredith and thank you for having me back to visit! When I visited during the When Charlotte Became Romantic blog tour, I gave you a list of the top reasons why Charlotte should not marry Mr. Collins. Today I am presenting the top six reasons Mr. Collins would make a bad landowner. Of course, in Pride and Prejudice the idea of Collins as a landowner is only theoretical. But my new novel, Rebellion at Longbourn, takes place two years after Mr. Bennet’s death, and Collins has been in possession of the estate for all that time. So Collins’s failings as a landowner are extremely relevant. In writing Rebellion at Longbourn, I tried to stay close to Austen’s vision of Collins and extrapolate how the personality traits she describes would translate into his behavior in a leadership position.
Top Six Reasons Collins Would be a Bad Landowner
- He’s Ignorant. Austen makes a point of describing how Collins went to the university and did the bare minimum amount of work required to achieve the degree. Nor does he exhibit much curiosity about…well, anything—except Lady Catherine’s opinion. It’s hard to imagine him educating himself about farming or the best ways to run an estate.
- He’s Not Empathetic. One of the most important qualities in a leader is the ability to empathize with the people he is leading. But it’s hard to imagine Collins putting himself into the shoes of his tenants or their families. When he proposes to Elizabeth he never wonders whether their marriage would make her happy—and he’s oblivious to how he’s offending her.
- He Makes an Excellent Sycophant. Really this is Collins’s best talent. He makes Lady Catherine feel good about herself and reaffirms her own sense of self-importance. He “flatters with delicacy.” But this is a terrible trait in a leader.
- He Doesn’t Take Advice. The scene at the Netherfield ball shows him dismissing Elizabeth’s (very accurate) worries about the propriety of Collins addressing Mr. Darcy. Rather than admitting she might have a point, he invents nonsense about different rules for the clergy. Certainly he would listen to Lady C or someone else he sees as superior in rank, but his reaction to Elizabeth (someone he hopes will marry him) doesn’t bode well for his taking advice from Charlotte or anyone else at Longbourn.
- He’s Not the Brightest Bulb in the Chandelier. P&P’s narrator flat-out tells us that Collins is stupid, and his behavior amply demonstrates that. This means there’s very little chance he will be able to recognize his faults and change his ways. It would easier to write a story about Wickham turning into a good person than to write a convincing story in which Collins becomes a clever man or recognizes the error of his ways.
- He’s Vain and Self-Important. Austen’s narrator points out that Collins had good fortune in securing the living at Hunsford but starts to see it as a sign of superior merit and cleverness. There is every reason to believe that he would attribute inheriting Longbourn as something he somehow has earned rather than just the result of good luck. This means he is more likely to regard others (such as dependent female relatives) as a burden rather than the victims of bad luck.
However, I will say one good thing about Collins: he provides excellent material for comedy and made a great antagonist in Rebellion at Longbourn. 😊 I hope you enjoy the following excerpt. The residents of Longbourn are having a rather stressful dinner…
Elizabeth said the first words that came into her mind—which were not the most diplomatic. “The
Thompsons’ roof leaks; they actually have mushrooms growing inside their home!”
Collins sighed and rolled his eyes. This was not the first time Elizabeth had mentioned how the tenants’ cottages needed repairs.
“Why, that is terrible!” her mother exclaimed. “And they have two young ones as well!”
In for a penny, in for a pound. Elizabeth continued, hoping against hope that thistime her cousin could be shamed into attending to the tenants’ needs. “And one of the walls in the Smiths’ cottage is crumbling. The Greenes’ chimney is backed up, leaking smoke into the house. Mrs. Greeves says her two youngest are constantly unwell because of the damp in their cottage.”
Collins sighed again, as if even discussing the tenants was a heavy burden. “Longbourn cannot support such repairs, Cousin. We must economize. If the farmers desire repairs to their cottages, they should work harder so Longbourn might show a greater profit.” He took up the newspaper that had been sitting beside his plate and unfolded it to create a barrier separating him from the rest of the table.
Elizabeth glared at the paper as if she could burn a hole in it with her eyes. Collins continued to raise the rents despite two years of lean harvests, allowing him to profit while the tenants suffered. If only he would listen to reason and modernize the farming! But Collins had never been extremely familiar with reason. In fact, Elizabeth doubted they had even been introduced.
“When your father was alive—” Always eager to tell Collins how he could never measure up to her late husband, Mrs. Bennet began her common refrain. The man’s face grew redder by the second.
Jane squeezed her mother’s hand, and miraculously, she immediately subsided. A few days earlier, the two eldest daughters had warned their mother that Collins might revoke their invitation to Longbourn if they were excessively critical. And it appeared she had taken that caution to heart.
An uneasy silence fell over the dining table, broken only by the sounds of forks scraping over plates and the clink of drinking glasses. Eventually Collins lowered the paper and regarded his wife. “There is an article herein about Astley’s Amphitheatre. We should visit it upon our next trip to London.”
Charlotte’s expression was carefully neutral. “If you would like.”
“Perhaps we might visit in May. Lady Catherine will be in residence,” he mused. “But I think perhaps we need a new carriage—something with a bit more style and comfort.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Our current carriage is perfectly adequate.”
“No. No. It is hopelessly outdated. Lady Catherine says our neighbors will laugh if we do not have a barouche box.”
Robert fussed, drawing his mother’s attention. “Perhaps. We can consider it,” Charlotte said hastily as she bounced the baby.
“And you must make plans to redecorate the blue drawing room,” Collins said with the air of someone continuing a previous discussion.
“I will,” Charlotte responded without much enthusiasm. Most new mistresses were eager to update a house’s decorations and make their mark by immediately replacing wallpaper, chairs, curtains, and other furnishings, but Charlotte had not redecorated any part of the house. Elizabeth did not know if it was because she recognized the precarious nature of the estate’s finances, or if she knew how much anguish it would cause Mrs. Bennet. But all the Bennets had been exceedingly grateful for her restraint. It was too much to hope that it might last forever.
Unwilling to look at her cousin, Elizabeth stared fixedly at the bowl of gravy in front of her, fantasizing about pouring the entire mess over his head. If only he would agree to modernize the farming! Elizabeth would even volunteer to pay for the seed drill herself; she had a little money from her mother and could think of few better uses for it.
Taking out her frustration on a potato, she savagely cut it in half and stabbed a piece with her fork. But then she froze with the fork halfway to her mouth as something occurred to her. She turned the idea around in her head, poking it from different angles to see where it was flawed. It was risky, but if it succeeded…! If it succeeded it could solve all Longbourn’s problems.
Elizabeth set down her fork again, suddenly too full of hope to eat any more dinner. She managed, just barely, to keep her excitement from showing on her face. Tonight I will explain the idea to Jane, Mary, and Kitty. If her sisters could find no faults in the scheme, perhaps it had some merit. Perhaps they could save Longbourn.
Oh dear, two years is a long time to be living with Mr. Collins!! And what an awkward situation for Charlotte to be in!! Can’t wait to discover what Elizabeth’s plan is!
~ Book Description ~
Elizabeth Bennet’s father died two years ago, and her odious cousin Mr. Collins has taken possession of the Longbourn estate. Although Collins and his wife Charlotte have allowed the Bennet sisters and their mother to continue living at Longbourn, the situation is difficult. Viewing Elizabeth and her sisters as little more than unpaid servants, Collins also mistreats the tenants, spends the estate’s money with abandon, and rejects any suggestions about improving or modernizing Longbourn. After one particularly egregious incident, Elizabeth decides she must organize a covert resistance among her sisters and the tenants, secretly using more modern agricultural methods to help the estate thrive. Her scheme is just getting underway when Mr. Darcy appears in Meryton.
Upon returning from a long international voyage, Darcy is forced to admit he cannot forget his love for Elizabeth. When he learns of the Bennet family’s plight, he hurries to Hertfordshire, hoping he can provide assistance. Sinking into poverty, Elizabeth is further out of Darcy’s reach than ever; still, he cannot help falling even more deeply in love. But what will he do when he discovers her covert rebellion against Longbourn’s rightful owner?
Falling in love with Mr. Darcy was not part of Elizabeth’s plan, but it cannot be denied. Darcy struggles to separate his love for her from his abhorrence for deception. Will their feelings for each other help or hinder the Rebellion at Longbourn?
~~~
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today, Victoria brings with her ONE ebook copy of Rebellion at Longbourn to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Victoria!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Victoria!
- This giveaway ends June 17th!
~ Be sure to check out the other stops in the Rebellion at Longbourn Blog Tour ~
May 30 – Half Agony/Half Hope
June 3 – Diary of an Eccentric
June 4 – From Pemberley to Milton
June 5 – Babblings of a Bookworm
June 6 – My Jane Austen Book Club
June 8 – Interests of a Jane Austen Girl
June 10 – Austenesque Reviews
June 11 – Margie’s Must Reads
June 15 – Savvy Verse and Wit
June 20 – For Love of Austen
July 2 – More Agreeably Engaged
July 27 – Austenprose
I hate to say this but Collins does have one good point, even though he treats them badly he has given the Bennet ladies a home
I agree, Vesper. Although it may be primarily so he can get free labor from them.
LOL, Victoria! I totally agree. He never does anything without a payout.
I read this last night….it was a wonderful “new story” for ODC. Collins was what you always thought he would be as a landowner. I felt sorry for his lack of empathy for everyone including his son! Love Elizabeth’s courage and leadership. I read this on KU so please don’t put me in the drawing but I encourage everyone to read this. Thanks Victoria for sharing your imagination with us.
Hi Theresa, I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the story! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Your list is also proof that Mr Collins wouldn’t make a good clergyman. I’m looking forward to reading.
Hi Cassandra, Yes, I think he must have been a terrible clergyman. Good luck with the giveaway!
I look forward to reading this! While I have read a few stories about the Bennetts after Mr. Bennett’s death, I have never read one in which the Bennetts remain at Longbourne.
I attended your JAFF author-reader Get Together last autumn and had a wonderful time.
Could I detest Mr Collins any more? In one breath they can’t afford desperately needed repairs to tenant cottages and in the other, they need a spanking new carriage and their rooms decorated as well as a pleasure trip to London?
I also don’t think it was the goodness of his heart that allowed the Bennets to stay, I think it was to brag about his goodness to their neighbours and Lady C and to get free labour round the house!
I can’t wait to see him get his just desserts!
Hi Glynis, Yes, he is an odious man. Getting rid of him requires some ingenuity. Good luck with the giveaway!
Oh. I assumed Charlotte blackmailed him into it. Though maybe she pointed out the advantages of having them as part of this. I doubt he’d have thought of the PR aspects of it on his own, but maybe the idea of having the lovely Bennet women dancing to his tune was pretty persuasive.
Beatrice, I think he likes have the Bennet sisters as unpaid labor. Good luck with the giveaway!
This was a great story. I really enjoyed this insight into what a poor leader Mr. Collins makes for his estate and tenants.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks for letting me know.
I’ve always wondered about the future of the Collins family after Collins drags the estate into ruin.
Hi Ginna, Well, this will answer your questions! Good luck with the giveaway.
I would have poured the gravy on Collins… What a ‘delicious’ depiction of a mealtime!
Hi Satu, I would have been tempted as well! 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway!
Thanks for the guest blog and excerpt, Meredith. I love lists too and enjoyed Victoria’s reasons for Mr. Collins’ failings. I am looking forward to hosting Rebellion at Longbourn on July 27th on Austenprose. Victoria has a real talent for humor. Best, LA
Hi Laurel Ann, I’m looking forward to visiting your blog! I’m glad you enjoy the humor in my books.
I love lists and enjoyed reading yours and completely agree with your assessment on Mr Collins.
I always enjoy reading lists too! Good luck with the giveaway.
Mr. COLLINS!!!! Could he be even more less than a human… Argh. Can’t wait to hate him more!!!
Hi Sharon, Well, the story gives you plenty of reasons to hate him. Good luck with the giveaway!
Collins is not a favorite of mine. In fact Eewwww is usually what comes to mind. But I dislike him most when he is in charge of … anything! I look forward to seeing how the Bennet ladies find their way to HEA. Congratulations Victoria!
Hi Becky, Yes, I agree that having Collins in charge of anything is a disaster. Good luck with the giveaway!
What a boob!! It borders on cruelty for him to follow Elizabeth’s discussion, of the needs of the tenants, with one where he says they need a new carriage, in spite of the one they have being perfectly fine. On top of that, to then suggest that Charlotte redecorate one of the rooms was beyond insensitive. That was just inhuman. Would he allow his son to live in those conditions that he is forcing his tenants to live? Man… he doesn’t know just how close he came to wearing that boat load of gravy. Elizabeth isn’t known for such restraint. Well done, my girl.
Thanks to Meredith for hosting, hello to your Mr. Bingley. Thanks to Victoria and her publisher for the giveaway and good luck to all in the drawing. Blessings, stay safe, and healthy, everyone.
Hi JW, Yes, well, Collins isn’t known for his sensitivity is he? Good luck with the giveaway!
Great list Victoria, I would add mulish to it as well. Colins is a great fanfic character, from comic to evil. I can see him even getting abusive if his wife wasn’t obedient. But I like stories with Charlotte bringing out better qualities in him as well.
Congratulations on the new release, I’m looking forward to reading it. ❤️
Hi Kate, Yes, I agree that he’s very stubborn. I thought about putting it on the list but worried it would seem redundant with some of the other qualities. Good luck with the giveaway!
I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth has up her sleeve!
HI Lois, I’m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
I salute the Bennets for their patience, esp EB – to hold her tongue. Poor potato !! I wonder if she dreams it was Mr Collins. Hoping she could poked some sense into him.
Thank you for the excerpt and for the chance to win a copy of your new book.
Yes, I think Elizabeth is taking out her frustrations on the potato. 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway!
I agree, Victoria, with your assessments of Mr. Collins. On the other hand, I do not think that Mr. Wickham can be made into a good man! Mr. Collins won’t know what Elizabeth is planning let alone orchestrating as he is too stupid. I am very curious to read what the outcome will be. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
Hi Eva, I’ve read some JAFF stories where Wickham is believably reformed. However, I don’t think Collins could be believably brought to his senses. Good luck with the giveaway!
Another wonderful work by Victoria Kincaid. Reading it is highly anticipated; one cannot go wrong with a book by this gifted author!
You are so sweet! Thank you for being a faithful reader. Good luck with the giveaway.
Ooo, I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth’s plan is! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book!
Hi Pam, I’m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway!
I think I would have put hemlock in Mr Collins’s tea by now myself. Now there is a male heir he won’t be missed. I also think he let the Bennets stay there so he could show Elizabeth what she missed out on being married to his wonderful self. Poor poor Charlotte
Hi Helen, yes the presence of a male heir is important. And I think he let the Bennets stay so he could have unpaid labor. 🙁 Good luck with the giveaway!
I read and enjoyed this story.
Hi Sheila, I”m so glad to hear that!
I’m not one to root for an improved Mr. Collins. He so clearly is portrayed in canon with several deficiencies in character, that Charlotte’s opposing opinion that he is respectable and not vicious seems naive in the extreme. We simply don’t see him demonstrating viciousness (except in his letter about Lydia’s disgrace), but his known personality sets him up for likely showing them in the future, as you demonstrate it. Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Hi Agnes, I’m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
I love how you have Elizabeth spearing and cutting a potato and suddenly an idea pops into her head! I wonder if it was Mr. Collins’ head! LOL! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
Hi carole, I’m sure Elizabeth was thinking some angry thoughts at the time. Good luck with the giveaway!
Hi Victoria! I like so much this premise that I can’t wait to read it!. I agree with your 6 reasons. It would be horrible to be one of the Bennets living under his roof or a farmer working under his fool rules!
Thanks for the giveaway. I recently bought a kindle so I can read ebooks at last!!. It would be fantastic to win this ebook! 😉
Hi Teresa, I’m glad you agree with me about Collins – and you’ll love having a Kindle! I really enjoy mine. Good luck with the giveaway.
Love your list Victoria it’s spot on about Mr. Collins. Congrats on your most recent release. Can’t wait to read it!
This is such a unique idea! Somehow I never thought about Mr. Collins as a landowner or in possession of Longourn. I have loved every one of your books I have read so far and I cannot wait to read this one.