Responsibility and Resentment

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Melissa Anne

Narrado por: Stevie Zimmerman

A conversation that changes everything...

What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy spoke honestly to each other in Kent and clarified any misconceptions prior to his making his proposal? What would happen if Mr. Bennet made an ill-fated attempt to resolve the issue of the entail only to create a much bigger problem for his family and Mrs. Bennet were even more of a shrew than in canon? What if Mr. Bennet had a secret reason to encourage the couple to marry quickly and before returning home? Will they ever be able to overcome the resentment that results from Mr. Bennet's manipulations or from Mrs. Bennet's subsequent behaviors?

Join our dear couple as they find happiness together sooner than in canon but still have to fight against outside influences that seek to destroy it before and after their wedding. A story where responsibility is accepted by some and shirked by others, leading to resentment that requires effort to overcome. Will it be enough?

©2023 Melissa Anne (P)2023 Melissa Anne

Family matters

I liked the relationship depicted in this story between Darcy and Elizabeth. It remains true throughout the trials they go through with Elizabeth’s parents.

The kinds of issues that affect families today are explored in a P&P variation. The big issues here are Mr Bennet making a disastrous mistake in trying to gamble in order to make money for his family but ends up asking Darcy to bail him out because he’s rich and asks for Lizzy’s hand. Mr B. balks at the deal Darcy gives him on the money to repay the loan sharks. A loan not a handout. He tries to sneak around the stipulations attached to the loan but it takes a series threat to get him on the straight and narrow. He’s a bit quicker than Mrs B. realizing he’s been a bad parent. And he makes a turnaround, which is nice to see.

The biggest issue is Lizzy’s relationship with her mother. Mrs Bennet will never understand how her least favorite daughter managed to marry so far above her sisters, makes no secret of the fact she doesn’t think she deserves it-in her hearing- saying outrageous nonsense in the most hurtful way. Then later doesn’t even remember saying those things.

While the Darcys help the rest of Elizabeth’s sisters in various ways all of this is resented. Yet Mrs B. Doesn’t get what she’s done that has caused her not to be invited to Pemberley. Even though her sisters report Mrs B is taking on more duties as the mistress and enjoying them Elizabeth has stated that unless she gets a personal apology from her she won’t let her mother visit them in London or at Pemberley and doesn’t want to see her anywhere.

IMHO this part of the plot goes on for far too long, with the wording being repeated again and again. The story needed to be tightened up. These Mother Daughter relationships are quite recognizable to all of us, some more personally than others. They are as old as time and drag through our lives for decades and sometimes the rest of or lives. The conclusion or Elizabeth’s realization at the end was finally the mature action I was hoping to get from her, just wishing it had happened quicker along the path.

Enjoyed this variation & Elizabeth / Darcy

Overall, I enjoyed this book.
I like that Elizabeth & Darcy are together in a relationship and then married early in the story.
i found the Bennett parents over the top ans way more offensive than usual.
I saw that other reviews commented about narration. I did notice that at some point in the book, there is a lot more narration and less dialog, but it seems the book narrates past the pieces that are not as important. There is still a lot of dialog throughout the book. I did enjoy how Elizabeth and Darcy stayed strong in this book regardless of all the people, especially the Bennett parents working against them.

Walls of Protection

For fans of Pride and Prejudice JAFF, this story has a unique storyline, and that’s a good thing. This is not a “retelling”, but rather a new plot with
many new connections. Mr. Bennett’s indolence and Mrs Bennett’s belittling treatment of Elizabeth comes to the forefront in this P&P variation.

You’ll find Elizabeth and Darcy married early in the chapters. We learn more about their their dynamic. The author explores their relationship and family. There is wonderful character growth with the Bennett girls. The Bingleys and Lady Catherine get their comeuppance.

But, the greatest benefit of this story is learning the importance of building walls to protect yourself emotionally.

Emotional trauma is life lasting. I think this story shares that forgiveness is one thing, but protecting yourself is another,

I really don’t think the title does this story justice. I don’t think Elizabeth “resented” her mother. I think Elizabeth had the support of Darcy and her family who loved her, and that helped give her strength to the actions to prevent further emotional harm.

It’s a lesson for all of us. If there is someone in your life who emotionally (or physically!) harms you, then build your walls of protection. You can still forgive someone, while knowing you must protect yourself.

I recommend this book.

Strong sense of marriage not just romance

As I've aged and my children have grown into own lives I have had increasing sympathy for Mrs. Bennet. She now seems to me a character more to be pitied than judged, and I felt through all this novel that the challenges she faced were very real. The entail and a distracted husband meant a widow really COULD have wound up "in the hedgerows"..along with all her daughters. Given this, her panic to marry them off early and well was a rational thing to do.
Every parent is guaranteed to make mistakes, some more than others, but forgiveness is really the only loving way to move forward without becoming bitter. I was disappointed that Lizzy didn't seem to be able to do this. Her parents may not have been what she wanted and needed; given who they were, they may have done the best they could at the time.
The story well well done, kept you wondering what would happen next-- without the tears or angst present on some PP Variations.
Maybe I overanalyzed this story a BIT too much.🤔😉

Darcys vs Bennets

This was a very good read. On her visit to Hunsford Darcy and Elizabeth discuss their differences and discover they are both in love. Lady Catherine is seriously displeased and makes an attempt to ruin Elizabeth but Darcy foils her machinations and takes Elizabeth to safety in London. They quickly obtain Mr Bennet’s permission to wed but soon discover he has an ulterior motive.

Elizabeth is disappointed in her parents’ behavior but teaming up with Darcy as his wife they are able to effect much needed changes in the Bennets, although not without a lot of conflict.

The great Stevie Zimmerman brings this story to life making it a wonderful listen.