The Clergyman’s Wife by Molly Greeley (Review by Bruna Morais)

Rating 4.0/5.0

This book is a must read for Pride and Prejudice fans! It has the same atmosphere, it’s beautifully written and I really enjoyed that the author decided not focusing so much on the Bennet family. I’ve always liked Charlotte, she’s a good friend to Elizabeth and I enjoyed that the author focused the story on her.

In Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte ends up marrying Mr. Collins, the awkward cousin that got rejected by Elizabeth Bennet.  The story takes place a few years after Pride and Prejudice. Charlotte and Mr. Collins had a daughter, they live a pretty good life and Charlotte kept her friendship with Elizabeth by sending letters telling each other how their lives were. Charlotte realizes how hollow her life is. She has a good marriage, yes. But does she feel passionate for her husband? Does he show enough affection for her? Besides, she often puts up with Mr. Collin’s patroness, the horrible Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is a rancorous rich old woman who often criticizes Charlotte and Mr. Collins agrees with anything she says.

Lady Catherine sends Mr. Tyler, a meritorious farmer to plant some roses at Charlotte’s garden. Mr. Tyler is a nice, polite man and every time Charlotte talks to him, he is courteous. For the first time, she feels like she’s not invisible and someone thinks she’s interesting and fun to talk to. But the story takes place in another century when it would be considered outrageous for women to be so close to a man who is not your husband.

The story is more than I thought it would be. It’s about friendship and rethinking one’s happiness. I really liked reading about the beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice and the author did not disappoint me.