Abigail Reynolds (1)

I've said a number of times that I love Abigail Reynolds stories, but I have a confession to make: it wasn't always so. Now, hear me out - I spent half a dozen+ years obsessively reading and rereading Austen's books before I knew there was such a thing as an adaptation or retelling. I stumbled upon them completely by accident when I was looking for more authors similar to Austen via a book recommender. To learn that people had actually taken Austen's worlds and characters and written new show more stories... well, needless to say, I was equal parts excited and dubious (and a little unsure of whether that was even legal? Haha).  Of course, like any desperate Austenite, I checked out a stack of about 20 of these books from my local library, and decided I was going to have a "Summer of Jane"... This was 2008, pre-blog, and I needed a project. So I sat outside every day in the glorious weather and just read and read and read...and the more I read, the more disheartened I became. This wasn't my Austen. This wasn't my Darcy, my Lizzie. It wasn't the world and the manners I'd come to know... What was this? Every book I read made me more convinced that Austenesque fanfiction wasn't for me, and if I hated one, I hated them all. (It was too fresh, you see. I couldn't allow for such mucking about in my beloved stories.) One good traditional retelling and one good playful modern story would change that, and teach me to let go and have some fun with it (and, um... you've seen the result of that), but before those 2 stories convinced me to give it a chance, I couldn't seem to like the adaptations I'd read. And unfortunately, Impulse & Initiative was one of them.

Flash forward to 5 years later, when I have decidedly embraced the whooooooole genre - and still devote my summers to it - and I found myself kinda in love with these stories, these "Pemberely Variations," that Abigail Reynolds writes.  And I was on the hunt for more, so while browsing on Better World Books, I came across one with a familiar title: Impulse & Initiative. I'd blocked out most of what I read That Summer, but Goodreads informed me that I'd read this one (or thought I had), and hadn't been too impressed. Figuring that it'd come at the height of my denial phase, when I wasn't willing to accept any sexytimes in my P&P, I thought I'd better buy it and give it another chance. And I'm certainly glad I did.  (I probably need to track down all of the books I read that summer and give them another, less prejudiced* chance.)

Impulse & Initiative, which has since been republished as To Conquer Mr Darcy - and I have no idea if the story was changed at all for the repackaging - is a story that takes a more controversial (to my Regency sensibilities) variation, in that Darcy and Lizzie can't keep their flipping hands off each other before they're married. It's smexy. And though I like a fair dose of smexy on occasion now, it was too akin to a bodice-ripper then, and I was a book snob. I'll admit it. It probably is too much sexytimes for some readers, especially those who still hold Darcy and Lizzie - and the pace of Regency courtship - sacred, so reader, know thyself, and know that going in. But though it does take away some of the sweetness of the romance, and though it does replace it with a liberal smattering of lusty kisses and, you know, bodice ripping, it's really neat to see Reynolds attack the same story from yet another angle.

This time around, I appreciated the idea of Darcy not taking no for an answer - not in an aggressive, pushy Lord of the Manor way, but in an "I'm not going to let myself eff this up" way. I liked seeing him pursue Lizzie and actively try to win her over, and come out of his shell a bit. It's an interesting - and not entirely unbelievable - way to approach the story, and it's nice because it's active; we don't have to be told that Darcy goes away and changes offstage, we get to see the efforts and the fruits of those efforts, right there as they happen. It's fun to see Lizzie, too, won over despite herself. It's nice to see them both come a little undone, and frankly, there are times when it's hot as hell.

The key to enjoyment of Reynolds' Variations - the key to any retelling, really - is to allow yourself to go with it. I love exploring the "what-ifs" in any story, all the branching paths and possibilities and might-have-beens. And though sometimes those might-have-beens are probably best left as should-nots, in Reynolds' hands, there's always enough understanding of the characters and love of their stories and who they are, combined with a willingness to push that a bit and test those boundaries, that makes for really interesting, fresh, dependably enjoyable variations. And if you find things too far-fetched on occasion, too sexy or too straying-from-"reality," the fact is, Reynolds' writing is compulsively readable. She moves the reader along at a break-neck pace, making it near impossible not to devour her books in one sitting. And even if she changes things, and even if you can't be quite happy with every change that's made, she creates worlds and characters that, if you're anything like me, you can't help but love and find yourself craving rereads of.

So, all I can say is: Misty-of-5-years-ago, and Janeites out there who feel as she felt - lighten up. Let go, explore the possibilities, and if you can't bear to see your Darcy and your Lizzie do things you don't think they'd do, then pretend they're someone else. Because you're missing out on some good stories and some scenes that would set your Regency heart a-flutter. You're invited to the party, so come. You're missing all the fun.

*Told you I was a Lizzie... ;) show less

It's funny, I hate remakes in films but I love retellings - it's weird, but there you go. The beauty of this book is that it's not just a retelling, it's like a book within a book. To start with we have the characters Marine Biologist Cassie and rich politicians son Calder who meet through their friends who start dating one summer - there is a misunderstanding, she thinks he's arrogant and cold and they barely speak. So far, so P&P, but then the four of them go to a salt marsh and their show more friends leave Cassie and Calder together and, things happen (Cassie brings it on herself by going skinny dipping when she knew she was going to have problems resisting him) in what is an incredibly hot, but so well written scene that is almost cinematic in the way it's described. One problem - Cassie thinks it's a one-night stand and gives him the appropriate brush off but things start simmering under between them over the summer. They go their separate ways and only meet long enough for her to give him a piece of her mind about encouraging his friend to split with her friend (are you seeing a trend?) until she meets him again and form a friendship when he comforts her when she learns some bad news about her job.

I can't really go into detail without spoiling things, but like P&P there is an explanation to his behaviour, but this is so creative and so well done that I was almost giddy when I read it. Getting Calder (Darcy's) pov to the events that Cassie (Elizabeth) experienced that I almost wanted to reach in and hug him. It's fascinating having the same events from his perspective.

After that the similarities with p&p end and we deal with more stuff to do with the social problems the characters have to deal with and their families.

I love this book, I actually want to re-read it already but I know I don't have time for it just yet but it was that good. I loved Calder like I love most Darcy incarnations and I wanted to slap Cassie, but her backstory was so interesting that her detachment and emotional insecurity was actually understandable. The stuff with both their families is complex, but engrossing and their relationship is just great. I really, really, really recommend this if you want something to read and you like that sort of genre. It's completely worth it and I can understand why they have reissued it. show less

I approached this novel with trepidation; I am a very devoted fan of Austen (most specifically Pride and Prejudice), and I have had bad experiences with "alternative" classics before. However, Reynolds has helped me move beyond my bad experiences by providing a perfectly delightful alternative to the Bennet/Bingley/Darcy story that is so familiar.

The Elizabeth of Reynold's novel is certainly not the same Elizabeth that Austen created, but once I was able to move beyond the surprising show more differences I found myself drawn into a world that was wonderfully familiar. Reynolds balances her own story with a number of allusions to the original novel, producing a charming story all on its own. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy defies expectations more often than note, but in that defiance gives the reader an experience that is far more satisfying. show less

Impulse and Initiative picks up after the disastrous Hunsford proposal and has as its plot-line: what if Darcy set out to actively (instead of accidentally as in the original story) pursue Elizabeth? What if, indeed and why not? The result is a story of the strengths and weaknesses of both Darcy and Elizabeth. One of my favorite lines from this sequel is when Darcy says Elizabeth’s failing is to tell no one of anything of importance. I’ve often thought that when reading the original. We show more know that she confides in Jane about the proposal, but we also know that she never told Jane of Darcy’s interference with her relationship with Bingley. Because of the silliness and total disregard for reality both of her parents indulged in, I’ve often wondered if she didn’t just internalize her struggles. Austen clearly painted Elizabeth as having a sharp mind and keen wit; it is highly unlikely that Elizabeth didn’t clearly see the conditions of her household and wish for better (not necessarily richer, just making her home life more ideal).

My library put this put in the Young Adult section, and I will be submitting a note with this to the cataloger when I return it; most assuredly it is NOT for young adults. Part of the development of the story is that lust does and can move some relationships along. It’s an interesting position for a Regency piece. They anticipate their wedding vows and have to deal with the ramifications of that. That’s really my only critique of this story: they get away with it all too easily. I would have liked to see some consequences given the time period.

It is a well-written book. No plot lines are introduced and later forgotten only to leave the reader confused and unfulfilled. I don’t give this book the enthusiasm that I have for her others simply because I have a harder time buying into the story line. The anticipation I can actually believe, but without there being more that follows it seems to lose a little purpose. Pride and Prejudice sequel addicts, who are of age, will likely enjoy it. It won’t be their favorite, but they will be able to feel like they were inside Pemberley and sitting with Darcy and Elizabeth a bit. show less