#unequal affections

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And had it all been completely one-sided? Had her protestations of love been all lies?

Mary Balogh, from The Secret Pearl

[briarosie]

PRIDE & PREJUDICE ㅤ{ an Unequal Affections inspired fancast }

Jessie Mei Li as Elizabeth Bennet Alfred Enoch as Mr. Darcy Sonoya Mizuno as Jane Bennet Dev Patel as Mr. Bingley Banita Sandhu as Lydia Bennet Tom Brittney as Mr. Wickham

ㅤㅤㅤ❯ㅤ"Fitzwilliam," she tried again after a moment, her voice husky. "Why do you love me?" His eyes widened at the question, and he reached out to trace her cheek. "I cannot help it." "Then," said Elizabeth, leaning forward into him until her head dropped against her shoulder, "neither can I."ㅤ❮ UNEQUAL AFFECTIONS: A Pride and Prejudice Retelling by Lara S. Ormiston

[a-skirmish-of-wit-and-lit]

Unequal Affection by Lara S. Ormiston

The number of Pride and Prejudice retellings I read is probably unhealthy. But alas, it cannot be stopped. I'm addicted and will never be cured!

Anyway, this one re-imagines what would have occurred if Lizzy had accepted Darcy's original proposal at Hunsford parsonage. I liked how, even though they're engaged not long after he first asks, the main broadstrokes of Austen's novel were still there: with Darcy conquering his pride, Elizabeth willfully misunderstanding people as well as her own heart, Lady Catherine voicing her disapprobation like the meddlesome viper she is, Jane and Bingley finding their way back to each other, and Wickham, who would be better known as the Rake of Meryton, up to no good.

Elizabeth's journey from respect to like to love toward Darcy paralleled the source material well, too. It took time and evidence of real change for her to soften towards him, which I appreciated, because it stayed true to the spirit of Austen's novel.

The unequal nature of their affections made for good tension throughout the story as well. Whether he was conscious of it or not, Darcy was hanging on Elizabeth's heart ribbons in the hopes that she'd not only be his wife but love him back, and I liked the breathlessness of that while she toiled with practical vs. illogical emotions of her own. It drove the plot forward, particularly because they were stuck in and around Longbourne for most of it.

There were a few instances where I had to suspend belief - feeling like, no, Darcy and Elizabeth would not have said or done that - no way - but for the most part I enjoyed this. It was "ardent love" between them in the end, so really, what else could I ask for?

3/5 stars

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He didn't answer texts? Not acceptable. This guy should be howling at your door . . .

Susan Minot, from Why I Don't Write and Other Stories

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She deleted all his texts. She regretted it immediately. She'd just wiped away the history of her heart. So what if it was the history of something made up, it had been a parallel universe where she had liked living.

Susan Minot, from Don't Be a Stranger

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Plus she was the one who had made first contact the last time and she lived in mortal fear of it not being balanced, and of appearing to chase him.

Susan Minot, from Don't Be a Stranger

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. . . something in her heart resisted his endearments, even when she was giving way to them . . .

L. P. Hartley, from My Fellow Devils

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I care about you a lot. But caring a lot was not love. Caring without loving was only pity.

Susie Yang, from White Ivy