By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
by Abigail Reynolds
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Book Summary Information
Author: Abigail ReynoldsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-07-18
ISBN: 0615148255
Number of pages: 260
Publisher: Intertidal Press
Book Reviews of By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Book Review: By Force of Instinct
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read Abigail Reynold's `what-if's' for years in serial form when she posted them on line in various forums and have bought this book (and all her others) because they are all must haves to re-read. These are not retellings in the form of explaining the original Pride and Prejudice more fully, Reynolds gives us an interpretation of the story bringing forth different reactions to various situations. She is not second guessing Austen. A phrase, a thought - how would these change the original story? This is what Reynolds does and does well.
We recognize the characters from the original and now see how they might react given different circumstances. Was Georgiana Darcy truly in love (as much as a 15 year can be) with Wickham? Did Georgiana display the true Darcy spirit? Then she would indeed have a backbone. Was Mr. Bennet's indifference as to the care of his daughter's and wife laziness or selfishness? Did he make sport of everyone around him because he felt superior buried in his library? We really don't know.
In reading the original works of Jane Austen, we learn very little about other characters apart from her protagonists and then we really only truly know her female characters. Austen uses her characters to move the story forward. There are tremendous gaps in the time line as well. In Pride and Prejudice, we have no particulars regarding the winter after the Netherfield ball and Lizzy's visit to Kent. This leaves room for us to imagine to our heart's delight.
I'd like to recommend Deirdre Le Faye's Jane Austen's Letters for an insight into the real Jane Austen. The letters are few and far between, but it shows Austen's wicked sense of humor along with small glimpse of the woman in a relationship with her sister, Cassandra. I would argue the most intimate of her life. She confided in her sister and felt free to express what she pleased. It shows a woman that could be very harsh on her fellow human beings not unaware of the foibles of human nature and the foolishness of the human race. Another excellent survey of Regency history is Sharon Laudermilk's Regency Companion. It provides us with a view of the Regency which was truly an age of transition. During times of flux opinions varied widely. Women in Austen's situation had few options without damaging her station of gentility. She didn't even put her name of her books. They were dismissed for years. Was it even acceptable in her circle to be an authoress. Would if have embarrassed her clergyman brother, James, or her Leigh relations? Was she reluctant to be thrown into the spotlight?
Reynolds has captured a view of Regency England and to my mind the real Jane Austen in her stories. All to my delight as I imagine Jane Austen would be able to recognize her children as she referred to her books in Reynold's what-if's. This is among the best Jane Austen homages on the market.
I apologize, I haven't inserted the proper underline for titles of books, I suppose I selected the wrong type of text to copy & paste this review.
Summary of By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
In Jane Austen's classic Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet never expects to see Mr. Darcy again after his disastrous proposal in Hunsford. But what if family business required him to stay at Rosings after giving her his letter? Coming face to face with Mr. Darcy only days later could give Elizabeth a new chance to understand him... or chance for even more misunderstandings. THE PEMBERLEY VARIATIONS by Abigail Reynolds is a series of novels exploring the roads not taken in Pride & Prejudice.Literature & Fiction Books
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