Cassandra by Jann RowlandMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cassandra is a very lovely story, but what I most enjoy reading in JAFF is a story that varies from the original Pride and Prejudice, but still has the basic foundation of Darcy shunning Elizabeth because of her social status and lack of wealth, but eventually realizing his love for her overcomes his pride. And, I expect to see Elizabeth showing some sort of prejudice against him. I then struggle to determine what rating to give when the story is well-written and enjoyable, but these fundamental pieces are missing. This is particularly difficult when there are many aspects of the original in the story, such as Elizabeth turning down Mr. Collins and Lydia running off with Mr. Wickham. Such is my problem in reviewing Cassandra.
Cassandra strays far off the mark from canon with Darcy having first fallen in love with a woman and marrying her prior to even meeting Elizabeth. He believed this to be the love of his life, but she died in child-birth. Darcy is now widowed with a three-year-old daughter named Cassandra, after her mother, who also completely resembles her. This strong resemblance has prevented Darcy from being able to bear being in his daughter's presence and leaves her raising to her nurses, nanny and Georgiana. He makes an attempt to go to London to possibly meet a woman to be Cassandra's mother, but also believes in his heart that he will never remarry. Thus, Elizabeth meets this very broken and dejected Darcy.
In the meantime, Mr. Bingley did take up residence at Netherfield, but Darcy never joined him due to his mourning. Bingley married Jane Bennet and the couple is now staying at their house in London, purchased after their marriage. Due to a very severe reaction to Elizabeth's refusal of Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet cannot abide being in Elizabeth's presence. Mr. Bennet has therefore sent her to London to live with the Bingleys. Elizabeth is very hurt by this action, but cannot return to Longbourn. She is having a season in London, when she meets Mr. Darcy and his daughter.
Mr. Darcy finds he is almost immediately drawn to Elizabeth and particularly finds her friendship with his little daughter to be heart-warming. Elizabeth is also drawn to Darcy, but is concerned about his coldness toward the little girl who needs her father's love after losing her mother. Darcy's encounters with Elizabeth allow him to rediscover his life after the devastating loss of his wife, while Elizabeth sees him coming back, especially in his desire to establish a relationship with his little Cassandra.
So, you see my dilemma. Cassandra has a Darcy and Elizabeth similar in nature to canon, all the other players in place such as the Miss Bingley who is trying again to catch Darcy now his wife is out of the picture, Bingley and Jane, Colonel Fitzwilliam, etc. However, having Darcy experience such a strong love for a woman prior to Elizabeth just grates on my JAFF-loving heart.
Jann writes so well, and his stories are always intriguing, I just hate to rate them a bit lower, but in this case it just strays too much for me to say I loved it. Others might just not be as picky. Cassandra is a good romance and I recommend it for those who do not have my personal prejudice.
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I understand your feelings completely. I read this story also. I enjoyed it despite that complaint.
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