Name: potionspartner (Signed) · Date: 26 Jan 2019 03:13 PM · For: Odd Duck

First, you gave delightful and very adept descriptions of every member of the Bennet family from the “odd duck” to the “patently silly.” Jane Austen would be proud.

I never had much thought about Mr. Bennet as I read the books and watched the movies finding him to be a rather dull and flat character but after reading this, I feel a bit sorry for Mr. Bennet. His inability to find people with common interests, struggling to adhere to social norms and then of course, the mistake of marrying the woman I often think of as the shrew. I love the line “and as his wife seemed uncommonly invested in Mr Bennet making their new neighbour’s acquaintance, he happily proclaimed that he absolutely would not” It gives you a definite mental image of their marriage.

 

Your labels of inclusivity also give me pause for thought. Modern labels for a old-fashion tale but probably more realistic than fiction. I can see elements of many neurodiversities from autism to social anxiety to ADHD. Thanks for bringing a new depth to an old classic.

Name: manno-malfoy (Signed) · Date: 09 Dec 2017 01:57 AM · For: Odd Duck

Hello! I'm here for the winter wonderland.

 

 It's an understatement to say that I'm obsessed with Pride and Prejudice. And I was beyond delighted to see that we had a couple of those on the archive.

 

First and foremost, I must commend you on the style of writing. Right off the bat, the classic style and crafting of sentences transported me to that atmosphere and setting. I was entranced by how well you wrote all of this, and even more so by your interesting take on Mr. Bennet. Seeing the world from his point of view was quite enjoyable. And while we don't get to see too much of him in the original novel, I felt as though you made him justice, and expanded on his personality in a very clever way. 

 

It was nice to see Mr. Bennet change his opinion about Bingley. After all, he would be quite the hypocrite if he took on a behaviour that he so despised in Mr. Collins --being obstinate and unyielding. And in case, I love Bingley way too much and would've been rather disappointed if Mr. Bennet didn't coe to percieve him in a different light. 

 

 The passage where Mr. Bennet finds similarities between himself and Darcy was so touching in so many levels. I personally understand what it's like to finally find a kindered soul that you identify with. And even more so when their opinions and thoughts resonate with yours. (Being quite the recluse myself, this is how I acquired my very small circle of friends after a lot of excruciating experiences with all sorts of wrong people.) So I fully comprehend this unexplicable sense of 'completeness', I suppose, and satisfaction that Mr. Bennet revels in in that section. Until, of course, it crosses his mind how much Lizzy despised Darcy, and that begins to trouble him to the point that he starts questioning his identity, life, and overall behaviour. It does show how deeply attached he is to Lizzy, and justifies his actions that we know of him toward her. And I think you communicated all of that skillfully and beautifully. 

 

While there are many stunning lines in this story, this one has to be my absolute favourite. It's just so brilliant!

 

'Hope is a funny emotion; it won’t leave you alone once it has first been stirred'

 

Well done on a stunning piece. I can't imagine that it was an easy task to try and sum up an entire novel from one character's perspective in a relatively smaller piece. But I think you were up to the challenge and delivered on evry aspect of it. I'm so, so impressed by it all.