ext_15150 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2012-01-15 04:20 pm
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2012-01-15 04:20 pm
Entry tags:
A Fortuitous Meeting by Alicia M (PG-ish)
I know, I know this is such a late start on my recs this month, and I do apologize for it. However, I hope that the recs I offer will ameliorate the situation. For behold, I bring Jane Austen fiction recommendations!
Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy; Charles Bingley/Jane Bennet
Length: 94,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Bennet Girls
Why this must be read:
I start with this lovely fic. It is a great example of a simple divergence in the plot of Pride and Prejudice, a "what if," if you will. What if Charles Bingley had encountered Jane Bennet while she stayed in London the winter after the Netherfield Ball? (Recall that she went to London to try to raise her spirits at Bingley's apparent desertion of her.) This story is the answer to that question.
Bingley meeting Jane neatly solves half of the romantic problems of Pride and Prejudice, but Elizabeth still despises Darcy, and he still has not learnt that his pride is a real problem for him. They must go through the learning process, but the setting and the pace of said process is quite different this time around, and quite delightful, too. No one can match Jane Austen's skill and wit, of course, but it's still fun to read others' attempts.
Alicia has been a prodigious writer of P&P fiction, and I think this story is a good representation of her overall writing. She has also thrown in a couple of Austen crossovers. Look for some characters from Northanger Abbey as well as a sly cameo of a character from Emma.
* * *
He looked up from his troublesome ruminations in time to see a young lady exit the door of his brother's house and descend the steps. If he had not recognized her profile immediately, he would have been able to tell from the decided lack of feathers in her headdress that she was not one of his sisters. He gasped when he saw her; and as she turned away from him to walk down the street, he quickened his stride and was soon by her side. "Miss Bennet."
She stopped in her tracks and looked at the gentleman whose voice she knew so well, "Mr. Bingley," she exclaimed as she blushed becomingly.
Bingley smiled, and despite his firm reliance on his friend's opinions, he could not help but notice the rosy hue that his address had brought to her face. That blush was certainly not due to indifference, and he was certainly not imagining her embarrassment. "What a pleasure it is to see you here, I had no idea you were in town. How long have you been here?"
"About two weeks. I am not surprised that you were unaware of my being in town. I just learned from Miss Bingley, that my letter containing that information never reached her."
"You have been to see my sisters?"
"Yes, I just left them a moment ago, it seems they are going out."
"Yes, they were planning to go out with me." Then he realized Jane had probably been trying to avoid him, by leaving before he arrived, until she spoke again.
"They were expecting you?"
He was surprised that she had not known he was expected. "Yes, did they not mention that I should arrive at any moment?"
"No, they did not, in fact they were quite certain they would not see you at all today. Perhaps there was some mistake."
A Fortuitous Meeting
Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy; Charles Bingley/Jane Bennet
Length: 94,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Bennet Girls
Why this must be read:
I start with this lovely fic. It is a great example of a simple divergence in the plot of Pride and Prejudice, a "what if," if you will. What if Charles Bingley had encountered Jane Bennet while she stayed in London the winter after the Netherfield Ball? (Recall that she went to London to try to raise her spirits at Bingley's apparent desertion of her.) This story is the answer to that question.
Bingley meeting Jane neatly solves half of the romantic problems of Pride and Prejudice, but Elizabeth still despises Darcy, and he still has not learnt that his pride is a real problem for him. They must go through the learning process, but the setting and the pace of said process is quite different this time around, and quite delightful, too. No one can match Jane Austen's skill and wit, of course, but it's still fun to read others' attempts.
Alicia has been a prodigious writer of P&P fiction, and I think this story is a good representation of her overall writing. She has also thrown in a couple of Austen crossovers. Look for some characters from Northanger Abbey as well as a sly cameo of a character from Emma.
* * *
He looked up from his troublesome ruminations in time to see a young lady exit the door of his brother's house and descend the steps. If he had not recognized her profile immediately, he would have been able to tell from the decided lack of feathers in her headdress that she was not one of his sisters. He gasped when he saw her; and as she turned away from him to walk down the street, he quickened his stride and was soon by her side. "Miss Bennet."
She stopped in her tracks and looked at the gentleman whose voice she knew so well, "Mr. Bingley," she exclaimed as she blushed becomingly.
Bingley smiled, and despite his firm reliance on his friend's opinions, he could not help but notice the rosy hue that his address had brought to her face. That blush was certainly not due to indifference, and he was certainly not imagining her embarrassment. "What a pleasure it is to see you here, I had no idea you were in town. How long have you been here?"
"About two weeks. I am not surprised that you were unaware of my being in town. I just learned from Miss Bingley, that my letter containing that information never reached her."
"You have been to see my sisters?"
"Yes, I just left them a moment ago, it seems they are going out."
"Yes, they were planning to go out with me." Then he realized Jane had probably been trying to avoid him, by leaving before he arrived, until she spoke again.
"They were expecting you?"
He was surprised that she had not known he was expected. "Yes, did they not mention that I should arrive at any moment?"
"No, they did not, in fact they were quite certain they would not see you at all today. Perhaps there was some mistake."
A Fortuitous Meeting
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject