Assumed Virtue

A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Victoria Lynn

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

What if Mrs. Bennet is a well-educated tradesman’s daughter, Mr. Collins takes his parish duties seriously and Mr. Bennet overcomes his laziness? A clean reimagining of P&P, focusing on the gentlemen of our story.

Lacks a Proper Narrator

I definitely found the variation, interesting and well written. However, it was difficult to get beyond the horrible narration. It was very mechanical. There was little if any difference in inflection for any drama at all.

Good and well off bennits

Darcy is an absolute idiot in this! They are clearly all fortune hunters even tho there is no proof. He didn’t even bother to observe anyone before making these wrong judgments. His word is proof enough? Idiot!

Easy listen

Low angst, good Bennets, good Collins. No real villains. I wish there was an epilogue. Jane ended up with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Charlotte with Bingley.

Poor Darcy

I am generally not fond of variations figuring an unpleasant Darcy. The Darcy character in this book is unique and not in any good way. At first, I could not find an apt description- rude, boorish, churlish, arrogant, conceited? And then, it came to me. This is the first stupid and incompetent Darcy character I've ever met!

Darcy learns a very hard lesson

The virtual voice was not annoying but not perfect but I will get over it.
The story was not a light and pleasant one with Darcy having to learn a very harsh lesson as he really put his foot in his mouth. Caroline was the main cause with her gossiping false information. The wider character presence brought more to the normal retelling of p&p. I enjoyed it.