By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation [Paperback]

Abigail Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2007

In Jane Austen's classic Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet never expects to see Mr. Darcy again after his disastrous proposal in Hunsford. But what if family business required him to stay at Rosings after giving her his letter? Coming face to face with Mr. Darcy only days later could give Elizabeth a new chance to understand him... or chance for even more misunderstandings. THE PEMBERLEY VARIATIONS by Abigail Reynolds is a series of novels exploring the roads not taken in Pride & Prejudice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Intertidal Press (July 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615148255
• ISBN-13: 978-0615148250
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,214,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Abigail Reynolds is a lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast and a physician. In addition to writing, she has a part-time private practice and enjoys spending time with her family. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian, theater, and marine biology before deciding to attend medical school. She began writing From Lambton to Longbourn in 2001 to spend more time with her favorite characters from Pride and Prejudice. Encouragement from fellow Austen fans convinced her to continue asking "What if...?" which led to four other Pemberley Variations and her modern novel, Pemberley by the Sea. She is currently at work on another Pemberley Variation and a sequel to Pemberley by the Sea. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two teenaged children, and a menagerie of pets.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This hopeful romantic loved it!, October 9, 2007

By 

Christina Boyd "Great Reader & sometimes gues... (Custer, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Paperback)

I own all Abigail Reynold's adaptations and am a huge fan. This one definitely is a departure from Darcy, Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet and even Georgianna's characters as we have all grown to know and love. Still, I enjoyed this clever take on what could have happened if. My favorite line in the book occurs in Chapter 3 when Darcy brings Bingley to see Jane in London: " 'Miss Bennet, it was not generous of me. I wanted to give you all that is mine, but to my misfortune, I discovered that I only possessed two things which you wanted: another chance for Mr. Bingley and your sister, and a book.' ... His voice carried finality as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, trying to store the sensation to memory." Abigail Reynold's is a master at toying with our romantic sensibilities and this courageous departure from the original novel has much to recommend.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read, August 30, 2007

By 

Sandra Platt - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Paperback)

Amidst the quantity of P&P inspired books being published there is certainly a wide variation in quality.

Not, however, where Abigail Reynolds is concerned. I have read all her Regency variations and there is noone else who comes close to her standard. She is consistently brilliant!

This is again another wonderful 'what if' tale that continues with our two favourite characters detained in each other's company at Rosings. Learning to understand each other under the eye of a refreshingly written normal (ie teenage and slightly spoilt) Georgiana and a host of other relatives, the story draws you in and once again enthralls you with Abigail's grasp on her characters and their interactions.

If you are seeking a P&P variation that is of the highest quality in every respect, then buy this one. I have read it several times, and I am sure that you will too!

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite, August 11, 2007

By 

elaine (Belp, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Paperback)

This is my favorite of the Pemberley Variations. Although I am a fan of the happy ending, sometimes I like my characters to work a little to get it. Abigail Reynolds creates some excellent tension between the characters. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy grows, and endures painful misunderstandings, interference from family, and the characters' own doubts. It is a lovely, balanced characterization. There are some added treats - the poetry, and discussion of the arts and ideas of the time, and we also get to see a rather petulant Georgiana, Mr. Bennet as an idiot, and Lady Catherine at her nasty best. There is just enough detail to give one a sense of the time.

All in all, an excellent choice.