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lifeand100books's review
5.0
Review Originally Appeared on Austenprose:http://austenprose.com/2014/07/03/haunting-mr-darcy-a-spirited-courtship-by-karalynne-mackrory-a-review/
One of the best parts about the Jane Austen fan fiction scene is its unlimited possibilities. Almost every genre and plot device has been molded and formed to accommodate the style and characters we all know and love from Austen herself. One of the more unconventional styles that has made its way into this arena is the paranormal genre. However, in all of these variations, I have yet to come across a book where ghosts have been included, until now.
Haunting Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory begins with a terrible carriage accident involving Elizabeth Bennet. Although she survives the accident, she is left in a coma and doctors are unsure as to whether she will ever regain consciousness. While she is unconscious, a curious thing happens. Her spirit parts with her physical being and is magically transported to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s London home, where we find Darcy, residing alone for the winter. As if this wasn’t enough to agitate Lizzy, Darcy does not believe that her ghost is real and instead thinks that she is a manifestation of his amorous thoughts about her. How can she possibly begin to get him to trust and believe in her if he doesn’t even believe that she is a real ghost? Somehow, Lizzy has to convince Darcy of her fate, and together they must work to get her spirit back in touch with her physical body before it’s too late. Will this even be possible with Lizzy lacking any physical properties at all?
This book is a little present, wrapped up in charm and emotion and love. In a word, it’s adorable. One important thing to note is that the emotional content of the work is high. Darcy’s despair over losing Elizabeth is highly palpable and I felt as if I was Darcy and had lost a loved one myself. It brings to mind the way I felt when reading Consequences by C. P. Odom (LINK). Both novels weren’t afraid to “get dirty” with the writing. It went to dark places that made you feel despair, so when you arrived at positive point in the work they were that much more poignant compared to the depravity beforehand. I felt the same way with Haunting Mr. Darcy. Darcy’s actions after losing Elizabeth are stark compared to the lighter portions. He locks himself away at Pemberley, immersing himself in work at a breakneck, exhausting pace to distract him from the pain. All he can think about is work so that his mind has no time to think of Elizabeth. Conversely, the absolute beauty of when Darcy and Elizabeth first tell each other that they love one another, as well as their subsequent first kiss, are made that much better when contrasted with these previous dark portions.
For those of you who are skeptical about reading a book that involves ghostly spirits and all the tropes that go along with them, I highly encourage you to throw away all your preconceived notions. As I said earlier, this book is just charming. Elizabeth as a spectral apparition is at times hilarious, especially when she tries to have conversations with Darcy knowing he can’t respond to her due to the presence of others. His reactions to the things that she says cause the people around him to think that he is going mad. One particular occurrence is when Col. Fitzwilliam gets drunk and begins yelling obscenities and Darcy is mortified of Elizabeth hearing this. His strong retort to Fitzwilliam to watch his language only garners more strong language from him. Another scene that follows this example is when ghost Elizabeth accompanies Darcy to his fencing club. Her exclamations about the good looking men and Darcy’s jealous reaction had me chuckling.
In all, this was one book that caught me by surprise. With its sharp writing, deep emotional connections, and great comedic scenes this has definitely been a highlight of my summer reading.
One of the best parts about the Jane Austen fan fiction scene is its unlimited possibilities. Almost every genre and plot device has been molded and formed to accommodate the style and characters we all know and love from Austen herself. One of the more unconventional styles that has made its way into this arena is the paranormal genre. However, in all of these variations, I have yet to come across a book where ghosts have been included, until now.
Haunting Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory begins with a terrible carriage accident involving Elizabeth Bennet. Although she survives the accident, she is left in a coma and doctors are unsure as to whether she will ever regain consciousness. While she is unconscious, a curious thing happens. Her spirit parts with her physical being and is magically transported to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s London home, where we find Darcy, residing alone for the winter. As if this wasn’t enough to agitate Lizzy, Darcy does not believe that her ghost is real and instead thinks that she is a manifestation of his amorous thoughts about her. How can she possibly begin to get him to trust and believe in her if he doesn’t even believe that she is a real ghost? Somehow, Lizzy has to convince Darcy of her fate, and together they must work to get her spirit back in touch with her physical body before it’s too late. Will this even be possible with Lizzy lacking any physical properties at all?
This book is a little present, wrapped up in charm and emotion and love. In a word, it’s adorable. One important thing to note is that the emotional content of the work is high. Darcy’s despair over losing Elizabeth is highly palpable and I felt as if I was Darcy and had lost a loved one myself. It brings to mind the way I felt when reading Consequences by C. P. Odom (LINK). Both novels weren’t afraid to “get dirty” with the writing. It went to dark places that made you feel despair, so when you arrived at positive point in the work they were that much more poignant compared to the depravity beforehand. I felt the same way with Haunting Mr. Darcy. Darcy’s actions after losing Elizabeth are stark compared to the lighter portions. He locks himself away at Pemberley, immersing himself in work at a breakneck, exhausting pace to distract him from the pain. All he can think about is work so that his mind has no time to think of Elizabeth. Conversely, the absolute beauty of when Darcy and Elizabeth first tell each other that they love one another, as well as their subsequent first kiss, are made that much better when contrasted with these previous dark portions.
For those of you who are skeptical about reading a book that involves ghostly spirits and all the tropes that go along with them, I highly encourage you to throw away all your preconceived notions. As I said earlier, this book is just charming. Elizabeth as a spectral apparition is at times hilarious, especially when she tries to have conversations with Darcy knowing he can’t respond to her due to the presence of others. His reactions to the things that she says cause the people around him to think that he is going mad. One particular occurrence is when Col. Fitzwilliam gets drunk and begins yelling obscenities and Darcy is mortified of Elizabeth hearing this. His strong retort to Fitzwilliam to watch his language only garners more strong language from him. Another scene that follows this example is when ghost Elizabeth accompanies Darcy to his fencing club. Her exclamations about the good looking men and Darcy’s jealous reaction had me chuckling.
In all, this was one book that caught me by surprise. With its sharp writing, deep emotional connections, and great comedic scenes this has definitely been a highlight of my summer reading.
liliales's review
4.0
This is surprisingly good. Elizabeth is incorporeally stuck with Darcy for awhile, and they learn a lot about each other. You might try it for a lark if you are willing to read Pride and Prejudice alternative path-type stories.
abeth_parker's review
4.0
Although a very unusual take on what could have happened to Elizabeth and Darcy, this book was a delight. Elizabeth is injured in a carriage accident and her spirit goes to Darcy's home in London. Even knowing that Elizabeth and Darcy would end up together, I found myself getting anxious for everything to be resolved between them. The author expertly wove in quotes directly from P&P and other Austen novels. As Jane Austen spinoffs go, this one did not disappoint.
samhend101's review
5.0
2022- Have listened to this twice now as an audiobook and it really is fun and an outstanding performance by the narrator.
2021 - A delightful listen, it had me chuckling and teary eyed at different sections.
The narrator's dramatization was fantastic (totes wanted to meet this Mr. Darcy!)
Elizabeth finds herself in a dream state and keeping company with Mr Darcy following a carriage accident. He thinks he is going mad with her spectral following him every where. Desperate to forget the woman who has infiltrated his every thought, he soon learns to relish every second with her.
They discover she is in a coma and must endeavor to reconcile her spirit with her body. Will their new love survive the transition?
2021 - A delightful listen, it had me chuckling and teary eyed at different sections.
The narrator's dramatization was fantastic (totes wanted to meet this Mr. Darcy!)
Elizabeth finds herself in a dream state and keeping company with Mr Darcy following a carriage accident. He thinks he is going mad with her spectral following him every where. Desperate to forget the woman who has infiltrated his every thought, he soon learns to relish every second with her.
They discover she is in a coma and must endeavor to reconcile her spirit with her body. Will their new love survive the transition?
brinastewart's review
4.0
This is my second of Mackrory's books and I liked it just as much. I loved the antics of Elizabeth while she was "haunting' Mr. Darcy. My only complaint would be longer reading of the happiness after resolution and reunion of ODC.
elysareadsitall's review
5.0
I went into this book expecting it to be a little silly, but it was actually really, really good. It didn't give too many details from the original Pride and Prejudice, so it moved faster than many retellings do. Then we have this really beautiful and sweet romance based on personalities and companionship instead of physical attraction, BUT the physical attraction is still there and palpable. It's a nice, refreshing balance. Darcy and Elizabeth have the great wit and repartee they have in the original novel. This story is also dramatic, and there were moments that had me worried for the characters. I enjoyed this novel immensely and have already looked up more of Mackrory's work.
blue_squishie's review
3.0
It was a cute romantic book, I enjoyed it.
Spoiler
Hilariously, I had recently watched Just Like Heaven on Netflix, and the plot of this book follows super closely to most of the plot points in that movieholtfan's review
3.0
First, I think I have the other cover but for some reason it is listed as an entirely separate book and I don't feel like figuring out why.
Second....I wanted to like this one so badly. I actually bought it and saved it for when I would need a good book. I figured it would either prove super cheesy (in which case, win) or tell a really good story (less likely but also a win.) And when I started reading and quickly got suckered into the story, I was delighted to find it was a really good story. I laughed out loud often.
But then it dragged and dragged and dragged. It was like episodes 12-17 of a K Drama. Nothing happens and everything is angsty. I started reading corny passages out loud to my sister. Everyone is so squeaky clean and good, except maybe Colonel Fiztwilliam who not coincidentally was my favorite character.
You can tell if this will be the type of book you like right from page one. Second paragraph starts:
"Aargh!" Darcy expelled as his muscles stretched and fulfilled their master's command, tossing [his cravat] into the air. The light silk unraveled and spun slightly, twisting and turning like the mesmerizing dance of a fire before floating harmlessly to the floor mere feet from him. Laughing humorlessly, Darcy sighed. "A fine metaphor, I should say."
Sound a little dramatic? Welcome to this book.
It is creative, fun, clean, and over-the-top dramatic. And all those thing work...until the plot winds down and I was left wondering why there was 40% to go on the book.
I laughed a lot reading it. But sometimes I laughed because I was cringing so hard.
Perhaps in reality the story could land closer to 4 stars, but it indulged too frequently in what I am rapidly learning is my greatest pet-peeve of Austen spin-offs: direct dialogue from the original book spoken by the wrong characters. Elizabeth in this book in particular kept saying things Mr. Darcy said in his proposal scenes. And just...whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
So, if the idea of ghost Lizzie hanging around Darcy sounds amusing, go for it. It was. But also know you will get over-the-top noble characters whose only fault is misunderstanding, passionate glances, and an ending that just. doesn't. end.
Pre-Review
I want this and I want it right now.
Or at least after I finish the 7 books I am currently in the middle of.
And, oh shoot, what is this I hear about midterms??
Second....I wanted to like this one so badly. I actually bought it and saved it for when I would need a good book. I figured it would either prove super cheesy (in which case, win) or tell a really good story (less likely but also a win.) And when I started reading and quickly got suckered into the story, I was delighted to find it was a really good story. I laughed out loud often.
But then it dragged and dragged and dragged. It was like episodes 12-17 of a K Drama. Nothing happens and everything is angsty. I started reading corny passages out loud to my sister. Everyone is so squeaky clean and good, except maybe Colonel Fiztwilliam who not coincidentally was my favorite character.
You can tell if this will be the type of book you like right from page one. Second paragraph starts:
"Aargh!" Darcy expelled as his muscles stretched and fulfilled their master's command, tossing [his cravat] into the air. The light silk unraveled and spun slightly, twisting and turning like the mesmerizing dance of a fire before floating harmlessly to the floor mere feet from him. Laughing humorlessly, Darcy sighed. "A fine metaphor, I should say."
Sound a little dramatic? Welcome to this book.
It is creative, fun, clean, and over-the-top dramatic. And all those thing work...until the plot winds down and I was left wondering why there was 40% to go on the book.
I laughed a lot reading it. But sometimes I laughed because I was cringing so hard.
Perhaps in reality the story could land closer to 4 stars, but it indulged too frequently in what I am rapidly learning is my greatest pet-peeve of Austen spin-offs: direct dialogue from the original book spoken by the wrong characters. Elizabeth in this book in particular kept saying things Mr. Darcy said in his proposal scenes. And just...whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
So, if the idea of ghost Lizzie hanging around Darcy sounds amusing, go for it. It was. But also know you will get over-the-top noble characters whose only fault is misunderstanding, passionate glances, and an ending that just. doesn't. end.
Pre-Review
I want this and I want it right now.
Or at least after I finish the 7 books I am currently in the middle of.
And, oh shoot, what is this I hear about midterms??
karenreader's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75