Thank you, Candy, for hosting the final stop on the A Case of Some Delicacy blog tour here at So Little Time...!
Hello, readers! If you’ve been following along on the blog tour already, you’ll know that A Case of Some Delicacy is a Pride and Prejudice variation. But any JAFF reader also knows that P&P variations can, well, vary quite a bit. Some of them stray so wildly from canon that they might be considered an AU (alternate universe), while others only have a small change at one crucial point in the plot.
A Case of Some Delicacy is an example of the latter type of variation. I like to say that the plot “hugs” the original P&P plot. Most of the familiar early events (the Meryton assembly, the stay at Netherfield, meeting Wickham for the first time, the Netherfield ball) still happen in A Case of Some Delicacy, but they are slightly altered. These small changes all combine into a sort of snowball effect by the end of the story.
So what is the crucial change in A Case of Some Delicacy? Mr. Collins visits the Bennet family earlier, right before the Meryton assembly. That small difference in timing cascades into the early plot. For example, Mr. Collins expresses his interest in Jane as a possible bride, just as he does in canon. But rather than warning him off Jane and pushing him toward Elizabeth instead, Mrs. Bennet encourages him! Jane hasn’t even met Mr. Bingley yet, so why shouldn’t Mr. Collins pursue her?
What about the Meryton assembly, you ask? Well, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are introduced to the neighborhood just as in the original. But Mr. Collins is also introduced to the neighborhood that night, and rumors of a connection between him and Jane are already spreading.
I’ve created an interactive timeline comparing the early plot of A Case of Some Delicacy (on the top) to the original Pride and Prejudice (on the bottom). (Interactive Timeline)
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| Click on the image to take you to the interactive timeline. |
A Case of Some Delicacy
by KC Kahler
Blurb:
A secret alliance grows when an unwanted suitor arrives at Longbourn...
When rumours of Jane Bennet’s impending betrothal to her father’s heir begin spreading at the Meryton Assembly, Elizabeth vows to save her dearest sister’s happiness from being sacrificed in marriage.
She finds an unlikely accomplice in Mr Darcy, the taciturn man whose heroics on the cricket field have managed to turn Lydia Bennet’s infatuation away from redcoats. Upon overhearing a heated exchange between Elizabeth and Mr Bennet, Darcy is stunned not only by her devotion to her sister, but also by her defiant words to her father. An inexplicable desire to help Elizabeth draws Darcy into the match-breaking scheme, despite knowing that he should want nothing to do with a family like the Bennets.
As the new allies work together, their friendship deepens into mutual admiration. But they must navigate a complicated web of sisters, parents, friends, cousins, and aunts, some of whom may be attempting their own manipulations and romantic schemes. Eavesdropping and jealousy abound, cricket balls go astray, and love blooms in spite of Mrs. Bennet’s misguided matchmaking.
by KC Kahler
Blurb:
A secret alliance grows when an unwanted suitor arrives at Longbourn...
When rumours of Jane Bennet’s impending betrothal to her father’s heir begin spreading at the Meryton Assembly, Elizabeth vows to save her dearest sister’s happiness from being sacrificed in marriage.
She finds an unlikely accomplice in Mr Darcy, the taciturn man whose heroics on the cricket field have managed to turn Lydia Bennet’s infatuation away from redcoats. Upon overhearing a heated exchange between Elizabeth and Mr Bennet, Darcy is stunned not only by her devotion to her sister, but also by her defiant words to her father. An inexplicable desire to help Elizabeth draws Darcy into the match-breaking scheme, despite knowing that he should want nothing to do with a family like the Bennets.
As the new allies work together, their friendship deepens into mutual admiration. But they must navigate a complicated web of sisters, parents, friends, cousins, and aunts, some of whom may be attempting their own manipulations and romantic schemes. Eavesdropping and jealousy abound, cricket balls go astray, and love blooms in spite of Mrs. Bennet’s misguided matchmaking.
Buy: Amazon
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About the Author
KC Kahler lives in northeastern Pennsylvania and works in online education, after having dabbled in sandwich making, bug collecting, and web development. She discovered Jane Austen fan fiction in 2008 and soon began dabbling in writing her own. KC blogs about Austen and other pop culture topics. In 2015 and 2017, her popular Austen + The Onion Headlines meme was featured in The Atlantic, Flavorwire, and AV Club. In 2017, she made the requisite pilgrimage to Jane Austen country, where she took the waters in Bath, walked the lanes of Steventon, didn’t fall off the cobb in Lyme Regis, and stood awestruck in Chawton.
KC’s first novel, Boots & Backpacks, was published in 2014. Her second, A Case of Some Delicacy, released in 2019.
Connect with KC
Blog • Tumblr • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Goodreads • Amazon
* * * GIVEAWAY * * *
It's giveaway time! You can win a $50 Amazon gift card from Quills & Quartos Publishing! The contest ends on October 18. To be eligible, just comment on any of the blog tour stops. You need not visit all the stops (one point per stop and comment), however, it does increase your chances of winning by earning more entries.
Wow! That's a fantastic giveaway! Thank you Quills & Quartos Publishing!
Blog Tour Schedule
Oct. 2 Austenesque Reviews
Oct. 3 My Jane Austen Book Club
Oct. 4 From Pemberley to Milton
Oct 8 Diary of an Eccentric
Oct 9 Savvy Verse & Wit
Oct 10 My Vices & Weaknesses
Oct. 11 So Little Time...
Many thanks to Christina Boyd for organizing and including me on this blog tour!
Congratulations to KC Kaher on the release of A Case of Some Delicacy! And thanks for being a guest here at So Little Time...!
Ooh, I'm curious to see Darcy and Elizabeth teaming up! What about you? Also, please show KC some love by leaving a comment or question below!
* * * GIVEAWAY * * *
It's giveaway time! You can win a $50 Amazon gift card from Quills & Quartos Publishing! The contest ends on October 18. To be eligible, just comment on any of the blog tour stops. You need not visit all the stops (one point per stop and comment), however, it does increase your chances of winning by earning more entries.
Wow! That's a fantastic giveaway! Thank you Quills & Quartos Publishing!
Blog Tour Schedule
Oct. 3 My Jane Austen Book Club
Oct. 4 From Pemberley to Milton
Oct 8 Diary of an Eccentric
Oct 9 Savvy Verse & Wit
Oct 10 My Vices & Weaknesses
Oct. 11 So Little Time...
Many thanks to Christina Boyd for organizing and including me on this blog tour!
Congratulations to KC Kaher on the release of A Case of Some Delicacy! And thanks for being a guest here at So Little Time...!
Ooh, I'm curious to see Darcy and Elizabeth teaming up! What about you? Also, please show KC some love by leaving a comment or question below!
Fun how just one alteration can change the course of a story.
ReplyDeleteI love how just one change can impact the entire story. Enjoyed learning about this book in the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteSurprise that Collins does not offer as quickly as he does in canon, before Bingley arrives
ReplyDeleteMr. Collins arrives only a day before the Meryton Assembly, so he doesn't have time to propose before Mr. Bingley is in the picture. Even he is not that speedy :) It took him over a week to propose to Elizabeth in canon.
DeleteSuper clever timeline! This is why I adore JAFF because of subtle shifts that change so much intent and plot...and yet, our dear couple is destined regardless. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for reading and commenting! Best of luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteLove the timeline, such a clever way of showing the big effects a small change can have!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful book--I finished it last evening--or rather early this morning! An interesting facet was Lydia, a mixture of immature teenager and sensible young lady. Well written and probably a good reflection of today's teenagers.
ReplyDeleteThis is a unique guest post that I've not seen done before in a blog tour. How clever and original of you to create this timeline, KC. I had a blast following your tour. Thank you for sharing your new P&P variation with us.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds delightful. Congratulations! I'm intrigued by the timeline shift and the effect it has on the original plot. I'm looking forward to reading it and seeing whether Jane and Bingley find each other and whether Mr Collins is thwarted in his designs to marry one of the Bennet girls!. Thanks for a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun story. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Looking forward to reading.
ReplyDelete