A Pemberley Medley [Paperback]

For some reason, my ebook review did not transfer over to the page for the print version so I've decided to move it myself! Abigail Reynolds is one of the best, if not the best, of all the authors writing Jane Austen-related fiction. She has already written a series of books which she calls "Pemberley Variations", a type of "what if" story that takes "Pride and Prejudice" in a different direction. "What if" instead of giving up after his failed proposal, Darcy had stayed at Rosings? Or followed Elizabeth home to try and win her love? The five little gems in "The Pemberley Medley" each represent a different possible scenario for Darcy and Elizabeth as they try to understand and communicate their feelings for each other.

Intermezzo - What if after Darcy told Bingley about Jane's true feelings for him, Bingley immediately goes to Longbourn and resumes his relationship with her? What if instead of returning with his friend, Darcy stays away unable to face Elizabeth again? He even refuses to stand up with Bingley at his wedding. It takes some help from Cupid in the form of Georgiana to finally bring Darcy and Elizabeth together.

The Rule of Reason - What if Lydia had eloped with Wickham after Darcy and Eizabeth were already engaged? Would one of them feel honor bound to break off the engagement or would this crisis bring them even closer together. Can two fiercely independent people learn to trust each other? This short story is part of a longer book self-published a few years ago.

Such Differing Reports - What if Elizabeth believes Charlotte's suspicions that Darcy is in love with her and takes steps to try and discourage his interest in her? In spite of being drawn to each other, every time they meet, they find a new way to misunderstand each other. In desperation, Darcy resorts to writing a letter to Elizabeth to convey what he cannot find the words to say. (This is one of the most fantastically romantic love letters ever!)

The Most Natural Thing - What would Darcy do if Elizabeth offered herself to him in exchange for his help for her family after her father dies and her sister Lydia runs off with Wickham? Will he take his revenge for her rejection of him or show himself to be a man of true honor?

A Succession of Rain - What if rainy days prevented Darcy and Elizabeth from walking out so they can have a private conversation. Instead they are forced to carry on a secret courtship under the noses of Elizabeth's family engaging in some clever innuendo and double entendre.

If you love Pride and Prejudice, Darcy and Elizabeth, this is a must read!

Abigail Reynolds has such a huge following in the Jane Austen Fan Fiction world that I feel evil not giving this book a rave review. However, I did not feel it stood up to my expectations compared to her other oustanding books.

Intermezzo is one of my all-time favourite JAFF short stories, five stars IMHO. I go back to read it again and again. Not only do I think that this story has a good premise, but it has some of the loveliest words and scenes in JAFF. I'm glad that she decided to publish it, I just wish she had some better short stories to publish with it.

The other stories were nice and had good ideas for a what-if, and even included a few scenes with light and engaging banter and clever misunderstandings between Elizabeth and Darcy, but none of them compare to Intermezzo. They were three-star stories, which means they were good but not outstanding. For example, these stories do not showcase Abigail's ability to use Jane Austen's writing style as much as in her other writing, yet in 'Such Differing Reports' she uses a lot of JA's original text from Pride and Prejudice; I don't mind authors using a little, but this was too much..

Some key plot twists left me saying, 'Are you serious?' The reader would be somewhat sceptical about the protagonists' decisions or motives, for example, why wouldn't E&D and J&B marry as planned if Wickham suspended the extortion (Reason's Rule)? Would Darcy really have stated his feelings so boldly in a letter (Such Differing Reports)? The abrupt unforeshadowed kidnapping in 'The Most Natural Thing,' and then Elizabeth subsequently doubting Darcy's constancy when he had proven it repeatedly, leave me scratching my head. 'A Succession of Rain' was good at holding onto its theme of the rain as the antagonist, but the lack of true angst (as set by the writing challenge) leaves this story being sweet but not particularly memorable. I read a lot of unpublished JAFF and did not find the last four stories in this book nearly as engaging as some amateur works.

I am sure that Abigail Reynolds fans will give me a 'not useful' vote for this review, but I call 'em as I see 'em.

I am new to the P&P variation books, and I find them very entertainting. I liked this book, but the reason why I have mixed feelings is that while each story starts with the characters true to their original personalities, each and every time they end up changing for the worst. I find it difficult to imagine Elizabeth acting almost slutty at times, and Darcy so irrespectful when he's supposed to be so strict with the rules of society.... just saying. :o)