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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
A decent variation with some great moments, but it didn't suck me in as much as I'd hoped it would. The beginning was a bit slow, despite the novelty of Darcy actually apologizing to Elizabeth for his slight at the Meryton assembly.
I also adored the antics of Darcy's family. Lord Fitzwilliam had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions, and the Colonel was also very amusing. I was a bit sad that we didn't get to see more of Anne de Bourgh and Lady Catherine, but given that I'd read the author's other book which focused heavily on Anne, it was okay.
I was bit disappointed with some of the other subplots, though. I would have liked if Miss M had been more of a challenge for Darcy's affections instead of making her the complete opposite of Elizabeth. I was also a bit let down by how... affectionate Darcy got with Elizabeth before they married. I would think that, however much in love they were, they would keep better control of themselves.
So, some good, some not so good.
Spoiler
However, it picked up as the story built. I loved the chapter that included Jane leading the charge to civilize the Crenshaw children. Jane with a backbone is always a huge plus for me, and this chapter was ten kinds of adorable. Plus, I appreciated the irony, the Bennets working to get the Crenshaws' manners up to snuff.I also adored the antics of Darcy's family. Lord Fitzwilliam had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions, and the Colonel was also very amusing. I was a bit sad that we didn't get to see more of Anne de Bourgh and Lady Catherine, but given that I'd read the author's other book which focused heavily on Anne, it was okay.
I was bit disappointed with some of the other subplots, though. I would have liked if Miss M had been more of a challenge for Darcy's affections instead of making her the complete opposite of Elizabeth. I was also a bit let down by how... affectionate Darcy got with Elizabeth before they married. I would think that, however much in love they were, they would keep better control of themselves.
So, some good, some not so good.
In the last few years, I have found my love of Jane Austen's original works extending to the authors who have re-written her stories. I have imagined Lizzy parrying with zombies and ninjas, I have read of Mr. Darcy the vampire, I have giggled over Elinor and Marianne dealing with fish people, and I have read some serious stories as well. While my favorites are those that ask the "what if?" about Ms. Austen's life, I do enjoy reading another author's opinion of the original works.
That being said, this is my first book from Simonsen. While I'm willing to read a second due to the kind reviews of this book, I personally found this novel to be quite trite. I don't give a flying flip about Mr. Darcy's pant bulging moments, nor do I need Lizzy's nature re-defined as coquettish.
The book was a very easy read, and while I usually do not have a problem polishing off an Austen novel or re-write within a few days, this one sailed by for me because I kept reading, searching for the absolute measure of conflict from the story line. I do not feel this book delivered. The Denouement led to a simpering ending and while I know there are a range of P&P readers out there who want to envision the wedding night of the Darcy's being full of love and admiration, this ending was more Harlequin than Austen.
I am sure that this novel will have a good home with another audience. It is not poorly written nor does it prove a difficult read. I simply need MORE from any book that tackles Austen.
That being said, this is my first book from Simonsen. While I'm willing to read a second due to the kind reviews of this book, I personally found this novel to be quite trite. I don't give a flying flip about Mr. Darcy's pant bulging moments, nor do I need Lizzy's nature re-defined as coquettish.
The book was a very easy read, and while I usually do not have a problem polishing off an Austen novel or re-write within a few days, this one sailed by for me because I kept reading, searching for the absolute measure of conflict from the story line. I do not feel this book delivered. The Denouement led to a simpering ending and while I know there are a range of P&P readers out there who want to envision the wedding night of the Darcy's being full of love and admiration, this ending was more Harlequin than Austen.
I am sure that this novel will have a good home with another audience. It is not poorly written nor does it prove a difficult read. I simply need MORE from any book that tackles Austen.
Dammit, I had to start it for a second time because it was quiet dull the first time around.
This is a "what if" story with no trigger. Whe are led to believe Darcy would choose to apologize for his words after the assembly in Meyrton, without any circomstances being otherwise altered, the action resulting not only in a close relationship from the start but also to his approval of Bingley proposing to Jane.
Proposteous! No indication is given as to why he would alter his behaviour such & in regard to Bingley, things are kept vague beyond the acceptable.
The timeline is different, but it's too close to be radically different whilst nonsensical is the differences. Georgiana is very OCC, we barely see Collins, that entire arc, including Rosing Park is completely skipped.
And, finally, we come to my foremost grievance. The wanton behavior shown through a book that is not labeled as such.
Darcy is said to have had a mistress up until recently. He was also on the cusp of a courtship with a woman he admits to finding dull.
Our Darcy???
Darcy is a man guided in all regards by a high moral standard, having placed exceedingly high expectations of behavior & correctness upon himself : HE WOULD NEVER HAVE A MISTRESS.
All P&P retellings saying otherwise are portraying an OCC Darcy.
This are a few of my comments upon reading :
-Darcy "grateful he was wearing a long coat". What??? Even were he to have a boner in public (a gentleman of eight and twenty!!!!), he would not make any mention of it, even in his inner dialogue.
Or more to the point, this phrase doesn't belong in a P&P adaption which is not signaled as a wanton edition. I read Regency because I do not like crude talk. I wish I could be spared such nonesense.
-Archaeologists??? Really? Do your research!!!!
-"Taking her by her hand"??? I can hardly be supposed to condone such debauchy!
I will finish this book, for I am not one to withdraw from a challenge.
I had to switch my soundtrack from Rachmaninov to Brahms to bear this dreadful experience. It was too light & the occasion deserves some austerity."
-I'll give credit when it is due. "Get thee to a nunnery" was clumsily used, but I still relish when hearing a good Bard's quote.
- The decadence. Elizabeth, putting her cheek to Darcy's while not only are they not married, or even engaged, but she has knowledge that he is in a courtship with another women?
Wanton, foolish & brazen, the lot of them...
No sense in propriety whatsoever.
- A man & a woman who are not related or married do not go unchaperoned. Ever. Ever.
And now Darcy has compromized Elizabeth. The rogue kissed her while they were alone at night in a room without any chaperone.
This is completely unaccepable. I shall endure, but it pains me to say, I do not like this one bit.
- They are not engaged. Darcy has no licence to call Elizabeth by a Christian name, nor to engage in a correspondance with her, which he could not entrust another man, an unrealiable character at that, to rely a letter in so direct a manner.
- There is no end to the wanton behavior. Even Jane seems fine to hear about her sister's actions...
- Darcy's name is not Will. It's Fitzwilliam, or William, not Will. Mister Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley being called Will doesn't ring true in any context, in any country, in any century.
At this point, it feels silly to point out all the inaccuracies & breach in propriety, but I fear I cannot abide to read this sad tale & remain silent.
The politics were inaccurate, the travel time was incorrectly too short, it seemed the author had gotten the memo about wedding dresses when Charlotte got married in yellow, but then she went & had Jane & Elizabeth marry in white, the special licence marriage was complete fantasy (would never happen in such a country society), I mentioned the archaelogy, the book actually talks about the meaning of prehistoric paintings according to the scientics at Cambridge, the letter writing etiquette was a mess, there are several instances of hand holding...
Lastly, I deplore the fact that despite the length of the novel, we do not get any character developement. From anyone. The human nature is not observed & commented on. The book was very superficial, as in, it only scratched the surface of what took place, which makes it very common place, unlike Jane Austen & quite dull.
Retellings of P&P are beloved because we imagine what lies between the lines, what was left unsaid but not unfelt. Deprived of that, any story lacks spark & wit.
PS: In my harsh critique, I mean not to dismiss the author, but rather to give a review for those who want more in a P&P adaptation than quick entertainement & endure anachronism without cringing in agony. My review only reflects my exceedingly high standards.
This is a "what if" story with no trigger. Whe are led to believe Darcy would choose to apologize for his words after the assembly in Meyrton, without any circomstances being otherwise altered, the action resulting not only in a close relationship from the start but also to his approval of Bingley proposing to Jane.
Proposteous! No indication is given as to why he would alter his behaviour such & in regard to Bingley, things are kept vague beyond the acceptable.
The timeline is different, but it's too close to be radically different whilst nonsensical is the differences. Georgiana is very OCC, we barely see Collins, that entire arc, including Rosing Park is completely skipped.
And, finally, we come to my foremost grievance. The wanton behavior shown through a book that is not labeled as such.
Darcy is said to have had a mistress up until recently. He was also on the cusp of a courtship with a woman he admits to finding dull.
Our Darcy???
Darcy is a man guided in all regards by a high moral standard, having placed exceedingly high expectations of behavior & correctness upon himself : HE WOULD NEVER HAVE A MISTRESS.
All P&P retellings saying otherwise are portraying an OCC Darcy.
This are a few of my comments upon reading :
-Darcy "grateful he was wearing a long coat". What??? Even were he to have a boner in public (a gentleman of eight and twenty!!!!), he would not make any mention of it, even in his inner dialogue.
Or more to the point, this phrase doesn't belong in a P&P adaption which is not signaled as a wanton edition. I read Regency because I do not like crude talk. I wish I could be spared such nonesense.
-Archaeologists??? Really? Do your research!!!!
-"Taking her by her hand"??? I can hardly be supposed to condone such debauchy!
I will finish this book, for I am not one to withdraw from a challenge.
I had to switch my soundtrack from Rachmaninov to Brahms to bear this dreadful experience. It was too light & the occasion deserves some austerity."
-I'll give credit when it is due. "Get thee to a nunnery" was clumsily used, but I still relish when hearing a good Bard's quote.
- The decadence. Elizabeth, putting her cheek to Darcy's while not only are they not married, or even engaged, but she has knowledge that he is in a courtship with another women?
Wanton, foolish & brazen, the lot of them...
No sense in propriety whatsoever.
- A man & a woman who are not related or married do not go unchaperoned. Ever. Ever.
And now Darcy has compromized Elizabeth. The rogue kissed her while they were alone at night in a room without any chaperone.
This is completely unaccepable. I shall endure, but it pains me to say, I do not like this one bit.
- They are not engaged. Darcy has no licence to call Elizabeth by a Christian name, nor to engage in a correspondance with her, which he could not entrust another man, an unrealiable character at that, to rely a letter in so direct a manner.
- There is no end to the wanton behavior. Even Jane seems fine to hear about her sister's actions...
- Darcy's name is not Will. It's Fitzwilliam, or William, not Will. Mister Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley being called Will doesn't ring true in any context, in any country, in any century.
At this point, it feels silly to point out all the inaccuracies & breach in propriety, but I fear I cannot abide to read this sad tale & remain silent.
The politics were inaccurate, the travel time was incorrectly too short, it seemed the author had gotten the memo about wedding dresses when Charlotte got married in yellow, but then she went & had Jane & Elizabeth marry in white, the special licence marriage was complete fantasy (would never happen in such a country society), I mentioned the archaelogy, the book actually talks about the meaning of prehistoric paintings according to the scientics at Cambridge, the letter writing etiquette was a mess, there are several instances of hand holding...
Lastly, I deplore the fact that despite the length of the novel, we do not get any character developement. From anyone. The human nature is not observed & commented on. The book was very superficial, as in, it only scratched the surface of what took place, which makes it very common place, unlike Jane Austen & quite dull.
Retellings of P&P are beloved because we imagine what lies between the lines, what was left unsaid but not unfelt. Deprived of that, any story lacks spark & wit.
PS: In my harsh critique, I mean not to dismiss the author, but rather to give a review for those who want more in a P&P adaptation than quick entertainement & endure anachronism without cringing in agony. My review only reflects my exceedingly high standards.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mary Lydon Simonsen, author of Searching for Pemberley and The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy, is back with yet another opportunity for us to wander down that “what if” path with our favorite Pride and Prejudice characters: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This time, our variation begs the question: what if, after Mr. Darcy made that terrible “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” comment, he goes to apologize to Elizabeth and beg her forgiveness instead of never addressing it? We find out in A Wife for Mr. Darcy, Simonsen’s third P&P fan fiction novel.
Our story opens with Mr. Darcy heading to Longbourn to make his apologies for the dreadful comment he made about Elizabeth at the previous night’s assembly. It is here in the Longbourn sitting room that Darcy gets to truly meet lively, witty, beautiful Elizabeth Bennet. Completely shocked by how she is able to draw him out of his taciturn nature, Darcy begins to realize that she is unlike any female he has ever met. As Jane and Bingley spend more time together, so do Elizabeth and Darcy. The two flourish in each other’s company, and they quickly realize that they have feelings for each other. Darcy, however, finds that he cannot voice his true feelings for Elizabeth due to the duty he feels he owes his family to marry and have a male heir. Due to an entailment upon Pemberley, it’s impossible for Georgiana to be given the estate. Therefore Darcy must have a male heir. As such, he begins showing a favor for Miss Morton prior to his trip to Netherfield. Now upon meeting and falling in love with Elizabeth, he is struck with following his heart or following what he knows to be his duty. Even though his courting of Miss Morton had not been going on long, he felt that ending the relationship abruptly would hurt Georgiana’s chances at a proper marriage. Will he be able to untangle himself from the loveless courtship he’s begun with Miss Morton and take his rightful place at Elizabeth’s side as he dreams?
Simonsen is a master at getting her readers to feel the emotions that her characters are feeling. For most of the book, I felt the angst that Darcy was feeling when trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. I felt Elizabeth’s depression, as she realized she loved Darcy, and also realized that he could never marry her due to her low social standing and lack of wealth. Simonsen’s descriptive prose flows from page to page, as you become engulfed in the emotions of her storytelling. It’s a fantastic reading experience, one I get from reading every one of book of hers.
It always amazes me how variation authors are able to create such completely different storylines just by changing one small piece of the plot. You would think that with the drastically changing plot you would get dramatically altered characters. Surprise! You don’t. I think if Austen were able to read Simonsen’s work, she would definitely approve of the new directions that her beloved characters are taking. While Austen purists might not enjoy the new plot, I think even they would be satisfied with the characterizations of the characters.
You’re definitely going to want to add this emotional rollercoaster of a book to your “to read” pile. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://austenprose.com/2011/07/03/a-wife-for-mr-darcy-by-mary-lydon-simonsen-%e2%80%93-a-review/
Our story opens with Mr. Darcy heading to Longbourn to make his apologies for the dreadful comment he made about Elizabeth at the previous night’s assembly. It is here in the Longbourn sitting room that Darcy gets to truly meet lively, witty, beautiful Elizabeth Bennet. Completely shocked by how she is able to draw him out of his taciturn nature, Darcy begins to realize that she is unlike any female he has ever met. As Jane and Bingley spend more time together, so do Elizabeth and Darcy. The two flourish in each other’s company, and they quickly realize that they have feelings for each other. Darcy, however, finds that he cannot voice his true feelings for Elizabeth due to the duty he feels he owes his family to marry and have a male heir. Due to an entailment upon Pemberley, it’s impossible for Georgiana to be given the estate. Therefore Darcy must have a male heir. As such, he begins showing a favor for Miss Morton prior to his trip to Netherfield. Now upon meeting and falling in love with Elizabeth, he is struck with following his heart or following what he knows to be his duty. Even though his courting of Miss Morton had not been going on long, he felt that ending the relationship abruptly would hurt Georgiana’s chances at a proper marriage. Will he be able to untangle himself from the loveless courtship he’s begun with Miss Morton and take his rightful place at Elizabeth’s side as he dreams?
Simonsen is a master at getting her readers to feel the emotions that her characters are feeling. For most of the book, I felt the angst that Darcy was feeling when trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. I felt Elizabeth’s depression, as she realized she loved Darcy, and also realized that he could never marry her due to her low social standing and lack of wealth. Simonsen’s descriptive prose flows from page to page, as you become engulfed in the emotions of her storytelling. It’s a fantastic reading experience, one I get from reading every one of book of hers.
It always amazes me how variation authors are able to create such completely different storylines just by changing one small piece of the plot. You would think that with the drastically changing plot you would get dramatically altered characters. Surprise! You don’t. I think if Austen were able to read Simonsen’s work, she would definitely approve of the new directions that her beloved characters are taking. While Austen purists might not enjoy the new plot, I think even they would be satisfied with the characterizations of the characters.
You’re definitely going to want to add this emotional rollercoaster of a book to your “to read” pile. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://austenprose.com/2011/07/03/a-wife-for-mr-darcy-by-mary-lydon-simonsen-%e2%80%93-a-review/
More 3.75
My thoughts:
Yes I am back with another variation and this one is actually one of the best ones I have read. I really fell for this story and perhaps it was because things worked out so well.
This is a bit different in the aspect that Mr Darcy is looking for a bride and has settled on a fine young lady with noble blood. He is courting her now and then, since he is not that taken by her. It is just a duty but a duty that must be fulfilled. Until the day he meets Elizabeth. Here the book begins with him coming over to say that he is sorry for that famous comment who she was not pretty enough. So instead they flirt and become friendly and by doing that many other things do not happen. But the big cloud over their happiness is that he knows he must let her go since he is an honourable man and he will not let down the woman he is courting.
Yes I know! Horrible! Mr Darcy, noooo! He should not court another woman *sobs* but he is also so incredibly nice so he can't let her down when her hopes are up and all of London know they will wed. I have to respect him for that. I could not wait to see what happened and how he got out of this mess. Lizzy did of course find out too and got a bit mad after they met again, as was her right. I shall not tell you how it works out but come on, this is a PP variation so of course Lizzy and Darcy will get married, be happily ever after and get lots of cute babies in that awesome mansion.
The rest then, Bingley and Jane were sweet as always. Lydia has her story and I will not tell you that end. Mr Collins is an idiot as always, Georgiana has a bigger role and is really nice and wants only happiness for her brother. We also meet Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother who is a real scoundrel, but a loving one.
Conclusion:
This is the Pride and Prejudice variation to read. It was sweet and wonderful, just like a nice desert that you just savour. And it will bring a smile to your face.
Rating:
Good
My thoughts:
Yes I am back with another variation and this one is actually one of the best ones I have read. I really fell for this story and perhaps it was because things worked out so well.
This is a bit different in the aspect that Mr Darcy is looking for a bride and has settled on a fine young lady with noble blood. He is courting her now and then, since he is not that taken by her. It is just a duty but a duty that must be fulfilled. Until the day he meets Elizabeth. Here the book begins with him coming over to say that he is sorry for that famous comment who she was not pretty enough. So instead they flirt and become friendly and by doing that many other things do not happen. But the big cloud over their happiness is that he knows he must let her go since he is an honourable man and he will not let down the woman he is courting.
Yes I know! Horrible! Mr Darcy, noooo! He should not court another woman *sobs* but he is also so incredibly nice so he can't let her down when her hopes are up and all of London know they will wed. I have to respect him for that. I could not wait to see what happened and how he got out of this mess. Lizzy did of course find out too and got a bit mad after they met again, as was her right. I shall not tell you how it works out but come on, this is a PP variation so of course Lizzy and Darcy will get married, be happily ever after and get lots of cute babies in that awesome mansion.
The rest then, Bingley and Jane were sweet as always. Lydia has her story and I will not tell you that end. Mr Collins is an idiot as always, Georgiana has a bigger role and is really nice and wants only happiness for her brother. We also meet Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother who is a real scoundrel, but a loving one.
Conclusion:
This is the Pride and Prejudice variation to read. It was sweet and wonderful, just like a nice desert that you just savour. And it will bring a smile to your face.
Rating:
Good
I liked this book for the premise more than the actual story. having mr. Darcy already involved in a courtship when he starts to fall for Elizabeth sounds like a good premise yes. However in reality the characterization of all of the major players was not what I expected. Bingley, Jane, Elizabeth, Darcy and others were not true to their actual characterization. The only character that was acting herself was Lydia and perhaps mrs. Bennet. for me this greatly took away from the actual story and had me cringing at times because I felt it could have been done better. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy the storyline because I still did. Georgianna, Lord Fitzwilliam, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne were still quite enjoyable. I love reading variations Pride and Prejudice so I did still enjoy it.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
A Wife for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen continues the slew of Pride & Prejudice spinoffs and continuations coming from Sourcebooks. In this version, Simonsen explores what may have happened had Mr. Darcy apologized to Elizabeth Bennet after the Meryton Assembly for calling her beauty only tolerable. Would the connection between them be as strong? Would Lizzy and Darcy cast aside their assumptions and simply enjoy one another’s company? But what if Darcy also had been seen in the company of another young lady in London and her father had political plans following the match? All of these questions are explored and more.
Simonsens writing is as close to Austen’s as you can get, but it is modern at the same time, with sexual intimacy talked about, but never shown explicitly. The wit of Austen is here as well, though with a more modern sensibility. Readers will enjoy this creative exploration of these characters, the introduction of new characters, like Sir John Montford and his daughter Letitia and Bingley’s older sister and her brood the Crenshaws. One of the most amusing scenes in the novel is when Jane takes on the task of taming the savagery of the Crenshaw children, who are prepared to survive any apocalypse.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/07/a-wife-for-mr-darcy-by-mary-lydon-simonsen.html
Simonsens writing is as close to Austen’s as you can get, but it is modern at the same time, with sexual intimacy talked about, but never shown explicitly. The wit of Austen is here as well, though with a more modern sensibility. Readers will enjoy this creative exploration of these characters, the introduction of new characters, like Sir John Montford and his daughter Letitia and Bingley’s older sister and her brood the Crenshaws. One of the most amusing scenes in the novel is when Jane takes on the task of taming the savagery of the Crenshaw children, who are prepared to survive any apocalypse.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/07/a-wife-for-mr-darcy-by-mary-lydon-simonsen.html