Of Fortune's Reversal

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Don Jacobson, A Lady

Narrated by: Barbara Rich

A brisk early November Hyde Park morning is shattered by a child’s scream. How two adults react in those next few desperate moments sets the plot in motion in this Pride and Prejudice alternative focusing on 21-year-old Kitty Bennet.

Of Fortune’s Reversal is a novella-length tale based upon an inversion of Mrs. Bennet's exclamation that with one good marriage, the other girls will be thrown in front of rich men. For more than two centuries, the Jane/Bingley: Lizzy/Darcy tetrarchy has been portrayed as the solution to Mary and Kitty's marriage difficulties, not to mention Mrs. Bennet’s housing requirements. But what if that was not the case?

What if Mr. Bennet dies just as Jane is receiving the Bingley sisters' invitation to dinner?

No rainy-day horseback ride. No cold for Jane. No Elizabeth coming to Netherfield to nurse her elder sister...so no links forged in any way with Bingley (beyond what he felt for Miss Bennet at the Assembly) and Darcy (no fine eyes, no walk around the library, etc.).

No Netherfield Ball.

No proposal from Collins because he was already wed to a shrew who convinced him to evict the Bennet women. So no trip to Hunsford cottage for Lizzy because Charlotte remains a spinster at Lucas Lodge.

Rather, the Bennet women are forced out of Longbourn - the older girls to Gracechurch Street and ultimately taking up employment away from the city. The two younger girls remain in Meryton with their mother, to be sent away to seminary for some much-needed formal education.

But the death of Thomas Bennet has changed more than the family’s financial fortunes. It has also bent the arc of the Pride and Prejudice universe.

©2016 Donald P. Jacobson (P)2018 Donald P. Jacobson

Accidentally purchased twice

Unfortunately I purchased this well after purchasing Lessers and Betters and didn’t realize I’d already heard the story under the Lessers and Betters title. :(

Great Kitty-centric novella

The narration and performance by Barbara Rich is very good (5 stars). Along with the author’s expertly written word, she was able to evoke tears at times and that is a big deal to me.

Sweet Low Angst Romance

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Mr. Bennet's death right before Jane's visit to Netherfield changes everything for the Bennet woman. This variation begins four years later and features Kitty, who is now a mature and grounded governess for an influential family. Her brave action in the face of danger brings her to the notice of an eligible gentleman.

This is a clean variation with detailed descriptions of medical procedures that may bother someone more squeamish. I enjoyed this straightforward and low angst romance, and loved seeing Kitty in a new way. She is made of good stuff after all! One thing I love about Don Jacobson's writing is his explicit attention to historical detail, and I know when I read one of his books it will be accurate and I'll go away learning something new. I'll continue to read more by this author.

The narration was well done, a performance that brought me right into the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

all over the place

The story couldn't seem to decide where it wanted to go.

spoilers
please do not write over a chapter of detailed brain surgery unless you have at least seen brain surgery.
Why does Lydia get chapters for bragging about how wonderful her life is now. (all this while Kitty may not survive.) And how rich she now is while the rest of her family is close to destitute.
Then the author throws in several characters from a completely different story.

I could only make it through three chapters

the story may be good but I couldn't listen to the reader any longer. her accents at times were more Scottish than British and at one point I couldn't understand a word she was saying. I rarely give up on books but I just couldn't do it.