The Companion of His Future Life

If one loves JA's P&P, one knows the lines very well. Mr. Caldwell uses many of them with no attempt to disguise such. Does that offend me? NO. My thoughts are that Mr. Caldwell was very clever and had to have given a lot of thought as to how to use those lines and in whose mouth. But, honestly, I did skim through many of those sections as I knew the words so well. Many of his changes are changes which I, frankly, have opined about for the original. Don't we all think Mary should have married Mr. Collins, what with her reading of Fordyce's Sermons and her holier-than-thou attitude? However, in marrying Mary to Mr. Collins our author gives her the wisdom (and body) to be able to handle her husband. Him "begging" to be allowed to visit her bedroom - I think I will be ill also if not die from laughing so hard first! I enjoyed reading that Mary and Anne de Bourgh became best of friends. What a nice surprise! Many authors have married Col. Fitzwilliam off to Anne in JAFF stories, but in this version, Col. Fitzwilliam doesn't seem to have a clue that this is to be his fate. Is he in denial? The scene in which he is entering Rosings and 3 females have his destiny all tied up is priceless.I did NOT like when Elizabeth, at Lambton, after having received the letters about Lydia's elopement with Wickham, said, "Find them and I am yours." It just doesn't sound right...sorry. Yes, we know Darcy is honorable and would only have Elizabeth in marriage but I just don't think our Lizzy would have said it quite that way. It opens up too many negative connotations. He has not proposed for a second time, She has just realized that, yes, she can love him. But she also thinks that this disgrace because of Lydia's actions would now totally justify his views of her family, even though he takes the blame in not exposing Wickham. And there is that whole thing about him not wanting her out of gratitude, which her words imply. Doesn't she know that he is not going to want her for that reason by now. She has been learning so much about his honor and how loyal he is to those he loves and how he takes care of them and protects them.In creating a different Anne I found it very interesting that Mr. Caldwell now gives her an accomplishment which her mother was bragging about in the original story (and which she didn't have) and additional accomplishments, which would draw attention from a man looking for an "ideal woman"...learning to play the piano, learning to shot billiards, drawing, handling her dog cart and wanting to learn to ride are sure to please.We have a new Jane who suddenly has the discernment to realize that Bingley can't stand on his own two feet and that a couple cannot live on love alone. This is not JA's Jane. We do see Bingley's character being more developed in this version and, for me, that was pleasing. (Even if the steward he hires and works with was sent his way via Darcy and Matlock.)All in all a very interesting twist to the original story. The author kept very close to the original story line making changes more in characters' personalities and then their actions without changes in the final outcome for the most part.

"The Companion of His Future Life."Okay, I have read over 80+ P&P Fan fiction books and I have 3 favorites "Fitzwilliam Darcy, an Honorable Man" , Mr. Darcy's forbidden Love, both by Brenda Webb and "One Thread Pulled" by Diana John Oaks, I will now add "The companion of His Future Life" to that list. Jack, no offense here, but I never thought a man could do justice to Darcy and Lizzy, I humbly apologize.You make Wm. Collins so annoyingly Mr. Collins that I wanted to choke him! To think his arrogance has gotten to the point where he wants to decide who Lizzy marries, this is pure jealousy.Mary finally finds her spunk and guts. In the "what if" she marries Mr. Collins and that's where her spunk and guts come from. Mary's knowledge of scripture and her love of Mr. Fordyce I always felt she would be the perfect wife for him.My favorite is Anne de Bourgh, I have always felt that her illnesses were based on her mother's constant nagging. How does one handle an annoying mama, pretend your sick, you can leave her presence easier. I have always liked it when a Fan Fiction writer developed Anne's character and you developed Anne beautifully; and because of that I can see her now as pretty, rather than "sickly and Pale."Jane and Lizzy in Hunsford? Colonel Fitzwilliam blowing it by telling Lizzy, in front of Jane, Darcy's great achievement with his friend. In an attempt to apologize he writes each sister a letter and our shy, all loving Jane says ".......I can not accept this letter......If you have anything you wish to tell me, I am at leisure to hear it......" I love this Jane a lot better, thanks Jack.Bingly finding himself growing as a man without Darcy's help, now there's surprise.I could go on but then I would be spoiling it for others and I hate doing that.I just love this book - I quite like the spin Jack Caldwell put in the Austen story, while keeping it close to her heart. He changed it up, but stayed true to the characters, and in some instances you made them better. (Sorry Jane)This is a really good book Jack, and I loved it. Ladies and Gentlemen go get this book you won't regret it.Elizabeth Cohen. Fan Fiction enthusiast and writer. -- feeling excited.Remember all of you who choose not to be so nice in your reviews, this is called FAN FICTION for a reason.

The twisting of comments made by various characters tears made this a funny variation of Jane Austen's original Pride and Prejudice. Loved the way the author portrayed Mary Collins, nee Bennet and Anne de Bourgh. The typical people get in Fitzwilliam Darcy's way for felicity in marriage to Elizabeth: himself, first and foremost, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Wickham, Aunt Catherine, and society climber, Caroline Bingley. Loved that both Jane and Elizabeth visit Hunsford near the Easter season. After the disastrous proposal, Darcy writes two letters: one to Jane and one to Elizabeth. Jane refuses her letter for propriety so Darcy sets the slights to verbally apologies. Elizabeth is devastated by her actions and what she said in her refusal. Darcy makes his promise to Jane, and Bingley returns to Netherfield. When he renews his feelings for her, she refuses him. Now both he and Darcy are miserable. Darcy invites Bingley to Pemberley. Of course, the two evil sisters must go along. Darcy comes ahead by one day running into the the Gardiners, Jane and Elizabeth who both traveled with their aunt and uncle. The infamous letters arrive from Kitty telling of Lydia and Wickham's plan to elope. Both Darcy and Bingley head to London to help Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner find Lydia. Colonel Fitzwilliam also helps and the five get them found quickly. The double wedding take place all the while Caroline wondering how this has all happened. The unique quest for marriage was that of Anne and Colonel, and all who helped them to come to take their vows. Some of the remarks made aside are quite funny.

I am always a little apprehensive when reading a P&P sequel and have been disappointed by many. Not with this one though.In the words of a much-loved comedian, "all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order". So it is with this book. The author has jumbled all the known scenes and speeches around, sometimes attributing them to other protagonists, but everything we loved in the Original is reproduced. He has added humour to the mix and some of the action in the original is fleshed out, notably the discovery of Wickham and Lydia and the exchange between Darcy and Wickham, which led to the eventual marriage. The time frame has also been tightened up so that Lizzy and Darcy acknowledge their feelings for each other much sooner than in the Jane Austen original. I must say that I liked this, as I have never been one to practise patience!There are several deviations from the original in regard to Mary Bennett and Charlotte Lucas, but I will leave this for you to discover.Jack Caldwell has done a cracking job here of a much-loved story. Thoroughly recommend it. It is a delightful, light-hearted tale.

But, although I enjoyed the variation very much it felt as though the ending was rushed and one more chapter would have balanced out the book nicely. Jack Cafdwell writes with humour and a knowledge of the period which adds to the enjoyment of the story. I will be looking out for his future work.

Enjoyable with good wit. A few moments that didn't feel quite right for the characters but can be largely overlooked. It was entertaining.

This is a another great effort from this author, not quite a hilarious as 'Mr Darcy Came to a Dinner,' but still witty, effortlessly chivalrous and romantic.

Well worth a read, I always wanted Mr Collins to choose Mary instead of Elizabeth.