Fredrica Edward's Time's Up: Mr Darcy - A Regency Romance with a Twist (EPUB) PDF
Time's Up: Mr Darcy by Fredrica Edward - A Review
If you are a fan of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, you might be interested in reading Time's Up: Mr Darcy by Fredrica Edward, a variation of the classic novel that explores what would have happened if Darcy had been married to Elizabeth Bennet without being in love with her. In this article, we will give you a brief summary of the book, introduce you to the main characters, discuss some of the themes and motifs, and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. We will also tell you more about the author, Fredrica Edward, and her other works, as well as give you some information about Pride and Prejudice variations in general. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions about Time's Up: Mr Darcy.
time's up: mr darcy by fredrica edward ( epub) pdf
Introduction
Pride and Prejudice is one of the most beloved novels in English literature, written by Jane Austen in 1813. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a witty and independent young woman, who falls in love with Mr Darcy, a wealthy and proud gentleman, despite their initial misunderstandings and prejudices. The novel is famous for its humor, romance, social commentary, and memorable characters.
Time's Up: Mr Darcy is a variation of Pride and Prejudice that imagines a different scenario for the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. In this book, Darcy is not in love with Elizabeth when he proposes to her at Hunsford. He is actually heartbroken over the loss of his mistress of seven years, who has left him to marry a duke. He marries Elizabeth out of duty and convenience, hoping to find some comfort in her company. Elizabeth, on the other hand, accepts his proposal out of gratitude and respect, hoping to make him happy. However, their marriage is not a happy one. They barely communicate, they have different interests and opinions, and they live separate lives. Will they ever find love in each other? Or will they remain unhappy for the rest of their days?
Summary of the book
The book begins with a prologue that shows us how Darcy met his mistress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh's niece, Lady Anne Fitzwilliam. She was a rich widow who seduced him when he was only twenty-one years old. She became his lover and his confidante, teaching him everything about love and life. They had a passionate and secret affair for seven years, until she decided to marry the Duke of Devonshire for more social status. She broke Darcy's heart and left him devastated.
The book then follows the events of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view, with some changes. For example, Darcy does not interfere with Bingley's relationship with Jane Bennet, because he does not care about his friend's happiness anymore. He also does not have any problems with George Wickham, because he hired Mrs Annesley instead of Mrs Younge to take care of his sister Georgiana, so there was no elopement attempt at Ramsgate.
The main divergence from Pride and Prejudice happens when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth at Hunsford. In this book, he does not insult her family or her social status. He simply tells her that he needs a wife and that she is suitable for him. He also tells her that he does not love her, but that he respects her and that he will be faithful to her. Elizabeth, who is surprised and flattered by his offer, accepts it. She thinks that he is a good man who deserves happiness, and that she can make him happy. She also thinks that marrying him will benefit her family and herself.
They get married soon after, but their marriage is not what they expected. They have a cold and distant relationship, marked by misunderstandings, resentment, and frustration. They do not share any interests or hobbies. They do not talk to each other or spend time together. They do not have any intimacy or affection. They sleep in separate rooms. They are unhappy and lonely.
The book then follows their journey of discovering each other and themselves, as they face various challenges and obstacles. They have to deal with the interference of Lady Catherine, who disapproves of their marriage and tries to separate them. They have to deal with the scandal of Lydia's elopement with Wickham, which threatens their reputation and their family's honor. They have to deal with their own feelings and emotions, which are confused and conflicted. They have to deal with their past and their present, which are full of secrets and regrets.
Will they be able to overcome these difficulties and find happiness in their marriage? Will they be able to fall in love with each other? Or will they give up and accept their fate?
Main characters
The main characters of Time's Up: Mr Darcy are Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, who are the protagonists of Pride and Prejudice as well. However, in this book, they are portrayed in a different light, showing us new aspects of their personalities and their backgrounds.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Bennet, a country gentleman and his wife who live in Longbourn, Hertfordshire. She has four sisters: Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. She is intelligent, lively, witty, and independent. She loves reading, walking, playing the piano, and conversing with interesting people. She has a strong sense of justice and morality. She is not afraid to speak her mind or to stand up for herself. She is also loyal to her family and friends.
In this book, Elizabeth is more mature and sensible than in Pride and Prejudice. She does not judge people by their first impressions or by their appearance. She does not let her pride or her prejudice cloud her judgment or her behavior. She does not mock or tease people for their faults or their flaws. She is more respectful and polite to everyone, even to those who do not deserve it.
Elizabeth is also more compassionate and generous than in Pride and Prejudice. She does not hate Darcy for his arrogance or his pride. She does not reject his proposal out of anger or indignation. She does not resent him for his lack of love or his coldness. She accepts him as he is, hoping to make him happy and to improve him. She tries to understand him and to help him. She cares for him and his sister Georgiana.
However, Elizabeth is also more insecure and unhappy than in Pride and Prejudice. She does not love Darcy when she marries him. She does not know if he will ever love her or if she will ever love him. She does not know if she made the right decision or if she sacrificed her happiness for nothing. She does not know if she belongs in his world or if she will ever fit in. She does not know if she has any value or worth as a person or as a wife.
Mr Darcy
Mr Darcy is the owner of Pemberley, a large estate in Derbyshire. He is also the master of Netherfield Park, a rented property in Hertfordshire. He is one of the richest men in England, with an income of ten thousand pounds a year. He is handsome, tall, and elegant. He is intelligent, educated, cultured, and refined. He is honorable, loyal, generous, and protective.
In this book, Darcy is more dark and complex than in Pride and Prejudice. He is not only proud and reserved, but also bitter and depressed. He has lost the love of his life, his mistress Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, who has married another man for more social status. He has been betrayed by the woman he trusted and adored for seven years.
Themes and motifs
Time's Up: Mr Darcy explores some of the themes and motifs that are present in Pride and Prejudice, such as love, marriage, class, reputation, family, and friendship. However, it also adds some new themes and motifs that are relevant to the variation, such as duty, regret, forgiveness, redemption, and healing.
Duty
Duty is one of the main themes of Time's Up: Mr Darcy. Both Elizabeth and Darcy marry each other out of a sense of duty, rather than love. They feel obliged to fulfill their roles as husband and wife, even if they are not happy or satisfied with their marriage. They also feel responsible for their families and their estates, and they try to do what is best for them.
However, duty also comes with a price. Elizabeth and Darcy sacrifice their own happiness and freedom for the sake of duty. They deny themselves the opportunity to find true love and companionship. They also face criticism and opposition from others who do not approve of their marriage or their choices.
Duty also challenges them to grow and change as characters. Elizabeth and Darcy learn to appreciate each other's qualities and virtues, despite their differences. They learn to respect each other's opinions and feelings, despite their conflicts. They learn to trust each other's intentions and actions, despite their doubts. They learn to compromise and cooperate with each other, despite their pride.
Regret
Regret is another major theme of Time's Up: Mr Darcy. Both Elizabeth and Darcy have regrets about their past and their present. They regret marrying each other without love or affection. They regret hurting each other with their words or deeds. They regret missing out on the chance to be happy with someone else.
However, regret also motivates them to improve their situation and themselves. Elizabeth and Darcy try to overcome their regrets by making amends for their mistakes. They try to overcome their regrets by seeking forgiveness from each other and from themselves. They try to overcome their regrets by finding happiness in their marriage and in themselves.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a key theme of Time's Up: Mr Darcy. Both Elizabeth and Darcy need forgiveness from each other and from themselves. They need forgiveness for their faults and flaws, for their misunderstandings and misjudgments, for their harshness and coldness, for their selfishness and stubbornness.
However, forgiveness is not easy or simple. Elizabeth and Darcy struggle to forgive each other and themselves. They have to face their own guilt and shame, their own anger and resentment, their own fear and pain. They have to overcome their own pride and prejudice, their own ego and insecurity, their own doubt and distrust.
Forgiveness is also a gift and a blessing. Elizabeth and Darcy discover the power of forgiveness in healing their wounds and restoring their relationship. They discover the joy of forgiveness in freeing themselves from their burdens and embracing their future. They discover the love of forgiveness in transforming themselves from enemies to friends, from strangers to lovers.
Strengths and weaknesses
Time's Up: Mr Darcy has many strengths as a Pride and Prejudice variation. Some of them are:
It has an original and intriguing premise that captures the reader's attention.
It has a well-developed plot that keeps the reader engaged with twists and turns.
It has a rich historical detail that immerses the reader in the Regency era.
It has a faithful characterization of Elizabeth and Darcy that respects Austen's original creation.
It has a realistic portrayal of Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage that explores its challenges and rewards.
It has a gradual development of Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship that shows its growth and change.
It has a satisfying resolution that gives Elizabeth and Darcy a happy ending.
However, Time's Up: Mr Darcy also has some weaknesses as a Pride and Prejudice variation. Some of them are:
It has a slow pace that might bore some readers who prefer more action and excitement.
It has a long length that might tire some readers who prefer shorter and simpler stories.
It has a dark tone that might depress some readers who prefer lighter and happier stories.
It has a controversial topic that might offend some readers who prefer more conventional and conservative stories.
It has a minor character death that might upset some readers who prefer more positive and hopeful stories.
It has a few grammatical errors and typos that might distract some readers who prefer more polished and professional stories.
Conclusion
Time's Up: Mr Darcy is a Pride and Prejudice variation that offers a different perspective on Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship. It is a story of duty, regret, forgiveness, redemption, and healing. It is a story of two people who marry without love, but learn to love each other. It is a story of two people who are unhappy, but find happiness in each other. It is a story of two people who are lost, but find themselves in each other.
If you are looking for a Pride and Prejudice variation that is original, intriguing, well-developed, rich, faithful, realistic, gradual, and satisfying, you might enjoy Time's Up: Mr Darcy by Fredrica Edward. However, if you are looking for a Pride and Prejudice variation that is fast-paced, short, light, conventional, conservative, positive, hopeful, and polished, you might want to skip Time's Up: Mr Darcy by Fredrica Edward.
About the author
Fredrica Edward is the author of Time's Up: Mr Darcy and other Pride and Prejudice variations. She grew up in country Australia speaking cant terms straight from the Regency period, which are now disappearing from use due to the invention of television. Her husband teases her on how easily she can still drop into the lingo if she meets an old timer, but as he once used the word "gammon" in polite conversation - a term only used by highwaymen in Georgette Heyer novels; she pays him no heed.
Fredrica spent her summer holidays with her great aunt, a modern miss who learnt to drive a car, and conveyed her husband to the pub once a week when he became too old to get on a horse. Fred first read Pride and Prejudice at fifteen and thought it very entertaining. She next read it at thirty and thought it a work of genius.
Fredrica loves writing Pride and Prejudice variations because she enjoys exploring the different possibilities for Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship. She likes to challenge herself by creating different scenarios and situations for them to face. She also likes to share her love for Jane Austen's characters and world with other fans.
Other works by Fredrica Edward
Besides Time's Up: Mr Darcy, Fredrica Edward has written two other Pride and Prejudice variations: I Met Mr Darcy Via Luton and The Lectrice. Here is a brief description of each book:
I Met Mr Darcy Via Luton
In this modern Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth Bennet is an Australian backpacker who meets Mr Darcy at Luton Airport. He is rude and arrogant, she is witty and spirited. They clash immediately, but they also feel an undeniable attraction. Will they be able to overcome their pride and prejudice and find love?
The Lectrice
In this historical Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth Bennet is a lectrice, a female reader hired by wealthy families to entertain their guests with literature. She is employed by Lady Catherine de Bourgh to read for her daughter Anne. She meets Mr Darcy at Rosings Park. He is intrigued by her intelligence and beauty, she is amused by his stiffness and formality. They soon develop a friendship that turns into something more. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles of class and family and find happiness?
Pride and Prejudice variations
Pride and Prejudice variations are novels or novellas that feature the characters and settings of Jane Austen's classic novel, but with different plots, twists, or outcomes. They can be sweet and clean, low-angst, or have more drama and romance. They can also have different themes, such as enemies to friends, second chance, redemption, or class warfare. Some variations are written from a Christian perspective.
What are Pride and Prejudice variations?
Why are Pride and Prejudice variations popular?
Pride and Prejudice variations are popular because they appeal to the fans of Jane Austen's novel who want to read more stories about Elizabeth and Darcy. They offer different perspectives, scenarios, and outcomes for the beloved characters and their relationship. They also offer different levels of romance, drama, humor, and creativity for the readers.
Pride and Prejudice variations are also popular because they are fun and entertaining to read. They allow the readers to immerse themselves in the Regency era or in other settings and times. They allow the readers to explore the what-ifs and the possibilities of the original story. They allow the readers to enjoy the familiar and the new aspects of the variation.
Some examples of Pride and Prejudice variations
There are many Pride and Prejudice variations available for the readers to choose from. They vary in length, style, tone, theme, and genre. They can be set in the Regency era or in other historical or modern times. They can be faithful to Austen's language and plot or diverge from them significantly. They can be written by professional authors or by amateur fan fiction writers.
Here are some examples of Pride and Prejudice variations that you might want to check out:
Title
Author
Description
The Vampire Debt
Ali Winters
A paranormal Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a human servant who owes a debt to Darcy, a vampire lord.
My BFF
Ruth Phillips Oakland
A modern Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a successful lawyer who is best friends with Darcy, a wealthy businessman.
Chance Encounters
Linda Wells
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a widow who meets Darcy again after ten years of separation.
Darcy's Voyage
Kara Louise
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth and Darcy as passengers on a ship that is attacked by pirates.
Fate and Consequences
Linda Wells
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a governess who is forced to marry Darcy after a compromising situation.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star
Heather Lynn Rigaud
A modern Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a singer who joins Darcy's rock band.
Imperative
Linda Wells
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a spy who works with Darcy to stop Napoleon's invasion of England.
The Ruin of Elizabeth Bennet
Darcie Rochester
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a ruined woman who is rescued by Darcy from a brothel.
The Journey
Jan Hahn
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth and Darcy as hostages of a band of robbers who travel across England.
A Remedy Against Sin
Christina Morland
A historical Pride and Prejudice variation that features Elizabeth as a healer who helps Darcy recover from a serious illness.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Time's Up: Mr Darcy:
Where can I buy Time's Up: Mr Darcy?
You can buy Time's Up: Mr Darcy on Amazon as a Kindle ebook or as a paperback book. You can also read it for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Is Time's Up: Mr Darcy suitable for all ages?
No, Time's Up: Mr Darcy is not suitable for all ages. It contains