Conceit & Concealment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Paperback – Import, 23 May 2017

I’d be embarrassed to admit just how many Pride & Prejudice variations I’ve read. I only mention it, because I can safely claim that this one was the most unique. The author rewrote history to create a page turning story full of intrigue, romance and suspense. My only critique was that she referred to Canada quite often during a time period that was decades before Canada became a country. But I still enjoyed the book immensely.

As P&P variations go, this one has gone in a completely unique direction. While historically inaccurate (on purpose) it is completely believable and the tension and desperation of the occupied population--particularly the characters in the story--is portrayed realistically. It is all there: the tension between family members, the constant distrust and resentment, the need for ridiculous amounts of discretion, the pressure of keeping the lies straight. It is very well done. It lets you experience the tension without becoming too overwhelming.Another thing that is very well done is how each individual character in Ms. Reynolds story behaves in a way that is consistent with the character that Jane Austen created. Everyone behaves according to the strengths and weaknesses that their creator endowed them with, even though they are in situations that they were never intended to experience. Those that, in the original, were strong or showed the potential for strength, demonstrated it in this story; those who were weak or shallow or lazy behaved accordingly. This takes some thought, effort, and insightness and goes a long way towards making this story so successful: while we are in an unfamiliar situation, we are there with familiar persons.There were some new characters introduced, notably the much-traumatized princess and the French general supervising the occupation. I would have liked a little more growth on the part of the princess. She was basically the same at the end of the book than she was at the beginning. But the French general was portrayed with humanity and evenness and as a person with the same kind of honor that Darcy has.I especially loved how deep and honest the love between Elizabeth and Darcy was. Their path to happiness wasn't smooth or easy, but their passion and commitment was there almost from the beginning (even if it had to take second place to their overall loyalty to the cause.)All in all, this was a fascinating venture into what might have been and how our beloved characters would have coped in a completely different setting. All's well that ends well and we get to the end happy, relieved, and free.POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:Obviously, we know that all will end well. This is the P&P universe after all. But I did feel that the uprising, when it came, was a bit too fast and that communications, coordination, and the dissemination of news was a bit more efficient than would have been possible at that time. This is the one area in which realism was a bit sacrificed but, I for one, almost prefer it this way. I have no patience for too many military details and dragged out episodes about how this or that city fell would have bogged down the story. I would have skipped those parts anyway so it's sort of silly to complain that they weren't there. Without being a complete hypocrite, I can't deduct any stars for it. Still, I was struck with how easy it was to shed the yoke of conquest in just a few page turns.

Muy entretenido y diferente de la mayoría de sus variaciones de Orgullo y prejuicio. Aventura, política, secretos que ponen en riesgo la vida de los personajes donde nada es lo que parece en medio de una guerra contra Francia. La historia de amor es preciosa pero de alguna manera secundaria ante la avalancha de acontecimientos del libro donde los personajes se sacrifican por un interés mucho mayor. Muy recomendable. De mis preferidos sin duda de esta autora.

I usually don't cry when read a novel, but this one from Abigail let me cry for about half an hour, the reason was the letter Elizabeth Bennet wrote to Darcy from the Prison, oh dear it touch my heart, it was an emotional one. Abigail Reynolds I am a very great fan of yours :-)

..die ich jemals gelesen habe! Konnte das Buch nicht mehr weglegen!Alle bekannten Charaktere des ursprünglichen Buches werden erwähnt und mehrheitlich behalten ihre Eigenschaften, aber was für eine abenteuerliche Variante. Historisch insofern überhaupt nicht akkurat, da Napoleon nie England besetzt hat und Informationen/Briefe zur damaligen Zeit nicht so schnell übermittelt werden konnten. Aber wenn man das ausser acht lässt, ist ziemlich vieles Epochen gerecht.Sehr zu empfehlen