Darcy's Story: Pride and Prejudice told from a whole new perspective
19 journalers for this copy...
Just received this as a FirstLook advance copy. I'm surprised that it's not the usual 'uncorrected proof' but a published edition.
"....Mr Darcy has always remained an intriguing enigma - his thoughts, feelings, and motivations hidden behind a cold, impenetrable exterior....until now. with the utmost respect for Austen's original masterwork, author Janet Aylmer lovingly retells "Pride and Prejudice" from a bold new perspective: seeing events as they transpire through the eyes of Darcy humself. One of the world's great love stories takes on breathtaking new life, and one of fictions's greatest romantic heroes becomes even more sympathetic, compelling, attractive, and accessible, all through the imagination and artistry of a truly gifted storyteller."
"I am very pleased with this book. I enjoyed "Darcy's Story" because it is faithful to Jane Austen's plot and to her characters." - Jean Bowden, curator at Jane Austen's House, Chawton
"I was glad to see that Janet Aylmer takes the sympathetic view of Darcy that I do. I enjoyed it." - Andrew Davies, scriptwriter for the BBC television serial of Pride and Prejudice."
Janet Aylmer is the pen name of an English Jane Austen enthusiast who lives in Bath, England.
"....Mr Darcy has always remained an intriguing enigma - his thoughts, feelings, and motivations hidden behind a cold, impenetrable exterior....until now. with the utmost respect for Austen's original masterwork, author Janet Aylmer lovingly retells "Pride and Prejudice" from a bold new perspective: seeing events as they transpire through the eyes of Darcy humself. One of the world's great love stories takes on breathtaking new life, and one of fictions's greatest romantic heroes becomes even more sympathetic, compelling, attractive, and accessible, all through the imagination and artistry of a truly gifted storyteller."
"I am very pleased with this book. I enjoyed "Darcy's Story" because it is faithful to Jane Austen's plot and to her characters." - Jean Bowden, curator at Jane Austen's House, Chawton
"I was glad to see that Janet Aylmer takes the sympathetic view of Darcy that I do. I enjoyed it." - Andrew Davies, scriptwriter for the BBC television serial of Pride and Prejudice."
Janet Aylmer is the pen name of an English Jane Austen enthusiast who lives in Bath, England.
I began reading ‘Darcy’s Story’ with some apprehension, wondering how Janet Aylmer would introduce the elements necessary to further understand Darcy. Aylmer has managed to do so fairly seamlessly, and has mastered the language in the added segments, easily throwing the reader back to the original period. We see more clearly how the whole social fabric of the time was threatened by the unravelling of its rigid standards. In “Darcy’s Story” we come to understand that it is his innate shyness that gives the false sense of aloofness, and we see how these rigid social rules and rituals have damaged Darcy’s self-esteem. So, in fleshing out his character, to some extent, and offering the reader some of his innermost thoughts, we are given a somewhat fuller understanding of the conflict between what Darcy desired, from his heart, and what he believed was his ‘conditioned’ duty.
However I would have liked to have heard more from his interactions and conversations with the other characters, and more of what he observed and felt. I also would have liked to have known more about his past, and the experiences that made him who he was by the time he met Elizabeth. But, although most of what doesn't relate directly to his relationship with Elizabeth is pretty well summarized or glossed over, Aylmer does some justice to this intriguing character and made even his weaknesses seem comprehensible.
We do see that he is a good man underneath that stiff exterior – Georgiana is evidence of this in his caring and gentle nature toward her. His failing is a superficial social snobbery, and although it is a bitter lesson for him to learn, his increased need to change is more clearly delineated in "Darcy's Story" than in the original P&P, and we can better understand the background conflicts he is having. His ultimate purpose is, of course, to achieve his heart’s desire by marrying Elizabeth, but we also come to discover his need to arrive at a greater level of peace within himself.
I have to admit that, when coming to the end of the story, I was increasingly interested in knowing “what comes next”: to see how Darcy’s new-found ‘self’ operated within a marriage with a highly-spirited, intelligent, independent-minded wife, albeit a very loving one. It couldn’t have been easy for either Darcy or Elizabeth as they embarked on a new journey together. Perhaps Aylmer could write a sequel: ‘After Pride and Prejudice: The Lasting Legacy of Love.”
However I would have liked to have heard more from his interactions and conversations with the other characters, and more of what he observed and felt. I also would have liked to have known more about his past, and the experiences that made him who he was by the time he met Elizabeth. But, although most of what doesn't relate directly to his relationship with Elizabeth is pretty well summarized or glossed over, Aylmer does some justice to this intriguing character and made even his weaknesses seem comprehensible.
We do see that he is a good man underneath that stiff exterior – Georgiana is evidence of this in his caring and gentle nature toward her. His failing is a superficial social snobbery, and although it is a bitter lesson for him to learn, his increased need to change is more clearly delineated in "Darcy's Story" than in the original P&P, and we can better understand the background conflicts he is having. His ultimate purpose is, of course, to achieve his heart’s desire by marrying Elizabeth, but we also come to discover his need to arrive at a greater level of peace within himself.
I have to admit that, when coming to the end of the story, I was increasingly interested in knowing “what comes next”: to see how Darcy’s new-found ‘self’ operated within a marriage with a highly-spirited, intelligent, independent-minded wife, albeit a very loving one. It couldn’t have been easy for either Darcy or Elizabeth as they embarked on a new journey together. Perhaps Aylmer could write a sequel: ‘After Pride and Prejudice: The Lasting Legacy of Love.”
Reserved for Cassiopaeia. To be mailed shortly.
This book couldn't have arrived at a better moment. It was waiting for me today when I returned from a rather long stint in the dentist's chair! It really lifted my spirits. Thank you aine-eireann. It will be next on my list.
I have just finished reading Darcy’s Story by Janet Aylmer. I have been a great fan of Pride and Prejudice since my schooldays and I found I enjoyed the extra dimension that this book added to the overall story. I feel that the author took on an immense challenge in writing this book because no one can match the incomparable writing talents of Jane Austen. Aylmer has remained very true to the original storyline and it is interesting to view the events that took place form Darcy’s viewpoint but, it would have been more adventurous to expand the scope and breadth of the story instead of keeping within the fixed limits of the original.Of course the writing lacks Jane Austen’s eloquence but this is Mr Darcy’s story, an altogether difference character from that of Miss Elizabeth Bennett therefore the difference in style doesn’t take too much from the telling but does take getting used to. To my mind this is not a standalone novel but should be read only as a companion to Pride and Prejudice. I’m sure that Austin purists will not take too readily to this book, but fans of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy will welcome and enjoy it.
This book will now be release as an International Bookray.Here are the guidelines.
1 Please journal the book as soon as you receive it, so that the sender knows that it has arrived safely.
2 Only keep the book for a maximum of one month, if you need longer please let Cassiopaeia know.
3 When you have almost finished PM the next person for their mailing address so that you can get the book in the mail as soon as possible.
4 Please write a new journal entry with your comments about the book and to whom and when it is being sent to next.
Mailing Order
Cassiopaeia ~ Cardiff UK ~ Bookray started 30th October 2006
kinedi ~ Edinburgh, UK
rosiewhippet ~ Fenstanton, UK
AgnesXNitt ~ Godmanchester, UK
Tregossip ~ St. Austell, UK
Cross-patch ~ Leicster, UK
Joanazinha ~ Utrecht, Netherlands
Xana ~ Bruxelles, Belgium
sudokugirl ~ Sarajevo, Bosnia
katayoun ~ Tehran, Iran
Hengameh ~ Tehran, Iran
eloisamos ~ San Paulo, Brazil
janey-canuck ~ Ontario, Canada
eicuthbertson ~ B. Columbia, Canada
kaos61 ~ Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Captainsdoxy ~ Wellington, New Zealand
~ More bookcrossers can be added here as long as it fits in with mailing preferences. Please PM me if you are interested.
daisyflower123, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany
Journal Entry 7 by 
Cassiopaeia
at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, October 30, 2006
Cassiopaeia at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, October 30, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/30/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Darcy's Story in now on its way to kinedi, the first participant in this International Bookray. Thank you to aine-eireann for making it available in the first place. I hope it makes its way to all of you, in turn and safely.
Darcy's Story in now on its way to kinedi, the first participant in this International Bookray. Thank you to aine-eireann for making it available in the first place. I hope it makes its way to all of you, in turn and safely.
Journal Entry 8 by 
kinedi
from Rushyford, County Durham United Kingdom on Thursday, November 2, 2006
kinedi from Rushyford, County Durham United Kingdom on Thursday, November 2, 2006
Arrived safely in Scotland. Thanks for organising this bookring. Looking forward to some quality time with Mr Darcy on the couch :o)
Well, I spent a delightful weekend with Mr Darcy on the couch and let's face it - there is something about Mr Darcy that makes him so irrestible and attractive to us females 200 years on :o) Not too long ago I had watched the BBC adaption again (you know, the one and only with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle) so I was pretty uptodate with the characters again and I did like the way the author obviously has a lot of respect for them as well. I especially liked the way she described Darcy's relationship to his sister Giorgiana and how he changes from seeing her just as the little sister to a confidante and friend. It was all-in-all a very enjoyable read and now I am pondering about a sequel as well.....
Thanks Cassiopeia for starting this bookring and I already have rosiwhippet's address who is very eager to share a few hours with the lovely Mr Darcy as well.
Thanks Cassiopeia for starting this bookring and I already have rosiwhippet's address who is very eager to share a few hours with the lovely Mr Darcy as well.
Released 17 yrs ago (11/8/2006 UTC) at
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RELEASE NOTES:
Good bye Mr Darcy, Good bye !!
Good bye Mr Darcy, Good bye !!
Journal Entry 11 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 13, 2006
Received safe and sound this weekend. Got a couple of other Rings before this one but hopefully I should get to this one very soon. In the mean time I will look after Mr Darcy!!!
04/12/06 - Will be starting it in the next 2 days...unfortunately the other books I had took longer than expected!! Aim to have this moving on in the next week and a half. Hope this is ok.
Rosiewhippet. x
04/12/06 - Will be starting it in the next 2 days...unfortunately the other books I had took longer than expected!! Aim to have this moving on in the next week and a half. Hope this is ok.
Rosiewhippet. x
Journal Entry 12 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 14, 2006
Well I finished it last night whilst waiting for my boyfriends train to arrive!! I really enjoyed reading it. Thought it was just excellent. I really love P & P and it was lovely to read it from a different perspective. Plus when you read the real book, you just want the juicy bits anyway...the Darcy and Elizabeth bits!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with me it was excellent. I will pass the book by hand to AngesXNitt and that will be on Mon. In the mean time have a lovely Christmas.
Am forwarding it on as part of 'The 2006 Keep Them Moving Challenge'
Rosiewhippet. x
Journal Entry 13 by rosiewhippet at -- Controlled Release in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 18, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (12/18/2006 UTC) at -- Controlled Release in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom
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Passing onto AgnesXNitt by hand tonight, on my way to the train station.
Enjoy!
Rosiewhippet. x
Passing onto AgnesXNitt by hand tonight, on my way to the train station.
Enjoy!
Rosiewhippet. x
Journal Entry 14 by AgnesXNitt from Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Right, got this, er, on Tuesday! Thanks to RosieWhippet for passing on.
I am over halfway through and really enjoying this book so far - in fact, I may well be adding it to my wish list!
I am over halfway through and really enjoying this book so far - in fact, I may well be adding it to my wish list!
Journal Entry 15 by AgnesXNitt from Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 21, 2006
I *really* enjoyed this book, not least because I had completely forgotten that I had signed up for the Bookray! Still, I love and adore P&P in a very special way, so to read an account of what was happening in Darcy's mind was fascinating.
I thought the book was well written, sympthetic to the original prose of Miss Austen and a very satisfying read. So satisfying that I will be adding this to my wish list and have scribbled down some of the other novels in this same series to read, not least the one based on 'Jane Eyre' but written from her charge's (Adele's) view of the action.
Thanks for kicking this one off Cassiopiea - I owe you a handmade card for this one (please PM me your details) and thanks to RosieWhippet for passing on :)
Posted to Tregossip today, so it should be with you just after Christmas - something to look forward too!
I thought the book was well written, sympthetic to the original prose of Miss Austen and a very satisfying read. So satisfying that I will be adding this to my wish list and have scribbled down some of the other novels in this same series to read, not least the one based on 'Jane Eyre' but written from her charge's (Adele's) view of the action.
Thanks for kicking this one off Cassiopiea - I owe you a handmade card for this one (please PM me your details) and thanks to RosieWhippet for passing on :)
Posted to Tregossip today, so it should be with you just after Christmas - something to look forward too!
Journal Entry 16 by Tregossip from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Friday, December 29, 2006
Got back to work today after Christmas and it was waiting for me. Thanks AgnesXNitt for posting and Cassiopiea for starting
Just 1 book to finish off and anticipated a wonderful New Years weekend with Mr Darcy which it was
There is nothing to add to this thread that has not already been journaled
I so enjoyed this and hope others will too - thanks to all and a Happy New Year
Just 1 book to finish off and anticipated a wonderful New Years weekend with Mr Darcy which it was
There is nothing to add to this thread that has not already been journaled
I so enjoyed this and hope others will too - thanks to all and a Happy New Year
Journal Entry 17 by Tregossip at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (1/4/2007 UTC) at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
To Cross-patch
To Cross-patch
Journal Entry 18 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, January 8, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, January 8, 2007
It's arrived. I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to reading Mr. Darcy. He better be good!!
Thank you Cassiopaea for the opportunity and Tregossip for getting it here.
Thank you Cassiopaea for the opportunity and Tregossip for getting it here.
Journal Entry 19 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, February 2, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, February 2, 2007
It's a happy little world in the company of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy - can never be quite the same as the original drawing, but happy all the same. Thank you, Cassiopaeia, for allowing me to revisit that time. I have Joanazinah's address and shall go to the post today - slight delay caused by ANOTHER b***** cold!
Yes! Mr. Darcy arrived safely at my house. I have read and reread Pride and Prejudice and have seen the series a dozen times. This will shed a whole new light on this beautiful book! It has to wait a little while because I've several ringbooks waiting to be read first.
Finished! I loved the book very much; just a pity I hadn't P&P at hand to 'double-read' the 2 books. I always found Mr. Darcy a mysterious and dark figure and it was nice to read this book from his perspective. And having read P&P, it was kind of sneaky to know things Mr. Darcy did not (e.g. the wedding proposal of Mr. Collins and Elizabeth's reaction to that).
Thank you very much for making this a ringbook! I've put it on my wishlist and hope it will be available in the Netherlands. I have Xana's address, so the book is travelling to Belgium in 1 or 2 days.
Thank you very much for making this a ringbook! I've put it on my wishlist and hope it will be available in the Netherlands. I have Xana's address, so the book is travelling to Belgium in 1 or 2 days.
In the mail to Xana today. Happy reading!
It's here! Thanks Joanazinha :)
Just finished it last night.Regarding language, it was the best sequel of P&P I've read so far. When the author mixes her lines with Jane Austen's one cannot tell the difference.
On the other hand I felt it was too descriptive and not very emotional. On some part I had the feeling she was merely stating facts: he did this, then he did that, then he went there to talk to this parson and this is what he said.
Thanks for the opportunity to read it aine-eireann!
Journal Entry 25 by sudokugirl from Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Arrived safely this morning. I have one bookring in front of this one, but it shouldn't take long.
Well this was quite an enjoyable read, just what you need on a sunny day off :) I agree with Xana's comments, though - the famous inner turmoil of Mr.Darcy doesn't come across as very emotional and the whole style is a bit too much on the descriptive side.
Thanks for sharing, aine-eireann and Cassiopaeia, I don't think I would have found this book if it weren't for bookcrossing.
I've PMed katayoun for her address.
Thanks for sharing, aine-eireann and Cassiopaeia, I don't think I would have found this book if it weren't for bookcrossing.
I've PMed katayoun for her address.
Journal Entry 27 by sudokugirl at To the next participant in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 26, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (4/26/2007 UTC) at To the next participant in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to katayoun.
Sent to katayoun.
thanks so much sudokugirl and Cassiopaeia, the book is here and i've got one book before this. will journal as soon as i start reading.
thank you, it was nice read and i enjoyed it. i liked the little excerpts from pride and prejudice, it was like seeing an old friend, though then i must say that it called to mind that this was no pride and prejudice and mr darcy's story was not as developed and he not as interesting as elizabeth, except the little bits of his talks with georgina there was really not much said about him. but as i said it was an enjoyable and very fast read. thanks so much and it's ready to be handed over to hengameh, in week i think, cause she's just today gone for a week-long trip to istanbul (lucky girl!!).
back in tehran and got the book from katayoun. i have one book a head of it. thanks for sharing.
it was a nice book . thanks for sharing. i'll contact the next person.
It arrived sometime in December but I couldn´t reach a cp until now...
I loved pride and prejudice and loved this book too!
Thank you for sharing!
I´m sending for next adress.
I loved pride and prejudice and loved this book too!
Thank you for sharing!
I´m sending for next adress.
It is going to janey-canuck ~ Ontario, Canada
Thank you
Thank you
Received today - I have another ring ahead of it, but I'll try to get to it ASAP.
Oh lord, I don't know why I bothered to finish this... It felt like a 12-year old had written it. It was so awkward! It didn't have any of the elegance of P&P. I did NOT feel she integrated the original dialogue well at all. It was so clear when it was her words and when they were Austen's. Oh, and the repetition! There was so much repetition in her writing that if I hadn't read the book in one sitting, I would have thought that I had picked the book up on an earlier page than I was actually on. It was like she had come up with one or two great phrases in her head and kept throwing them in. It was a pretty good attempt but to me, it felt like she had a 50 page novella that she stretched into a 250 page book.
Will be pm-ing for the next address and sending off when I receive it.
Will be pm-ing for the next address and sending off when I receive it.
Mailed off to eicuthbertson this afternoon - should arrive by the end of the coming week.
Just arrived today - thanks!
Journal Entry 38 by eicuthbertson from Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Monday, February 18, 2008
This was a 'good read' for me - no it's not Austen, but Janet Aylmer sticks so closely to the chronology that I couldn't quarrel with her plot. I'd have like to 'see' Darcy with his sister more, even if in 'flashbacks'. She seems to know him well & in their past, their relationship must have been very sympathetic.
PMing kaos61. Hope to meet her this week and pass the book on then.
PMing kaos61. Hope to meet her this week and pass the book on then.
This book is now in the mail to kaos61
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Caught in my mail today.
Sent in my mail today sorry for the delay.
Journal Entry 42 by Captainsdoxy from Waikanae, Wellington Province New Zealand on Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thanks Kaos61 for sending on, and for the lovely bookmark!
I have mixed feelings on this book. I like the idea of an alternative view of Darcy, but I got to the end still not feeling like I'd got to understand him all that well. The social context was relatively well expressed, and the impact of him choosing a bride against social convention I think was well brought out, but my main complaint is that I wanted more emotion from him. It was a pretty factual account, as someone else pointed out, with the odd reference to how he was feeling.
I liked that Aylmer ignored elements of P&P that Darcy wouldn't have known at the time.
Anyway, I'm glad I got the chance to read it - many thanks to you all for reading it and sending it on. Looks like I'm last on the list, so I'll see if I can start a mini-ring here in Wellington/NZ.
Cheers all and here's to dreams of Mr D!!
I have mixed feelings on this book. I like the idea of an alternative view of Darcy, but I got to the end still not feeling like I'd got to understand him all that well. The social context was relatively well expressed, and the impact of him choosing a bride against social convention I think was well brought out, but my main complaint is that I wanted more emotion from him. It was a pretty factual account, as someone else pointed out, with the odd reference to how he was feeling.
I liked that Aylmer ignored elements of P&P that Darcy wouldn't have known at the time.
Anyway, I'm glad I got the chance to read it - many thanks to you all for reading it and sending it on. Looks like I'm last on the list, so I'll see if I can start a mini-ring here in Wellington/NZ.
Cheers all and here's to dreams of Mr D!!
Journal Entry 43 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, February 9, 2009
Picked this up at last month's Wellington Bookcrossing meet-up and neglected to record that at the time. The book then got buried during an irregular ritual tidy-up and has just surfaced, oddly enough when I was preparing books for this month's meet-up. Sorry Captaindoxy. I'll try to read it quickly.
Journal Entry 44 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Saturday, January 9, 2010
Daisyflower123 asked to be skipped and no-one seems particularly interested to join or extend the ring.
I didn't particularly like this book. As you will see it took me ages to get into it although I did try several times in the interim. Didn't finish it.
I didn't particularly like this book. As you will see it took me ages to get into it although I did try several times in the interim. Didn't finish it.
Journal Entry 45 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, January 10, 2010
As this is a Bookray rather than a ring I'm guessing that means that it can be released rather than return to the originator. I'm taking it to a Bookcrossing meet-up this evening but will keep a note of who takes the book so that if I get a rsponse asking for it to be sent somewhere else I can follow that up. Otherwise, I guess it will travel onwards into the wild.
Please advise.
Please advise.
Journal Entry 46 by Sherlockfan at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, January 10, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (1/11/2010 UTC) at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Taking to Wellington Bookcrossing meet up this evening.
Taking to Wellington Bookcrossing meet up this evening.
Journal Entry 47 by Lizzie-P at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (6/8/2010 UTC) at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
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Released at meet-up at The Library on Courtney Place
Journal Entry 48 by Captainsdoxy at Ministry of Health (Molesworth St) in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, June 14, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (6/14/2010 UTC) at Ministry of Health (Molesworth St) in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
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In the PMO area
This is just a note for those who have read this book to let you all know that there is a new mystery/thriller by P.D. James that has Elizabeth and Darcy as characters. I just discovered it on Amazon. It's called "Death at Pemberley". Here's some info:
“Brimming with astute appreciation, inventiveness and narrative zest, Death Comes to Pemberley is an elegantly gauged homage to Austen and an exhilarating tribute to the inexhaustible vitality of James’s imagination.”
—The Sunday Times
“Of all the other pens to take up where Austen left off, P. D. James’s is head and shoulders above the rest.”
—London Evening Standard
"Product Description
In a marvellous, thrilling re-creation of the world of Pride and Prejudice, P.D. James fuses her lifelong passion for the work of Jane Austen with her own great talent for writing crime fiction.
The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome, healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered.
Death Comes to Pemberley is a powerful work of fiction, as rich in its compelling story, in its evocation of place, and its gripping psychological and emotional insight, as the very best of P. D. James. She brings us back masterfully and with delight to much-loved characters, illuminating the happy but threatened marriage of the Darcys with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted mystery."
I plan to order it for myself as an early Christmas gift (I don't really need to justify this, do I?)
“Brimming with astute appreciation, inventiveness and narrative zest, Death Comes to Pemberley is an elegantly gauged homage to Austen and an exhilarating tribute to the inexhaustible vitality of James’s imagination.”
—The Sunday Times
“Of all the other pens to take up where Austen left off, P. D. James’s is head and shoulders above the rest.”
—London Evening Standard
"Product Description
In a marvellous, thrilling re-creation of the world of Pride and Prejudice, P.D. James fuses her lifelong passion for the work of Jane Austen with her own great talent for writing crime fiction.
The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome, healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered.
Death Comes to Pemberley is a powerful work of fiction, as rich in its compelling story, in its evocation of place, and its gripping psychological and emotional insight, as the very best of P. D. James. She brings us back masterfully and with delight to much-loved characters, illuminating the happy but threatened marriage of the Darcys with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted mystery."
I plan to order it for myself as an early Christmas gift (I don't really need to justify this, do I?)
