The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch - by Melinda Taub

Book Synopsis

In this "magical, brilliant" (Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author) reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, the youngest Bennett sister is given the spotlight.

In this exuberant retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet puts pen to paper to relate the real events and aftermath of the classic story. Some facts are well known: Mrs. Bennet suffers from her nerves, Mr. Bennet suffers from Mrs. Bennet, and all five daughters suffer from an estate that is entailed only to male heirs.

But Lydia also suffers from entirely different concerns: her best-loved sister Kitty is really a barn cat; Wickham is every bit as wicked as the world believes him to be, but what else would one expect from a demon? And if Mr. Darcy is uptight about etiquette, that's nothing compared to his feelings about magic. Most of all, Lydia has yet to learn that for a witch, promises have power . . .

Full of enchantment, intrigue, and boundless magic, The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, has all the irreverent wit, strength, and romance of Pride and Prejudice--while offering a highly unexpected redemption for the wildest Bennet sister.

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY PICK FOR 2023

Review Quotes

"[A] clever twist on Jane Austen's classic."

--Country Living

"The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch is a delightfully rendered redemption of the much maligned youngest Bennet daughter, Lydia; whose ill-advised actions that once threatened the Bennett sisters futures are finally proven to be less a girlish folly and more the result of a sacrifice made meant to save them all. Filled with magic, mayhem and manners, Melinda Taub has crafted a world both familiar and strange, faithful and fantastic. Scandalous Confessions is a welcome addition to the Austen Universe." --Amiee Gibbs, author of The Carnivale of Curiosities

"[A] fun new hybrid of Jane Austen's mannerly world and the highly contrasting world of 19th century witchcraft. It's perfect for readers who enjoy a good mash-up involving a classic story, some modern views on social expectations, and a dose of occult suspense."--Shondaland

"[S]imply wonderful, a laugh-and-cry book. Taub's close reading of and research into Austen's work is remarkable; she threads a careful needle between invention and retelling, contemporary legibility and historical homage. The result is a terrifically well-balanced novel blending romance, fantasy and mystery."--New York Times

"[Taub] cleverly inserts Lydia's magical misadventures into the original story, creating something wholly original and utterly charming."--Booklist

"A funny, lighthearted read recommended for those who love a retelling wish a dash of magic and a witty heroine."--Library Journal

"A romping, lively retelling with surprises galore! It's a delight to see Lydia Bennet receive her due."--Tamora Pierce

"A spritely Regency gavotte with booming gothic bass notes: pure joy."--Daily Mail

"Funny and fierce as Lydia Bennet herself, this book mixes witchcraft lore with Austen's story to make its own unique magic. I'll never look at Kitty the same way again..." --Claudia Gray, author of The Murder of Mr. Wickham, a Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery

"Novels about witches are thick on the ground at present, but this one stands out for its wit and charm. . . [T]his Regency-era comedy of manners makes for a lively, delightful adventure."
--The Guardian

"Taub's wit and creativity shines through. . . A delight for both Austen lovers and fans of magical adventure stories."--Kirkus Reviews

"This book is pure joy. Absolutely rollicking, thoroughly delightful; Melinda Taub peered directly into my soul and gave me the adventure I needed, plus feisty witches in empire waist dresses and the Kitty of my dreams. I'll be over here, swooning on my fainting couch."--Samantha Bee

"This is a masterpiece and a treat for any Austen fan."--All About Romance

"What a delicious book this is -- like Lydia, it's headlong, a little wicked, and irrepressibly fun. And if that weren't enough, it gave me an entirely new lens through which to appreciate Jane Austen's Bennet family. Melinda Taub writes with a forensic wit and understanding of the desire to be loved and understood, even when those two things stand in seeming opposition. And like Georgette Heyer at her best, or, indeed, Austen, she has the alchemist's touch which turns this exploration into something delightful."--Kelly Link

"Wildly inventive and utterly addictive. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm now 100% Team Lydia."--Julia Quinn

"Witty, magical, romantic and altogether brilliant! There's so much more to Pride and Prejudice than we ever knew."--Lev Grossman

About the Author

Melinda Taub is an Emmy- and Writers' Guild Award-winning writer. The former head writer and executive producer of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, she is also the author of Still Star-Crossed, a young adult novel which was adapted for television by Shondaland. (She also wrote that thing about the Baroness in The Sound of Music that your aunt likes.) She lives in Brooklyn.