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2.96 AVERAGE
2.96 AVERAGE
I'm not even sure why this book got two stars. Charity, perhaps, or the fact that it took me less than a day to read it, so I didn't have to dwell on it that long.
I disapprove of misappropriations (or re-appropriations) of Jane Austen's characters and settings. It just smacks of lazy writing, a desire to piggyback (or parasite) off of her success, and a lack of originality. Sometimes that can be overcome by clever insights, interesting interpretations, or original messages. I was willing to give this one a chance. At least there weren't zombies.
But no redeeming value was present here. James wasn't even a little bit true to the essence of Austen's characters, writing, or mission. Where Austen's prose dances and her dialog stabs with delicate rapier wit, James' plods along, weighed down by goals all out of scale with her actual abilities. The witty, wry, vivacious Elizebeth Bennet is completely unrecognizable. Large amounts of exposition were plopped, wholesale, into characters' mouths for no defensible reason. The dialog was wooden, as were all of the characters, and the allusions to the actual book that took place at Pemberly were nauseatingly overdone, self-conscious, and induced some major eye-rolling on this side of the page.
Even the mystery itself was dull and poorly done. The plot, which I suppose was meant to be exciting, was plain dull. The story had no forward momentum, no memorable or interesting characters, nothing original or engaging to say, and nothing interesting to share.
Really, as far as I can tell, the book had no reason for being. It kept me mildly entertained one rainy night when I was home alone, and that's about all that can be said for it. I don't recommend it, and I will be returning it to the library as briskly as possibly.
I disapprove of misappropriations (or re-appropriations) of Jane Austen's characters and settings. It just smacks of lazy writing, a desire to piggyback (or parasite) off of her success, and a lack of originality. Sometimes that can be overcome by clever insights, interesting interpretations, or original messages. I was willing to give this one a chance. At least there weren't zombies.
But no redeeming value was present here. James wasn't even a little bit true to the essence of Austen's characters, writing, or mission. Where Austen's prose dances and her dialog stabs with delicate rapier wit, James' plods along, weighed down by goals all out of scale with her actual abilities. The witty, wry, vivacious Elizebeth Bennet is completely unrecognizable. Large amounts of exposition were plopped, wholesale, into characters' mouths for no defensible reason. The dialog was wooden, as were all of the characters, and the allusions to the actual book that took place at Pemberly were nauseatingly overdone, self-conscious, and induced some major eye-rolling on this side of the page.
Even the mystery itself was dull and poorly done. The plot, which I suppose was meant to be exciting, was plain dull. The story had no forward momentum, no memorable or interesting characters, nothing original or engaging to say, and nothing interesting to share.
Really, as far as I can tell, the book had no reason for being. It kept me mildly entertained one rainy night when I was home alone, and that's about all that can be said for it. I don't recommend it, and I will be returning it to the library as briskly as possibly.
I've never read fan fiction, but I'm impressed with how closely PD James was able to mimic Jane Austen's writing. I liked the story, & the "loose ends" from P&P that were explained. Seeing Austen characters from other books making cameo appearances within the story really freaked me out, but it was fun at the same time. 3.5 stars.
Very disappointing. Two of my favorite things: PD James and Pride and Prejudice. I knew it couldn't live up to expectations and boy was I right!
I think it a shame that Elizabeth Bennett Darcy was relegated to a minor character.
I think it a shame that Elizabeth Bennett Darcy was relegated to a minor character.
Ms Austen is evidently irresistable. This effort is better than many (certainly better that the Colleen McCullough travesty I read last year). It was a quick read and a passable attempt at constructing life for the Darcy's post-P&P. I found the characters' "dread" of the situation to be a bit overwrought, but otherwise it was OK.
I am a tough critic when it comes to interpretations/versions of Jane Austen works, this is the one I like the most...I like that James made it a mystery. Good start, a little repetitive in the middle, but OK conclusion. James seemed to be trying to touch on the "where are they now" for all the characters you might care about, and lifted entire phrases from the original (I guess for new readers, or those who needed reminding about the characters form P&P) overall worthwhile, and much better than alot of Austen "sequels"
Any fan of Jane Austen's will like this book. It's very authentic. Focuses more on the men than the women, which is refreshing. A good twist, too!
Sadly, I did not like this book. I loved the idea of continuing the story of Elizabeth and Darcy and having it turn into a murder mystery, but this book fell short.
Basically it took a long time for anything to occur. Then, a murder. Then, an inquest. I didn't even have the desire to try and figure out "who done it", nor was I blown away when the mystery was resolved.
Pass.
Basically it took a long time for anything to occur. Then, a murder. Then, an inquest. I didn't even have the desire to try and figure out "who done it", nor was I blown away when the mystery was resolved.
Pass.
This was a sad disappointment to me. I love Austen, and usually I love PD James' work, but this combination just doesn't work.
PDJ tries too hard to sound like Austen, and shoehorns in mentions of Austen characters from books other than 'Pride and Prejudice' in a way that just irritates me. It feels almost as though she is saying to the reader, 'Look! I have read her other books, too!'
This is neither good Austen, nor good PDJ. It's not witty. It doesn't keep the reader's attention. The story moves with glacier slowness, and the ending is overly complex and contrived. As a crime novel, it withholds too much information for the reader to have any chance of solving the mystery.
Don't waste your time and money.
PDJ tries too hard to sound like Austen, and shoehorns in mentions of Austen characters from books other than 'Pride and Prejudice' in a way that just irritates me. It feels almost as though she is saying to the reader, 'Look! I have read her other books, too!'
This is neither good Austen, nor good PDJ. It's not witty. It doesn't keep the reader's attention. The story moves with glacier slowness, and the ending is overly complex and contrived. As a crime novel, it withholds too much information for the reader to have any chance of solving the mystery.
Don't waste your time and money.
An immensely enjoyable read! I'm not much one for murder mysteries, but I do love Jane Austen and this was true to her voice and characters.