A review by readundancies
Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Margaret Devere, Jeannie Peneaux

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

What a wonderfully smart, witty and well done variation. 

There's something about the writing in this story that is so easy to sink into. And for a story that was less than 200 pages, it felt so perfectly complete. Really, this was just an incredible variation. Madame Austen would be proud, Jeannie Peneaux. You had a vision and you created it and I feel blessed just to get to experience it. 

Virtually everything about this is just masterfully done. Every plot alteration was well planned out and made SO MUCH SENSE. It’s jaw dropping, truly, how this version of events stands on its own. This could’ve been the actual story and it would hold up just as well as the original. 

Now to be fair, this was pretty low angst all things considered, and I like to be a little more emotionally wrought so that my heart gets rattled about in my rib cage for good measure just so I know it’s functioning and that it can still hurt and bleed. Not because I’m masochistic (but I may be a tad), but rather because you can’t truly appreciate the good in a story without the bad. But for a low angst tale that has a rather ingenious plot? This was aces. 

What a solid length too. Some stories don’t offer enough, others dump entirely too much onto the reader expecting them to wade through it entirely, no matter how much time they waste doing it. This one knew where it was going and how long the journey should take to get there and that is just so commendable. And the fact that it’s also got a bit of a full circle moment going on too? Just grand. 

I do wish we got to see more of Colonel Fitzwilliam. He had less of a role than I anticipated and he was missed. Charlotte’s lack of a marriage partner was also a bit sad. But Mr. Collins was an absolute JOY to experience - and I never even thought that was an option with his character, so let me tell you, I’m thoroughly impressed with the characterization. It’s tweaked from the original, but in a way that everyone’s personality shines out brilliantly. Even Lizzy as a massive manipulator of those around her was a change I welcomed because she used her tactics for good (for the most part - I haven’t forgotten she was often selfish with it as well). I loved the brushing aside of Wickham, because it fit with the rest of the plot and the slight changes in the others and how their interactions with him were altered. Lydia and to a lesser extent Kitty were still exuberant and lively, but learned some level of decorum to offset whenever they became overly so. 

And the way Darcy wins Lizzy over? I was sold. This was so good. So goddamned good. Like truly just sublime in every way. I'm thoroughly impressed and will very likely nab a physical copy of this.