Thaw

A Pride & Prejudice Forced to Marry Variation

De: Anniina Sjöblom

Narrado por: Lillian Rachel

It is a truth universally acknowledged that one false step can involve a lady in endless ruin. On a rainy November day in 1811, Miss Elizabeth Bennet finds herself wondering why no one ever bothered to tell her about this.

A few blithe steps on a morning walk taken after a succession of rain lead to unexpected events that irrevocably change the course of Elizabeth's life, placing her fate in the hands of the haughty and conceited Mr. Darcy - the last man in the world she had ever thought to marry.

As long winter days slowly pass, she writes letters to her loved ones, trying to come to terms with her new role as a wife and the Mistress of Pemberley. But can she ever learn to love her husband? Will he overcome his arrogant notions of rank and circumstance?

And most importantly - will the shades of Pemberley ever recover from being thus polluted?

This novella is based on the beloved characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

©2019 Anniina Sjöblom (P)2020 Anniina Sjöblom

Predicable

Unfortunately, there’s nothing too original about this story. The first few chapters do not vary from the original story or Pride and Prejudice and then, it’s the predictable forced marriage we have read before. The story is told in letters from Elizabeth, which I have liked in other variations, but in this telling, it takes away some of the emotion from the scenes described. The narrator’s voice is too old for 20 year old Elizabeth.

Letter format an acquired taste?

while I kniw the epistolary nivel was common in Austens day. It is rare today. Perhaps with reason, as here it felt that only one small view of the canon was explored, that of the letter writer.

A different take.

having read sooo many Pride and Prejudice reimaginings, this was a fresh and unique take that kept my attention. A wonderful read, especially during cold winter days.

Epistolary Story

I felt pros and cons about the epistolary style of this story. I was kind of annoyed to have no idea what Darcy was thinking and feeling. Were they really arguing, or debating something and he assumed she was enjoying it like he did? I have no idea. It might have been helpful to hear the responses to Elizabeth's letters too, to add more interest.
On the other hand, having just Lizzy's letters also kept the story short and sweet. I was afraid that this might be one of those stories where Darcy is awful to Lizzy and I'd hate slogging through it all. But instead we get frequent updates on Lizzy's life and even though she is unhappy, the letters are often, at least in part, upbeat. She isn't formed for unhappiness so she can find humor in situations that are in fact difficult for her.
I found I could enjoy what there was of this story but had it been longer I fear it would have been too bored with the one sided letter reading.
I listened to the audiobook and I think that helped. The narrator was very good at expressing the feelings of what was written in the letter which helped it feel more alive than just reading it might have.

Fantastic story, strong narration

The story is great. Despite being told entirely through letters written by Elizabeth, you get a strong sense of the action and the uniqueness of the different characters.

The narration was very strong. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.