Review: 'Prejudice and Pride' by Lynn Messina (2015)

You know Darcy: rich, proud, standoffish, disapproving, one of the greatest romantic heroes of all time. But you don't know this Darcy because THIS Darcy is a woman. 
In PREJUDICE & PRIDE, Lynn Messina’s modern retelling with a gender-bendy twist, everything is vaguely familiar and yet wholly new. Bingley is here, in the form of Charlotte "Bingley" Bingston, an heiress staying at the Netherfield hotel on Central Park, as is Longbourn, transformed from an ancestral home into a perennially cash-strapped art museum on the edge of the city. Naturally, it employs an audacious fundraiser with an amused glint in his eye called Bennet. 
All the favorite characters are present and cleverly updated: Providing the cringe-worthy bon mots is Mr. Meryton, the nerve-wracked executive director of the Longbourn who’s always on the lookout for heiresses to join his museum’s very important committees. (Universally acknowledged truth: Any woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a social committee to chair.) Collin Parsons is still in obsequious, if ironic, awe of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The wicked Georgia Wickham toils as a graphic designer at Redcoat Design by day and schemes against Darcy by night.
Ever since I first read 'Pride and Prejudice' when I was a teenager, I've been a big fan of Jane Austen and almost anything connected to her in one way or another. I love checking out adaptations of her novels, whatever kind they may be: modern-day retellings, from the point of view of another character, an important change of events, featuring vampires and/or zombies (yes, even those!). So, when I found Lynn Messina's 'Prejudice and Pride' on NetGalley, I straight away requested the novel and luckily got approved! I actually already read 'Little Vampire Women', the author's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel 'Little Women', so I was really curious to see what she had decided to do with this particular classic!
Brothers Bennet and John Bethle both live in New York City and work at the Longbourn Collection, a relatively small art museum in the city. Their boss Mr. Meryton is always on the look-out for people to help fund the museum, including young and rich socialites who can organise events and help spread the word. So when heiress Charlotte Bingston, known to her friends as Bingley, comes to town, Mr. Meryton is set on John and Bennet charming her to invest some of her money in the museum. However, Charlotte's best friend Darcy Fitzwilliam isn't amused by the brothers and particularly their boss, and their acquaintance leads to quite a bit more than both parties initially expected...
As a big Jane Austen fan I was really curious to check out Lynn Messina's 'Prejudice and Pride', which is not only a modern-day retelling of Austen's classic novel set in New York City, but also one in which the genders are swapped. I loved looking for the differences and similarities with the original novel and discovering what the author had decided to change or even do completely different. We've got a male Elizabeth and a female Mr. Darcy in the form of Bennet and Darcy, which I thought was great. I also loved what the author decided to do with Mrs. Bennet in the form of Mr. Meryton, younger brother Lydon as the infamous Lydia, and Darcy's gay cousin Collin, who was quite fabulous and a great new interpretation of the character in my opinion!
I do have to admit I missed the sparks between Darcy and Bennet; the chemistry between the two of them unfortunately wasn't really there for me, which is quite an important aspect of this romance story. In some instances the author also decided to use specific Jane Austen quotes/language which just didn't really fit in with the modern-day setting and feel of the story. However, don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy this Austen adaptation and my first gender-swap retelling and definitely recommend it to any Austen fans out there. 'Prejudice and Pride' is a fascinating and original retelling of Jane Austen's most famous novel; a thoroughly enjoyable read and new take on this classic romance that fits the modern day and age.

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Holidays at Pemberley' by Alexa Adams (2013)

Both a Christmas celebration and conclusion to Tales of Less Pride & Prejudice, Holidays at Pemberley begins where First Impressions ends, with the marriage Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet, and spans the course of Second Glances to conclude their story. 
As the Darcys enjoy their first years of marriage, Charlotte Lucas is often invited to join them. Watching as the Bennet sisters, one by one, marry to both outrageous advantage and with great affection, her only ambition remains independence and respectability, stubbornly blind to the virtues of a love match. Miss Lucas thinks she has found an acceptable husband in David Westover, rector of Kympton and determined bachelor, but he remains oblivious to the implications of befriending a Miss Lucas. It may mean some heartbreak, but if Mrs. Darcy's pragmatic friend will only surrender to Cupid, she may find wild fantasies do come true, even for ladies dangerously close to thirty.
Last year I was lucky enough to be contacted by author Alexa Adams about possibly reading and reviewing her series of 3 books based on Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.' As some of you might know by now, I'm a big fan of anything Jane Austen related, so I was really excited about reviewing Alexa's books. I ended up loving the first two parts of the series, but decided to save the third part for now, since it's set around Christmas time. I know some people can easily read Christmas novels all year round, but I do definitely prefer to sit down with a festive read in December. I had high hopes for this one, since it combines two of my favourite things: Jane Austen and Christmas, so I hoped the book would manage to reach my expectations!
'Holidays at Pemberley - A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Concludes' is, as the title already suggests, the concluding part of Alexa Adams' 'Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice' series, set during the holiday season. While the other two novels focused mainly on the Bennet sisters and their luck in romance, this book is mainly about one of the secondary characters in Austen's original novel, namely Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte's story differs tremendously from the original in this series, and in this part we get to see how everything will work out for her, while at the same time getting to know more about the married lives of Elizabeth and Jane, and of course the well-being of the other Bennet family members. 
What I loved most about the first two parts of this book series is how well author Alexa Adams manages to recreate Jane Austen's style and voice, while still adding her own personal touch to it all. Thankfully, this last part of the series did not disappoint and was a true joy to read, especially for an Austen fan like me. It took me a few pages to get back into the story, but as soon as I was once again fully immersed in the world of these characters, I simply didn't want to leave. Especially the festive setting of the story made it even more enjoyable; the descriptions of Pemberley at Christmas time immediately made me long for a Regency Christmas party at an amazing country estate! 
It was great to read more about Charlotte Lucas, who plays a significant but not really big role in Austen's original novel. I loved the alternative ending Alexa Adams came up with and it once again proved how fun and fascinating retellings of classic stories can be; I honestly loved it. I do recommend reading the other two parts of the series first, because I think that makes the reading experience much more enjoyable than reading this simply as a stand-alone. Overall, this series is a must-read for Austen fans with a fabulously festive story to end it all; one of my favourite retellings of 'Pride and Prejudice' I've had the joy of reading so far, and one that comes highly recommended! Rating:9/10   For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads   Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 'Gateway' Books/Authors in My Reading Journey

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Lately I've seen some other book bloggers being quite enthusiastic about this weekly meme, so I decided to join in with the fun and try it out myself as well!  

  Top Ten 'Gateway' Books/Authors in My Reading Journey   Today's Top Ten Tuesday is quite a tricky one, namely ten 'gateway' books/authors in my reading journey; in other words, books or authors that played a specific role in my book-reading life. A book that got me into reading, an author that got me interested in a specific genre... Enough to think about this week, and as I'm writing this I am already quite curious to find out which ten books will eventually make the list!

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1. Jane Austen - 'Pride and Prejudice'

If you know me or visit this blog regularly, I suppose it is no real surprise that this book is number 1 on this list! Jane Austen is one of my all-time favourite authors and I love anything that has to do with her. I remember reading 'Pride and Prejudice' for the first time when I was 15 years old and even though I already loved books before reading this story, it definitely was the start of a new passion for me, a passon for not just Austen herself, but also for English literature in general. I ended up studying English literature for 6 years, and I still think back to my first experience with 'Pride & Prejudice' as a defining moment in my life and my love for books!

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2. Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees - 'The Three Day Rule'

These days my favourite book genre is definitely chick lit, and I still remember the books I read as a teenager that made me more interested in this genre and made me want to read more and more. I used to love Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees' books and every time I went to the library and found another one of their novels I was over the moon. I especially remember reading 'The Three Day Rule' and not wanting to put it down until I had finished it!  

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3. Lisa Jewell - 'Vince and Joy'

Another author who played a significant role when I was discovering chick lit as a teenager is Lisa Jewell. I remember getting really excited whenever one of her new books was released, but I especially remember how much I loved and was impressed by her novel 'Vince and Joy.' The pretty cover, the characters, the storyline... The book is a great read and still one of my favourite chick lit novels of all time. The love story at the centre of this book also inspired me to start writing myself, so it still has a special place on my book shelf.

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4. P.L. Travers - 'Mary Poppins'

'Mary Poppins' has been one of my favourite films ever since I was a little girl. I remember wanting nothing more than a British nanny who could fly through the air with an umbrella and jump into chalk drawings on the street. When I was at university, I decided to write an essay about 'Mary Poppins' which is how I ended up actually reading the original books. I discovered that the books written by P.L. Travers are actually really different from the Disney film (some of you might know the whole story behind this, but I won't go into detail about it right now). This reading experience showed me that film adaptations of novels can be completely different from the original book, which is why I always want to read the book on which a particular film I enjoyed is based, whether it's before I see the film or after. So, also a book with a personal story behind it and one that belongs on this list!  

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5. Emily Giffin - 'Something Borrowed'

Another chick lit classic that's still one of my absolute favourites. It encouraged my love for the chick lit genre, but also showed me that you should not judge people without knowing the personal story behind things. In the novel cheating plays a central role, but Emily Giffin really managed to show the other side, of how and why a person decides to cheat. A story that has stayed with me since I read it and one I can't recommend enough to others!  

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6. Tasmina Perry - 'Perfect Strangers'

I used to not like books that dealt with any form of violence or murder or anything along those lines, which is also why I never read detective or action novels. However, last year I was asked to review Tasmina Perry's novel 'Perfect Strangers' which is an example of glamorous and exciting women's fiction in which murder plays a central role. I thoroughly enjoyed this, much more than I initially expected, and since then I've been more open to picking up novels like Tasmina Perry's work and to broaden my horizon a bit besides chick lit.

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7. Nicholas Sparks - 'The Notebook'

Whenever I feel down or need a good dose of romance, I know I can just pick up any Nicholas Sparks novel and it will do the trick. Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite authors and as a true romantic at heart I love every single one of his love stories. I can't get enough of his work, can't recommend it to others enough, and can't wait until his next releases, so he definitely cannot be left out when it comes to authors who played a significant role on my personal reading journey. 

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8. E.L. James - 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

I was just as curious as a lot of other readers to what all the fuss was about when 'Fifty Shades of Grey' suddenly topped the charts. I decided to give the genre a chance and while I finished all three novels of the Fifty Shades series, I can honestly say erotic fiction just isn't for me. I was somehow captivated by Christian and Ana's story, but I thought the books were too long, not that well-written, and just not that interesting.  

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9. Jonathan Safran Foer - 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'

Lots of people think 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' is one of the best books ever written which is also why I decided to pick it up. However, I didn't enjoy the book at all. Up to this very day I still don't understand why people are so incredibly positive and enthusiastic about it. This book showed me that a hype can be built around a specific story, but it can still disappoint you or not be your cup of tea, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's simply part of the reading experience.

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10. Stephenie Meyer - 'Twilight'

I still think 'Twilight', the first part of the incredibly popular series by Stephenie Meyer, is one of the best and most captivating love stories I've read so far in my life. I love Bella and Edward's tale, and this novel really opened my eyes to the Young Adult genre. At first I thought I was a bit too old to enjoy YA, but that's definitely not true and I'm glad this book opened my eyes towards a whole new and thoroughly enjoyable genre.

Which books or authors have played an important role on your reading journey? I'd love to hear from you! :)

Review & Guest Post: 'Second Glances' by Alexa Adams (2013)

A year has passed since the conclusion of First Impressions, and the marriages made by the three eldest Bennet ladies are prospering. Expectations are high for the two youngest sisters to do equally well. Kitty, having excelled in school, receives an invitation to join Georgiana Darcy in her first London season, leaving Lydia to bear the burden of the classroom alone. Will the most forward Bennet tolerate such inequity? Kitty arrives in London prepared to be happy, but her delight is marred when she finds a most unwelcome gentleman on intimate terms with her hosts. She has met the reckless Sir James Stratton before and would like nothing more than to never encounter him again, but his acquaintance she is forced to endure. Struggling for firm footing amidst the whirlwind of London society, will Kitty be allowed to follow her heart, or will her family force her hand? Join the reimagined cast of Pride and Prejudice as they pursue happiness amidst the ongoing obstacles of life, love, and interfering relations.
At the start of this year I read and reviewed Alexa Adams’ novel ‘First Impressions’, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ As a dedicated Jane Austen fan, I’ve read numerous rewrites of Darcy and Elizabeth’s love story, and Alexa Adams’ work was definitely one of my personal favourites. Lucky me, I didn’t just receive a review copy of ‘First Impressions’, but also of the other two parts that make up this trilogy. I couldn’t wait to sit down with the second part of the series, ‘Second Glances’ and step back into the familiar world of Austen’s characters!
‘Second Glances’ starts a year after the end of ‘First Impressions’ where the three oldest Bennet sisters all got married. It is now time for the two younger sisters, Lydia and Kitty, to shine. After being sent to school in Bath, Kitty has shown her true potential by excelling while Lydia has kept herself occupied with gossip and the search for an eligible bachelor. When Kitty is invited by her dear friend Georgiana Darcy to spend her first season in London, she is thrilled and can’t wait for all the entertainment, fun and sophistication the city will undoubtedly bring her. However, events turn out slightly different when Kitty keeps running into sir James Stratton, a conceited man who almost ran her over with his horse. It is clear Kitty has captured James’ heart and he is willing to go a long way to convince her that he is the right man for her...
I’m happy to say the second part of Alexa Adams’ Austen rewrite definitely did not disappoint! In ‘Second Glances’, the focus lies on a different part of the Pride & Prejudice cast, most specifically Kitty and her new best friend Georgiana (Darcy’s younger sister). I’ve always liked Kitty and thought it was too bad how she was kind of ignored in Austen’s original story. It was great to learn more about her and see her personality develop in this retelling. Her storyline involves a rather charming man in the form of Sir James Stratton and between them we find the prejudice and misunderstanding that played such a central role in the original ‘Pride & Prejduice’, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable tale of romance.
Alexa Adams’ writing is just as clever, satirical and Austen-like as the first part of the series, which is just a joy to read. The only negative thing I could say about this book is that it was rather a quick read I managed to finish within a couple of hours, and I certainly would not have minded if it had been a bit longer! ‘Second Glances’ is a truly delightful, amusing and well-written read and a great continuation of a wonderful classic!     
Rating:

  9,5/10
For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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I'm really excited to have Alexa Adams on the blog today with a special guest post and excerpt from her upcoming release, 'The Madness of Mr. Darcy'!

I’m so please to be back at 'A Spoonful of Happy Endings' to talk about my new book! The Madness of Mr. Darcy is a reimagination of Pride & Prejudice, like my earlier works, but there the similarity ends. The story is set in the 1830’s, at a time when the care of the insane was rapidly changing in England. The previous two decades have been extremely difficult for our hero and heroine, who were separated when both Lydia and her reputation were permanently lost. Their paths cross once again when Mr. Darcy, battered by depression, places himself in the care of Sir Frederick Wilson, owner of the private madhouse where Elizabeth is matron: the highest ranking female employee of the institution. Lady Elliot (nee Penelope Clay), Mary Crawford, and John Knightley are also “guests” at Ramsey House, and along with several original characters. I’ve greatly enjoyed populating my little bedlam, but I had no notion that Austen characters from other books would creep into the narrative when I began writing the book. This odd company bears witness to a romantic reunion in the most unlikely of places. I’ve had a long standing interest in portrayals of madness during the Victorian period, but it took some creativity to combine that study with Austen. First I had to figure out what might drive Mr. Darcy insane. The following excerpt hints at some of the upheavals orchestrated in order to make the plot work. Please bear in mind that this is still a rough draft and subject to possible change (I rewrote the end of Second Glances less than a month before publishing), and rest assured that there is a whole bucketful of happy endings awaiting Darcy and Elizabeth. Enjoy!

Darcy walked up the ramp to the freshly painted door. He made certain conditions at the cottage were maintained perfectly. Though other areas of the estate might suffer neglect, this place saw none of it. The gardens were tended and walking paths maintained with the same attention devoted to the big house. The inside had been refurbished with the most modern conveniences and contrivances, all installed with the occupant’s condition in mind. No detail was left unattended.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” the plump woman he hired as both housekeeper and nurse to George greeted him.

“Good morning, Mrs. Able. How are you?”

“Tell Darcy he needn’t mind the pleasantries, Hatty,” the familiar voice called from inside. “If he did, he wouldn’t be here at all, for nothing about his visits are ever pleasant.”

“Hello, George,” Mr. Darcy replied, entering the cheerful front room. Wickham sat by a large window that framed the pleasing landscape bounding the cottage’s south side, examining the scene with a determination born out of a refusal to face his guest.

“What do you want, Darcy?”

“I have something I need to tell you.” He remained standing, staring at the back of his former friend and longtime enemy’s head, which suddenly twitched to the side, revealing the briefest glimpse of profile.

“Oh, do sit down man! Still stubbornly formal, I see. It’s a trait I’ve always detested in you.” Darcy perched himself upon the nearest seat, but he could not abandon his rigid posture, quite necessary for his endurance of this ordeal. “What have you to say?” demanded Wickham, with renewed focus on the scene outside.

“I’m leaving Pemberley for a while, and I am not sure when I will return.”

“What! Will you deprive me of your precious company?” he huffed. “I didn’t think you had much occasion for mixing with the world anymore.”

“I don’t.”

The wheeled chair in which Mr. Wickham sat suddenly lurched forward and around to confront Mr. Darcy directly. Unwillingly, Mr. Darcy flinched at the sight of George’s scarred face. “Then where do you go!” he demanded.

Mr. Darcy looked him directly in the eye, trying not to stare at the disfigured flesh. “To a mad house, if you must know.”

“A mad house?” the harsh visage softened with incredulity. “You mean you go willingly?”

“The man who runs it offers hope, and I have none other before me.”

“You must be mad, Darcy, to consent to such a thing! And if you aren’t, you surely will be before long. Do you not know what happens in such places?”

“I have spoken to the doctor myself, and he has described his methods. I know what to expect.”

“Like hell you do! Good riddance to you, then. We shall not meet again.” He turned back to the window.

“I am not leaving for some weeks.”

“I see no reason to beleaguer our goodbyes.”

“Nevertheless, I will come see you before my departure, and I’m sure I will see you again before the year is out,” Darcy told the balding head before him, rising to leave as he did so. Upon receiving no response, he continued, “I will leave instructions regarding your needs.”

A bitter laugh escaped Wickham. “I did not think you would leave me unguarded.”

“Take care of yourself, George.”

“Just go, Fitz.” He moved towards the door, but hesitating he turned back and stood for several moments, staring at the rigid head. “Oh for God’s sake, Darcy! What is it?”

“The man who runs Ramsey House is an old friend of Lord Matlock,” he said softly.

“And why should that matter so to me that you must stand there in silence like an imbecile?”

Darcy forced the words out. “The matron who works beside him is called Mrs. Bennet.

The head twitched. “I see,” Wickham said.

“So you do recall the name?”

The crippled man spun his chair around with surprising force. “Of course I remember the name, Darcy! What do you take me for?” he spat angrily.

Numbly, Darcy replied, “The kind of man who would destroy an innocent, wreaking havoc upon an entire family in the process.”

“Oh, yes!” Wickham smirked. “I had forgotten about that.“

Darcy felt his hatred for the man swell up for the first time since the fire. “I do not see how you could,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Yet you just expressed surprise that I recall the name Bennet! Do make up your mind, Fitz: am I a complete heartless cad, or will you grant me the humanity of having a conscience?”

“Do you?” Darcy asked wearily.

Wickham held his eye. “It does not matter how I reply. You made up your mind as to my character many, many years ago.” He turned back round to the window. “So you think Mrs. Bennet is a relation to those of Longbourn?”

“It seems possible,” Darcy admitted reluctantly.

“Be sure to send her my regards, should she prove an acquaintance.”

“You make me sick, George.”

“I have no desire for your presence, either, Darcy. Do take yourself off already.”
Darcy left without another word. Once he heard the door shut, Wickham rolled himself over to the front window, where he watched Darcy mount Jason and ride hastily away. Had the master of Pemberley bothered to turn round, he might have perceived the vigil, one silent tear making its bumpy way down a distorted cheek.    

Thanks so much, Alexa!

Review & Interview: 'First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice' by Alexa Adams (2013)

In Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy begins his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet with the words: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present togive consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." What would have happened if Mr. Darcy had never spoken so disdainfully? First Impressions explores how the events of Jane Austen's beloved novel would have transpired if Darcy and Elizabeth had danced together at the Meryton Assembly. Jane and Bingley's relationship blossoms unimpeded, Mary makes a most fortunate match, and Lydia never sets a foot in Brighton. Austen's witty style is authentically invoked in this playful romp from Longbourn to Pemberley.
As some of you might know, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and absolutely everything that is related to her or her work. So, when author Alexa Adams contacted me about possibly reviewing her three-part-series of books based on Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, I couldn’t possibly say no! It has been over 200 years since Austen’s first novel was published and since then the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy has been retold in numerous different voices and different ways. However, if I’m honest, I simply can’t get enough of the retellings of this classic romance tale, so I couldn’t wait to get started in ‘First Impressions’!
We all know what happened when one of the greatest couples of all time, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, first laid eyes on each other. While Mr. Darcy decided the young woman ‘not handsome enough’ to tempt him, Elizabeth immediately wrote Darcy off as too proud. But how would their love story have turned out if things had been different? In this novel the whole storyline of Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is altered by a big change at the start of it all: Darcy and Elizabeth dance with one another at the Meryton assembly and slowly start to fall in love, which also alters the paths of almost all the people around them...
Over the years I’ve read many adaptations of Austen stories, and I have to say that this is definitely one of my favourites so far. I loved what Alexa Adams did with the plotline; changing almost everything by altering a detail at the beginning of it all. The novel still has Austen’s beloved basic storyline and keeps close to the events in the original and characters at its core, but with a fascinating twist. I especially loved the focus on characters like Mary Bennet, Kitty Bennet and Georgiana Darcy, who don’t play very big roles in the original, and how this focus gives them the attention they deserve and manages to answer questions readers might have about what could have happened to these characters. 
It is clear Alexa Adams treats Jane Austen’s writing and original novel with respect and I was surprised by how she managed to get close to Austen’s writing style and that authentic feel of her work. This adaptation has enjoyable dialogues and wittiness, and is a read I’d definitely recommend to lovers of Austen and/or ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ Alexa Adams’ ‘First Impressions’ is a wonderful debut novel; a charming and well-written retelling of a classic many of us can’t get enough of, and I personally am already excited about reading the two other sequels the author has written!
Rating:

9/10

For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Author interview with Alexa Adams!
I'm delighted to welcome author Alexa Adams to the blog today to tell us more about her novel 'First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice'!   1) Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice’? First Impressions, the working title for which was simply A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice, began more as a reaction to other Pride & Prejudice sequels and spin-offs than a novel in its own right. I had been devouring all the Austenesque I could get my hands on, but there were certain things that I always wanted to see happen in the story which I had yet to read, while other notions I felt I’d seen a great deal too much. This book was my way of demanding a share of the conversation.    2) Where did you find the inspiration for ‘First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice’? Are you a fan of Jane Austen and her work? I am a massive and unabashed Janeite. I’ve loved Austen since I discovered her when eleven years old, and my relationship to her work has continued to grow and evolve since that time. When I wrote First Impressions, I was struggling to find my path in life. Reliable as always, Jane was there to show me the way. I’m eternally grateful.   3) There’s a great mix of characters in the novel. Which character did you most enjoy writing about and why? My favorite character in the novel is Lady Catherine. I can’t seem to get enough of her. I love playing with her imperiousness, and in this book I tried to endow her with rather better motives and instincts than Austen gave to her. This softening allowed me to bring her into the folds of the family, so to speak, and I can’t say how often I’ve relied on her to move my plots along. I think she’d be pleased to know herself so useful.   4) What is your personal favourite Jane Austen novel and why? Persuasion. I think Anne Elliot perhaps the most admirable heroine in literature. She has been an excellent role model, though no mere human could really achieve her excellence. My one quibble with the story is that Captain Wentworth can’t even begin to deserve her.   5) ‘First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice’ is the first part of a series. Can you tell us a bit more about this series? The second book is entitled Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice Continues, and it picks up the story a year after the Darcys get married. The novel provides romances for both Georgiana and Lydia, who never marries Mr. Wickham in my version of events, but Kitty is the primary heroine. Holidays at Pemberley, or Third Encounters: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice Concludes is the final book, and it goes back in time to tell the story of Charlotte Lucas, who like Lydia has been spared the horrors of her original spouse. By beginning the story at the end of First Impressions and continuing it on past Second Glances, I was able to wrap up the fates of all the characters in a way quite satisfying to myself. I can’t speak for others.    6) Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next novel? I am currently working on a very different novel called The Madness of Mr. Darcy. It is far darker and a great deal more complex than anything I’ve previously written. It’s premised on Mr. Darcy’s inability to find Lydia after she runs away with Wickham, removing the entire happy ending Austen supplied. Twenty painful years go by before a shattered Mr. Darcy is pushed by his cousins to seek help from one Dr. Wilson, a move which results in his reunion with Elizabeth in the unlikely setting of a Victorian mad house. She is not the only familiar face he meets there, either. Though the primary focus is the Pride & Prejudice story, this novel is my first real attempt at integrating multiple Austen novels into one.   7) Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Just be persistent. Write as much as you can, good or bad, and don’t let it hinder you when you get negative feedback. Feedback of any sort is valuable, as long as it’s thoughtful. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep plugging along. Who knows if you’re the next great literary voice or not if you don’t keep trying?    8) And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice’ in just three words, which words would you pick? A playful ode.  

Thanks so much, Alexa! :)

Review: 'Longbourn' by Jo Baker (2013)

Pride and Prejudice was only half the story...

If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah often thought, she’d most likely be a sight more careful with them.

In this irresistibly imagined belowstairs answer to Pride and Prejudice, the servants take center stage. Sarah, the orphaned housemaid, spends her days scrubbing the laundry, polishing the floors, and emptying the chamber pots for the Bennet household. But there is just as much romance, heartbreak, and intrigue downstairs at Longbourn as there is upstairs. When a mysterious new footman arrives, the orderly realm of the servants’ hall threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, upended.

The year 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s famous classic love story ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ The publication of Jo Baker’s novel ‘Longbourn’ was specially timed for this occasion, and as a Jane Austen fan I had been looking forward to this book for quite some time. When some of the first reviews started popping up online, I was contacted by the lovely Alison Barrow with the question if I was interested in a review copy of ‘Longbourn.’ Obviously, I was over the moon and I couldn’t wait to start reading to see what Jo Baker had decided to do with one of my favourite love stories of all time.

The Longbourn estate automatically reminds us of the Bennet family in Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, but in this novel we get to take a trip downstairs, to find out the stories behind the servants working at Longbourn. There’s Sarah, a hard-working young woman who has been part of the Longbourn household since she was a little girl; Mr. and Mrs. Hill, young Polly and the new footman, James. It’s not entirely clear where James has come from, and Sarah isn’t sure what to think of him. However, she unexpectedly starts to develop feelings for him and suddenly all kinds of things start happening downstairs, which the Bennet family have no idea of…

With this novel, Jo Baker has managed to add a complete new mix of engaging and fascinating characters to ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I love the fact that with this book the reader gets a chance to find out about the things going on below the stairs of the Bennet estate. There are hidden secrets, traces of love and deceit, longing and wishes… Just like any other family, which is what this group of servants really feels like: a family. Jo Baker manages to capture and explain the emotions of these characters perfectly, which is something I really enjoyed. I am also glad the author did not decide to imitate Austen’s writing style; this is a modern novel, and a story on itself. I’d recommend readers to first read ‘Pride and Prejudice’, just because it makes the reading experience a touch more special, but you can also read this novel without any prior knowledge of Austen’s tale.

When I started reading ‘Longbourn’, I felt myself waiting for scenes in which Elizabeth, Jane, or Darcy would make an appearance. However, after reading about 50 pages I was so engrossed in Sarah’s story, I completely forgot about the original ‘Pride and Prejudice’ characters. It was actually quite refreshing to see a different (slightly clueless and ignorant) side of them. I don’t think every Austen fan will be able to appreciate this novel, because Jo Baker has really given it her own twist and added some quite controversial details. However, I personally really enjoyed this opportunity to look at ‘Pride and Prejudice’ from a completely different and fascinating perspective, and I expect that every time I’ll read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in the future I will think of the servants standing in the shadows of almost every single scene. ‘Longbourn’ is an engaging and original novel that provides readers with a fascinating look into the downstairs world of Austen’s most famous tale, and one that once again proves that there are always two sides to every story.

Rating:8/10