This book tells the story that my younger self really needed to read when I was young enough to be studying Jane Austen’s works. I had always wondered how I would have survived if born in an earlier time – now I know that I would have been able to seek shelter by gaining employment in a queer household.
Written as what is surely fan fiction, generally the reader is already aware of both of the main characters and a lot of the background necessary to hit the ground running.
It is impossible to feel anything about the death of Mr Collins, particularly when you can see Charlotte is inconvenienced by his death rather than heartbroken. Her best friend, Lizzie Bennet is unavailable and sends her sister, Mary, to distract and help Charlotte in her ‘grief’.
In an age where respectability meant so much, alternate lifestyles required money, property and the ability to meet likeminded people with whom to socialise and develop relationships.
After some perceived flirting and yearning and beliefs that she must be misinterpreting signals and gestures that Mary is making, Charlotte and Mary at last find themselves on the same page and begin to enjoy an emotional and sexual relationship. Without a financial safety net Charlotte determines that she must be a dutiful daughter and return to the parental home to either seek another match with a view to marriage or caring for and being supported by her parents. Mary wishes her to stay with her and is hurt that Charlotte puts her notion of respectability before their future.
There is a lot of information about the historical period, queer community, the Pride and Prejudice world, gardening, flowers and the meaning of various flowers. I am always impressed when I can see evidence of good, clear, accurate research being used in fiction.
I really enjoyed this book.