Six Inches Deep in Mud: A Pride and Prejudice variation

By Michelle d'Arcy

Enjoyment rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis: The story begins the morning after Jane's unfortunate ride in the rain to have tea with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Written in first person, Elizabeth makes the three mile trek and encounters Mr. Darcy on her way to Netherfield. She is prevailed upon to stay as normally happens in P&P. Her stay at Netherfield initially mimics the original P&P but as time goes on, Elizabeth and Darcy have more private conversations and begin to understand each other much earlier. Naturally, the usual mischief-makers are afoot - Lady Catherine de Burgh, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Collins all make appearances and contribute to the couple's angst.

The first person writing switches without announcement between Elizabeth and Darcy so context clues in the first paragraph of each chapter are vital in informing the reader whose mind they are in. Level 2 intimacy (see the Closed Door Romance Intimacy Guide under About).

Would I read again? Probably not but I would recommend it to other readers wanting an entertaining variation asking what would happen if Darcy cottoned onto his insulting behavior early on and tried to do something about it.