The Return: A Pride and Prejudice Story by Timothy Underwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Return: A Pride and Prejudice Story is a very fun read. Although it has its share of angst, the premise of the story eliminates some of the angst appearing in the original Austen story.

In this version, Bingley just does not believe Darcy and his sisters when they tell him Jane doesn't love him. He returns to Longbourn to question Jane directly and find out the truth of the matter. Jane assures him of her love, so the couple are engaged only a few days after the ball at Netherfield.

Now to Darcy and Elizabeth. Both stand up with Jane and Bingley at the wedding. They are then seated at a table together. They proceed to have their "Hunsford" moment during the wedding breakfast entertaining all attending to an obvious argument.

Prior to the wedding, Caroline Bingley told some pretty obvious lies to Elizabeth about Darcy's treatment of Wickham. Darcy is simply hurt and amazed that Elizabeth would believe the concocted story. Thus he leaves Hertfordshire with less regret than in the original story, but Elizabeth is much more chagrined at her behavior and belief in Darcy's guilt.

Now when they meet again in Kent they are both in very different mindsets than in the original. Darcy is once again struck by Elizabeth's charms, but he is not under any illusion about her feelings for him. He knows he has to woo her. Elizabeth is painfully aware of how unfair she was in her estimation of Darcy and is determined to apologize, thus making her more receptive to his advances.

This is a very charming variation. I so enjoyed the banter between the couple, as well as between Darcy and Bingley. It is always interesting to read a male author's take on the story. Austen admitted she was uncomfortable writing about male interactions when women were not present. Timothy Underwood shows us this perspective and does a great job.
Recommended.

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