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2.96 AVERAGE
2.96 AVERAGE
Yikes. I admit to giving up on this book about 1/4 of the way through. I found this book almost insulting to Austen fans in its obsequious imitative style. Plus it's boring.
OK I did actually finish it, but only because it was an audiobook. I really wish I hadn't; anachronisms, narrator problems, such lifeless versions of favorite characters, and twee mash ups with other Austen books. I wanted to stab something. Ugh.
So many people were raving about this book, I gave it a shot. Frankly, I've read better derivative fiction. Especially when it comes to Pride and Prejudice. It wasn't awful, just not entirely captivating. I actually started this book months ago, but then put it down. Then, I finished the book the other day so I could watch the BBC miniseries tonight. They definitely added drama to the miniseries. In fact, that's one place where the book succeeded, but the miniseries didn't. [spoiler to the miniseries] There is no possible way Elizabeth Darcy would run up onto a gallows platform screaming to a crowd. WTH?
The last of my Pride and Prejudice-athon, I’d heard this mentioned a lot and thought it was well regarded. Not sure I’d read any PD James previously so I’m not used to her style. I think of the follow up novels I’ve read, I enjoyed this the least as the characters felt a little 2D and I didn’t care for the mystery.
Maybe 3.5/5. Not sure yet.
It was a fast, easy and a nice read. But nothing more than that. I don't know. It kind of gives me the feeling of being too fabricated, trying too hard to be a decent sequel... Or a decent Netflix series. Which isn't necessarily bad... But it's not good or necessary either.
It was a fast, easy and a nice read. But nothing more than that. I don't know. It kind of gives me the feeling of being too fabricated, trying too hard to be a decent sequel... Or a decent Netflix series. Which isn't necessarily bad... But it's not good or necessary either.
Not at all what I expected after reading reviews from NPR, etc. The book was alright but the plot was lacking depth and development.
At first it was ok and nice to revisit beloved characters. It turned into a slap in the face to Jane Austin. If you love Pride And Prejudice, give this one a miss.
Nope. No one should ever mess with P&P. I hope I forget everything I just read.
This is great if you love Jane Austen. And I mean love Jane Austen books, not movies. PD James did such a good job mirroring Austen's writing style. Which means in addition to witty plot and strong feminist characters, there are huge descriptive portions of life at Pemberley that NO ONE CARES ABOUT. Sometimes I turned off the audio because I was just so bored.
It is, however, a fun sequel to P&P with all your favorite characters and even a few surprise tie-ins at the end. Follow it up with the miniseries!
It is, however, a fun sequel to P&P with all your favorite characters and even a few surprise tie-ins at the end. Follow it up with the miniseries!
I'm really surprised at Dame James. Perhaps she merely wanted to try her hand at writing like Austen. At that she was fairly successful. But as a mystery this is very weak, nothing James's usual procedurals. No detecting is done, which may come as a relief to those picturing Darcy lifting fingerprints or questioning witnesses. I had many quibbles with this book: an extended opening reciting to us the plot of Pride and Prejudice (really? Who would read this book that doesn't know that story?); the mystery is lame and then--horror of horrors-- she presumes to explain Darcy's conduct in P & P! For one, pretty well explained by Austen, and secondly, how presumptuous to put words in the characters mouth relating to the previous book! Ain't your story OR your character, leave in alone! Also, almost no Elizabeth so what is the point. No sparkle, no wit, no shining dialogue. Ugh. Here's hoping this esteemed author goes back to her own creation-- Dalgliesh.