Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet by Caitlin Williams 5* Love warts and all

The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet by Caitlin Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many readers may agree reading about unlikable characters is not agreeable to either party. However, in recent years very famous examples have crept up, such as Gone Girl and Girl on a Train, where the story so thoroughly involves the reader this fact is all but forgotten. Such it is for large portions of The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet.

In essence, I found this title to be divided into three sections: Elizabeth and Darcy both disagreeable and immature, Elizabeth maturing and Darcy still disagreeable and immature, and finally both characters maturing into admirable and likable characters. However, when you know the author has intended this to be true, and the writing of the plot itself is so fine, this can be forgiven. This story has the ability to capture the reader's attention immediately and to keep it throughout the long story to follow.

Not to say that this is some major adventure story. It is, still, in essentials, a character study, and a discussion of the society of the Regency period. Class, position and money are still the qualities admired, and those without are barely noticed, and are considered to be inferior in essentials.

In the original Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is 20 years of age and Darcy is 28 with some background and experience that have made them a bit more aware of the world around them and the intrinsic value of individuals, despite their personal misunderstandings. However, in this tale, Elizabeth is a quite child-like 15 and Darcy a still swaggering, superior 23 years of age when they meet. This sets the stage for even more volatility as neither has learned any of the real lessons of self-restraint and compassion. Both are very self-centered; Elizabeth due to youth and Darcy due to being a spoiled arse.

Mr. Bennet has died and left his family destitute. However, as a last moment bid to ensure a good life for his favorite daughter, he reaches out to request a favor of a great friend from his youth, George Darcy. Mr. Darcy agrees to accept Elizabeth as his ward and take her to Pemberley to be raised side by side with his daughter Georgiana. Father and son Darcy arrive with a new governess to collect Elizabeth and bring her to Pemberley.

Fearing the restrictions of this new life, Elizabeth bolts and, dressed as a young boy, makes her escape. Young Mr. Darcy, Fitzwilliam, takes after her with the thrill of the hunt, his father's warning to not be alone with her ringing in his ears. However, chaos and scandal ensue and the honorable son takes the child Elizabeth as his bride. Both parties are very bitter about the sacrifice they are making to avoid scandal and a very acrimonious forced marriage scenario begins. The story then takes us over several years as both attempt to avoid the marriage and the marriage partner. We slowly - ever slowly - see the young couple work through their differences, as they each mature and begin to make better choices, however, at different paces.

Although the story sounds simple, it contains the complexity of the two main characters as its center piece. I found I did not like either of them at the beginning and wondered how the author would bring them together. But, the arguments were realistic, the back story for each character's pain very understandable, and the building of the relationship was slow but logical in its growth. The author allows the reader to feel for the characters what they feel for each other; first bitterness and dislike, and eventually understanding and affection.

As in many other forced marriage variations, Elizabeth builds support around her from the minor characters, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam and his mother, the Countess of Matlock. We also see the influence of Mrs. Gardner and Mr. Bingley in softening the hearts of the main characters. Occasionally we see both on the verge of making possibly disastrous choices, but then feel the pull of family and duty to bring them back to the right path. It is not until later they realize they feel this obligation to each other with a stronger feeling than simply duty.

Of course, we have those who are mean spirited - Miss Bingley and her ilk. We have those intent on destroying the couple - Mr. Wickham. But, we also have the cast of characters we have loved from the original, and, occasionally, some of the original writings of Austen used to great effect, although often in different circumstances. There are some minor storylines that add additional spice.

Although a long book, I found myself starting to wish it would not end. The characters grow on you and become friends and family. The author creates very three dimensional characters with warts and all, but Elizabeth's thoughts on loving others despite their flaws is a beautiful passage and the reader begins to feel the same. I guess I loved this book because of the flawed characters, and added in the flaws of the text as just another piece of the whole to be loved. This is quite a satisfying variation and a talented author. Highly recommended.


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