If you enjoy Jane Austen, then you’re in for a treat with this collection of stories! All twelve of the stories nest nicely alongside the canon tales that they are inspired by, giving the reader an expanded view of scenes that were not included in Austen’s books.
My personal favorite was the titular “Pride and Perjury” which is told from Mr. Elton (from Emma)’s point of view. I found it hilarious to witness his adventures in Bath, as he tries to decide which heiress will best suit him to erase the sting of Emma’s refusal. Faced with the choice between Augusta Hawkins and Caroline Bingley, the reader wonders which snobby lady he truly deserves.
I was also amused by “Captivating Mr. Darcy”, written from the diaries of Caroline Bingley, which explores her infatuation of him and attempts to draw his attention, leading up to her giving way to Elizabeth Bennet.
“A Highbury Christmas”, from the diaries of Mr. Perry (the apothecary in Emma) was very diverting– I was quite in stitches over Mr. and Mrs. Perry’s senses of humor, while “Mary Rose”, by turn, moved me to tears.
All in all, it was a delightful collection of stories featuring characters from Emma and Pride and Prejudice. Alice McVeigh quite captures Jane Austen’s style of narrative with her wit and humor, and readers who have read some of Alice’s other works will appreciate the references to some of those stories as well.
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