
And so, the Bennet Sisters Scale was born. Here I will explain how a few particular facets of each sister's character epitomise a distinct type of Regency romance novel. For illustrative purposes, I'll be using the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as my reference, because it's my favourite version and does a good job of highlighting the traits that have informed each category. As well as the usual stars for overall quality, I will award 1-5 'English Roses' as a simple visual guide to its rank as a Regency.
Rating: 5 Roses - 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Traits: Lively, intelligent, unconventional, and humorous. Full of compelling wit and vivacity to which you will want to return.
Stories which feel to me like a 'Lizzie', will be very much the gold standard. Not necessarily always a five-star story, but the most enjoyable kind of Regency. These audiobooks will be full of life and emotion, may be either passionate or romantic, and are generally well written.
Rating: 4 Roses - 🌹🌹🌹🌹
Traits: Sweet and classic, with a rose-tinted view of romance and an unapologetically schmaltzy pursuit of a happy ending.
The stories that feel the most 'Jane'-like to me are sweeping romances, where the heroine is loved by all and the the hero is a prince amongst men. They are sweet, traditional, and mostly 'clean', but may lack some of the light and shade that gives a story depth.
Rating: 3 Roses - 🌹🌹🌹
Traits: Pleasant enough but a little mediocre. Has many promising qualities and is generally quite nice, but not necessarily reaching full potential. A little unremarkable but not disagreeably so.
'Kitty' stories are solidly middle-of-the-road. There may be nothing specific that I can pinpoint which I feel is wrong with them, but for whatever reason they are just a bit lacking in charisma.
Rating: 2 Roses - 🌹🌹
Traits: Often values style over substance and could benefit from some correction. May be a source of irritation or impropriety. Gets rather carried away with trifling things, but is intellectually undemanding and easy company.
Stories that feel like a 'Lydia' to me are the ones I frequently struggle to review. They're usually Regency-inspired rather than a true Regency due to the lack of historical research, improper use of language, or other integral flaws, but still come together in a diverting tale.
Rating: 1 Rose - 🌹
Traits: Rather dry and dull. Too remote, a little awkward or out of place, and difficult to warm to.
No matter how much I try, I have never been able to like Mary, and stories that feel the most 'Mary' in my mind are those which lack the charm of the others, while containing a greater number of flaws than, say, a 'Kitty'. It is the stiffness or dourness that really sets a 'Mary' apart.
Rating: 1 Wilted Rose - 🥀
Traits: Cloying, obsequious, cringeworthy, vexatious, and generally unendurable.
Finally, if a story is completely irredeemable, it would be branded a Mr Collins. The very spirit of 'DNF (did not finish)' in human form. I would really have to loathe a book to liken it to the oleaginous parson, so I sincerely hope that I shall never need to.
I hope this helps you make sense of my Regency ratings. Can you recommend a good Lizzie? Or do you prefer a Jane? Is there a Regency everyone else loves but you just find a bit of a Kitty? Let me know your recommendations on Facebook, Twitter, or the comments below! Check out #BennetSistersScale on social media to join the conversation.
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Wow, I love this! :D what a cool idea!!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! The "Mr Collins" rating was the cherry on top. :D
ReplyDelete