Title: Unequal Affections: A Pride and Prejudice Retelling
Author: Lara S. Ormiston
Published by: Skyhorse Publishing
Published on: January 7th 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary:
"When Elizabeth Bennet first knew Mr. Darcy, she despised him and was sure he felt the same. Angered by his pride and reserve, influenced by the lies of the charming Mr. Wickham, she never troubled herself to believe he was anything other than the worst of men--until, one day, he unexpectedly proposed.Mr. Darcy's passionate avowal of love causes Elizabeth to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about him. What she knows is that he is rich, handsome, clever, and very much in love with her. She, on the other hand, is poor, and can expect a future of increasing poverty if she does not marry. The incentives for her to accept him are strong, but she is honest enough to tell him that she does not return his affections. He says he can accept that--but will either of them ever be truly happy in a relationship of unequal affection?
Diverging from Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice at the proposal in the Hunsford parsonage, this story explores the kind of man Darcy is, even before his "proper humbling," and how such a man, so full of pride, so much in love, might have behaved had Elizabeth chosen to accept his original proposal."
My thoughts/What I think:
WOW. Just WOW.
I was already a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. Like it's my favourite and I have read it three times already. I think I even memorised some of the lines from the novel. Which is weird considering I am never able to remember my business class notes. Nada.
Then when I was mulling over my thoughts of how I wanted to read more about Mr.Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, and low and behold Goodreads-my darling-recommended me this book. It was just lovely. Goodreads knows about my preferences in books so clearly it's kind of scary. Because when I read the blurb, I literally shouted, "YES!!! This is what I wanted."
The whole book is based on a simple question, "What if."
Remember the scene where Mr.Darcy proposes to Elizabeth Bennet. If you don't, let me jog your memory-
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. He then proceeds to explain how he loves her against his will, against his reason, and even against his character. Insulted by his prejudice against her family, appalled by his injustice towards Mr. Wickham and angered by his part in separating her sister Jane from Mr. Bingley, she finalizes her refusal by proclaiming that he was “the last man in the world whom [she] could ever be prevailed on to marry.”The "What if" here is:
What if Elizabeth really thought about the marriage proposal rather than outright rejecting him?
So the story continues as it is till chapter 34, where Mr.Darcy proposes to Miss Elizabeth Bennet in the Hunsford Parsonage, where she doesn't reject him nor does she even say how much she despises him. Then what would have happened if she accepted him?
We get to see more of Mr.Darcy. He is portrayed the same as he is in the original. The same arrogance, cold aloofness. Having trouble speaking with people he doesn't know nor does he care. His struggle in accepting the Bennet family. Overcoming his cold behaviour. He is outright not changed just because he declared his love, but takes time to know Elizabeth's acquaintances who he deems unworthy.
And Elizabeth Bennet's struggle to come to terms with her impending marriage to a man she doesn't even love (which she disclosed to Mr.Darcy when he proposed). Thus starts the month long courtship with lots of bumpy rides.
And I really likes what the author did with George Wickham's character at the end. He got what he deserved. And Lydia is as annoying as ever.
It may be a retelling but reading the original you maybe be expecting something quite similar to happen any moment but don't waste your time. This is completely different yet same in some ways. The author understood the characters wholeheartedly and didn't try to stray them off character.
The suspense of romance was with us till the end.
And the classic scenes were altered but still they were immensely enjoyable.
I seriously adored this book. My favorite Pride and Prejudice retelling till date. Sometimes the pacing seemed a bit off but in general I was in love with the plot and the characters. Love-love-love this book. I could just grab it and sleep with it. Yes people books are my teddybears. Deal with it.
I highly recommend. READ THIS BOOK.
And for people who follow Mark Twain's quotes on criticism against Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, you'll can go suck it.
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