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friendlyflamingo's review against another edition
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
3.0
leenanorms's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
alsamps21's review against another edition
3.0
This book attracted my interest from the outset - as a big Austen fan as well as historical fiction fan, why would I not enjoy a novel imagining where the story picked off after Pride & Prejudice ends? The novel tells the story from Charlotte Lucas's perspective, a character that always intrigued me when I was younger in settling for a marriage where she was not in love. Now with an older head on my shoulders and a better understanding of a woman's lot in the 18th century, I hold far more interest in how her story would have unfolded.
It started out very well - it is atmospheric and transports you into the mediocre setting of a rural 18th century household. Charlotte has lost a young child. Meanwhile her friend Elizabeth Bennett seems unable to carry a child at all. I'd have kept more interest were it not for things seeming a bit unbelievable as a love story/affair crept into the storyline. I began to lose interest, however there were interesting aspects throughout including the imagined stories of all five Bennett sisters.
Of course this is not Austen, and perhaps the missing factor for me was the humour & wit that permeated the original P&P story. It would however be unfair to compare the two - this is a story in itself after all, but the comparisons are inevitable and ultimately I found myself skim reading the latter half after such a promising first third.
It started out very well - it is atmospheric and transports you into the mediocre setting of a rural 18th century household. Charlotte has lost a young child. Meanwhile her friend Elizabeth Bennett seems unable to carry a child at all. I'd have kept more interest were it not for things seeming a bit unbelievable as a love story/affair crept into the storyline. I began to lose interest, however there were interesting aspects throughout including the imagined stories of all five Bennett sisters.
Of course this is not Austen, and perhaps the missing factor for me was the humour & wit that permeated the original P&P story. It would however be unfair to compare the two - this is a story in itself after all, but the comparisons are inevitable and ultimately I found myself skim reading the latter half after such a promising first third.
terranovanz's review against another edition
3.0
A gentle and enjoyable read about Charlotte Lucas, the friend of Lizzy Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. While large chunks of the book felt true to the original, a significant portion seemed so out of character for Charlotte, and jarred with how a woman of her stature and position would have acted that it coloured my opinion of the book, even though it was very sweet. Overall a diverting read, but not one true fans of Austen will necessarily appreciate.
inoyama's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookish_liv's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful foray into the world of Pride and Prejudice. I think this might just be one of my favourites so far. I really enjoyed how Helen Moffett brought Charlotte's story to life and just adored getting to know Anne De Bourgh better too. Well worth getting your hands on a copy.
katrinaslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I have started reading this and currently on chapter 2 but I want to make sure there’s a few trigger warnings in this novel that I wished someone gave to me.
Spoiler: The beginning of the novel contains grief, loss of a child and miscarriages.
However already I’m enjoying the Austen style of writing and will continue reading, even though it’s emotionally difficult.
Spoiler: The beginning of the novel contains grief, loss of a child and miscarriages.
However already I’m enjoying the Austen style of writing and will continue reading, even though it’s emotionally difficult.
alles_allerlei's review against another edition
3.0
Ok
Selten ein Buch gelesen was mich so sehr hat hardern lassen und was ich dann doch nicht abbrach, was mich aber auch nicht wirklich begeisterte. Endtäuscht hats mich aber auch nich so sehr
Ganz komisch
Aberauch schön und interessant geschrieben.
Auch wenn mir das letzte drittel irendwie zu .. komisch / seltsam war
Selten ein Buch gelesen was mich so sehr hat hardern lassen und was ich dann doch nicht abbrach, was mich aber auch nicht wirklich begeisterte. Endtäuscht hats mich aber auch nich so sehr
Ganz komisch
Aberauch schön und interessant geschrieben.
Auch wenn mir das letzte drittel irendwie zu .. komisch / seltsam war
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this book and read it in one sitting. Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) was always one of my favourite characters in Pride and Prejudice, so it's great to see her choices and interiority explored in greater depth here. Her story after the events of Pride and Prejudice is drawn with a fine pen here, and it was wonderful to see her find greater happiness than she found in the book. I loved the scenes of her setting up her household in Hunsford, and then the lovely time in Pemberley, when she reunites with her childhood friend Elizabeth. The book never glosses over how hurtful Elizabeth's reaction to Charlotte's marriage was, but shows how they can put that behind them with effort on both sides, and become stronger friends than ever. There are so many continuations of Pride and Prejudice, and this is one of my favourites.