Wednesday, April 10, 2013

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!

16 comments:

  1. This does sound cute. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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    1. You bet. Thank you for coming by and reading the review.

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  2. Janet, thanks so much for your lovely review. I am delighted that you found the collection to your liking (and more so because a few of the ones you highlighted are my favorites, too!) I truly appreciate it! As to where you might have read that I have a novel in the works, I cannot imagine (picture sheepish grin here) -- but yes, I do; and I hope you will entertain thought of a review of that, too, when it is ready for the world. Let's hope that is much sooner than the five years it has been in one stage or another of production! Thanks again -- now I'm off to share this link with everyone I know!!! (My first official review, yay)

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    1. I too, hope this new novel is not five years in the making! I look forward to reading and reviewing it. If it is anything like your anthology, I will not be disappointed. I'm curious as to which are your favorites???

      Best wishes with the anthology and future works!

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    2. That's difficult to answer, Janet, since it changes depending on when I read them. But "April Fools: A Romance" is one; and for romance, I am rather proud of "Anniversary Song" too. I had such fun writing the two "Water Pump" variations just for a lark, as well as getting a bit silly with the middle part of "Valentine." And because (for whatever reason) I have such a soft spot in my heart for both Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy, I'd have to admit to loving the two that complement each other, "Darcy Takes A Walk" and "Gee's Day Out" which I call the Pemberley Break stories. I truly love delving into creating a relationship between the siblings, and some family back history. Oh, heck -- they are all my kids, how can I pick?! LOL

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  3. The older I get the more I find that I enjoy reading short stories. It's probably an attention deficit thing, so this sounds delightful. All the best.

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    1. Oh no, that can't be it! lol So glad you stopped by and read the review, Mary! It is a delightful anthology. I hope you get the chance to read Tess's book.

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    2. Funny how our tastes evolve with age - I have had similar experiences with short stories in recent years. Thanks for the good wishes, Mary -- and for sharing and tweeting this review on my behalf (I appreciated that.)

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  4. Lovely review, Janet, and congrats, Tess!

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    1. Thank you, Cassandra! As you are similarly "engaged" with your own novel release right now, and I look forward to your upcoming interview here as well!

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  5. I cannot wait to read this, and must thank both Janet and Tess again (am I beginning to sound like a broken record?) for the giveaway.

    This is great review. It inspires one to want to read the book, teases with a bit of an excerpt, but gives nothing away.

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    1. Kate, never worry about sounding like a broken record. You do not and your words are much appreciated by myself and Tess, too, I am sure. I hope you will enjoy the book and feel sure you will.

      Thank you for your compliment on my review. I have done a few reviews in the past but not as many as since I have started this blog. As I am new to blogging, your words made my day!

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    2. Yes, you may definitely speak for me to that point, Janet! I very much appreciate the support (not to mention I agree with the "this is great review" part.)

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  6. Beautiful review ~ I agree that there are times when a lovely short story is just what doctor ordered. Congratulations, Tess!

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