If Austen paraliterature–sequels, prequels, retellings, embellishments, modernizations–has become a genre of its own, then retellings of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of the hero has become a genre within a genre. There are at least a dozen of these retellings, some quite enjoyable and some, frankly, quite bewildering. We are not a purist, if by “purist” one means a Janeite unable to bring herself to read alternate takes on Austen’s novels, but we are a canonist. We like the novels that Jane Austen wrote, and when we choose to read paraliterature, we like it to show that the author has paid close attention to the original and understands it. Every detail doesn’t have to be perfect–and we all have our own take on what happens off-canvas in the original–but we consider these novels successful if we find the characters recognizable as those created by Jane Austen. In His Good Opinion, Nancy Kelley has written an enjoyable version of Mr. Darcy’s story that we found recognizable and believable. Continue reading