The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch

By: Melinda Taub

Narrated by: Amy Hoggart

In this "magical, brilliant" (Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author) reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, the youngest Bennett sister is given the spotlight.

In this exuberant retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet puts pen to paper to relate the real events and aftermath of the classic story. Some facts are well known: Mrs. Bennet suffers from her nerves, Mr. Bennet suffers from Mrs. Bennet, and all five daughters suffer from an estate that is entailed only to male heirs.

But Lydia also suffers from entirely different concerns: her best-loved sister Kitty is really a barn cat; Wickham is every bit as wicked as the world believes him to be, but what else would one expect from a demon? And if Mr. Darcy is uptight about etiquette, that’s nothing compared to his feelings about magic. Most of all, Lydia has yet to learn that for a witch, promises have power . . .

Full of enchantment, intrigue, and boundless magic, The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, has all the irreverent wit, strength, and romance of Pride and Prejudice—while offering a highly unexpected redemption for the wildest Bennet sister.

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY PICK FOR 2023

©2023 Melinda Taub (P)2023 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

"The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch is a delightfully rendered redemption of the much maligned youngest Bennet daughter, Lydia; whose ill-advised actions that once threatened the Bennett sisters futures is finally proven to be less a girlish folly and more the result of a sacrifice made meant to save them all. Filled with magic, mayhem and manners, Melinda Taub has crafted a world both familiar and strange, faithful and fantastic. Scandalous Confessions is a welcome addition to the Austen Universe." —Amiee Gibbs, author of The Carnivale of Curiosities

The narration is superb

Although I listen to audiobooks almost daily (commute to and from work, you know), most of them are books already read and I listen in lieu of rereading. Rarely, I make an exception when an audiobook description is compelling enough. This was one of those situations and I have zero regrets and all the stars.

The narration is superb.

This is not a scrubbed clean Lydia. It is also not especially scandalous (but not disappointedly so). It is definitely not explicit. Her scandalous behavior is mostly related to her adventures as a witch. It is quite clear that this Lydia is a little too trusting, loves her friends and relatives deeply, and will be as brave as is required to protect them. She's as ADHD as usual, and her tangents are wonderful.

The story of how Kitty came to be is especially touching and is foreshadowing of just how powerful this girl's love is (she's roughly 17 at the end of the book).

Since the real Wickham was eaten by a baby demon sometime after trying to seduce Georgiana and before joining the militia, this one is not the same Wickham. This Wickham has serious Daddy issues, although he's his usual handsome and charming self.

I tend to be suspicious of JAFF over 9 hours long. It's too common for them to be bloated or suffer from an hour of epilogue. In this case though, there is no bloating. The book covers a large span of time, going back and forth between past and present in the most natural way I have ever experienced. It really is all tied together, every little side trip of Lydia's thoughts serving a purpose.

The magical world unfolds naturally. It is entirely a matrilineal sort of thing, which means the book is grounded in the same female dominated world. The men are Darcy, a handful of militia officers, Wickham, (and a bad dragon, I suppose). It works.

Gah! Kitty and Lydia. Best sister story ever.

Great story.

Am I the only Pride and Prejudice fan who also loves fantasy? This was the best! Story was great and a perfect connection to Pride and Prejudice.

I truly enjoyed listening to this!!

I was excited to continue reading this chapter after chapter. Captivating from the begining. Truly enjoyed the way the Original story was incorporated!! I'm telling everyone to read and/or listen.

Fantastic Narrator!

This is really fun book, especially if you’re familiar with Pride and Prejudice. But it’s the performance of it that I liked the best.

Good lesson in the end

I prefer books where I can believe in the characters. I was entertained by Lydia Bennet, witch.

Austen lover says Yes!

This book was wonderful and the voicing by Amy Hoggett was spot on brilliant! Loved this book!

Simply Wonderful!

Story and audio are A++. I was captivated throughout, and want to gift this fun, absorbing, cheeky and meticulously crafted delight to all my fellow Austen devotees.

I ate this entire book up and I’m craving more

A creative retelling of Lydia Bennett Life as a witch. I loved every minute of it!

Please leave Pride & Prejudice alone!

I didn’t even finish listening because I was so annoyed by the story. I kept trying to finish it because the narrator did a fantastic job.