What If Mr. Bennet Found Mr. Darcy’s Letter to Elizabeth?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella

THE PREMISE: A defeated and desperate Mr. Bennet discovers a lost letter between a powerful and wealthy man and his favorite daughter. After failing to save Lydia from scandal and securing the reputations of his remaining daughters, Mr. Bennet sees this discovery as an opportunity…. An opportunity to do better, to restore, and to exert some power.

MY THOUGHTS:

I’m in love with this premise. For Mr. Bennet to find a letter at such a time! What must he think?! Given the week he had and the new realities he is trying to come to terms with, his actions seem very plausible.

I loved the idea of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth both being in this same position. They are in love, they care considerably for each other, but they both adamantly believe the other would not wish to marry them… and so they protest Mr. Bennet’s coercion most vehemently. But not for their own sake, for each other’s. I loved the romantic tension this produced. How Darcy feelings vacillated between intense regret and optimistic contentment and Elizabeth felt all the anxiety, confusion, and joy of being forced to marry the man she secretly loves. While Darcy and Elizabeth clear up any misunderstandings regarding their feelings very quickly with some direct communication (which may appeal to many readers), I wouldn’t have minded living in that space and emotional turmoil a beat or two more. I also wouldn’t have minded exploring the tension, churlish umbrage, and complex feelings between Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy some more.

The other interesting consequence of Mr. Bennet’s discovery has to do with Lydia’s and Wickham’s reception at Longbourn. Lydia’s triumph is completely overshadowed by the news of her sister’s more impressive accomplishment. Even her mother and Kitty show more appreciation and allegiance towards Mr. Darcy. And Lydia finds she cannot tolerate it. Her jealousy and discontent prompts her to take some cruel steps that will irreparably harm her relationship with her sisters. I enjoyed the twist of Lydia’s moment of glory being supplanted, but I did lament that the second half of the story primarily featured the Wickhams and their selfish schemes. But that might be because my own tolerance for Lydia and Wickham gets lower every year.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

😄  A diverting paradox where Mr. Bennet is the catalyst that forces two people to do precisely what their own hearts were inclined to do anyways!

😍  Mr. Darcy is all the things in this story – considerate, besotted, honorable, protective. *swoon*

😤  Outshone, outsmarted, outplanned, outmatched  – the Wickhams are properly thwarted in this tale!

Add to Cart   I   Add to Shelf