Story Title: Crossing Paths
Author Name: Cheryl K
Story Url: Story Link *
Content Rating: All Ages
Status: Completed
Length: 26,100 words
Story Summary: On her first anniversary, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy goes for a walk in the garden, but on returning to Pemberley, she finds things are not as they were when she left.
Gioia’s Rec:
This story brought tears to my eyes. It was so lovely!
I’ve mentioned before that I love P&P stories which successfully incorporate elements of the mystical, fantastical or sci-fi. This author does a marvelous job of incorporating the idea of a parallel world into Jane Austen’s universe. There’s not a lot I can say about this plot without spoiling it, except to promise readers that it is not ridiculous or absurd, as I imagine some would fear about a story that incorporates such a radical idea into the traditional world of Pride & Prejudice.
In many ways, “Crossing Paths” is a sequel to Pride & Prejudice. In some ways, it is an AU (Alternate Universe), in which we see all that could have been. At the very end of the story, it is in some ways a prequel to P&P. And to make sense of all of that nonsense, you’ll have to go read the story. I promise it will be worth it.
My Only Critique: I’d kill for an epilogue or sequel! ETA: Thanks to Kat in the comments below, I see that Nat KC wrote two sequels to Cheryl K’s story. Che bello! I have since read both sequels, and they were great fun, with the first, A Cleared Path (Crossed Paths I), becomng a new favorite of mine. Now if only the rest of my wishes could be answered so promptly and so completely!
* As of June 2019, I see that the DWG link for this story no longer functions. There is a working link in their database, but only to the first half of the story. So, the link up above is to the archived version of this story on The Internet Archive. Those links can be unreliable — or, at least, temporary. So, if you read this story and enjoy it, I must vociferously urge you to save a copy to your device, at least until a more stable link for this 20-year-old gem is posted somewhere reliable by the author.
In a way, you get your wish: http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/natkc1.htm
How wonderful! And I see from Nat KC’s profile that he wrote two sequels to Cheryl K’s story. Thank you very much for linking me! I hate reaching the end of a great story and not having something good lined up to read next. You have solved that nicely for me. 😉