A More Prosperous Trial of the State

A More Prosperous Trial of the State is a crossover novel between Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice by Victoria CL, completed in 2007. The author's summary is: Following Mr Darcy's wedding, Caroline Bingley is introduced to the wealthy and divorced Mr Rushworth, of fine estate but stodgy character, and with a domineering mother. But with Caroline, nothing is ever simple – the attractions of another single gentleman have considerable effect. The title is a quotation from Mansfield Park. The story is rated R.
A More Prosperous Trial of the State was published at Firthness and Hyacinth Gardens (both now offline), as well as at the author's site, Roads Not Taken. Several short stories in the same universe are available at the story's index page. The novel is also available as a 712-page paperback and ePub via Lulu.
==Plot & Characters==
A sequel to both Austen novels, A More Prosperous Trial of the State centres on the marital prospects of Caroline Bingley, and her choices between boring but rich Mr Rushworth, heir to a title Tom Bertram, and sexy, aristocratic but (relatively) poor Colonel Fitzwilliam. A More Prosperous Trial of the State assumes knowledge of P&P, while the relevant events of Mansfield Park are explained. Starting four years after the main events of Mansfield Park and a few months after the end of P&P, the crossover assumes that Mrs Rushworth meets the extended Bingley family by chance in London, and Mr Darcy is previously acquainted with Sir Thomas Bertram.
Although not the main players, the novel also sheds light on the early months of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy's marriage. As in most P&P fanfiction, they are shown to have a fulfilling sex life that soon results in pregnancy. Darcy is portrayed as rather more scholarly and religious than in canon, and a rabid bibliophile. Elizabeth is portrayed as having been entirely at fault with regard to the events of Pride and Prejudice, with Darcy's serious failings reduced to mere conceit over his virtues. Among the host of other characters appearing are Louisa & Mr Hurst, Jane & Charles Bingley, William Collins, Georgiana Darcy, Kitty Bennet, Mrs Bennet, Maria Lucas, Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine and George & Lydia Wickham from P&P; Mary & Henry Crawford, Fanny & Edmund Bertram, Maria Bertram and Mrs Rushworth from Mansfield Park; together with several original characters.
Victoria takes the opportunity to highlight similar characters from the two Austen novels; for example, the rakish attributes of Colonel Fitzwilliam, Henry Crawford and George Wickham are compared and contrasted. Unlike the majority of Mansfield Park fanfiction, the canonical pairings from that novel are maintained, and Victoria gives a dark interpretation of Henry Crawford who, atypically, remains entirely unreformed. Of the P&P minors, Louisa Hurst has an unusually large role, and is presented sympathetically. Mr Collins becomes a horticulturalist and garden designer.
==Reception==
A More Prosperous Trial of the State was generally well received, with readers praising the well-executed crossover elements and the characterisations. Caroline Bingley's characterisation is particularly praised, while a few readers found Mary Crawford's trajectory unrealistic. The novel is recommended at Crack Van, Firthness and elsewhere.
==Recs & Reviews==
==References==
Category:Mansfield Park
Category:Pride and Prejudice
Category:Crossover Fanfiction
Category:Het Fanfiction
Category:2007 Fanfiction‎