Review: 'Pride and Prejudice' plays Cupid in an unusual, sprightly and sweet romance.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2013
Laurence Coffey, the hero of 'A Mutual Interest in Numbers', is envious of his friend Justin's new love. Justin, the personable, good-natured man who is the hero of 'A Similar Taste in Books,' is clearly happy. Laurence wonders if visiting the library will help him find a lady to share his life. When he encounters Ellen there, his wishes, and more, are granted.'A Mutual Interest in Numbers' is a lively, sweet romance and perfectly captures the ploys young people in Regency London might use to meet each other. By showing where men and women might meet instead of the conventional balls it introduces the reader to an exciting world of great change, where experimental science is pushing back the boundaries of work, transport and society. This is the world of the Cit and the rising middle class, of hard physical labour and strong family ties.  Ellen is very much part of this change, using her accomplishment in mathematics to help her father and brother to construct a steam engine. Laurence is enchanted with her from their first meeting and she with him.The course of their relationship is explosive at times. Laurence makes mistakes in his courting of Ellen but he is always willing to apologise and in a vital scene Justin, his friend, gives him some useful advice - and his copy of 'Pride and Prejudice.' Will Laurence read it and learn from it?I really enjoyed this story. I love the way Linda Banche shows us young men, with their mix of arrogance and natural chivalry, their sparring with each other and their friendship. I look forward to reading how Trant and Wynne, the remaining unattached bachelors in this cheerful group, also find love.Watch out for a pair of itchy underclothes, too, and a very protective duck!