Pride And Circumstance
A fresh look at a familiar story
An intriguing read for true fans of Jane Austen’s work and those encountering the story for the first time
What they say on Goodreads
I could barely put this book down.
I loved Elisabeth and Darcy in this one.
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Two centuries after the publication of Pride and Prejudice comes a riveting retelling of one of the most popular books in English literature. Narrated in the original style while employing literary conventions familiar to today’s readers, Pride and Circumstance tells the familiar story of Elizabeth and Darcy’s circuitous courtship from multiple points of view. Pride and Circumstance grants a voice not only to the beloved, assertive heroine but to the male protagonists as well, exploring relationships and backstories left unexamined in the original. As Mr. Darcy reveals his vulnerable side, he becomes even more irresistible. With new scenes and a few surprising plot twists, this novel is a perfect comfort read for loyal Austen fans and first-time readers alike.
Meet the Protagonists
Though indeed nothing in his behaviour indicated it, Mr Darcy had begun to look forward to dining with the Bennet sisters. Painfully aware that Elizabeth must have overheard his careless comment on her appearance at the assembly, he had looked for signs of inferiority in her behaviour and speech but soon realised that, despite expectations to the contrary, his regard for her only increased.
Elizabeth
That night, he again displayed his stern mien throughout dinner, speaking little and looking vastly superior. At last, Elizabeth was seized by the desire to provoke him.
‘Pray, Mr Darcy,’ she addressed him with an equally serious look, ‘did it take a lot of practice to always keep such a perfectly straight face? You scarcely winced at my little joke just now. Did you not find it amusing, or did you actively suppress your smile?’
Darcy
With affected slowness, he dabbed his lips with a serviette before saying, ‘When something truly funny occurs, I have been seen to laugh, but I admit that this does not happen very often. Perhaps my choice of friends is to blame, or the activities I engage in, but I rarely have occasion for excessive merriment.”
‘Then I shall make it my aim to come up with some form of true amusement for you,’ Elizabeth said, ‘to ascertain that you have spoken the truth.’
Bingley
‘Miss Eliza,’ cried Bingley, ‘I can vouch for the veracity of my friend’s statement, as over the many years of our acquaintance, I have seen him laugh on a number of occasions.’
‘I will believe you, Mr Bingley,’ she said archly, ‘it may be true that Mr Darcy can laugh, but he is so parsimonious with his smiles.’
Jane had listened to this exchange with some alarm at her sister’s tone. But if Mr Darcy took offence at Elizabeth’s good-natured mockery, he did not let on and continued eating placidly until the meal concluded.
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