A Ball at Longbourn

A 'Pride and Prejudice' Variation Vignette

Fiction - Short Story/Novela
11 Pages
Reviewed on 02/19/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Rolanda Lyles for Readers' Favorite

Margaret Lynette Sharp’s A Ball at Longbourn opens with Mrs. Bennet pitching the idea of throwing a ball to her husband by making it sound like it was his idea. He, like any doting father or husband, relented and allowed the women to throw a ball, but stated that they had to invite Victoria, a girl that his daughter, Lydia, did not like. He also told them not to spend too much money. Of course, the Bennet women did not heed his plea and squandered the money on fancy dresses and things for the ball with the intent to upstage the guests. However, it did not end the way they planned.

Margaret Lynette Sharp's A Ball at Longbourn was masterfully written and flawlessly portrays how wives run the home. Mr. Bennet is always present giving advice about spending limits, but Mrs. Bennet just does what she wants. I found it amusing when she pitched the idea of having a ball as though it was Mr. Bennet’s intent. I enjoyed how Margaret seamlessly portrays the power women have to get what they want. The dynamic between Lydia and Victoria was well written. Lydia does not like Victoria and does not want to invite her to the ball that their family is hosting because she was invited to a previous ball and Lydia was not. Ironically, Victoria’s invitation was a part of the stipulation her father gave. I also enjoyed the irony at the end of the story with the result of what happened between Victoria and Lydia. Margaret Lynette Sharp’s A Ball at Longbourn is a quick read, but well written, highly amusing, and kept me wondering what would happen next.