Author Guest Post - P.o. Dixon , Can You Die of a Broken Heart?

“Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.” Mrs. Bennet opines to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice.
And so begins Bewitched, Body and Soul: Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The Bennets’ third born daughter Mary posits the notion of one dying from a broken heart to Elizabeth when writing to her of their eldest sister Jane’s relentless malaise.

A broken heart, heartbreak, both are figures of speech used when describing the intense emotional distress, pain, or suffering one feels after losing a loved one, be it the result of death, divorce, breakup or even physical separation. Constant anxiety and romantic rejection also bring about this malady.

There exists a medical condition, known as “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy” (broken heart syndrome), where a traumatizing event, such as one of those cited above, triggers the brain to distribute chemicals that weaken heart tissue and result in among other things, acute heart failure. So yes, suffering a broken heart might very well have life changing consequences, including death.

Fear not for although Jane’s heart is broken, all is not lost. Bewitched,Body and Soul is a happily ever after story where Elizabeth goes to town intending to remedy Jane’s disappointed hopes and her ensuing heartbreak by clearing up the misunderstanding that led to Mr. Bingley’s precipitous departure from Hertfordshire—subsequently reuniting him with her sister. One will recognize this story for in comparing it to Pride and Prejudice, a reader remarked, “In essentials I believe it to be very much the same...”

Indeed, it is. By the same token, it is decidedly different in ways one might not expect but will find wonderfully diverting. Elizabeth is as engaging as ever in this twist on Jane Austen’s timeless classic. She is fiercely loyal to her beloved sister Jane, and as in the original novel, she is far from impressed by Mr. Darcy owing to his remarks at the assembly and Mr. Wickham’s lies. She bends a few rules in pursuing her mission. On more than one occasion, Mary cautions Elizabeth on the frailties of the female’s character by ‘parroting’ Fordyce’s Sermons. “I need not remind you how tender a thing is a woman’s reputation—how once lost, is nearly impossible to recover.” Similarly, Elizabeth is rather fond of her opinions and she does not hesitate to speak her mind, especially when the facts (as she knows them) are on her side, as in the following remark to her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner. “From what I know of Miss Darcy, I cannot conceive how it might be true. She is far too young to entertain notions of marriage. If anything, I suspect Mr. Darcy is more interested in having Mr. Bingley as a brother than Miss Darcy is interested in having Mr. Bingley as a husband.” And what Pride and Prejudice ‘what-if’ story would be complete without frequent verbal skirmishes between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy?
“I tend to think otherwise, Mr. Darcy. Our history suggests you rather enjoy provoking me.”
With a confident grin, he acknowledged the veracity of her charge. “Perhaps, but I wager the joy I receive pales in comparison to the pleasure you get in rising to my every challenge.” In Bewitched, Body and Soul, Elizabeth’s going to London in Jane’s stead may have been a catalyst in the ultimate mending of her sister’s broken heart, but it is also the means by which she ends up losing her own. P.O. Dixon Giveaway
Leave your comment + your e-mail address to get a chance to win a kindle edition of Bewitched Body and Soul. This contest is open worldwide and ends July 27th.  Connect with P O Dixon Online Blog: http://podixon.blogspot.com Twitter: @podixon Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/podixon Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/podixon Website: http://podixon.com Email: podixon@podixon.com