The Clergyman's Wife

by Molly Greeley

Overview

“A delightful yet poignant historical...easily draws readers into the world . . . while largely staying true to Pride and Prejudice's original plot.” —Publishers Weekly

Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, is the respectable wife of Hunsford’s vicar, and sees to her duties by rote: keeping house, caring for their adorable daughter, visiting parishioners, and patiently tolerating the lectures of her awkward husband and his condescending patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Intelligent, pragmatic, and anxious to escape the shame of spinsterhood, Charlotte chose this life, an inevitable one so socially acceptable that its quietness threatens to overwhelm her. Then she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Travis, a local farmer and tenant of Lady Catherine.

In Mr. Travis’ company, Charlotte feels appreciated, heard, and seen. For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart—and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life, and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.

“Beautifully written and with engaging detail, The Clergyman’s Wife is a novel I couldn’t put down and will long remember!” —Sarah Shoemaker, author of Mr. Rochester

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062942906
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/19/2024
Series:	Pride & Prejudice
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	302
Sales rank:	285,851
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Molly Greeley is the author of the acclaimed historical novels The Heiress and The Clergyman’s Wife. A graduate of Michigan State University, she lives with her husband and three children in Traverse City, Michigan.

Editorial Reviews

09/30/2019

Greeley debuts with a delightful yet poignant historical inspired by Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, from the pragmatic point of view of Charlotte Collins, a friend of Elizabeth Bennet’s who married one of Elizabeth’s cast-off suitors. In a time when women had only two choices—get married, or become a burden to one’s family—Charlotte chose the former, even though she isn’t in love with her husband, Vicar William Collins, a simpering sycophant to their patroness, the condescending, haughty know-it-all Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Charlotte is resigned to her fate and enjoying her growing toddler daughter, Louisa, when she meets Mr. Travis, a tenant of Lady Catherine’s. For the first time, she feels heard and understood by a man, and realizes that while her life is socially acceptable, something vital is missing from her feelings about her husband. With tight prose and expert characterization (and, sadly, a finale true to those times), Greeley easily draws readers into the world she’s created while largely staying true to Pride and Prejudice’s original plot. Ideal for fans of Austen’s work, Greeley’s strong debut also stands on its own. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"The Clergyman’s Wife is a compelling, beautifully rendered view into the soul of Pride and Prejudice’s Charlotte Collins, and into the bittersweet realities of the life of compromise she chose when she married for security rather than love. Molly Greeley manages to tell Charlotte’s story in a refreshingly contemporary style while at the same time keeping the reader’s feet firmly planted in a time gone by."

Shannon Winslow

"The Clergyman’s Wife is a poignant, pensive, and brilliant exploration of women’s lot in early nineteenth-century England and how one woman rose to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear."

Laurel Ann Nattress

"Greeley's attention to historical detail and her astute characterization as she adeptly uncovers nuances of character in both Charlotte and her husband . . . feel fresh while also ringing true to [Jane] Austen’s writing. . . Fans of other Austen spinoffs . . . will devour this thoughtful, moving, readable debut."

Booklist

"Greeley's attention to historical detail and her astute characterization as she adeptly uncovers nuances of character in both Charlotte and her husband . . . feel fresh while also ringing true to [Jane] Austen’s writing. . . Fans of other Austen spinoffs . . . will devour this thoughtful, moving, readable debut."

Booklist

"There’s a hint of DH Lawrence in this nuanced, cleverly-plotted Pride and Prejudice spin-off. Greeley builds Charlotte’s world artfully…You needn’t be an Austen fan to relish Greeley’s spirited first novel."

BBC

"Greeley's attention to historical detail and her astute characterization as she adeptly uncovers nuances of character in both Charlotte and her husband . . . feel fresh while also ringing true to [Jane] Austen’s writing. . . Fans of other Austen spinoffs . . . will devour this thoughtful, moving, readable debut." — Booklist

"The Clergyman’s Wife is a poignant, pensive, and brilliant exploration of women’s lot in early nineteenth-century England and how one woman rose to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear." — Laurel Ann Nattress, editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It

"The Clergyman’s Wife is a compelling, beautifully rendered view into the soul of Pride and Prejudice’s Charlotte Collins, and into the bittersweet realities of the life of compromise she chose when she married for security rather than love. Molly Greeley manages to tell Charlotte’s story in a refreshingly contemporary style while at the same time keeping the reader’s feet firmly planted in a time gone by." — Shannon Winslow, author of The Darcys of Pemberley

“Greeley debuts with a delightful yet poignant historical inspired by Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, from the pragmatic point of view of Charlotte Collins, a friend of Elizabeth Bennet’s who married one of Elizabeth’s cast-off suitorsWith tight prose and expert characterization, Greeley easily draws readers into the world she’s created while largely staying true to Pride and Prejudice’s original plot. Ideal for fans of Austen’s work, Greeley’s strong debut also stands on its own." — Publishers Weekly

"There’s a hint of DH Lawrence in this nuanced, cleverly-plotted Pride and Prejudice spin-off. Greeley builds Charlotte’s world artfully…You needn’t be an Austen fan to relish Greeley’s spirited first novel." — BBC

From the Publisher

11/08/2019

DEBUT Finally, Charlotte Lucas, the practical friend of Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, gets a fuller story taking up her life married to the loquacious, proud, and obsequious Rev. William Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh's vicar and heir to the Longbourn estate. Settling into her life caring for her daughter Louisa, Charlotte learns the duties of visiting parishioners while tolerating Lady Catherine's condescension and "suggestions." This is her interior story of compromise and boredom to desperation. Charlotte's unexpected and totally inappropriate friendship with tenant farmer Mr. Travers both enlivens her Hunsford existence and threatens to change everything. For the first time she feels someone wishes to know her interests and thoughts as she learns the potential of emotional intimacy. When the Longbourn estate becomes available she's faced with a choice that will change the course of her life. Greeley captures the literary flavor and society of Jane Austen's novels. Austenites will appreciate her faithful depiction of favorite familiar characters while creating a new story for them. VERDICT Recommended for general fiction collections and Austen fans eager to revisit the popular characters and places in Pride and Prejudice.—Cheryl Bryan, Orleans, MA

Library Journal

Narrator Susie Riddell portrays every one of the many characters in Greeley’s Austen-inspired novel so credibly that it’s hard to believe she’s alone in the recording booth. In the world of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Elizabeth Bennet’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, has made a sensible match, marrying Vicar William Collins. His patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, keeps Collins on a short leash, and Riddell precisely captures her sharp tongue as well as Collins’s embarrassingly slavish behavior toward her. Riddell makes clear Charlotte’s distaste for her husband’s social-climbing ways yet shows her strong sense of duty and commitment to William. When the unexpected occurs, Charlotte’s life undergoes a disturbing shift. Riddell’s strong narration of this debut novel will make listeners hope for more trips to Austen-land. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile

Narrator Susie Riddell portrays every one of the many characters in Greeley’s Austen-inspired novel so credibly that it’s hard to believe she’s alone in the recording booth. In the world of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Elizabeth Bennet’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, has made a sensible match, marrying Vicar William Collins. His patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, keeps Collins on a short leash, and Riddell precisely captures her sharp tongue as well as Collins’s embarrassingly slavish behavior toward her. Riddell makes clear Charlotte’s distaste for her husband’s social-climbing ways yet shows her strong sense of duty and commitment to William. When the unexpected occurs, Charlotte’s life undergoes a disturbing shift. Riddell’s strong narration of this debut novel will make listeners hope for more trips to Austen-land. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile