For everyone who loved Pride and Prejudice—and legions of historical fiction lovers—an inspired debut novel set in Austen’s world.Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, is the respectable wife of Hunsford’s vicar, and sees to her duties by rote: keeping house, caring for their adorable daughter, visiting parishioners, and patiently tolerating the lectures of her awkward husband and his condescending … awkward husband and his condescending patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Intelligent, pragmatic, and anxious to escape the shame of spinsterhood, Charlotte chose this life, an inevitable one so socially acceptable that its quietness threatens to overwhelm her. Then she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Travis, a local farmer and tenant of Lady Catherine..
In Mr. Travis’ company, Charlotte feels appreciated, heard, and seen. For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart—and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life, and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.
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In The Clergyman’s Wife we find ourselves intruding upon the lives of William and Charlotte Collins. This Pride and Prejudice-inspired novel begins a few years after Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth Bennett’s cherished friend, marries awkward, harried Mr. Collins and settles down in the quaintly comfortable Hunsford parsonage in Kent. Charlotte, having hastily recommended herself for marriage to Mr. Collins when Elizabeth adamantly rejected him, has resigned herself to her melancholy existence as his wife. She’d perceived her marital prospects as slim given her lack of natural beauty and inconvenient social standing, which elevated her above the neighboring hopefuls thanks to her father’s favoring vanity over economic prudence, and now she recognizes the gravity of her impetuous decision. If this weren’t enough, their benefactress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of whom William Collins is ridiculously solicitous, diligently oversees nearly every aspect of their living arrangement, to Charlotte’s dismay. So when Charlotte witnesses her sister, Maria’s, excitement over her betrothal to the man she actually loves, irrespective of how their family or acquaintances view his humble profession of Apothecary, her own decision to settle for security over love leaves her with a degree of regret and sadness. Can anyone restore her initial grateful countenance?
Mr. Travis, a tenant farmer, has been commissioned by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to beautify the Hunsford garden with roses. No botanist or gardener himself, but the son of one who painstakingly tended to the gardens of Rosing’s Park, Lady Catherine’s estate, Mr. Travis sets out to accomplish the task for which he’s been assigned. His work in the Hunsford garden necessitates regular visits to the Collins’ home of which Charlotte has grown accustomed. She is consciously aware of her anticipation of Mr. Travis’s visits and tries her utmost to appease herself with excuses for her imprudent feelings towards the man. Mr. Travis awakens her sensibilities in a way that her husband never has, and she is at once delighted by her thoughts and distressed by the impropriety associated with them. Charlotte is torn between loyalty to her well-meaning but emotionally distant husband and the anticipatory exhilaration in keeping congenial company with Mr. Travis. His apparent interest in her daughter, Louisa, her love of novels and sketching has enlivened Charlotte’s mundane existence, and has subsequently broadened her activities as a parson’s wife, impelling her to make visits upon the widows and elderly—bringing them gifts and conversing on a regular basis. Charlotte’s disposition has improved on account of Mr. Travis, and owing to this fact, her feeling of mortification and shame both chides her and spurs her on. What’s a loyal, morally upright woman to do?
If you loved Pride & Prejudice, or enjoy historical novels, you won’t want to miss The Clergyman’s Wife. Ms. Greeley’s melodious prose is descriptive and atmospheric; I could smell the damp leaves on the forest floor and hear the rustle of the dry leaves in the trees as the wind kicked up before a menacing downpour. I could see the Hunsford garden’s vibrant flowers swaying in the breeze while toddler, Louisa, squealed while frolicking. Events in the book evoked feelings of poignancy and mirth, and there was a nice balance between the two. The Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh characters so accurately embodied their familiar personalities from Pride and Prejudice that I found myself chuckling at their mannerisms and dialog, which was a real treat.
The Clergyman’s Wife is an even-paced, gentle read that elicits a feeling of longing to transport oneself back to the Regency era where gentility and propriety were the norm.
When spinster Charlotte Lucas, Jane Austen’s most unromantic, pragmatic character, settled for the odious Mr. Collins, we were quite certain of her connubial un-bliss. Molly Greeley’s continuation of her story after the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice sensitively reveals her wedded life with heartbreak and humor. Austen fans will revel in her lyrical prose and reverence to the canon, while historical fiction readers will appreciate her atmospheric Regency world and historical accuracy. The Clergyman’s Wife is a poignant, pensive, and brilliant exploration of women’s lot in early nineteenth-century England and how one woman rose to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. – Laurel Ann Nattress, editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
“The Clergyman’s Wife” by Molly Greeley really walks in the path alongside Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice”. I felt the same tempo, magic and slow passage of time as when I read Jane Austen. There is nothing better than a book that makes you want to stop time!
I loved Charlotte Lucas, so it was wonderful to revisit with her.
Often these Austen retellings feel forced, and definitely not taken in stride; but that does not happen here. I truly felt taken away….Taken away in the beautiful use of language, and and a truly magnificent storyline.
You’ll need some time to spend frolicking with Charlotte and her family and friends through her days, because you won’t want to put the book down.
I hope that Molly Greeley has more stories in the making that are of this classical fraction, because she sure hits the nail on the head. This is certainly her wheelhouse.
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved this book inspired by PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. The story follows Charlotte Lucas (now Collins) in her new home, where she contends with tenants, her husband, and a local farmer that makes her wonder what might have been. Unlike Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, Charlotte was not blessed with dazzling looks or sharp wit, so she must content herself with a secure marriage to the less-than-dashing Mr. Collins. What Charlotte lacks in social charms, she makes up in steady calm. One might think such a character dull, but I truly enjoyed following Charlotte through this book. Sweet, wistful, and resonant, THE CLERGYMAN’S WIFE is a lovely read for Austen fans.
… my heart is a ceaseless sermon of loneliness. ~ Terri Guillemets
Elizabeth Darcy is still a close friend to Charlotte Collins. Why, then, does Charlotte find it so very difficult to respond to a letter from Elizabeth? What can she reply to tales of marital happiness? Other than her daughter, Louisa, Charlotte’s life has little joy.
Charlotte certainly never expected much happiness from her marriage. Her obtuse husband sees no viewpoint except his own which, of course, comes directly from his beloved Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He hears no words from Charlotte. Communication is non-existent.
What then will happen to the Clergyman’s Wife when a neighboring farmer has occasion to visit with Charlotte? Charlotte intends to remain faithful to her marriage vows. How can she have a male friend outside her marriage?
God is closest to those with broken hearts. ~ Jewish Saying
I listened to this as an Audible book narrated by Susie Riddle who gave a fantastic reading of Charlotte’s thoughts, especially in the chapter covering the loss of Charlotte’s stillborn son. The narrator had me in tears – a very moving account of a Mother’s grief.
If this book was a Broadway musical, no one would leave the theatre humming the theme song. There is no happy ending music.
Bittersweet; Beautiful; written with Compassion and Kindness. I recommend it to anyone who reads JAFF, especially if they are looking for depth of feeling. Just don’t expect to cheer at the end.
How beautiful the yesterday that stood
Over me like a rainbow!
I am alone,
The past is past.
I see the future stretch
All dark and barren as a rainy sea.
~ Alexander Smith
I have read Jane Austen books and watched the various made for TV movies. I know the characters that were in this book and it was an enjoyable read.
Point of view of Charlotte
Entertaining story following and continuing Jane Austen classic.
Technically, this is Jane Austen fanfic, and it just goes to show how excellent fanfic can be (and in this case, thanks to the lack of copyright, profitable). The Clergyman’s Wife is a beautifully written, hauntingly realistic portrayal of what it might have been like to be Charlotte Lucas, married to the ever cringe-worthy Mr. Collins. We watch her survive her new life as the village parson’s wife and live under the thumb of Lady Catherine, although Charlotte develops some resources of her own, including a risky friendship with an appealing local farmer. It’s totally believable as a part of the world of Pride and Prejudice, even though it’s certainly not the sparkling, comic romance we got to enjoy with Elizabeth Bennet. Highly recommended if you can cope with some pathos. I look forward to reading more from this author!
“For a moment, I am held immobile by the weight of all the ways in which my life has changed.” (quote from the book)
This poignant debut novel by Molly Greeley is hauntingly beautiful. I always wondered what Charlotte’s life would be like married to Mr. Collins. I believe this author has delved deep into Charlotte’s character. With reverence and sensitivity, she has poured Charlotte’s soul upon us.
“Later, when I have time to reflect, I will perhaps wonder how it is possible to simultaneously want something so much and so little…” (quote from the book)
There is such compassion and earthiness within these pages as we live Charlotte’s life through her point of view. With a confining and unvarying society, tending to her home, Mr. Collins and the ever present Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Charlotte’s emotions are held tightly in check.
“I can feel anger curl around the back of my head, all the unacknowledged things between us suddenly large in my mind, but he keeps talking, as I clamp my teeth together, looking down at my plate.” (quote from the book)
Charlotte’s quiet friendship with a tenant farmer, Mr. Travis, upends her ordered life. You wonder how she is going to deal with this and the life she has chosen. You feel her furtive thoughts and anxiousness. I think that is one of the special qualities of this book…it makes you feel.
“When the quiet of my life threatens to deafen me, I go walking in the woods around Rosings.” (quote from the book)
I can highly recommend this beautifully written book for anyone wanting a glimpse into the life of a Regency woman who chose marriage for security over spinsterhood.
Charlotte did not want to be a spinster all her life so she jumped at her first change for marriage, having her daughter certainly made it worthwhile. But then she met one of their tenants and there was a pull there and feelings on both sides that they would never have again.
I normally don’t read any Jane Eyre continuation but enjoyed this. It was insightful to a woman’s plight in those times.
Love this book the author writes with such feeling and detail
Nice story. Slow and not extremely exciting.
I loved this book. It seemed so much like a genuine continuation of Pride and Prejudice. So poignant. I would like to read other books by this author.
I enjoyed this book.
It was not what I expected to happen at the end. It was a realistic ending Admiration for our heroine
I loved this book. I am a big fan of Jane Austin, and I often thought about Charlotte Lucas and her marriage choice of William Collins. This is a very well thought out of how her life could have been, with excellent development of Charlotte’s character. The book places you back in the time in which Charlotte lived, and illustrates how she really had no choice at all, but was able to make things work somehow. Not necessarily a happy ending, but a real life kind of ending. Very well written.
It was a good read, but the ending was very unsatisfactory.
Anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice will be pleased with this account of Charlotte Collins (nee Lucas) after marrying Mr. Collins. She isn’t just the quiet simpering miss alluded to, desperate to marry anyone. Charlotte has deeper feelings, thoughts of her own, and heartache we would never understand until reading about it. Well written, and a joy to read. Wished it was longer….