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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This books was quite enjoyable, but I did like Only Mr Darcy will do better. Still the twist with Anne as an author was really interesting!
This review originally appeared on Austenprose: http://austenprose.com/2015/06/25/mr-darcys-rival-a-pride-and-prejudice-variation-by-kara-louise-a-review/
I’ve reviewed three of Kara Louise’s works now (Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, Darcy’s Voyage, and Pirates and Prejudice), and I can confidently say that she’s been gaining popularity as one of my favorite Jane Austen fan fiction authors. One of her strongest points is her imaginative ability to create such great variations on the traditional Pride and Prejudice storyline. It was with this in mind that I was eager to start a new installment in this great line of variations, Mr. Darcy’s Rival, which I knew was sure to intrigue me from the beginning.
Mr. Darcy, as always, is dreading his annual visit to his aunt Lady Catherine, as he knows that he will face the usual barrage of questions from the officious woman regarding his marrying her daughter. Accompanied as usual by his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, Darcy finds that there are two additional guests at Rosings Park this time: a Mr. Rickland and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Although Darcy knew Miss Bennet during his time in Meryton and left in order to mask his feelings for her, he cannot deny that his affections have grown even greater since their time apart. There are many obstacles to his ultimate goal of winning her hand, none more formidable than Mr. Rickland. Will he be able to secure Elizabeth’s love against all odds and be able to make his feelings known in the face of Lady Catherine’s alternate plans?
Initially the book was slightly slow for my taste, but about 60 pages in the story became vivid and lively, and really took off. I like how Louise was able to take pieces of the original work and reinvent them, such as the scenes with Darcy’s famous, “be not alarmed, Madame,” letter. In Pride and Prejudice this letter acts as the catalyst of Elizabeth’s epiphany, making her realize that first impressions aren’t always accurate (i.e. Wickham and falsehoods regarding Darcy.) In Mr. Darcy’s Rival, although the circumstances and text of the letter are different (she isn’t even meant to receive it,) it still performs the same action, making her reevaluate her behavior and thoughts towards Darcy. Therefore, although Louise is using the same plot device, she is changing it and making the story her own.
I also liked the storyline that was built around Anne de Bourgh. In the original we don’t know much about her, except that she is sickly and expected to marry Darcy. She is essentially a blank slate (as is Georgiana) and I like seeing what stories the authors create for these characters. In this instance, Louise gives Anne an opportunity to write her own story by making her a writer! This was an interesting choice considering Anne was a lady of wealth and stature living in Regency England, which definitely puts this career choice (or having a career in general) at odds with society at the time. Additionally, I also enjoyed reading her characters’ commentary on the role of women writers of the time, and the prejudices they faced due to their sex.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the extreme highs and lows on which Louise took my heart. It was no surprise that I was going to become entranced by the creativity that Louise exhibits, and she didn’t disappoint at all. Quirky, imaginative, and compelling, Mr. Darcy’s Rival is sure to be a home run for your summer reads list.
I’ve reviewed three of Kara Louise’s works now (Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, Darcy’s Voyage, and Pirates and Prejudice), and I can confidently say that she’s been gaining popularity as one of my favorite Jane Austen fan fiction authors. One of her strongest points is her imaginative ability to create such great variations on the traditional Pride and Prejudice storyline. It was with this in mind that I was eager to start a new installment in this great line of variations, Mr. Darcy’s Rival, which I knew was sure to intrigue me from the beginning.
Mr. Darcy, as always, is dreading his annual visit to his aunt Lady Catherine, as he knows that he will face the usual barrage of questions from the officious woman regarding his marrying her daughter. Accompanied as usual by his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, Darcy finds that there are two additional guests at Rosings Park this time: a Mr. Rickland and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Although Darcy knew Miss Bennet during his time in Meryton and left in order to mask his feelings for her, he cannot deny that his affections have grown even greater since their time apart. There are many obstacles to his ultimate goal of winning her hand, none more formidable than Mr. Rickland. Will he be able to secure Elizabeth’s love against all odds and be able to make his feelings known in the face of Lady Catherine’s alternate plans?
Initially the book was slightly slow for my taste, but about 60 pages in the story became vivid and lively, and really took off. I like how Louise was able to take pieces of the original work and reinvent them, such as the scenes with Darcy’s famous, “be not alarmed, Madame,” letter. In Pride and Prejudice this letter acts as the catalyst of Elizabeth’s epiphany, making her realize that first impressions aren’t always accurate (i.e. Wickham and falsehoods regarding Darcy.) In Mr. Darcy’s Rival, although the circumstances and text of the letter are different (she isn’t even meant to receive it,) it still performs the same action, making her reevaluate her behavior and thoughts towards Darcy. Therefore, although Louise is using the same plot device, she is changing it and making the story her own.
I also liked the storyline that was built around Anne de Bourgh. In the original we don’t know much about her, except that she is sickly and expected to marry Darcy. She is essentially a blank slate (as is Georgiana) and I like seeing what stories the authors create for these characters. In this instance, Louise gives Anne an opportunity to write her own story by making her a writer! This was an interesting choice considering Anne was a lady of wealth and stature living in Regency England, which definitely puts this career choice (or having a career in general) at odds with society at the time. Additionally, I also enjoyed reading her characters’ commentary on the role of women writers of the time, and the prejudices they faced due to their sex.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the extreme highs and lows on which Louise took my heart. It was no surprise that I was going to become entranced by the creativity that Louise exhibits, and she didn’t disappoint at all. Quirky, imaginative, and compelling, Mr. Darcy’s Rival is sure to be a home run for your summer reads list.
I enjoyed the writing. Slightly off canon, obviously! A cute, light read, if somewhat bland.
All around delightful. However, the plot becomes muddy in the final fourth of the book.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
I probably wouldn't have read this after [b:Pirates and Prejudice|18000197|Pirates and Prejudice|Kara Louise|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1370054773s/18000197.jpg|25259681] if I hadn't previously purchased it, but decided since I already owned it I'd go ahead and see if I liked it better. I really didn't.
While I like the idea of how an author can twist this story sideways, this particular tweak was rather contrived with misplaced letters and idiotic behavior. Worse, the writing was a miss as well. Brows are quite mobile in Mr. Darcy's Rival, mentioned a total of 102 times as they are raised (30), lowered (15), and pinched (27). There are eyes widened (35), lips bitten (27), huffs (23), and jaws rubbed (15). My favorite is used a mere nine times, but is such a stand out as to be noticeable anyway, as multiple characters wave their hand through the air. I now do this in all my conversations for emphasis.
What annoyed me more than all of that though, is that though many people mentioned that this was a redemption of Anne de Bourgh, as Elizabeth discovers she's an author, but her "novel" is an obnoxiously thinly-disguised recounting of her life, as if she couldn't manage anything better. Worst of all, I was bored. There wasn't nearly enough tension to keep my attention engaged. At least if Pirates and Prejudice was nuts, it was fun. This take doesn't even have that going for it.
While I like the idea of how an author can twist this story sideways, this particular tweak was rather contrived with misplaced letters and idiotic behavior. Worse, the writing was a miss as well. Brows are quite mobile in Mr. Darcy's Rival, mentioned a total of 102 times as they are raised (30), lowered (15), and pinched (27). There are eyes widened (35), lips bitten (27), huffs (23), and jaws rubbed (15). My favorite is used a mere nine times, but is such a stand out as to be noticeable anyway, as multiple characters wave their hand through the air. I now do this in all my conversations for emphasis.
What annoyed me more than all of that though, is that though many people mentioned that this was a redemption of Anne de Bourgh, as Elizabeth discovers she's an author, but her "novel" is an obnoxiously thinly-disguised recounting of her life, as if she couldn't manage anything better. Worst of all, I was bored. There wasn't nearly enough tension to keep my attention engaged. At least if Pirates and Prejudice was nuts, it was fun. This take doesn't even have that going for it.
Elizabeth's tale begins as she, Sir William and Maria Lucas approach the Hunsford Parsonage for a visit. Elizabeth is delighted to meet another nephew of Lady Catherine - Matthew Rickland, enjoying his easy manners and conversation.
A few days later the Colonel and Darcy come for their annual visit to Rosings. Obstacles arise for the proposal, a letter, an accident...... But there is still more to come before there is a happy ending.
Enjoyed this tale.
A few days later the Colonel and Darcy come for their annual visit to Rosings. Obstacles arise for the proposal, a letter, an accident...... But there is still more to come before there is a happy ending.
Enjoyed this tale.
It could've been great, but it lacked a bit of 'oomph' if that makes any sense.
The book is called Mr. Darcy's Rival so I thought that, ya know, Mr. Darcy's rival would have a bigger part in it but surprisingly he didn't have a big influence in the course of events in the story, he was more like a pesky fly instead of an intimidating rival.
Since the entire premise of this book was based on a rivalry I was expecting a lot of angst but there wasn't much, if any, here.
Buuuuuut, nonetheless, I'm a sucker for p&p and I enjoyed this variation of their story.
The book is called Mr. Darcy's Rival so I thought that, ya know, Mr. Darcy's rival would have a bigger part in it but surprisingly he didn't have a big influence in the course of events in the story, he was more like a pesky fly instead of an intimidating rival.
Since the entire premise of this book was based on a rivalry I was expecting a lot of angst but there wasn't much, if any, here.
Buuuuuut, nonetheless, I'm a sucker for p&p and I enjoyed this variation of their story.
Re-read 10/8/17
I enjoyed this one just as much the second time around. It has an interesting, original plot, and the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth are very satisfying.
Original read 1/24/16
Really enjoyed this one. I would have liked to see Elizabeth and Darcy have to try a little harder to get to their point of understanding, and I would have liked to see some favored secondary characters more (Georgiana, for one), but otherwise this was a really fun and well done story. I particularly enjoyed the twist on Wickham's schemes.
I enjoyed this one just as much the second time around. It has an interesting, original plot, and the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth are very satisfying.
Original read 1/24/16
Really enjoyed this one. I would have liked to see Elizabeth and Darcy have to try a little harder to get to their point of understanding, and I would have liked to see some favored secondary characters more (Georgiana, for one), but otherwise this was a really fun and well done story. I particularly enjoyed the twist on Wickham's schemes.