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labarrec's review against another edition
2.0
Infidelity will always be an ick for me. And gahhhhh can Charlotte catch a break?!
neveroutofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This kind of depressed me, if I’m being honest. There was no good way to make this end.
jager123's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story that invites the reader into the mind and heart of Charlotte Collins after the pages of Pride and Prejudice end.
Not normally my type of book but I desperately needed something that didn’t require me to think too deeply.
Stepping in to its pages was like meeting an old friend again. Don’t expect the next great classic but you can expect a different viewpoint to the Bennett’s. Very readable. Started and finished today.
Not normally my type of book but I desperately needed something that didn’t require me to think too deeply.
Stepping in to its pages was like meeting an old friend again. Don’t expect the next great classic but you can expect a different viewpoint to the Bennett’s. Very readable. Started and finished today.
mattiedancer's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 4⭐️/5
The writing in this novel is relatively strong, as Molly Greeley manages to somewhat match the tone, diction, and mood of Jane Austen’s writing. She maintained very good written composure as well, keeping a steady mood and tone throughout the novel. I do think certain sections felt a bit rushed; others felt a bit too slow, too drawn out. I did love the slow burn of the forbidden romance, though I also would have loved if a bit more attention had been given to the romance at certain times, as it felt like we sometimes skipped forward too much in both the main character’s feelings and the time that had passed.
Characters: 3.5⭐️/5
While I did enjoy how much depth Greeley brought to Charlotte and how consistent yet rejuvenated she felt when compared to the character featured in Austen’s original novel, other characters felt like they were solely relying on the structure of Austen’s characters instead of adding her own depth. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy felt lacking in a certain aspect. I will say, though, that Mr. Collins voice felt consistent and I did really – and truly – enjoy that.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
The plot is very understated in many ways, which served well for the tone and overall mood of the novel. While some reviews did point out how few events happened in the novel, I thought this was part of the brilliance, personally. I wasn’t expecting a lot of action in this novel and that helped to manage my expectation in that regard.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of Jane Austen
- Those who like spin-offs and retellings.
Content Warnings?
Death of parent, gaslighting, emotional abuse, sexual assault, pregnancy, miscarriage, infidelity, death, misogyny, sexism, classism,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25 ⭐️/5
Oh, how perfectly sad. How tragically mundane.
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Child death, Classism, Death, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
margaretmechinus's review against another edition
2.0
No P&P. Started with an improbable situation and had no where to go.
reenelim's review against another edition
5.0
i adored this book! this felt both profound in the explorations of Charlotte as a character, and her situation that i’m sure many women of the time must’ve experienced.
what a deeply moving story. it may read a little bleak or hopeless, but i’d argue otherwise. this showed how Charlotte was indeed very aware of Collins as a character, and her feelings as to having him as a husband and later a father, was both incredibly heart wrenching and courageous.
i loved reading Charlotte’s inner dialogue, it portrayed someone who was intelligent, capable and at their core undeniably romantic. but how did she cope with being tied to someone as pitiful as Collins? the writing and use of prose was so uniquely depicted in a way that makes you feel affronted at Charlotte’s situation, revolted and frustrated. and yet you want to read on, you want to see how she fights, in her own quiet and most possible way a woman of her standing could, to a husband who was vain and unsympathetic as he is.
but she also gave us a perspective as to why Collins might’ve turned out the way he did and weirdly enough, even commiserate with him. it was such a fantastic perspective!
the only think that might’ve annoyed me was that the spelling was American when this was set in Regency England. but other than that, the world was so historically plausible that i believed it true. i was rooting for Charlotte the whole way! and her thoughts felt so real that this feels as if it was an extension of the P&P itself! what a brilliantly written book.
5/5 shining ⭐️
what a deeply moving story. it may read a little bleak or hopeless, but i’d argue otherwise. this showed how Charlotte was indeed very aware of Collins as a character, and her feelings as to having him as a husband and later a father, was both incredibly heart wrenching and courageous.
i loved reading Charlotte’s inner dialogue, it portrayed someone who was intelligent, capable and at their core undeniably romantic. but how did she cope with being tied to someone as pitiful as Collins? the writing and use of prose was so uniquely depicted in a way that makes you feel affronted at Charlotte’s situation, revolted and frustrated. and yet you want to read on, you want to see how she fights, in her own quiet and most possible way a woman of her standing could, to a husband who was vain and unsympathetic as he is.
but she also gave us a perspective as to why Collins might’ve turned out the way he did and weirdly enough, even commiserate with him. it was such a fantastic perspective!
the only think that might’ve annoyed me was that the spelling was American when this was set in Regency England. but other than that, the world was so historically plausible that i believed it true. i was rooting for Charlotte the whole way! and her thoughts felt so real that this feels as if it was an extension of the P&P itself! what a brilliantly written book.
5/5 shining ⭐️
bookish_liv's review against another edition
5.0
Just when I thought I'd overdone it on the Pride and Prejudice retellings I picked up this lovely book. It was so nice to drop back into the P&P world from Charlotte's perspective. A really enjoyable story.
emisallbooked's review against another edition
4.0
This was truly such a delightful book! I don’t read many “spinoffs” of classic novels but I’m glad I gave this one a go, I devoured it over a weekend. Here we get to see a continuation of Pride & Prejudice, the story of Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte who married the dreaded Mr. Collins. She’s made her peace with choosing comfort and stability over waiting for love but still can’t help but feel lonely. When she strikes up a friendship with a farmer, Mr. Travis, she finally feels heard, which is an issue as he is not her husband. This book explores Charlotte’s mind as she grapples with finally finding some emotional intimacy, which she sees as lacking from her marriage.
The writing style was an excellent balance of period and modern making it such a quick read. I of course loved being back in the P&P universe and seeing Lizzy and Darcy pop in at points, as well as learning more about Charlotte’s family. I think it was also a well done commentary on societal norms for the day, the push and pull for women wanting to find love in their husband but also needing security, and if they choose security how else can they fulfill their emotional needs? Overall I’d recommend this book if you love P&P or just Regency era, or if you need a quick, easy read after something heavier.
The writing style was an excellent balance of period and modern making it such a quick read. I of course loved being back in the P&P universe and seeing Lizzy and Darcy pop in at points, as well as learning more about Charlotte’s family. I think it was also a well done commentary on societal norms for the day, the push and pull for women wanting to find love in their husband but also needing security, and if they choose security how else can they fulfill their emotional needs? Overall I’d recommend this book if you love P&P or just Regency era, or if you need a quick, easy read after something heavier.
booklover1974's review against another edition
5.0
4,5 stars rounded up to 5
Finally a Pride and Prejudice spin-off I like!
The Clergyman's wife by Molly Greely is a debut and what a great one!
•
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth Bennetts best friend that marries William Collins, whom Elizabeth turned down when proposed to. This story is about Charlotte, now Collins, and her life after she got married. The author has done a fantastic job with developing Charlotte and her thoughts and feelings. The other characters are portraited in a Jane Austen way, with dry wit, and it feels like I'm at dinner at Rosings Park! •
If you love Pride and Prejudice I encourage you to read this! It's a lovely book.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Finally a Pride and Prejudice spin-off I like!
The Clergyman's wife by Molly Greely is a debut and what a great one!
•
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth Bennetts best friend that marries William Collins, whom Elizabeth turned down when proposed to. This story is about Charlotte, now Collins, and her life after she got married. The author has done a fantastic job with developing Charlotte and her thoughts and feelings. The other characters are portraited in a Jane Austen way, with dry wit, and it feels like I'm at dinner at Rosings Park! •
If you love Pride and Prejudice I encourage you to read this! It's a lovely book.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Oh you all know I love PP variations! So I went for this one at once. This is not a romance. I do confess at times I wanted more for Charlotte, oh how I wished.
Charlotte made a choice. Probably remain a spinster and lie under her father's and then brother's roof and be a burden, or marry a man with a good standing and prospects. Even if he is not handsome, but neither is she. Even if her best friend wonders if she lost her mind, because he can sure be tiresome.
But she married, she moved away, she found she could do it.
There is their first time, and it really describes their lives. A bit sad, but normal life you know. A sensible life. A bit boring.
And then Lady Catherine orders a farmer to plant roses for them and, no, there is great love story. There is yearning and looks, and words. And I hoped, but how could one hope. It was not a sensible choice, and it was not possible either.
I liked this book. Charlotte sacrificed so she could have other things. A home of her own, children, a good life.
The narrator was good and she nailed Lady Catherine, oh how tiresome that woman is! This was easy listening too and when it ended I wanted more.
Charlotte made a choice. Probably remain a spinster and lie under her father's and then brother's roof and be a burden, or marry a man with a good standing and prospects. Even if he is not handsome, but neither is she. Even if her best friend wonders if she lost her mind, because he can sure be tiresome.
But she married, she moved away, she found she could do it.
There is their first time, and it really describes their lives. A bit sad, but normal life you know. A sensible life. A bit boring.
And then Lady Catherine orders a farmer to plant roses for them and, no, there is great love story. There is yearning and looks, and words. And I hoped, but how could one hope. It was not a sensible choice, and it was not possible either.
I liked this book. Charlotte sacrificed so she could have other things. A home of her own, children, a good life.
The narrator was good and she nailed Lady Catherine, oh how tiresome that woman is! This was easy listening too and when it ended I wanted more.