Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder – review

In the weekend I read two books. On Saturday, the other one (I’ll write a review later), and Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder on Sunday. Both was published by Meryton Press and I have to say, editing was the most notable contradiction. When I finished the books I checked the editors and I don’t know who edited the other book, but this was edited by my favourite editor, Gail Warner, (I still don’t know her in person:)) and I wasn’t surprised at all by this information.

I could write a whole PhD thesis -in one sitting- about this book, but I’ll hold it back, don’t worry. 🙂

The spoiler will be only what you can read in the amazon description, but I don’t repeat or quote it here.

I think, the biggest strenghts of Alias Thomas Bennet is that the characters sound the same in some ways but at the same time their personality is a bit different than the original’s. They are talking about the same things (laces, gowns, officers, gossiping etc.) what we know from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice but the way they say what they say makes the difference. The whole Bennet family talks and acts responsibly. The narrator assures us that they are happy, clever, well-bred, accomplished girls. Honestly, I still cannot decide if I believe what the narrator says multiple times about them or they are really different for what we know from the canon. When lots of authors are giving the same personality to the characters with the same or very similar story line, it is a real pleasure to read something else, what is refreshing but not too contorted. We still have lots of pride and lots of prejudice, don’t worry. The beginning of the book leaves you in doubt, but around 30 percent (kindle ed.) everything, or most of the things come clear.

Ms Lauder kept most of the original characters, gave a bigger role to some of them and also added new characters, who have nice names btw. 🙂

There are certain circumstances around Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth which I didn’t like at first because I thought it killed the original Pride and Prejudice’s message, but luckily the author didn’t whimp out of explaining it and the narrator expressed and explained it through Darcy.

Just a friendly warning that there are explicit sexual references, and I don’t have a problem as long as it’s in sake of the plot, but when there is no need for that, I just don’t like it. There is one scene involving Darcy alone, which is absolutley unnecessary, in my opinion.

Wickham. Wickham is here and causes trouble, but I didn’t mind him because for a long time, you just don’t guess who his partner in mischief is. Shocking, by the way. 🙂 But I think the author was too kind to him and held on to him for too long.
Caroline and Lady Catherine are great!! I liked that Her Ladyship is absolutely true to herself but returns to reason before the epilogue. (Well, Darcy is clever and he can handle her.)
The only character I missed greatly, is Mrs Hill!
I also missed one little thing, which is not really a plot hole, but I would have read about it and that is: how did Mr and Mrs Bennet fall in love.

The scene at the opera is one of my favourites. Very well written.

I think if you are open to those sort of variations which are making alterations in characters and story line, you’ll like it. It’s well written and well edited, plus besides Elizabeth and Darcy and Jane and Bingley romance there is another equally wonderful story.

Alias Thomas Bennet – Suzan Lauder – amazon UK

Alias Thomas Bennet – Suzan Lauder – amazon US