Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Kindle Edition

3.25 starsThe first quarter of the book was delightful; what was the practically perfect Elizabeth going to say next? The second quarter was cute and clever; look at Lizzy running circles around everyone in every scene—and taking a bow each time. By the third quarter, Elizabeth’s couched dialogue and endlessly sweet temper was exhausting. By the end, I felt like I’d gone on a ‘Nilla Wafer bender with a dozen Care Bears, followed by a shot of pure saccharine.The problem with practically perfect characters is that they have no problems and no conflicts. They therefore encounter nothing that forces them to grow or reevaluate their character. That, my friends, makes for a boring tale.Once I realized how low-angst the love story was, I hoped some outside force would add drama to this tale. I hoped in vain.Needless to say, I feel this was overpriced. My money would be better spent on a tale featuring a sparkling Lizzy who occasionally bites people’s heads off.

I have read most of them, this is the best. I favor humor and low angst, and this book is perfect. There are only about three other Pride and Prejudice variation authors who are very good at humor, so this is a rare book. The writing is very good on top of that, so five stars!

This is a very intriguing variation. Elizabeth Bennet's thoughtful, measured responses to both of her unwanted marriage proposals - and her gift for diplomacy in general - create various changes in trajectory of the story. In addition, we have a more reasonable Lady Catherine who recognizes her daughter's serious illness and consequent inability to wed her nephew.It begins the morning after the Netherfield ball, prior events presumably being in accordance with canon and Elizabeth's dislike for Mr. Darcy established. Mr. Collins pays his addresses to Elizabeth. Not only does she refuse his offer in a way that retains his good will, she manages to direct his attention in a better direction. Later, during Elizabeth's visit to Hunsford, Darcy gives additional cause for her to be irked with him even before Colonel Fitzwilliam gives away his role in separating Mr. Bingley from her sister Jane.The Hunsford proposal scene is one of the best I've read. Darcy is even more insulting than in canon. Elizabeth inwardly seethes at it but keeps her wits about her. She does a masterful job of refusing Darcy without offense while making him painfully aware of how awful he sounded. To her dismay, this only increases his admiration for her. He's even more determined to overcome her objections and marry her. Elizabeth, meanwhile, doesn't want to marry without being in love with her husband. She's convinced that, regardless of what Darcy does, she'll never grow to care enough for him.This is a new author, and I'm very impressed. The writing flows nicely with an imaginative plot that's well constructed. I love the scenes showing how Elizabeth takes advantage of circumstances to tactfully manage others - Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy, Sir William Lucas, and even Mary, Lydia and Kitty.Content is clean.

This book was a pleasure from start to finish. It is a P&P variation that does away with much of the unreasonable behavior exhibited in the original. The main impetus of the change for the better is the character of Elizabeth, who is given a talent for diplomacy and persuasion, a gift with words, that defuses many of the situations from the original that lead to emotional and thoughtless behavior. The first important event she influences is Mr. Collins ' proposal to her. She rejects him, but in such a deliberately skillful way that Mr. Collins feels gratitude instead of offense. This has a ripple effect of positive outcomes that affects many future situations.However, the most important event to be influenced by Elizabeth is, of course, Mr. Darcy's proposal at Hunsford. Haven't we all wondered what would have happened if Darcy and Elizabeth had just taken the time to speak to each other rationally, rather than shouting and accusing in anger? In this version Elizabeth, even though she doesn't like Darcy at all, and even though he has spoken quite insultingly to her, makes the supreme effort to moderate her emotions and refuse him in a calm and charitable way, using his own ideas about their difference in social consequence as a good reason why they wouldn't suit. Darcy is completely disarmed, and initiates a dialogue which forces both of them to open up and face their challenges. The effects are immediate and vast,This rational and sensible way of dealing with people changes many of the annoying characters into much more tolerable persons. There is more openness, more honesty in many of the interactions, and that is a very satisfying thing. There are still annoying villains, like Caroline Bingley and Wickham, but their influence is minimal. The underlying theme seems to be that displaying tact and diplomacy is well worth the effort of suppressing your instinct to strike out when provoked, and that the effects can be far reaching.The book is well written, well edited, and great fun. The author displays a wry sense of humor, which is appreciated. I recommend it highly.

I very much enjoyed (re)reading this. The departures from the original are cleverly done without ever feeling like the characters have been shockingly altered, and Elizabeth and Darcy in this are a delight. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the whole book is the way that it makes me like Mr Collins, which I did not know was possible.

A Lizzy who is tactful and thinks before she speaks, often manipulating situations is an interesting take I haven't read before. As a result Mr Collins accepts her rejection is in love of her sister Mary's affection for him. He thus happily marries Mary and holds Lizzy in highest regard. So many characters respond differently due to Lizzy's more thoughtful attitude and speech. Darcy doesn't storm off or offer more insults after a tactful rejection of his proposal. Lady Catherine approves of Lizzy for her nephew so her confrontation with Lizzy is for the opposite intent,to get her to accept Darcy. I won't say anything else other than I liked the book very much. Well worth a read and probably a reread.The loss of a star as it needs a proof read. Too many extra words or in the wrong order did annoy me after a while.

This was more Oscar Wild than Jane Austen but still a very engaging read, I’ve already purchased the next instalment from this author.

I enjoyed this book and will look out for this author again

I loved this book. The following book is great too.

A delightful new take on pride and prejudice .. I hope to see more work in the furure from this author.