My Share in the Conversation...Pride Revisited

Pride Revisited by Tess Quinn

Pride Revisited is an anthology of sixteen short stories which are based on the characters of Pride and Prejudice. Quoting from the author’s introduction, “You will not find in these pages rewrites of Jane Austen’s original chapters – there is no point; no one can improve upon them. What you will find is a number of what I consider ‘interludes.’ My interludes are scenes that can be inserted into the larger plot of Pride and Prejudice at given moments without necessarily changing the original book events which preceded or follow.” Besides these interludes there are some stories that imagine life after marriage for the Darcy’s, another one that is a modern day scenario and one that is a fun fantasy. I truly enjoyed all of them but am only telling a bit about five in this review. The rest I leave to each reader’s discovery.

The first offering involves a game called Sardines, a variation of ‘hide and seek’ that was popular during Regency times. In this story it was one of the entertainments enjoyed at Netherfield when Elizabeth was caring for Jane. The object of this game ended up giving Darcy and Elizabeth a bit of cozy time. This was a fun interlude and I could easily see it taking place within the pages of the original book.

Georgiana, in trying to recover from her disastrous experience with Wickham and hoping to ease the worries of her guardians, attempts a harmless flirtation. Her role model leaves much to be desired and reflects another poor choice for dear Georgiana. In her defense, I must add that her choices were limited! The story is funny and provides a very entertaining read.

Two of the stories take place on April Fool’s Day! Colonel Fitzwilliam’s prank in the first one filled me with some trepidation as I was awaiting the outcome of his ‘folly’. It kept me on edge then left me smiling as the tables were turned on him in such a delightful way. Ah, but the second one, “April Fool’s: A Romance” made me breathless with the pure genius of it. The feelings it elicited...romance, confusion, understanding, romance again, laughter…love, utter and complete love…run the gamut, even to warm and fuzzy! (I enjoyed the little lark and Pinker immensely) I found much to my liking and hated for this ‘tale’ to come to an end.

Another one that I truly must mention is "Anniversary Song". The first anniversary for our 'darling couple' becomes a game of clues. It keeps the reader eagerly following Elizabeth to discover the next clue. When she finds the last one, it is so romantic and touching! I cannot resist...I must share a bit:
‘Emotion welled in Elizabeth’s eyes. She ran a finger lightly over Darcy’s signature at the bottom of the page as a single tear escaped its bounds and slowly meandered down her cheek. Through blurred vision, she sensed rather than saw his approach from the shadows at the far end of the room, which had been sheltered in darkness. Even in the throes of deep emotion, Elizabeth must smile—Darcy had been there all along – in the room, and in her heart! As he had since the moment they had met.’    
Most swoon worthy! 

There are times that I love a book of short stories if they are well written, especially if I do not have the time to start a novel. Tess Quinn’s anthology is just such a book. Some of the stories are very short and others are a good bit longer but each one left me feeling satisfied and happy at its conclusion providing great reading pleasure. 

I delighted in the beauty of Tess Quinn’s writing in Regency language. She wrote as if she had lived during that era and her words consistently flowed onto the pages. Lovely work, Ms. Quinn. I hope to see much more from you. (I recently read that you have a new novel in the works…I hope that is true!) I enjoyed your anthology immensely. I highly recommend this book to any lover of Pride and Prejudice. It is one I will revisit time and again.

5 out of 5 stars

I was given a copy of this book by the author for a fair and honest review.

This is my fifth selection for the P&P Bicentenary Challenge of 2013.

Other books I will be reviewing soon:
All the Appearance of Goodness by Maria Grace 

A Fair Prospect: Disappointed Hopes by Cassandra Grafton  

The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy by Regina Jeffers

Celebrating Pride and Prejudice: 200 Years of Jane Austen’s Darling Child 

by Hazel Jones and    Maggie Lane

Watch for these book reviews as well as two movie reviews, one for the 1995 BBC miniseries of P&P and one for the 2005 movie, both of which I cheerfully re-watched for this challenge!