Hi readers! This was an extra eventful week at Austenesque Reviews (did you catch all 4 posts?)
Yesterday I reviewed Sarah Courtney’s humorous and diverting Plots, Ploys, and the Art of Matchmaking. And today Sarah is here to celebrate her newest release, The Olive Branch. As you might guess, The Olive Branch has something to do with Mr. Collins. And I asked Sarah to share a little bit of her thoughts about him. We hope you enjoy! 🤗
Mr. Collins is one of my favorite characters to write in Pride and Prejudice fanfic. 😲
I know that sounds crazy. He’s so annoying and everybody hates him, right? Of course, the first time I read the book, I didn’t like him myself. But I suppose you could say he grew on me. I soon came to delight in his comic character. His mixture of humility and pride is hilarious.
I haven’t always used him in my stories. He doesn’t feature at all in my modern book, A Good Name. In Plots, Ploys, and the Art of Matchmaking, he is only mentioned as backstory. His unattractive personal features meant that none of his four proposals—to Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, and Charlotte—were accepted.
“Mary had been his third choice, but while she admired his love of Fordyce, even she thought that teeth ought to be white or at least yellow, not brown. Charlotte Lucas had been his fourth proposal, and while Charlotte sometimes regretted giving up the potential for a husband and a comfortable home, she admitted that she had partly rejected him out of fear that a positive response would have led to a kiss.”
I took a different tack in Beauty and Mr. Darcy, in which Mr. Collins is obsequious and annoying, but reformable. He latches onto Lady Catherine because he honestly does not know how to behave around women, but he finds love with Charlotte and learns to stand on his own two feet. Of course, until he got there, I had great fun in writing his long, foolish speeches and adding a little punchline of my own to the end.
“I must admit that this bridge does resemble one near Hunsford in which my patroness had a hand in the original construction.”
His face suddenly took on a look of horror. “Of course, I do not mean that Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself built the bridge or contributed to its cost! She is a lady and would never soil her hands with such a thing. But she did advise them most strenuously not to use rocks under the size of . . . well, I do not remember the exact size, but under a certain size, and she told them which laborers would do the best work and enquired minutely into the hours spent per day on the project and the costs for the workmen. There was nothing to be done that she did not do herself! To this day she congratulates herself on the excellency of that bridge, and if a storm had not washed one side of the supports away last summer, I am sure it would still be in use today!”
Unlike in either of those two novels, in which Mr. Collins was not bad, merely personally unlikeable,
the Mr. Collins of The Olive Branch is a truly vile man. His humility and endless prattle are merely a mask so that nobody looks any deeper at his character. He had decided that he wants to marry Elizabeth Bennet, and nothing will stand in his way—including her refusal.
This Mr. Collins is particularly disturbing because he keeps up a thin veneer of his bumbling self—although it wavers more as time goes on—and only Elizabeth knows his true character. When she finds herself in trouble, nobody else understands how much in danger she is, because to everyone else, Mr. Collins is just an annoying fool.
Mr. Collins noticed her wavering. “You will marry me,” he informed her. “If you do not, I will feel bound by honour to tell society of your sister’s misfortune. To think that they have accepted her into their homes, invited her to their parties, allowed her to talk and dance with their children! You can be certain that they will shun her—and the rest of you—once they know the truth of her dishonour.” The derision in his tone was so thick and cloying that it seemed to choke her.
Except Mr. Darcy. His close observation of Elizabeth makes him the first to realize that something is wrong, and he will not rest until he finds a solution. He becomes her first and best ally, even when she doesn’t know it.
Elizabeth never hears any lies about Mr. Darcy from Mr. Wickham in this story, so it’s no surprise when his firm support and kindness, especially in contrast to Mr. Collins’s cruelties, lead to love. But it will still take a miracle to free Elizabeth from Mr. Collins’s clutches without ruining her family and making marriage to Mr. Darcy impossible.
I hope that you’ll read The Olive Branch to see just how Elizabeth and Darcy survive evil Mr. Collins and get their happily ever after!
Ooohhh! Two things I love about this story already – seeing an evil Mr. Collins as the antagonist and seeing Mr. Darcy as Elizabeth’s ally. I cannot wait to read The Olive Branch, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing! All the best with your new release! 🙌🏼
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~ Giveaway Time ~
In conjunction with her visit, Sarah brings ONE ebook copy of The Olive Branch for me to give away to ONE lucky reader!
To enter this giveaway leave Sarah a question, comment or some love!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Sarah!
- This giveaway ends July 30th.
I recently read Plots, Ploys and the Art of Matchmaking and enjoyed it. This story does sound intriguing. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. I hope to read it one way or another. Thanks for sharing here.
As I’ve previously said, I did read this as it was posting and was totally, totally repulsed by Mr Collins and his behaviour! Darcy on the other hand? Well his white horse and his gleaming sword were ready to defend Elizabeth as much as possible! (In fact I think a dragon would be a definite improvement over Mr Collins!)
I so look forward to reading it again now it’s published.
A deceitful Mr. Collins – I love it! Looking forward to reading it.
I agree with you, Meredith, that I like plot lines when Mr. Collins is deceitful and emotionally hurtful to Elizabeth. Of course, Darcy would come to Elizabeth’s defense! Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank goodness Mr Darcy is there to come to Lizzie’s aid (and she doesn’t get a “prejudiced” view of him.) I cannot wait to see how Mr Collins gets his due. Thanks for the giveaway.
I read the story of the evil Collins, as you were posting it. He was truly repulsive, but your story was terrific! Looking forward to reading ii again as well – all at one sitting!
I’m on the fence about this plot. I think it must be because I’ve read too many evil Collins stories recently and though I love a Darcy in shining armor to the rescue, AND a plot where there is less prejudice against Darcy due to a lack of Mr. Wicked….I hate seeing Elizabeth tortured so much. Where is Mr Bennet in this story? Why can’t she tell her father?
I admire Sara’s writing, so I am sure this one will be a good one too. All best luck and success Sara.
I agree that it will be nice to see Elizabeth and Darcy United for a common cause. This book sounds interesting and I look forward to reading it!
This looks really interesting. Collins is pretty repellent when he is just an unwashed fool, Evil Collins is a truly dreadful prospect!
An evil Mr. Collins and only Mr. Darcy is aware and willing to help Elizabeth? Sounds wonderful! Congrats on the new release.
I usually enjoy Mr Collins as comic relief but I have a feeling that won’t be the case here.
I also have this book and highly recommend it. Very fun tale. Best wishes Sarah and thanks Meredith for featuring here.
Sounds like a great premise!
I love when E&D become friends early on! Darcy helping/supporting Elisabeth: It has to be a lovely story!
I envision Darcy getting Collins defrocked by the end, or perhaps Collins’ death from some vile act of his own.
Oh, I hope to have the opportunity to read this story.
You have really peeked my interest. If there was a preorder button, I would have pressed it. I have always believed Mr Collins to be a slimy, sinister man, bent on getting what he could with as little work as possible. He believed himself to be superior to all around him; except maybe his patroness. I am looking forward to reading this if I win it or not. Thank you Sarah, I truly appreciate all your hard work.
This is a fun story and I know you will enjoy it as much as I did! I have my copy already! Thanks for featuring it Meredith.
I was intrigued by the cover and now I know it needs to be on my tbr list!
I’m looking forward to reading this variation. Mr. Collins is an ignoramus.
Oh, your Mr Collins is truly a vile character and I want Elizabeth to be free of him, Sarah. It’s quite an impossible task without ruining the reputation of herself, her sisters and family. Is it Lydia the sister mentioned in the short excerpt? If my guess is correct, why is Lydia so thoughtless and do not care how her frivolous actions may harm her family?
I love a good story about an evil Collins. I can’t help it. He is really quite versatile in that you can spin him in just about any direction. I also love it when Darcy has something to solve as he attempts to rescue Elizabeth. Heavy Sigh. I loved the other book and since I just read your other post , Meredith, I may have to read it again. Blessings, Sarah on the launch of this book. I wish you well with it. That is a humorous cover and really stands out. Now… which sister and what has she done? Good grief. It can only be Lydia, but I don’t know. You may have switched that up on us. I can’t wait to see what you have done. It is on my wish-list. Blessings, everyone, good luck in the drawing.