Pride/Prejudice: A Novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and Their Forbidden Lovers

by Ann Herendeen

“Audacious and masterful….True to Austen’s spirit, Ann Herendeen has given us a compelling, and sexual, novel of manners.”
—Pamela Regis, author of A Natural History of the Romance Novel   Ann Herendeen’s Pride/Prejudice —a novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennett, and their other loves—revisits the classic Jane Austen work to “fill in the gaps” that the original left unexplained and unexplored. Ingenious, brazen, and unrelentingly entertaining—yet always appreciative and respectful of one of the world’s most beloved literary works—this masterful reinvention by the acclaimed author of Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander is truly a Pride and Prejudice for the 21 st Century.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Erotica, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Adult Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2010

About the author

A native New Yorker and lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Ann Herendeen is a graduate of Princeton University, where she majored in English while maintaining a strong interest in English history. She enjoys reading—and writing—for escape.
Ann writes from the "third perspective," the woman who prefers a bisexual husband and enjoys a polyamorous, m/m/f menage. With Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander, Ann put a new twist on a traditional form, creating the ultimate love story she always wanted to read: an m/​m/​f Regency romance. In Pride/​Prejudice, a finalist in the Bisexual Fiction category for the 2011 Lambda Literary Award, she dares to tell the hidden bisexual story within Jane Austen's classic novel.
In the summer of 2011, Ann launched her e-book series, "Eclipsis : Lady Amalie's memoirs," beginning with the novella Recognition. These novels and novellas, set in a sword-and-sorcery world, follow the telepathic Amelia Herzog as she finds love, a family, and a home, while addressing issues of feminism, ecology and sexuality.

Reviews

[Alana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. Perhaps it's my own failing and there's something I fail to understand about the real motivations for writing, but I find it hard to believe that when Ann Herendeen set out to write this homoerotic slash version of Pride and Prejudice that this published result really conveys the exact sentiments to the reader that she intended. I can understand the creative ambition that would drive a writer to put some kind of twist on a Jane Austen novel... they're classic and amazing and many readers love to explore new twists or sequels. And I can totally understand why folks might write slash fiction for their favorite characters. But then there's this. Pride/Prejudice, which seems as though it's using the classic novel to advocate for a bisexual/open relationship telling, but still remains oddly biased and limiting. Really, all Herendeen wanted to create with this telling was bisexual porn that seems to advocate male love over female love? The basic story follows the plot of the standard Pride and Prejudice but behind-the-scenes motivations are all a bit different for our three main couples. Darcy isn't as convinced of the Bennets unsuitability for his friend Bingley so much as he wants to keep Bingley to himself, as his young and pliable gay lover. Wickham used to be Darcy's lover back in the day, and it broke Darcy's heart when Wickham ended it and said he only did it so he could get money out of Darcy... and then tried to seduce Darcy's sister, too. Lydia's a slut-- oh wait, that's the same, never mind. Lizzy is repulsed that Charlotte would consider marrying Mr. Collins but is partially jealous that Charlotte could give up Lizzy, her gay-lover-but-not-quite-because-apparently-women-don't-have-the-same-attachments-that-men-do-when-it-comes-to-same-sex-couples? There's something a bit confusing in this logic and I'm not quite sure what to do with it, as clearly Herendeen has no problems when it comes to gay couples... but she seems to imply that female couples just don't last? Apparently love between two male friends is this Greek ideal and is the highest level of love that can be attained... but women are just kind of playing around? Um, what?

Then there's the issue of committed relationships versus open ones... and if Herendeen was trying to make a bid for more open relationships when it comes to sex, then I'm not sure she achieved her goal. Things seem to wind up where Bingley and Darcy get to have their cake and eat it, too, but the ladies are totally satisfied with their husbands. Even while I'm glad we don't delve into incestuous sisters, it still seems to be a bit unfair. Lizzy finds out pretty early what's going on between Bingley and Darcy (and evidently so does Jane, as Bingley confesses it to her during their courtship). Bingley is not as committed to such a homosexual lifestyle as Darcy and lashes out at Darcy a few times while Darcy tries to ignore Bingley's insistence and keep him under his... well, let's just say thumb. Darcy is presented as a very selfish woman-hater who coerces Bingley into keeping up their sexual activity long after Bingley has expressed a wish to end things. Bingley's love for Jane seems a bit more likely as opposed to Darcy's love for Elizabeth, which hinges on her ability to converse with him as an equal (and is semi-sparked when he originally thinks that her body resembles that of a boy). Darcy seems to learn more about honesty and openness and forgiveness and not-hating-women as a result of his struggle over loving Elizabeth, but I'm not quite sure that I buy it. Ultimately, the gentlemen marry their lady-loves, but there's a bit of a rift between the two couples before the wedding when Jane learns that Darcy was responsible for keeping Bingley and Jane apart when she was in London. The anger is uncharacteristic of Jane, but then, Herendeen doesn't quite present the same Lizzy and Jane that we all know. Ultimately, after a month of marriage-sanctioned sex, the couples reunite... and with their wives' blessing, Darcy and Bingley get to have their ideal male love while still having perfect marriages. Lizzy and Jane, however, remain completely devoted to their husbands... and while Jane blossoms into rational and sweet womanhood, Lizzy's conversation makes her appear somewhat bitter and whiny once she starts having children. The only pro-lesbian pairing is Anne de Bourgh and Charlotte Collins, but Anne isn't interested in the sexual side of things and even agrees to a very gay husband, as she just wants to be left in peace.

I read this book in the space of time that it took the Super Bowl to occur, as I had a quiet apartment to myself and a friend had presented me with an advanced reading copy of this novel. At least it was a fast read? And free? Seriously, I don't recommend spending money or much time on this particular book, because even if the idea of gay sex in P&P is new, it's not all that interesting... or if it is interesting, it's interesting for the hypocrisy and ridiculousness. In the beginning, things seemed to move along quite quickly -- thankfully, Herendeen didn't see the need to re-hash every scene from the original Austen with her new motivations threaded through (à la Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). Instead, she tends to occupy the space between the existing scenes -- so I thought we might get through the original story rather quickly and then Herendeen could stake out her own territory in the post-wedding storyline. Not so. We get bogged down when Darcy and Caroline accompany Bingley to London. Bingley mopes around, forming a platonic friendship with Georgiana, and Darcy takes up with a men's club that specializes in his particular sexual preferences. The amount of time spent on this club seemed ridiculously unnecessary and bizarre until I noticed that Hendereen has written another novel that features that club that she felt the need to link into the P&P plotline. Clearly, this was all set up for the writer's delight and the reader just has to trudge through. There was only one moment in the book where I laughed, and that was when the fellows at the homosexual club mentioned a fellow named Henry Tilney -- the male lead in Northanger Abbey who is so foppish that it's likely he was gay, despite marrying Catherine Morland. If someone wanted to explore the homosexual past of a character, Henry Tilney would be the prime candidate.

If you expect any kind of interesting statements about alternative lifestyles or homosexual relationships, then you've come to the wrong place. Perhaps I was wrong to expect that? I have not read widely in slash fiction, but I feel certain there is better material out there. And I'm all for people doing what they love and seeking out whatever floats their boats! If you're looking for a ridiculous pornographic re-telling of Pride and Prejudice that requires little-to-no thought on your part and focuses on the gay sex more than straight sex, then you've found exactly what you're looking for. I might also recommend Linda Berdoll's Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife (originally published as The Bar Sinister), which has a more substantial story, but also features Mr. Darcy and his new bride having lots of sex. But if you're looking for a clever and sexy re-telling of Pride and Prejudice... well... keep looking.

[Sans · Rating 1 out of 5]

To start, I have absolutely nothing against the content of this book. I've been around long enough and read enough fanfiction based on series/books/movies spanning many genres. Pretty much nothing can faze me. I'm sure this book is meant to be tongue-in-cheek and a bit shocking. The "Achilles/Patroclus" type of relationship between Darcy and Bingley doesn't squick me. End disclaimer.

See, I'm a P&P retelling/reinvention/modern adaptation collector. I've got shelves full of books putting a different spin on P&P. This book won't find a home on those shelves.

My problem lies in the fact that I am simply unable to imagine the characters from Pride & Prejudice acting and speaking this way. Ever. Rather than creating this situation in Pride & Prejudice, the author would have been better off creating original characters in a similar setting. Hell, she pretty much did already and just slapped on the names Fitzwilliam Darcy, Charles Bingley and Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. Yes, they are that OOC.

I simply can't finish this book. If I could replace the characters names in my head I'd keep going. But when "Fitz" Darcy and Charles and Elizabeth are splashed across every page, I just can't take myself there.

If anyone would like to give this book a whirl and swap this for a book I have listed on my 'find-a-copy' shelf, I'd be happy to trade. Otherwise, this is going back to Amazon.

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give this story credit for being unlike any P&P variation I've ever read before. It was an interesting take on the close friendships presented to us in the original.

With that being said, there were other parts that just seemed out of place to me. I didn't enjoy Darcy's characterization, especially with his domineering behaviour over Bingley in the slightest, and his behaviour made me question the validity of his feelings for Elizabeth.

Most of the story deals with the "gaps in the story", the unseen moments we are not told of in the original. In this particular version, Darcy spends much of his London time at his gentleman's club, which is a reference to Herendeen's other book. Personally, I think the addition of Darcy very special gentleman's club valid, and I found it odd that he took exception to Bingley being interested elsewhere, yet he was receiving favours from the men in this club.

What bothered me the most, though, was very subtle and laced through the novel. I find it a chronic flaw in most slash fan fiction over many fandoms. There is quite a dislike and distrust of women in the story. Elizabeth is the only woman to escape this characterization for the most part, and even then her treatment showed the dislike, as well. With the exception of Elizabeth almost of the women in the story are described as plump, jiggling, jelly-like, rounded, large-breasted, or resembling a barge. Lydia is described as being "one or two stone" (14-28 pounds) heavier than Wickham, and is the barge in question. This is opposed to Elizabeth's body, which is described as having small breasts, waist, nimble and "like a boy". There is a particular off-putting mention of Jane's cellulite during one amorous scene, and despite Bingley adoring it, as the reader I thought it unnecessary. None of the men are described with words such as "jiggling" or mentioned have bellies, or cellulite. They are the living embodiment of the Greek gods oft-mentioned in the story.

Even Darcy and his Elizbeth can't escape these mentions of unattractive female girth. Darcy, while wondering if Elizabeth could be with child, wonders "how will he bear those last months when she is big and ungainly" (p. 339). Elizabeth did not want to think about what pregnancy would do to her body, "[...] the distended, swollen body, all slenderness and attraction gone, perhaps forever. Some women never regain their figures, [...]" (p. 341). Furthermore, it is Darcy who is the natural parent when said child does arrive, and Elizabeth appears less enthralled, loving and engaged.

This does happen in real life, and I know it's good for women who have felt this way about pregnancy and children to feel that they aren't alone, but I just find it out of place in the original's context, and I find it adds to this undercurrent of "dislike" of natural or expected feminine attributes. Elizabeth, our heroine, has a leaner body shape that is not described in a demeaning manner unlike the other womens', and does not appear to have that motherly urge.

Furthermore, I was upset with the idea that the men were allowed to carry on their relationship after marriage, but Elizabeth was denied so with Charlotte. Again, the men are praised and elevated, and the female aspect is put down and denied.

This book made me think a lot, mostly about slash fan fiction writers and why women are put down so heavily in these stories. In real life if you aren't attracted to someone you just aren't, you don't find everyone repulsive. She's not a fat woman or a skinny woman, she's just a woman.

[Megan M · Rating 1 out of 5]

As you can probably gather from the title, this book is an excuse for the author to write lots of sex scenes between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. And to promote her other book by having its main character be an acquaintance of Mr. Darcy. (This is probably the most obnoxious part of the entire novel and had me skipping any page that mentioned the Brotherhood of Philander by the end.) While I didn't completely dislike everything about this book, it has many many problems.

First, if you are not EXTREMELY familiar with the story of Pride & Prejudice, Pride/Prejudice is not going to make very much sense to you. Every important scene takes place off screen, including the first meeting of Darcy and Elizabeth, Darcy proposing to Elizabeth the first time, Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley. Then the author gifts us pages and pages of the participants thinking about what just happened, sometimes without really saying what happened at all. This is extremely frustrating.

Next, I didn't really like Mr. Darcy at ALL in this story. He's kind of a massive dick. And not in the fun to tease, brooding way that he is in the original novel. He's awful to Charles Bingley, always referencing Greek literature to prove why he and Charles can't love each on equal footing. He basically rapes Charles while the latter is sleeping. He spends a lot of time talking about his many married conquests and it just doesn't sit well with me at all. I also HATED the way the author dealt with George Wickham.

Further, the author insists this is a "queer" retelling of Pride & Prejudice, but mostly I just see a ton of Darcy/Bingley. While Elizabeth is given a relationship with Charlotte Lucas, it doesn't develop much and by the end of the novel, we've had entire chapter devoted to Darcy and Bingley's sexual adventures at Netherfield and maybe four or five pages of Elizabeth and Charlotte playfully kissing in the grass. I felt that was very unfair, almost as if the Elizabeth/Charlotte relationship was just thrown in at the last minute.

Also, the end of the novel was just BORING. One of the most charming aspects of Pride and Prejudice to me is that is ends at their marriage and we are free to imagine a happy, beautiful life for our hero and heroine. Ann Herendeen would have been smart to follow Miss Austen's example. The last five chapters are long and basically involve Elizabeth and Jane losing their virginity and loving every second of it, then letting their husbands run off to have sex in a barn. Then there are babies. Then more babies. Then Jane and Elizabeth talking about how their husbands are having sex in the barn. Then babies. It was a small torture to read the last 50 pages or so.

I would not suggest this book unless you're looking for some halfway decent Darcy/Bingley fanfiction. Unfortunately for the author, there are so many GREAT P&P fanfics available (for free!!) on the internet.

[Barb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay - this one takes it just one step too far. Darcy and Bingley gay lovers? Just doesn't do it for me.

[Elin Eriksen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this on Bookmate and there was nothing in the description of the book that would have enabled me to make a qualified decision if I wanted to read or not... I highly resent that.

Overlooking the fact that this was gay porn...
Darcy was an ass even after the set down at Hunsford and Elizabeth was mean-spirited.

Darcy cheats on Elizabeth after they are married (with Bingley) and Elizabeth gives them their own room at Pemberley to carry on the affair!!! I do not care which gender... cheating is cheating and Darcy would NEVER cheat on Elizabeth.

This is one of two books I have ever read that I have absolutely loathed.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun! I spent several years of their teens reading pretty much every P&P-continuation novel in print (and half of the ones online), so I have a wide base of comparison when I say that this is an engaging and innovative entry in that genre, though the genre itself is one that takes some getting used to and isn't for everyone. What I liked best in P/P is all of the queerness, obviously, and the way the queerness helps fill in Bingley's character (generally the hardest one for modern authors to grapple with). It all rang true to me, including the fact that Darcy starts the book as an asshole and has to learn to be less of one. The main weaknesses of the book I think are a bit inherent to the genre: frequently weird pacing (I think the wedding nights came in the wrong order), and and ending that doesn't want to actually stop (since the whole premise is that readers don't want P&P to end, P/P is justified in taking its time to wind things down, but I think half of the rather long epilogue really ought to have been the start of a sequel instead). Overall this is a book which I enjoyed reading, but would hesitate to recommend; I suspect you already know whether this is a book you want to read or not.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Curiosity has many times been a motivating factor for me to reach out and snag a book. A naughty, bawdy version of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice fell in with this motivation. I was all set for a book that would make me squirm and get flustered because it was taken such liberties with the P&P story.

But I wasn't far in before I realized that I was actually distracted and unfocused. While yes, it was uber avant guarde with forbidden relationships of the times namely gay, bi-sexual, and open situations and made great efforts to share what went on behind closed doors from the original story, it did a great deal of passive voice storytelling and seems to wander. There was the addition of a crossover story thread from another book that was distracting.

The book relied a great deal on titillation rather than story and character development which left me dissatisfied. I don't mind heat in a story, but I do want a good strong story for all that. I couldn't engage with the characters. It's possible that it was my mood or my expectation, but whatever it was, it was there and stuck with me getting worse the further I went. To be fair, I will say that I also felt dissatisfaction with the open relationship bit and that is on me and not the author.

So, while it did indeed cause me to whistle in amazement a few times at the way the story took of a classic story and turned it on its head, I'm afraid it was the forbidden nature and not the storytelling that will be what sticks with me.

[Eline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok... this book was... strange... ?!...

I hope it won't affect the way I see Pride and Prejudice, mr. Darcy and all the others. In Pride/Prejudice Ann Herendeen shows us a totally different interpretation of Austens book. She finds something more than friendship between Darcy and Bingley. The two men love each other in a totally different way and in the beginning I had the feeling they just wanted to marry a woman because society wanted/ expected them to. After reading a while though, I discovered I was wrong. I also discovered Ann Herendeen did a good job in describing the scenes we "miss" in Pride and Prejudice. Her descriptions weren't always my cup of tea, but she at least sought a declaration for some events in the real work. She tried to read between the lines and ended up with a story that made sense completely. I doubt I would read the same story between the lines of Pride and Prejudice, but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to fit my ideas that good in the real story. Sometimes I really thought "Oh my God, what if she's right? What if she interpreted this correct and I was wrong all the time?" It was scary... I don't want another idea of the original story. I don't want to see Darcy and Bingley in another way than I did before.

I gave this book 3 stars because I think Ann Herendeen did a very good job, but I couldn't find myself in her version of the story. I had mixed feelings all the time, but I'm glad I read the book.

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

a number of readers seem to be missing the point of this book. Herendeen, in her concluding author's notes, states explicitly that part of her purpose in producing this treatment of P&P is to review the original from the perspective of a 21st century person. I think she does this splendidly. Unrequited love and the comedy of manners and the unresolved sexual tension is all great and whatever, but this version of Austen's characters actually conveys upon them agency, both political and sexual. It explores the reasoning behind the choices the characters make without denying them the reality of their sexual desires, which is of course pro forma with regency works.

Yes, there's a lot of sex. That may not be to everyone's tastes. But for the deeper exploration of Elizabeth and Fitz's marriage alone this book garners four stars. The development of Bingley and Darcy provides an intriguing shade on what is clear to be a passionate friendship, even in Austen.

Don't under-rate this book. I found it to be a delightful and engaging read that gave me a great deal more satisfaction in its characters than perhaps Austen's did, with far more to relate to than the petty marriage politics that otherwise dominate the narrative.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book on so many levels. I'm far from a prude, but imagining Darcy and Bingley as gay lovers was just pushing the envelope a bit too far... And the sordidness of the sex acts was just revolting. I figure the author must passionately despise Austen fans like myself; former English majors swooning over Colin Firth in a wet shirt. Otherwise, she wouldn't have attepted to destroy the characters in so complete and twisted a manner. While ordinarily I quite enjoy reimaginings of famous novels and further explorations of their characters -- I was amused by the TV movie "Lost in Austen" -- this book I could not tolerate. When I finished it (and I did, of course, hoping all the while that the author would somehow redeem herself), I threw it across the room.

[leila braga · Rating 3 out of 5]

cara, então, este livro tem muitos problemas.
o primeiro é que é longo demais, pra que isso, pqp. interminável.

a história começa muito bem, com Bingley e Darcy em situações que nascem a partir da história original, mas que não são necessariamente repetidas aqui. por exemplo, quando Jane adoece e fica com Elizabeth na casa de Bingley, as cenas famosas que vemos no original são apenas discutidas aqui. ouvimos falar sobre elas, em vez de acompanhar no tempo em que elas acontecem. e, no fim, a autora justifica que não quis copiar o texto de Jane Austem mas, sim, trabalhar no "espaço negativo" (em vez de mostrar as mesmas situações, ela traz o que acontece entre as cenas, digamos). o que, em teoria, eu super aplaudo.

acontece que algumas cenas imprescindíveis do original são apenas pinceladas aqui. e isso eu não consigo engolir. sim, eu sei, preciosismo meu, mas porrrrrrra a cena do primeiro pedido de casamento não tem??? a carta não tem??? só uma pincelada? como assim, dona autora, cê tá louca?

e, desde o outro livro que li desta autora (Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander), percebi dois problemas: 1) a dinâmica de relacionamento entre os homens é muito tóxica, muito. o que pra mim só perpetua um estereótipo de que homens não têm sentimentos no mesmo nível que as mulheres, ou que não são tão sensíveis - O QUE NÃO É VERDADE. mas nos dois livros os homens são bastante hostis uns com os outros, inclusive tem a cena inaceitável neste aqui quando Darcy estupra Bingley. sim, o cara tava dormindo, aquilo foi um estupro.
2) cada livro tem muitas personagens. eu quis dizer, na verdade, personagens desnecessários demais. aqui, pra acabar de completar, a autora ainda traz as pessoa do primeiro livro. tá de brincadeira, né, amiga?

enfim, como uma ideia este livro me encantou demais. mas a execução pecou bastante.

tem muito hot, boas cenas, muito legal. rs 4/5

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lively novel retains all of Ms. Austen’s classic epigrammatic style while cleverly outlining the sexual relationships going on behind the scenes.

For those who have speculated on the exact nature of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley’s close friendship or the love/hate that simmers beneath Darcy and Wickham’s heated history, Ms. Herrenden skillfully writes “in the gaps”. Thus, we don’t get a replay of Mr. Darcy’s humiliating proposal to Elizabeth Bennett but a preview of his arrogant thoughts of her supposed gratitude for his impending offer and her subsequent fury at his condescension. We see Jane’s display of anger upon learning how Darcy connived to keep her and her beloved Charles separated for a whole year. (For anyone who may have chafed at Jane’s bovine, placid display of serenity over the loss of Bingley, this spate of temper is a bracing change. At last! The kitten shows her claws!)

Ms. Herrenden also retains Ms. Austen’s bird’s-eye view of the society the latter knew: its mores, social codes, parlor talk and the intricate multilayered societies of Regency England. This is a splendidly naughty reinterpretation of Austen’s original novel.

True, the lesbian affairs are played down and we never get the lascivious details about them as we do about the homosexual and heterosexual ones. But, being a yaoi rather than a yuri fan, I didn’t mind that in the least.

So for those Austen fans who relish homoerotism liberally sprinkled over the text, this sit he novel we’ve been craving.

[T.T. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I appreciate the manner in which Ann Herendeen paid tribute to Jane Austen without mimicking her. I thoroughly enjoyed how the plot twists, while staying true to the thrust of the original story, drew life, and a wonderful sense of life, by the very nature of the differences Herendeen created to make her story as plausible as Austen's. I also think Jane would roll her eyes and roll over in her grave were she to read this. Not because she wouldn't like it, but rather, because she would think: The jig is up, I've been found out, let's dance!

Jane Austen wrote the book she could write. Ann Herendeen wrote the book Ann Herendeen wanted to write. For Austen purists, if, indeed, there really is such a thing, I believe you would shudder at Pride/Prejudice, and the shuddering would be not entirely without delight!

For others, I think  the author's implicit request that one expand one's imagination, might be too much to ask. And for yet another group, I think their belief in an all-powerful and loving God does not, under any circumstance, include homosexuals, bisexuals and lesbians. So they really should not read this book because the sex alone is shockingly, wonderfully, deliciously sinful. By the way, there's no way one can look at the cover of this book and read the first page without realizing the same-sex nature and inclinations of the two main male characters. So, it's OK to say you hate it, it's OK to say you love it; it's not OK to say you were shocked---shocked I tell you!---to discover two men making love with one another and, quite separately, of course, with their wives. Oh, sorry, didn't mean to reveal that much. No, Pride/Prejudice is for readers who love the well-turned phrase, who demand a plot and storyline that keeps moving and who want characters and dialog that remind them of the original reasons they loved Jane Austen, while being frankly happy to read something that uniquely resonates with their own lives.

Herendeen says in her essay at the back of the book "The Story Behind Pride/Prejudice," her own story "...is a way of bringing to light the alternative universe that was invisible in Austen's time." As even the most casual observer of marginalized people could agree, the invisibility first, of women, and second, of the subcultures of homosexuals, bisexuals and lesbians, did not preclude individual members of these groups from pursuing, in whatever manner least likely to get them hung, their inherent passions and preferences.

And, as with Austen, Herendeen completely convinces that the people in her world are passionate creatures with high moral standards that are measured against and coexist with a very fallible and human nature. Like most moral dilemmas, the prevailing one in Pride/Prejudice involves lies of both omission and commission; in that environment, Herendeen brings her characters to life as they make sound and unsound, moral and unmoral, thoughtful and thoughtless conclusions that support their own narrow first impressions. As I read some of the other reviews, I can't help but think some of the readers of Pride/Prejudice have missed the irony inherent in their own disparagement of Herendeen's book as a trope right out of that very book!

Ann Herendeen's writing reveals a level of sophistication, subtlety and prowess of language mastery that most writers and authors wish they had. She dispatches her dialog, the characters and the storyline with an ease that belies the difficulty of taking a beloved story and making it one's own.
For anyone familiar with fan fiction, (and for anyone who has had the talent and skill to move beyond it), Pride/Prejudice is a delightful, beautifully written recreation of the way it very well might have been.

I knew Ann was great with dialogue when I read her first book, Phyllidia and the Brotherhood of Philander, but the way she captures the tonal coloration of the world in which the Pride/Prejudice characters live is completely rewarding for its believability, authenticity and rigorous reflection of the times. All the good emotional satisfaction one had when reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is redoubled and brought forward to us by a 21st century author who perfectly captures the voices of Elizabeth, Darcy, Bingley and others that you know and gives them words, and a world, you may or may not know.

I especially liked Herendeen's virtuoso ability with Elizabeth: To put this character's even-handed sensibilities and turn of phrase together with a so-called modern configuration of loves and lovers and make it utterly credible, leaves this reader convinced that Ann Heredeen may very well have written the book social convention would not have allowed Jane Austen to write. That makes it all the more satisfying that a modern-day heir apparent has.

I think Ann Herendeen is a remarkably gifted writer from whom we are going to hear a great deal more.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Ann Herendeen is a good friend of mine, and I am mentioned in her Dedication of this book. Until I actually had the book in my hands, though, I never read so much as a single sentence of this book; however, as a friend, I certainly encouraged her as a writer and said the kinds of things cheerleaders say to their friends who are challenging themselves to create something of value. In that regard, I applauded every word, and probably every semicolon and exclamation point. Writers, even previously published ones like Ann, need feedback, and mine  was of the conceptual, emotional and existential variety, i.e., yes writing is glorious, yes it sucks, yes it's where we love to live, yes it's a dreadful place to be, etc etc. I do not feel that my friendship precludes my ability to write a book review of a friend's book, and yet I claim no particular objectivity, either. So! Make of this disclosure, and my review, what you will.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea, but excellent rendition

This was a good variation and well written. The characters in here received an excellent makeover and/or personality change. What wasn't my cup of tea was some of the sexual encounters. This is just me. Highly recommended you read and decide for yourself.

[Megan Calloni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bisexual P&P with Darcy and Bingley as lovers. Darcy sees men as equals but finds Elizabeth his intellectual equal with attracts him. Darcy and Bingley have a Master/Pupil dynamic. Relationship continues after marriage and everyone is just fine with it. Must suspend disbelief to read. Very sexual.

[Milliebot]

DNF at like 40% - review to come

[Keolani · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're up for everything you absolutely love about Jane Austen's most adored characters being ruined, read this book.

[Laurens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried getting through the original three times and even this lurid version could not keep me captivated. The sex scenes are not only overly abundant, but also quite off-putting.

[Cătă · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the heck is this?

[J.M. Frey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am addicted to very few things, and generally have the ability to try at least anything once. The one thing that I absolutely cannot get enough of, however, is "Pride and Prejudice". (I blame that early reader for students I picked up in 1998 at a Library in Mayenne, France. I was there to study French, and found the book in a section for young learners. It was a great introduction to the story.)

When I was given this book as a gift, I was at first concerned that the queer themes were only present as a gimmick – that the book would just be an extended slash fanfiction. While I am on record for supporting fanfiction, especially the kind that forces a new perspective into a media text where it might otherwise be entirely absent (see my essay “Water Logged Mona Lisa: Who Is Mary Sue and Why Do We Need Her?” for more on this), I am also wary of boy-sex-for-the-sake-of-boy-sex fanfiction that only exists as literary porn. It doesn’t further any cause, make any comment, or elucidate any relationship (though it can be hella fun!)

I am VERY HAPPY to report that the “queer stuff” in ‘Pride/Prejudice’ isn’t just a gimmick. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a genuinely conflicted man, torn between his natural disposition towards men, and the societal expectations of a gentleman to marry a woman and breed an heir. Adding to this complication is that Fitz has developed genuine feelings for his young protégé Charles Bingly, when their relationship had always meant to just be just an initiation into physical pleasure and male bonding. Fitz is filled with anger – both at himself and at Charles – when Charles falls in love for the first time, and it is with a blowsy woman named Jane Bennet; pretty much the physical, personal, and sexual opposite of Fitz. The book centers on Fitz’s turmoil and journey towards accepting that his lover has moved on, and his own confusing, burgeoning attraction to the boyish Elizabeth Bennet.

This book handles the delicate question of what it really means to be bisexual, and offers up a portrait of what it might have been like to be a lover-of-men in a world where being a Moll was fine, as long as you still married and did your husbandly duty. The emotional angst and the shift of character could have been more prominent in the book – I would have preferred a novel that was a bit more serious with the subject, a bit more realistic, and a bit more gritty, and told totally from Darcy’s point of view. But that’s my personal preference for hard-hitting emotional realism talking. As it is, it’s still a light, romantic read that gets the theme and points across, and I would call that a success.

I could have done without the cheeky inclusion of the ‘Brotherhood of Philander’ – a character group and Moll house lifted straight from Herendeen’s debut novel of the same name - as they didn’t seem to serve the plot. I got confused about who was who and in the end, didn’t care because they weren’t Austen characters and I had no personal connection to them. I would have much rather seen some of Austen’s OTHER characters make an appearance and seen how they fit into this new world Herendeen was conjuring.

Also, I didn’t completely believe that everyone could be so accepting of the same-sex dalliances that happen practically out in the open; I understand that Herendeen was striving to give Austen’s characters a depth of personality that included the opportunity to be sexual beings, but at times I felt it a bit excessive.

But the book is told in beautiful Regency language, and the sex scenes are meaningful, and importantly, hot. The language is clear and natural, and by god it’s great to see an author who actually takes pride in the wordcraft itself. “Pride/Prejudice” is a good book with great aspirations that it doesn’t quite meet, but that it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that I'm a big Pride and Prejudice junkie. I love to read other author's takes on Darcy and Elizabeth. My fasication stated years ago when I read Bridget Jones's Diary. I quickly went and bought the BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle. (Yes I know someone else recently starred in a P&P movie and all I can say about that is BLEH) Anyhoo, from the moment I saw the BBC miniseries, you couldn't stop me. I couldn't get enough. 97% of adaptations I've read are full of crap and the wost of them is that Sharon Latham crap trap. I mean come on, it's like she just watched that awful movie and decided to write a book (not even a good book). I wonder if she's even read Jane Austen. Even if it was just based on the movie, it was still . . . .

Sorry, I was on a rant, please forgive me. But as you can see I'm passionate about this subject. Back to my review.

You have to have an open mind to read Pride/Prejudice as it is a guilty pleasure. It is strangely compelling. I had the same reaction to Pride/Prejudice as I did reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I knew I shouldn't like it (Twilight = emo heroine with no plans for future except getting bit and turned into a vampire by her possessive/stalker boyfriend), but I found myself devouring it over and over again. It's the same with Pride/Prejudice. I knew I shouldn't like it, but I found myself constantly turning the pages wondering what was coming next. Just like Twilight, I had a hard time pinning down why I couldn't stop reading Pride/Prejudice, despite the flaws, but I'm going to try and do my best.

What I loved:

1. The concept appeared more original compared to other Pride and Prejudice fan adaptations that I've read in the past. Darcy is bi-sexual and in a very close relationship with Charles Bingley. Elizabeth shares a passionate affair with Charlotte Lucas before Charlotte marries Mr. Collins.

2. Jane Bennett. I loved how in Pride/Prejudice she's not as passive as she is in the original. She has a back bone and Pride/Prejudice is worth buying just to see Jane put Elizabeth and Darcy in their place. I also like that the author fleshed out the reasons why Jane totally believed in Charles and their relationship even against all the odds.

3. Speaking of stronger characters. Charles Bingley and Georgiana Darcy are also fleshed out very well in this story. I found myself cheering for them.

What I thought could've been improved:

1. Despite the awesome concept, in the first half of Pride/Prejudice the narrative drags. While Pride/Prejudice has pretty much the same timeline as Ms. Austen's awesome work, the author of Pride/Prejudice skips over scenes in the original. The characters only think or talk about them later. This made the narrative choppy and boring at first. I actually nodded off a couple times while reading the first half of Pride/Prejudice.

2. I can buy the concept of Elizabeth and Darcy having same-sex partners, what I couldn't get was how they and the other characters were so blasé about it. There was no worry about the ramifications of the actions. Everyone seemed too accepting of these relationships, especially in this time period. I found it impossible to suspend disbelief.

3. Once Darcy and Elizabeth marry (no spoiler there, right?), I had serious issues that some of the outside relationships continue (slight spoiler, sorry, at least I'm not telling you which one). It really annoyed me and devalued the romance for me and the strength of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship.

Overall: Pride/Prejudice was a compelling idea. I was intrigued with how the author took two of the most well known characters in fiction and made them her own.

[Thor Twinkle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even though I'd heard only negative things about this Pride(SLASH!)Prejudice I was sure I was going to like it. After all, I really enjoy retellings of famous story and for me, the gayer IS the better. However, I really didn't like this book.

First of all, let me say that Ann Herendeen just wrote what might have happened during Jane Austen's novel and that we didn't see. So not exactly a complete retelling. On this note, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who isn't familiar with the original, because it's implied that you already know the story since almost all Pride & Prejudice happens "off-screen". And that wouldn't have been a problem if the character Herendeen wrote were the same as the ones Austen created. In fact, I struggled to imagine this version of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the original iconic scenes, and the same goes for all the other characters. It didn't help the style this novel was written, with characters using slurs such "Wh0r£-Bit(# and §lut" almost every page.
Elizabeth was also strangely not that much in this book, so I didn't feel the connection she and Darcy SHOULD have.

A small detail that really bothered me was the fact that Fitz (I can't call him Mr. Darcy... because it's not him!) is basically a sexual assaulter. There is a particular scene where he "works with Charles butt" while the second is still sleeping that I thought was terrible. It was so weird and it made me uncomfortable for me to root for him. On top of that, later on in the book, Jane thinks that it would be better to marry a guy that almost took advantage of her instead of Mr. Collins... which left me so confused. Yes, he's an annoying person but at least not a predator?! I don't know.

As for "the gayness" of (SLASH!) ... Meh. Didn't care for any of those relationships. (But to be fair I didn't care for any of the relationships because I thought they were all poorly written and lacked the charm of the original).
The author keeps telling us that Fitz and Charles are madly in love. A pure love that only men can have (?). But personally, besides them having fun in bed it didn't seem to be more. I'm not even sure Charles likes the bed action. Then we have Elizabeth and Charlotte. Pointless. It's not developed and I think was put there just to make Fitz "hor knee". The only relationship I liked was the surprised one at the end between Charlotte and someone else. I liked that, it was sweet.

Now there were other gay characters in this book. An entire Brotherhood, which is the creation of Herendeen protagonist of her first novel. Now, I wouldn't have minded if it was just a cameo, but Fitz spends entire chapters with them and, just like the original Pride & Prejudice, Herendeen assumes that the reader has read Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander because she dumps on you so many characters without really introducing them. That made for such boring chapters. Not only that but in the last eighty pages, besides some sex scenes I didn't care for, we get to know what happened to each character of the Brotherhood. You can't imagine how uninterested I was to read them.

Which wasn't the case for the rest of the novel. In fact, for all the faults it has, P(SLASH!)P was a quick read, and once a chapter ended I wanted to read the next one. In some strange way, I enjoyed it. Seriously if it wasn't for those last eighty pages (the book should have ended before) I wouldn't have given it half a star more.

Now, would I recommend it? No. And if I was curious to read Herendeen's first novel, now I'm certainly not. However, I have to say that after reading the last pages where she explains why she wrote this book, I kinda appreciate her more.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

90% of what you need to know about Pride/Prejudice is contained in the slash. Yes, this is a novel of copious Edwardian boning. Yes, it's also Jane Austen fanfic: obviously a highly profitable business, though not particularly creative. That said, this is fairly well done for what it is. It doesn't fall into the more dominant traps of the Austen fanfic genre, or really the fanfic genre as a whole. For instance, none of the characters from Austen's other novels show up; an offhand reference to Henry Tilney is the only instance of any crossover. This is great, since many books in this genre throw together Mrs. Brandon, William Walter Elliot, and Mr. Knightley totally at random, with no regard to societal status, location, or time period. Similarly, it doesn't age the characters twenty years to create a totally new set of Mary Sue-style Darcy/Bingley/etc children. However, Herendeen does bring in a few of her own characters and the homoerotic club from her other novel, Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander, which--well, if you're going to have Mr. Darcy circulating through London society in a very erotically toned book, this kind of development isn't surprising, but there's still something slightly off and unconvincing about it. Herendeen also has characters call Darcy "Fitz" with wild abandon, which I find appalling and historically incorrect. However, with all this in mind, I don't regret the $15 spent. It was light reading, marketed squarely at me, the educated person who enjoys both literature and boning. Characterizations were not too skewed, and most of the writing was actually pretty decent. It's obviously not comparable to the original Pride and Prejudice or any great literature, but that's not the intention: it's supposed to be fun and profitable, and in this Herendeen has succeeded.

[Jessie Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I had learned my lesson after trying to read Darcy's Story and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but then I found Pride/Prejudice on a top 10 list of bisexual fiction. A queer retelling of one of my favorite novels? Well, I had to read it.

Let me start off by saying, I really like the premise. I like that a queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice exists, but this novel doesn't come close to reaching its full potential. I wanted to love it, but the first half dragged for me and while the second half is more enjoyable, the novel never really recovers from the beginning. Herendeen's original characters added nothing to the story. But what was most disappointing for me was the fact that, despite being a titular character, Elizabeth Bennet was barely in the novel at all.

I did appreciate that Herendeen presents polyamory and (male) bisexuality in a positive light throughout this novel. However Elizabeth's relationship with Charlotte was more or less a side note. There's numerous sex scenes (some explicit, some not) featuring Darcy and Bingley, but Elizabeth and Charlotte get two vague sentences. If the author didn't want to write about a romantic relationship between two women, that's fine, but the blurb on the back shouldn't have pretended that this novel featured one. I think a relationship between Darcy and Bingley was enough garner interest.

That being said, I did like some aspects of this novel. I found myself enjoying the second half of the novel despite my issues with the beginning. I liked every scene featuring Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy's character was more bearable when Elizabeth was around him. Like I said, I think the premise is brilliant and I would love to see more Austen continuations/sequels explore the possibility of queer relationships in Austen's works.

[Jessica (BookRockGoddess) Bolton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge P&P addict so much so, that I will read just about any thing out there. I was a little shocked to find out that this one was not what I had originally thought it was about. Although once I started it I found it to be very intriguing. I have to say that I have nothing against this type of content. I am all for freedom of expression and art. To me love is love no matter the form as long as it is between two consenting adults. With that being said, I will say that I found this book to be a little out there.

To me the relationship between Wickham and Darcy was way off base, but Darcy and Bingley I could see some what. The fact that Jane would be so understanding to the relationship didn't surprise me. Although Elisabeth's reactions to me were out of character. Also, the reaction she has toward her daughter after the way her mother treated her was also out in left field. I didn't love this book but I can't say that I was able to put it down either. So I am kind of on the fence about this one.

I would recommend this book to any one who likes stories of same-sex couples and anyone who loves P&P and doesn't mind this type of content. I found that as I was reading it I wasn't focused on the sex aspect of the book but more of the complex minds of the characters.

[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slash book. Yes. A slash book about possible gay/lesbian romantic triangles with Elizabeth/Charlotte/Charles/Fitzwilliam. It is as odd and goofy as it sounds but a fun read. It uses the events and characters from the original book without too much rehashing of the original scenes.

How it does this is by telling a lot of the story from Darcy's point of view; we go with him to the city after he convinces Charles to flee Jane's clutches, the visit with Wickham during the Lydia chase as well as a fair amount of other moments. Where the book shines at points is with the moments it shares between secondary characters like Georgina, Anne (the niece that Fiztwilliam is to marry), Charles and his sister, even the Wickham Lydia relationship.

It is not cannon and if you cannot handle boy on boy/girl on girl scenes---even written in tasteful Austen-ish language than this book is not for you. It doesn't change the world but I did enjoy the ideas behind the story. The author uses various historical elements to make the plot make sense and it does add a bit of motive to the overall story from Darcy's view.

[Calla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm finished! I'm finally finished! I desperately wanted AND tried to like this book ... a sexual relationship between Darcy & Bingley is HOT, but ... no. It was all wrong. So disappointing. I hated (!) the characters & what the author did to them. What a waste.

I did have a favorite quote, though: (Anne contemplating a perfect relationship.) "Black was nice. Comfortable to look at. A small, thin man in a black coat, who consorted with other men like himself, but who cared for Anne alone among her sex. A gentle, quiet young man who might sit languid at her feet and read his verses to her or who might paint or draw her portrait. He would hold her hand and whisper how beautiful she was, how precious to him. Of course you mustn't play the pianoforte, he would say. Only silly females who have no higher accomplishments squander their strength on such an empty pastime. Dancing? No, that is far too fatiguing. May I sit beside you and fan you while you read?" (176)

[Lindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I blushed so much reading this slash fanfiction. So what happened is this: I read and loved Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and got curious about the fanfiction world. I've read tons of Austenesque stuff and generally enjoyed it, although good ones are few and far between; but still, it's interesting to see what other authors do with the characters and themes. Anyway, my curiosity of fandom introduced me to the concept of slash fanfiction -- in which characters from literature or popular culture are imagined as gay or lesbian.

So far so good -- an interesting premise, that Elizabeth and Charlotte, and Darcy and Bingley were lovers. But boy howdy, I was not prepared for all the SEX! Anytime two men are alone together (and sometimes when there are more than two in the room), "sport" is being had and the reader gets to read all about it.

A little much for me, but Herendeen did present some interesting motivations, not that I could buy them all.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was honestly quite shocked at this book and I have to be honest, I really didn't like it. I'm a definite Jane Austen fan and the spin offs of her books, I do tend to like a lot, but this one was...death to my favorite characters in a book. I know the author was trying to do a different take on the Pride and Prejudice story by changing all the characters into gay men and women, but seriously? Don't change them, make a new story or something but leave these characters alone and name them something other than Mr. Darcy or Miss Elizabeth Bennet. If you're into slash fiction and you are okay with having some classic characters switched, then by all means read this book. BUT if you're like me and you love the beloved characters of Jane Austen as she wrote them, then do not read this book. You will be shocked and upset by the contents of the book. Also if you're not really okay with explicit sex scenes, don't read this, it gets pretty raunchy and very detailed.