Fitzwilliam Darcy is a single man in possession of a good fortune, a broken heart, and tattered pride. Elizabeth Bennet is a young lady in possession of a superior wit, flawed judgement, and a growing list of unwanted suitors. With a tempestuous acquaintance, the merciless censure of each other’s character, and the unenviable distinction of a failed proposal behind them, they have parted ways on … on seemingly irreparable terms. Despairing of a felicitous resolution for themselves, they both attend with great energy to rekindling the courtship between Darcy’s friend Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth’s sister Jane.
Regrettably, people are predisposed to mistake one another, and rarely can two be so conveniently manoeuvred into love without some manner of misunderstanding arising. Jane, crossed in love once already, is wary of Bingley’s renewed attentions. Mistaking her guardedness for indifference, Bingley is drawn to Elizabeth’s livelier company; rapidly, the defects in their own characters become the least of the impediments to Darcy and Elizabeth’s happiness.
Debut author Jessie Lewis’s “Mistaken” invites us to laugh along with Elizabeth Bennet at the follies, nonsense, whims, and inconsistencies of characters both familiar and new in this witty and romantic take on Jane Austen’s beloved “Pride and Prejudice.”
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Easy to recommend to any Austen fan!
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
The following expression came to mind while reading this ‘unique and clever take’ on Pride & Prejudice: We all know what ‘assume’ means: “It makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’. Well, let’s just say it certainly did of Mr. Bingley. And, to be honest, I didn’t warm up to this novel until 30% of the way in! Then, I couldn’t put it down. I think it was due to the fact that I wanted to shake, smack or swipe the back of the head of several characters! I also think I was fighting what I ‘assumed’ would be happening, until I gave that ghost up! So glad I did as the writing and dialogue were superb!
“Bingley was speechless. He ought to call everyone of them out! He ought to rid Lucas of his smirk…Yet, he did so like it when others made decisions for him, and so in the end, all he did was sit still as a stupid grin spread itself across his face.” (quote from the book)
“A mistake is to commit a misunderstanding.” Bob Dylan
This story touches the reader on so many levels. It is a story every JAFF [Jane Austen Fan Fiction] lover should read. My only caveat is… do NOT speed read this. There are so many subtle nuances to the language of ODC [our dear couple]. I love this Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved how they looked at each other and through subtle nuances were able to decipher and understand each other as only lovers can.
It was swoon-worthy on so many levels as our couple finally found each other and fought for their love. We watched them struggle through their respective family’s disdain and machinations. Darcy and Lizzy [together] were more powerful in this story than I’ve read of them before. Darcy was large and in charge. Lizzy was a wit and impertinent to the point of being the flame that draws the moth… I should say moths as in plural. The cover was most appropriate as Lizzy was really the center of this story. The title was quite appropriate as the many misunderstandings, on so many levels, became a puzzle for the reader to decipher just who understood what. How far could everyone totally misunderstand the situation? The only two people who manage the best in understanding each other were ODC and they crashed and burned on many occasions. That is why I suggested that this be read carefully. The writing was brilliant.
Villains: yep, we have villains both male and female. When we round up the usual suspects, we have Caroline causing trouble. She gave her brother fits because of his continued connections with the Bennet family. She was losing her footing in society because of it and was not happy.
Mrs. Bennet: her ill advice to Jane and her foul treatment of Lizzy. Mr. Bennet for his indolence.
Lady Catherine: I will say she straddles the fence. Toward the end… she makes a most amazing comment to Lizzy that exonerates her in my book. She was used most ill and I hated seeing her manipulated that way. Of course, that plan backfired royally. That was fun. My heart went out to her and Anne.
Wickham: OMG! What a scum-bag-rat-bastard, slime-eating-worm… he made a move that cost him dearly. I’ve seen him make mistakes before… but this was horrid. He was not happy to see our dear Colonel walk in the door. I do love our dear Colonel.
Lady Ashby: married to our dear Colonel’s elder brother. This b-witch extended her talons within the higher circles of society and could have given Caroline lessons on treachery. Darcy had no use for her when he realized her part in fanning the gossips within the ton.
Jane Bingley née Bennet: OMG!! We don’t often run into a mean Jane, or as I like to call her NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane]. Wow! This little b-witch made her mark and contributed to the grief and anguish of ODC. She and Bingley were a pair. They deserve each other.
Bingley: this puppy caused more problems than I’ve seen in a while. His indecision and vacillating back and forth cost him and everyone else. His foolish actions were a shame and a disgrace to himself, his family, Jane, their marriage and his friendship with Darcy. Wow! I so did not see that coming.
“All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” Sophocles, Antigone
There were several characters that I loved… our dear Colonel [of course], and his grandmother Mrs. Sinclair; I loved this lady. Be sure and keep your eye on her. She was a spit-fire lady, over a certain age, that loved her gin and watching all the antics of those around her. She was a hoot. She was the comedic relief and she was most enamored by the Bennet Ballard. There is no describing it and her response to hearing it was hilarious.