by Elizabeth Adams, Christina Boyd, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D’Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, Joana Starnes
Genres: Anthologies
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
With timeless verve, the heroine of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet, bares her intimate thoughts while offering biting social commentary through a collection of romantic re-imaginings, sequels, and prequels, set in the Regency to present day by ten popular Austenesque authors. “I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print…” wrote Jane Austen in a letter, January 1813―and we think so too!
Foreword by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare.
Stories by: Elizabeth Adams, Christina Boyd, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D’Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, and Joana Starnes
It’s time to welcome Sophia Rose to the blog for a guest review. Today she has a delightful anthology: Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl. Fans of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice and Austen fans gather round….
Sophia Rose’s Review
When I learned this anthology was in the works, I was ecstatic. One might wonder how I could be excited about several stories about the same woman and, at times, the retelling of the same story. By the time these talented authors were finished, the collection of stories was more like several facets on one cleverly cut gem catching the light in different ways so that some shone with inner fire and some dazzled with light from without – Elizabeth across the eras in all stages of her life.
I would be lying if I said I loved them all the same. However, I more than liked them all and would eagerly take up books from any of these authors and have done so with most. How could I not thoroughly appreciate each when one is talking about different styles, different settings, and different circumstances?
The ten stories ranged from Regency England to the present. The Regencies are mostly variations that begin at differing points in the original story, but there is also a prequel of a young Lizzy and a sequel of an aged Elizabeth. This match was as deeply developed as the rest in characters and plots, but I would say that I did feel a stronger appreciation for them because I am familiar with the original story. In addition to the regency historicals, there are also retellings from other eras. Elizabeth was at an Edwardian country house party, acting in the Hollywood of the 30’s, attending college in the 80’s and grad school in the present.
All in all, this collection was exactly what I was expecting while still delivering sparkling surprises that captured my fancy staying true to the nature of the indomitable Elizabeth that, though fictional, is a woman in history who is still a captivating story heroine centuries later.
Sophia Rose shares Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl Anthology #review #anthology #historicalfiction #JaneAusten Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Angela
I love P&P retellings, so I will definitely have to check this one out!
Noel
Oh my goodness, it’s going on the TBR right now!! Thank you for this review!
J. Marie Croft
Thank you, Kimberly and Sophia Rose, for this review. What a lovely one it is, and what a way with words you have, Sophia Rose. “…the collection of stories was more like several facets on one cleverly cut gem catching the light in different ways so that some shone with inner fire and some dazzled with light from without…” Take a bow, Christina Boyd.
Sophia Rose
My pleasure, Joanne! You all have a gift for bringing Lizzy alive in so many different ways. 🙂
Lorna
Now would be the time to admit I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice. I’ve seen the movie and loved it however. I’m glad you enjoyed these even if you didn’t love them all. Perfect review for an anthology.
Sophia Rose
LOL, you are not alone. I love that you still have it to look forward to for the first time, Lorna.
Oh yes, it was great digging into the antho and enjoying each story for its unique flavor. 🙂
Christina Boyd
Thank you for this thoughtful review. So glad you enjoyed the collection of stories, Sophia.
Btw I just saw that Amazon Kindle Unlimited is offering free subscriptions for two months. This and other great reads are in KU so it might be a good time to try KU if you aren’t already a subscriber.
Sophia Rose
That is a good deal. Thanks for sharing it, Christina!
And, thanks for the compliments on my review. 🙂 I adored it.
Karen M Cox
Lovely review, Sophia! And thanks Kimberly for hosting 🙂
Sophia Rose
Howdy, Karen!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. Loved your story and that eighties college setting. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read it but I’m glad you liked the stories.
Sophia Rose
You know me, Mary- right up my alley. 🙂
sherry fundin
not really one i would grab, but your fantastic review is tempting me. 🙂
Sophia Rose
Buahaha! Just call me the book temptress, Sherry. 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
This does sound fun and I love finding new authors through these kinds of anthologies.
Sophia Rose
That is exactly what I love about picking up anthologies and sampling new to me authors, too, Katherine. 🙂
Nadene
Love your review, Sophia. Glad you enjoyed the collection.
Sophia Rose
Yes, it was worth my anticipation, Nadene. 🙂
claire @ clairefy
I’m glad that you enjoyed this one! Pride and Prejudice is a book that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time but still haven’t gotten around to yet. I picked it up and put it back down again in sixth grade, but I think I would have a greater appreciation for the story were I to read it now.
claire @ clairefy
Karen M Cox
Oh, Claire – I so envy you the joy of reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I definitely agree that you will get something different out of it at a different age. Happy Reading!
Sophia Rose
Oh yes, that would have been a tough age to get into the writing, but you’d probably appreciate the old-style wit and humor laced through it now. Hope you get the chance, Claire! 🙂
Debbie S Haupt
I love how you compare these stories to a faceted gem Sophia Rose, glad it was worth your wait!
Sophia Rose
I got that picture in my mind and just had to use it. Totally worth the wait for its release. 🙂
Melliane
Oh that’s nice! Many authors!
Sophia Rose
Yes, lots of good ones, Melliane. 🙂