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For the discussion of all things Austen, and a great deal more.
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Re: Past is Prologue (JaOctGoHoNo) - 1 year ago

Aw, this was a sweet read! Thank you!
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Notes - 1 year ago

The ending you wrote seems to fit with a story in which Marianne has been making unwise decision after unwise decision, compromising her morals a bit more each time.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Cost of Wishes, 2 - 1 year ago

So Marianne knows Willoughby had a prior dalliance and now that he has lied to her--and she is still determined to have him. I don't think she deserves a HEA at this point.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Cost of Wishes, 1 - 1 year ago

This is an interesting premise! I suspect Marianne is going to be disillusioned with wishes, and with Willoughby, by the end...
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Love from the Gods - Part 2 - 2 years ago

This was such an interesting take, and the first soulmark story I can remember reading. I enjoyed watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy wrestle with the disconnect between their personal observations and feelings vs. "fate," and their more serious attempts to gain a better understanding of each other early on. I also very much enjoyed the running joke of Mr. Darcy telling Elizabeth she must be right
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Love from the Gods - Part 1 - 2 years ago

I had to smile at your intro and its creative references to Shakespeare and Henry VIII--in this AU that does seem a likely action for Henry! At least Elizabeth became aware of her mark before Mr. Wickham or Mr. Collins came to town...if her discovery had delayed for another few weeks, there might have been some cringe-worthy confusion. “To a man in love, I think you could be very fearsome, yes.”
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 9 - 2 years ago

Thanks for reminding me of that passage. It has been a few years since I've read Mansfield Park, and even then, I don't think I grasped how revealing that speech is for Mary. I like how your interpretation of her is so grounded in the text, even as I wish for her sake that she was more capable of change. Also realized after reading ch. 10 that I misunderstood the last section of this chapter--I
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 9 - 2 years ago

I interpreted Edmund to be referring to their many kisses (as shown in the text). I would think that if they had anticipated their vows, he would feel bound to marry Mary regardless of any other consideration. But that is just my impression.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 9 - 2 years ago

Yay! Edmund is free of Mary, and it is by his own choice and action. I also like that the final straw was not Henry, but Mary's own character, her heartless greed. I'm obviously not happy about the pain Edmund is suffering in the process, but I am glad that he knows the full truth about her. Delusions would only make his heart cling more strongly to her in the long run. It really says somethi
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 8 - 2 years ago

What a mess Edmund is in. I know that engagements in this era were more binding, and he feels that as a man of honor, he can't break things off with Mary. I do find it curious that as a man of the cloth, he seemingly sees no problem with foisting on his congregation a minister's wife who thinks adultery is a-ok as long as the woman is beautiful. (It also doesn't occur to Edmund that Mary hersel
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 7 - 2 years ago

Poor Fanny, to have her such-anticipated return to Mansfield Park bring such heartache! Her reflections at the beginning of the chapter are so painful, especially her fear that Mary's attitudes will corrupt Edmund until his morals are as low as hers. That fear has teeth, given the compromises he already made for her during the play. Seeing someone she loves make a disastrous decision and have t
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 6 - 2 years ago

Interesting contrast between Henry and Mary in this chapter. They are using similar manipulation/lies and working for a similar end, but Henry knows the enormity of what he is doing while Mary seemingly does not. I wonder if the upcoming breakup with Edmund will get through to her, or if she will deem him overly priggish and continue believing herself in the right. At this point I'm not sure even
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 5 - 2 years ago

Fair point about the timing of Mary's jokes. I'm still disgusted by her behavior though. Yes, I'm not surprised she still wants Fanny to marry Henry. I was just surprised by her belief that it's inevitable, that Edmund will pressure Fanny into marrying a man he knows to be licentious. Maybe that's a wishful thought masquerading as a belief.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 5 - 2 years ago

Goodness, this situation is growing uncomfortable--and I'm not even the one living it! Henry's speech about wanting the opportunity to rescue Fanny is very revealing. It's chilling in a way that he longs for a situation where she is in his debt--that's a manipulative tactic he has tried before when helping her brother. But his speech is quite sad too. It's as if he is acknowledging that he can't
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 4 - 2 years ago

I can't argue with that!
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 4 - 2 years ago

Well, I mean, you could have made a certain express arrive a couple hours earlier . But yeah, I agree that it was inevitable Edmund would speak.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 4 - 2 years ago

Also gave a little cheer when Edmund prayed Fanny would continue to resist Henry's charms--finally! Just hoping he does not come to regret not going to her immediately...
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 4 - 2 years ago

So much to think about in this chapter! I was just rereading part of MP and was struck by Fanny's impression of Henry when he first proposed. He "was everything to everybody, and seemed to find no one essential to him." What a change his feelings for Fanny, and late knowledge of his own weakness, have wrought! I obviously don't wish him to succeed with her, but his hopelessness and desperation ar
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Chapter 3 - 2 years ago

"This showed Miss Crawford feeling exactly what she should." Edmund's blindness is just painful here. His own feelings of unselfishness and love for a rather undeserving brother are indeed exactly what they should be, however, and I respect him for that. I'm not sure what you have in mind, but I do hope he learns the truth before making an irrevocable decision. That's quite a performance Henry pu
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford Chapter 2 - 2 years ago

I am glad to see Henry's melancholy, that he seems not to be able to brush aside his relapse with Mrs. Rushworth. It must be terribly suspenseful for him, knowing Fanny probably suspects already, waiting for the shoe to fully drop. I'm curious how Fanny would react if he confessed to her what he had done, but he seems unlikely to do so (and Fanny would not want to hear such a confession). The p
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Intro and Chapter 1 - 2 years ago

Oh, I didn't mean that I'm expecting the same story arc here. The path Henry takes in Everingham is believable but not the most probable one for him, and as you say, in your scenario we have evidence from the start that he is finding it difficult to forsake his flirtatious habits. I hope other readers will take time to comment too! I was an infrequent commenter myself until I posted a couple st
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Crawford, Intro and Chapter 1 - 2 years ago

Oh yay, I'm so excited for this story! Katharine T's Everingham was eye-opening for me in terms of the potential of Henry Crawford as a character, and I'm really looking forward to your take on him, Fanny, and the others. I actually just reread Bingley's Blunder this morning--giggled and snickered my way through actually--but I'm glad for the more serious tone here. Fanny is so serious herself,
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 16 (Complete) - 2 years ago

I'm glad for poor Lydia's sake that she won't have to testify publicly about the incident that still terrifies her, and that her father is at least making a little effort to get to know her. This story wrapped up neatly, and I so enjoyed it--thank you for sharing it with us!
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter - 2 years ago

So glad to see Lady Catherine being useful...if only for a short time!
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 14 - 2 years ago

While I'm glad the mystery is resolved and Mr. Wickham is locked up, my favorite part of this chapter is the first half. This part especially: "Oh, Papa. I have been given to much self-reflection whilst you were gone, so you have no reason to fear I should condemn you: I cannot cast a stone, for I have recently learned that I am the very worst of sisters. Indeed, you are still and will always be
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 13 - 2 years ago

I have to agree with others who suggest that Wickham, having failed in his attempt to frame Darcy for Denny's murder, is now attempting to frame him for his own murder. I'm glad Mr. Bennet is making himself useful.
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 12 - 2 years ago

I should have said "another *opportunity* to tweak Mr. Darcy's nose."
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 12 - 2 years ago

Oh my word, what a twist! Here's hoping Mr. Bennet takes this seriously, not as another attempt to tweak Mr. Darcy's nose. I did enjoy Mr. Bingley's description earlier in the chapter of how Darcy was on the point of riding away to London but was persuaded to stay. Echoes of their debate at Netherfield in P&P!
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 11 - 2 years ago

I wonder if Elizabeth is correct that Mr. Darcy overheard her conversation with Charlotte--and if so, just how much of it he overheard. I'll be very interested to see how he reacts when he has had time to think it over...
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Re: Death at the Netherfield Ball, Chapter 10 - 2 years ago

Ah, the truth comes out about the Lucas's mysterious behavior. I'm thankful for Maria's sake that the explanation was so innocent. "I generally dispatch my suitors politely with words, not permanently with weapons. I am a lady." -- Elizabeth's sense of humor is truly delightful! I'm enjoying this twist in which she is becoming quite interested in Mr. Darcy without knowing of his feelings for he
by Shannon K - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
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