The Longbourn Quarantine: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

Book Synopsis: Love Burns Brightest in Dark Times

In this moving tale, our favorite characters from Pride and Prejudice face the prospect of an awful death. This compels them to confront troubling scenes from their past. The author crafts a beautifully told story of self-examination and reflection while embracing compassion and understanding under trying circumstances. — Jennifer Redlarczyk, author of Darcy’s Melody

For all their riches, the Darcys and Bingleys could not escape epidemic’s dark hand. Netherfield is reduced to rubble. Refugees flood the roads. A feared illness sickens and kills. Anyone who could flee did. The only sanctuary is Longbourn, where, once there, all were barred from leaving by a fortnight’s quarantine.

Forced into each other’s company, Darcy and Elizabeth set aside pride and abandoned old prejudices to face their grief. Together, they forge ahead, knowing that love unexplored is love lost: that words must be said lest they remain unspoken in the time of smallpox.

Readers rate The Longbourn Quarantine 5-Stars

CEK calls the novella “Beautifully Written”

Deeply felt and beautifully expressed story of a multitude of human conditions. The basic cast of characters are gathered at Longbourn in quarantine a few months after Bingley and Darcy abandon Netherfield. In a crucible of understanding, friendship, grief, fear, honesty, sorrow, romance, and passion, we view the growth of their spirits and minds. The author is an amazing writer and treats us to an emotionally charged experience.

Sarah B. feels The Longbourn Quarantine is Well-Written, Thoughtful, Realistic, Romantic

This is a new-to-me author and from the first page, I was hooked on the story. The writing is fabulous, poetic even; another reviewer described it as “lyrical” and I find that a very apt description. Often I find in JAFF that either the characters overshadow the plot or vice versa, but that was not the case here. I loved seeing how both h/H acted in their forced close proximity, and how Darcy changed his opinion of the Bennet family. I enjoyed the introspection on behalf of ODC; there was just enough of it, and it fit the style of Austen’s original. The pacing of the characters’ growth (all characters, not just ODC) felt realistic and was enjoyable to watch.

Marie labels The Longbourn Quarantine Nicely Done!

During a smallpox outbreak, the Darcys and the Bingleys are forced to isolate themselves at Longbourn with the Bennet family. This time of quarantine affords the occupants an opportunity to examine relationships and past misunderstandings. This time period of quarantine also provides a time for self-examination. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Bennet’s portrayal as the good matriarch I favour, rather than the usual flighty, nervous Mrs. Bennet we so often see portrayed. I also appreciated the way Wickham’s role in the story was written. Elizabeth’s reflections about Darcy holding back his emotions were spot on.