A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity

I have been re-reading a lot of past favorites on my kindle in the Jane Austen fanfiction genre because the last few buys were “good, just not great”. I read all day in my day job and so I expect much from my pleasure reading. When I heard a favorite Austenesque author, A D’Orazio, was releasing this new novel, I was primed to buy. Last night my plan was to read until I got tired and finish it tonight (because it is about 300+ pages.) Well… “A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity” is my very favorite kind of “Pride & Prejudice” reimagining… The kind where Mr Darcy is absolutely and painfully in-love with Miss Elizabeth, and she loves him but has no hope of his love being returned. And lots of wonderful twists and turns until they finally make it to their happily-ever-after that we expect and they deserve. Oh! Delicious angst from page one. And it did not let up. His devotion to her, even through his anger and hurt, was poignant and almost palatable off the page. All the canon characters are familiar and the new characters are fresh and equally strong. I think this is the one novel that I didnot like the colonel but then Miss Austen gave us so few clues about him, not even his first name, that I found this spin on his character interesting.

And my alarm went off at 6am with still 10% left on the kindle so… Today I will be walking around like a zombie and suffering from an acute book hangover — but well worth it. This book is one I will surely re-read. I ordered the paperback copy too so I can add it to my shelves. It’s that good! Warning: block out time to read. You won’t want to put it down once you start.

“To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.” –Samuel Johnson

It was after 2:00 A.M. when I finished this work. I simply CNPID [could not put it down]. The reveal at the end left me so horrified that I could not go to sleep right away. I cannot believe the author thought of such a thing. OMG!! I am still reeling. Excuse my ranting, but I am freaking out.

Rating: MA: mature audience: Hear me well… I’m not kidding: descriptions of adult themes [leave it to Lydia and her crude mouth].

Needless to say, this was AWESOME. I cannot find the words. OK… for those people that love angst, this work is fraught with angst. I mean… how much can two people take? Poor Darcy and Elizabeth are the centers of this vortex of disaster. Everything that could be thrown at them was… and by the very people, they loved.

Purist and canon lovers, go somewhere else. Those looking for a peaceful, flower smelling, gentle walk through a fun fluffy story… forget it. For those who love a good gut-wrenching, love that survives the test of time, this is your story. It is not for the faint of heart. Adhere to my caveat as my warning is valid.

This is the middle of Austen’s P&P story with Elizabeth visiting in London. We have references to all those points of interest throughout the P&P story as Elizabeth and Darcy reflect on those high and low points of their contentious relationship, and then that blasted Lydia throws a wrench in the works. OMG!! I cannot tell you how I loathe, hate, and despise Lydia and her dastard lover.

Wickham SBRB [slime-bag–rat-bastard] inflicted his final revenge on Darcy by convincing Elizabeth to break off their engagement. The rest of the story revolved around the ramifications of that action and Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s reaction to that painful decision. Wickham’s threats were real and she could not tell Darcy why. OMG!! I hate that low-life, bottom-feeding… you know what.

This was not a tsunami of just one big crash and burn angst wave. This was a white-water rafting ride from beginning to end. Wave after wave of angst-filled pages of horrid words, reactions, misunderstandings, accusations, scandal, the grief of the acutest kind, and finally despair. I wanted to wail and rage at the injustice of the actions of a slime-trail slug and his harlot b-witch. I am still so upset I could scream. What a story, yeah, it evoked a reaction from me. I do believe I was properly moved.

The OOC [out of character] behaviors may disturb some readers. You have to remember that this work is a variation… a universe created by the author that will differ from that which Austen created. We are looking at what-if scenarios, new angles, characters taking new directions that deviate from canon, and will thrill and delight a few and horrify others at the direction and tone that this author has taken. I loved it.

In this story, Bingley put on his big boy britches and man… did he ever rise up in righteous indignation. I’ve never seen him in this light. He was supportive of a wounded relation and stood his ground in ways, unlike his canon character. Boy, did he ever stand up to Darcy.

Caroline was her usual self… snide, conniving, vindictive, overbearing, b-witch, and she actually got what she thought she wanted. Whether that was really what she wanted was to be decided.

We had a lot of new characters that were vying for Darcy’s attention and his wealth and property, em… his hand in marriage. They added to the drama, conflict, and angst.

Georgiana was a little snot. Although she was acting in defense of her brother, she was operating under false information generously supplied by Caroline and another society gossip-monger b-witch. Yeah, it was an exciting day in the ton when Georgiana gave Elizabeth the cut direct, and in public.

Our dear Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, a beloved character that we all love, went through the most drastic emotional, gut-wrenching evolution of all. I could cry my eyes out. Oh-my-goodness, how I hurt for him. This cousin/brother relationship with Darcy has been long-standing through most, though not all, JAFF variations. Oh, I ached for him, this was brutal. Where are my tissues?

There were short appearances from Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh, where Anne stood up to her mother and did something so outlandish and AWESOME that I wanted to stand up and cheer for her. She was so funny.

Emotional Gems: this was a long story. However, within the belly of the beast, so to speak, were gems of scenes that will rock your world. There are conversations with revelations that dig deep into the emotional psyche. When ODC [our dear couple] finally had an opportunity to talk, they dug deep and pulled out the grief that had gripped them for nearly two years. I wanted to weep as Elizabeth finally broke down and discussed her family, her father in particular, and her deepest grief as her true emotions were revealed regarding what had happened. Oh, I was so awed by how the author finally allowed Elizabeth her time to bewail the unfairness of what they had been through.

The final reveal can only be described as an oxymoron in terms… jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, and at the same time horrible, amazing, and yet brilliant. By that point… I wanted to scream out at the injustice of the whole thing. I wanted to wail and gnash my teeth; it was heart-hurting, soul-crushing and it took my breath away. As it unfolded on the page… I could not breathe for a few seconds… I simply could-not-believe it. I am still reeling. This story will not leave you anytime soon. You cannot walk away and not be affected. I am an emotional wreck. I ache for our dear Colonel.

I consider myself a peaceful, gentle, kindhearted person, but… I can honestly say that I loathe, hate and despise Wickham and Lydia for the slash and burn devastation caused by their careless, selfish actions. The horror at the wasteland they left in their wake with no regard for anything but their own prurient pleasures. You will not believe it.

Final Notes: I think I’m going to need a vacation at a spa where I can simply chill and not speak for a few days, weeks, or even months. I don’t know if I will ever be the same after having read this. In spite of that, I highly recommend this book… and this author, to any fan of JAFF variations. I had to have this in my personal library and maybe someday I will be able to read it again. I’ll keep my salts handy.