Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North 5* Social commentary just like P&P

Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North is an unusual interpretation of Pride and Prejudice. So many of the variations are either set in the original Regency time frame or are set in current day. There are a few, however, set in another time frame, and this story is set in the 1940's post World War II.

In reading quotes from the author, it appears the story was set in this era in order to write a modern telling, yet set the variation in a time frame that would still be very restrictive. In the 1940's North Carolina, the Bennet sisters are experiencing the era where women are expected to step back into the traditional roles of mother and housewife after the soldiers returned home from the front. In addition, women were still considered property - of their fathers until they married and of their husbands afterward. The society of the time also found great limitations placed on a woman's independence - she was chaperoned and strict social niceties were to be shown. A young woman was certainly not expected to be sexually active.

Elizabeth Bennet finds herself entrapped two ways - in the restrictive world of the women of her era, as well as the isolation she has chosen based on her own heartbreaking situation, which we do not learn about until mid-story. She and the other young women around her (her sisters, Charlotte Lucas, Anne de Bourgh, even Caroline Bingley) are fighting to break free, yet stay respectable and protected by their families. Elizabeth is a talented singer and musician, but how can she do anything with this talent when marriage and motherhood are the expectations?

When Will Darcy and Charles Bingley arrive in Meryton, they are welcomed as would be any other unmarried, wealthy young men. Charles is immediately enamored with the angel of Jane Bennet. Will is practically frozen in fear of the passion he feels for Elizabeth, which causes him to act badly at first. He sees this amazing woman and hears her amazing voice and wants to run the other way to avoid the danger of his emotions. This relationship starts out just as badly as any other variation, but slowly our couple warm to each other. In the meantime, Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are experiencing their own rocky relationship, but this time, Jane is the one placing the roadblocks. However, for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, all bets are off when Richard Fitzwilliam, Will's cousin, arrives in Meryton with some shocking revelations.

The strength of this story lies in the constant undercurrents of racism, prejudice, abuse and sexism true to this time. In addition, we have the added concerns of young men returning from the traumas of war trying desperately to cope with their painful experiences and healing wounds. This is not a light romance, but I love to point out to people that Pride and Prejudice was not either. It was a social commentary with a romance making the major points about the class structure of the time and the pain of following societal expectations to the detriment of all. This story is also full of the pain of its time while filled with several love stories.

This is a well-written story with an intriguing and engaging set of characters. I found it hard to read at times, and I am certain others will reach for their tissues at the unfair treatment and sad experiences of several characters. The stories are told with truth and insight. But, it is the strength of Elizabeth breaking free of her world and the support she unexpectedly finds that makes this a story I can highly recommend to lovers of JAFF as well as other historical romances.





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