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2.96 AVERAGE
2.96 AVERAGE
Started out well but ended with too much exposition. I'm not a fan of finding out what happened via a wrap-up scene at the end. The tone was lovely though, Austinesque throughout.
Unfortunately, fake, and not very interesting, and kinda long-winded.
Dull, plodding and uninspired despite the source material..
This was not without fault, but overall, I thought it was an enjoyable read.
I happened to see this on the "new books" shelf at the library, and checked it out because I had heard a lot about it and was curious. Perhaps that is part of the reason why I was less disappointed than other reviewers (I didn't pay for this book). There were definitely parts I found tedious and boring, but overall the book was pretty good. Clearly, P.D. James is not Jane Austen, but she attempted to keep with the characters and the integrity of the story adding some mystery. I am not sure why readers reacted with such negativity to this book, other than that they revere Austen and her works. It was closer to 3.5 stars for me in actuality.
I was really really really excited for this book. I've been searching for a light read that wouldn't make me feel lazy at the same time, and this book seemed to fit the bill. Honestly, it was tedious. The mystery wasn't that clever, or particularly interesting, and the lives of the Darcy's were boring. The constant "should I have married this person" was just pointless. And unnecessary. If anything P&P is the happily ever after all other novels aspire to. I don't want to know what comes after.
Basically, not good mystery, not good continuation equals blegh book I didn't enjoy.
Basically, not good mystery, not good continuation equals blegh book I didn't enjoy.
2.5, I think.
My likening and respect of Austen has grown as I have aged. As a pre-teen I wasn't a fan, but as an adult, I enjoy her. [b:Persuasion|2156|Persuasion|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411870s/2156.jpg|2534720] is my favorite novel, not P&P.
P.D. James loves Austen, this much I know. James knows Austen's works and the criticism of the works.
This book is okay in the sense of workmanship. The Austen fan will like the little details - Elizabeth's analysis of her reason for marrying Darcy, the mention of the Elliots, and so on. The plot is realstic and fits in Austen's world.
Yet there is some "spark" missing. It isn't because of the focus on Darcy; women love Darcy and to be honest, how could Elizabeth investigate? No, that's not the problem. The problem isn't the respect that James has for the material. Like Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster, James doesn't know the meaning of slumming it or phoning it in.
Yet there is something missing. The spark. The something. The je ne sais quoi.
My likening and respect of Austen has grown as I have aged. As a pre-teen I wasn't a fan, but as an adult, I enjoy her. [b:Persuasion|2156|Persuasion|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411870s/2156.jpg|2534720] is my favorite novel, not P&P.
P.D. James loves Austen, this much I know. James knows Austen's works and the criticism of the works.
This book is okay in the sense of workmanship. The Austen fan will like the little details - Elizabeth's analysis of her reason for marrying Darcy, the mention of the Elliots, and so on. The plot is realstic and fits in Austen's world.
Yet there is some "spark" missing. It isn't because of the focus on Darcy; women love Darcy and to be honest, how could Elizabeth investigate? No, that's not the problem. The problem isn't the respect that James has for the material. Like Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster, James doesn't know the meaning of slumming it or phoning it in.
Yet there is something missing. The spark. The something. The je ne sais quoi.
A much faster, engrossing read than I expected. There was much illumination of the male characters that was lacking in the source material of Pride and Prejudice. However, it was often at the expense of the female characters being properly continued in this novel. This was a Fitzwilliam Darcy story more than anything else, although Elizabeth did have a generous share of attention (not so much for the rest of the Bennett clan).
Hmmm. Probably the best "sequel" to P&P since it's written by PD James, but I think I've learned my lesson: one should not fuck with the real thing.