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Letters from Pemberley the First Year
In this continuation to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , one of the best-loved novels in the English language, Elizabeth Bennet, now Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and mistress of Pemberley, finds herself in a very different league of wealth and privilege. Writing to her sister, Jane, she confides her uncertainty and anxieties, and describes the every-day of her new life. Her first year at Pemberley is sometimes bewildering but Lizzy's spirited sense of humor and satirical eye never desert her. Incorporating Jane Austen's own words and characters from her other works (who appear here with different names, either associated with Austen's life, borrowed from another of her novels, or a word-play on their original name), Jane Dawkins pieces together a literary patchwork quilt to tell the story of Lizzy's first eventful year as Mrs. Darcy. The result is an entertaining and satisfying tale, which will surely delight Jane Austen fans everywhere.
215 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
September 2, 2014
Such a quick, lovely little read for all Pride and Prejudice lovers. It is truly uncomplicated. A comfort read, at its finest. Nothing hurts about this book. It made me smile. I flew through it in half an hour, no, really. That's how sweet, and fast, and uncomplicated it was. I didn't think. I didn't hate.
I read. I enjoyed. I smiled. Half an hour, really. I read fast :)
This book is in epistolary form, meaning it is presented in letters. More specifically, letters written from Elizabeth to her sister, Jane, during the first year of separation from their respective marriages. The relationship between sisters are clearly felt, the letters are written entirely from Elizabeth's POV, and they are heartfelt in their affection and their love.
I am no Austen purist, but I felt like the book stayed true to the original characters. Nothing about Elizbeth's voice screamed false to me. She is quick-witted, charming, with a backbone that shows, through all her gentleness.
If I have one complaint, it is that there is too little Darcy. That's not a huge thing, because this is the Regency Era, and ONE DOES NOT TALK ABOUT HOW ONE'S FUCKED ONE'S HUSBAND TO ONE'S SISTERS.
God, that's a lot of "ones."
But yes, it makes sense that though Elizabeth mentions her husband's affections, she never goes into more details than is acceptable for that era. In that sense, the letters are entirely "correct."
P.S. For Austen lovers, other characters do make a cameo :)
I read. I enjoyed. I smiled. Half an hour, really. I read fast :)
This book is in epistolary form, meaning it is presented in letters. More specifically, letters written from Elizabeth to her sister, Jane, during the first year of separation from their respective marriages. The relationship between sisters are clearly felt, the letters are written entirely from Elizabeth's POV, and they are heartfelt in their affection and their love.
I am no Austen purist, but I felt like the book stayed true to the original characters. Nothing about Elizbeth's voice screamed false to me. She is quick-witted, charming, with a backbone that shows, through all her gentleness.
If I have one complaint, it is that there is too little Darcy. That's not a huge thing, because this is the Regency Era, and ONE DOES NOT TALK ABOUT HOW ONE'S FUCKED ONE'S HUSBAND TO ONE'S SISTERS.
God, that's a lot of "ones."
But yes, it makes sense that though Elizabeth mentions her husband's affections, she never goes into more details than is acceptable for that era. In that sense, the letters are entirely "correct."
P.S. For Austen lovers, other characters do make a cameo :)
November 16, 2017
As described in the title this is a book in epistolary form, thanks to reading Simply Austen I learned that First Impressions was written in this style and that 20 letters are mentioned or shown in P&P.
I have read other P&P Variations in this form and enjoyed them a great deal. This was rather dry and dull. The reason I like letters is because things can be said in a personal letter that could never be said in a drawing room. But these aren't those letters. These are chatty letters from Lizzy to Jane as Lizzy settles into her position as Mrs. Darcy and the mistress of Pemberley. Darcy is the embodiment of perfection. Their neighbors are poorly disguised characters from other Jane Austen books.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book, nor is there anything that I was enthused by.
I have read other P&P Variations in this form and enjoyed them a great deal. This was rather dry and dull. The reason I like letters is because things can be said in a personal letter that could never be said in a drawing room. But these aren't those letters. These are chatty letters from Lizzy to Jane as Lizzy settles into her position as Mrs. Darcy and the mistress of Pemberley. Darcy is the embodiment of perfection. Their neighbors are poorly disguised characters from other Jane Austen books.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book, nor is there anything that I was enthused by.
May 26, 2016
I bought and read this book several years ago as it is an epislatory novel which I thought would be a different view of my favourite characters. Namely, letters written by Elizabeth Darcy during her first year of marriage to her sister Jane Bingley. It was delightful and to me a personal look at Elizabeth's life from her point of view. Her insecurities, daily life and meeting new neighbours. Speaking of new neighbours, the author has used characters from other Jane Austen novels. It was fun getting Elizabeth's impressions of them and her witty comments to her sister were engaging. We hear of all Lydia's requests for funds that she and her 'dear Wickham' need as they cannot manage to live within their means. This is a gentle read that puts a smile on your face for it almost feels as if these letters are written to you. Now on to read the second book which I recently purchased...More Letters from Pemberley.
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November 3, 2017Letters From Pemberley is an epistolary continuation of Pride and Prejudice that is a pure comfort read. It contains the letters written by Elizabeth Darcy to her sister Jane Bingley during her first year as Mistress of Pemberley, from February to December 1813. I read the book in just a couple of hours, and it was a pleasant way to spend an evening.
The novel basically is a one-sided conversation, as only Elizabeth’s letters are featured, but Dawkins does a good job showing how Mr. Darcy has changed since their marriage and the stresses Jane must endure in living so close to their mother. Elizabeth’s fears about entering society as Darcy’s wife are detailed in the letters, and of course, readers see her become more and more comfortable in her role.
The best part about this little book is how Dawkins plays homage to Austen characters in other novels, as Darcy’s neighbors at Pemberley closely resemble such characters as Sir Walter Elliot, Anne Elliot, and Lady Russell from Persuasion, Emma and Mr. Knightley from Emma, and the Dashwood sisters from Sense and Sensibility. Readers come to know these characters as Elizabeth describes dinner parties for her sister in great detail, and I thought it was fun to pick out the references to Austen’s other novels and even her own life.
There’s not much else to say about Letters From Pemberley as there isn’t too much that happens plotwise. It’s just a fun Pride and Prejudice sequel that provides a couple of hours of light reading spent with some beloved characters. I enjoyed it so much that I was excited to see that Dawkins wrote a sequel, More Letters From Pemberley, and I quickly gobbled that one up, too.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
The novel basically is a one-sided conversation, as only Elizabeth’s letters are featured, but Dawkins does a good job showing how Mr. Darcy has changed since their marriage and the stresses Jane must endure in living so close to their mother. Elizabeth’s fears about entering society as Darcy’s wife are detailed in the letters, and of course, readers see her become more and more comfortable in her role.
The best part about this little book is how Dawkins plays homage to Austen characters in other novels, as Darcy’s neighbors at Pemberley closely resemble such characters as Sir Walter Elliot, Anne Elliot, and Lady Russell from Persuasion, Emma and Mr. Knightley from Emma, and the Dashwood sisters from Sense and Sensibility. Readers come to know these characters as Elizabeth describes dinner parties for her sister in great detail, and I thought it was fun to pick out the references to Austen’s other novels and even her own life.
There’s not much else to say about Letters From Pemberley as there isn’t too much that happens plotwise. It’s just a fun Pride and Prejudice sequel that provides a couple of hours of light reading spent with some beloved characters. I enjoyed it so much that I was excited to see that Dawkins wrote a sequel, More Letters From Pemberley, and I quickly gobbled that one up, too.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
July 29, 2020
Being a Jane Austin fan I am up for just about anything that has to do with Lizzy and Darcy! So I very willingly read this book! It was entertaining...but nothing more. It is a bunch of letters from Lizzy to Jane and they are cute and fun to read. Its fun to imagine what life for the Darcy's would have been like after the wedding. In the introduction the author admits to just wanting to entertain Austen fans, and that is what she did.
March 17, 2019
A very proper, formal and dull epistolary novel... the story was not interesting to me (at all) and the writing style is dragging...
I would not recommend this -- not to my taste!
I would not recommend this -- not to my taste!
August 29, 2014
As a huge Jane Austin fan, I can’t help but feel like authors who try to “continue” great stories are simply delusional hacks with arrogance to spare. Dawkins’s interpretation of P&P and its characters is completely opposed to my own, which may account the low rating. I always viewed Lizzie as eloquent, plainspoken and quick-witted, fully ignorant of society’s ridiculous rules but fully dedicated to her family at all times. These letters make her appear dull, overly concerned with the thoughts of strangers and not at all concerned with her own family (i.e., not asking after Jane’s affairs in the first letter). This isn’t so much a continuation as a disservice to P&P fans everywhere. Diehard fans should stay away, but fans of epistolary books may enjoy.
January 22, 2018
Not overly fond of the letter style of writing but this was so boring I struggled to finish.
September 13, 2018
İki çok yakın kardeşin mektuplaşmasına göre biraz fazla resmiydi. Tabii hiçbir kitap Jane Austen’ın kitaplarının tadını vermiyor. Gurur ve Önyargı’dan bağımsız düşünürsek güzel, biraz devam kitabı olarak düşünürsek “eh işte”ydi.
April 8, 2018
Çünkü nolursa olsun pemberley'e dönmek kadar güzel bir şey yok?
July 29, 2020
Just scraping into 3 stars. I suspect readers who have read only Pride and Prejudice and none of Austen's other books will enjoy it more than those who have read the main novels. I found it irritating to be constantly presented with characters, albeit under different names, and situations from the other novels. Nonetheless it is pleasant reading and adds its perspective to the similar books about Austen's characters. I did look, in vain, for more details about how Lizzy was learning to cope as mistress of Pemberley - the description that persuaded me to read it. There was little about her fears, doubts, uncertainties and what it cost her to adapt.
Would I recommend it? No, but neither would I dissuade anyone from reading it.
Would I recommend it? No, but neither would I dissuade anyone from reading it.
June 26, 2025
A fast read that is fun for anyone who wants to spend a little more time in the world of Austen. I think this book does what Lost in Austen tried to do: the author introduces characters from Austen’s other works but in a much more enjoyable way. This is where much of the books interesting parts come from, as Elizabeth tells her sister all about their neighbors. It’s not hugely exciting and doesn’t really add anything to the Austen experience except in that it allows you to prolong it.
May 5, 2009
Another continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Jane Dawkins's Letters From Pemberley is a series of 25 letters all written by Elizabeth Darcy to her older sister Jane Bingley. While many of the P&P continations take place years after the Darcys have been married, Dawkins's novel takes place immediately following the double wedding. Through Elizabeth's correspondence, we learn about her apprehension at being the new mistress of Pemberley, the goings on of the rest of the Bennet family and other characters we meet in P&P, and we're introduced to 'new' characters as well.
Many of the letters carry the same message. For the first half of the book, I was a little bit bored. The second half I read quickly in an hour, as things actually happen for a change. Readers familiar with Austen's other novels may recognize familiar characters (with different names, of course) and even quotes from her personal correspondence.
Letters From Pemberley is a quick read. Austen fans who are looking for an intriguing plot might be disappointed. Instead, the book relates the everyday minutae of Lizzy's married life. If you don't want to read the book, here's a letter I drafted that pretty much sums up most of it:
My Dearest Jane,
I cannot tell you how strange it feels to be mistress of Pemberley. The sitting room from which I write is my own, yet it does not quite feel mine as yet. Perhaps in time it will feel as much a part of me as Longbourn has always been. Mr. Darcy is in endless meetings to plan the improvement of the landscape here at Pemberley. I dare say he wishes to make it as pleasing a home for his Wife as possible.
I have had the fortune to meet so many of Mr. Darcy's acquaintances, many of whom remind me of the characters in the novels written by an anonymous lady of our time. While I attempt to become more intimate with many of them, I cannot help but form certain prejudices against them based on hearsay. Mr. Darcy hesitates not to bring to my memory events of the past during which my first impressions have proven false. (Oh, how he teases me!)
Lydia has written me another letter explaining the grave situation of her and Mr. Wickham's finances. She also informs me that she is in need of new ribbons, of which I have sent her a box full. She should be grateful to have devoted sisters as you and I to send her what we can. Of course, our dear Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley cannot know. We wives must keep certain affairs private.
I was all disappointment when Mr. Bingley arrived yesterday, and you were not to be found alongside him. How I wish to be by my dear sister's side as she suffers. Whatever can be ailing you? You are but married not six months, yet you are constantly in bed and feeling nauseous. I do hope you will recover and visit your sister, for do I miss our walks. I am all excitement for the day you settle in the Great House to be nearer to your sister, in spite of the disappointment Mamma may feel at you and Mr. Bingley quitting Netherfield. Give my mother, my father, and my two younger sisters all my love.
Yours affectionately,
E.D.
Many of the letters carry the same message. For the first half of the book, I was a little bit bored. The second half I read quickly in an hour, as things actually happen for a change. Readers familiar with Austen's other novels may recognize familiar characters (with different names, of course) and even quotes from her personal correspondence.
Letters From Pemberley is a quick read. Austen fans who are looking for an intriguing plot might be disappointed. Instead, the book relates the everyday minutae of Lizzy's married life. If you don't want to read the book, here's a letter I drafted that pretty much sums up most of it:
My Dearest Jane,
I cannot tell you how strange it feels to be mistress of Pemberley. The sitting room from which I write is my own, yet it does not quite feel mine as yet. Perhaps in time it will feel as much a part of me as Longbourn has always been. Mr. Darcy is in endless meetings to plan the improvement of the landscape here at Pemberley. I dare say he wishes to make it as pleasing a home for his Wife as possible.
I have had the fortune to meet so many of Mr. Darcy's acquaintances, many of whom remind me of the characters in the novels written by an anonymous lady of our time. While I attempt to become more intimate with many of them, I cannot help but form certain prejudices against them based on hearsay. Mr. Darcy hesitates not to bring to my memory events of the past during which my first impressions have proven false. (Oh, how he teases me!)
Lydia has written me another letter explaining the grave situation of her and Mr. Wickham's finances. She also informs me that she is in need of new ribbons, of which I have sent her a box full. She should be grateful to have devoted sisters as you and I to send her what we can. Of course, our dear Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley cannot know. We wives must keep certain affairs private.
I was all disappointment when Mr. Bingley arrived yesterday, and you were not to be found alongside him. How I wish to be by my dear sister's side as she suffers. Whatever can be ailing you? You are but married not six months, yet you are constantly in bed and feeling nauseous. I do hope you will recover and visit your sister, for do I miss our walks. I am all excitement for the day you settle in the Great House to be nearer to your sister, in spite of the disappointment Mamma may feel at you and Mr. Bingley quitting Netherfield. Give my mother, my father, and my two younger sisters all my love.
Yours affectionately,
E.D.
May 3, 2011
I thought this was a pretty good continuation of Pride and Prejudice. I wish I could have had a more intimate look at the character's lives, instead of the step outside (just reading Elizabeth's letters to Jane). I do think that this was the best way for the book to be written. I have read that Jane Austen would answer questions about the continuing lives of her characters. These letters give us a little peek in without the author trying to be Jane Austen herself. It wasn't the greatest book I have ever read, but I did get the sequel from the library yesterday.
March 1, 2017
This book was just...nice and warm, if you know what I mean. It's written well, it's an easy read and I appreciate the research behind the book. There is a list of "sources" at the end and I might actually go and read some of the books.
The "story" follows Elizabeth's first year as Mrs. Darcy through letters she writes mostly to Jane, but also to Mrs. Gardiner and other people. She writes about her new life, about missing her old one in a way, about her new friends... The book really feels like a warm hug from an old friend and I highly recommend it to anyone.
The "story" follows Elizabeth's first year as Mrs. Darcy through letters she writes mostly to Jane, but also to Mrs. Gardiner and other people. She writes about her new life, about missing her old one in a way, about her new friends... The book really feels like a warm hug from an old friend and I highly recommend it to anyone.
March 17, 2023
It was not a bad book but it was not very entertaining either. The way the description read it gave you the impression there would be some mishaps similar to those when Lizzy and Darcy first met. I expected more so was a little disappointed and felt the story to be a little dull. Nothing unexpected happened, just the things we all expected.
September 15, 2012
The truth is that if you really like Jane Austen, it is better to read her books over again than to read Jane Austen-esqe books. A light, fluffy sort of read, not terrible, not great.
May 18, 2016
3.5
A really quick enjoyable read. Nothing eventful really happened - a story about the everyday lives of the Darcy's in their first year of marriage.
A really quick enjoyable read. Nothing eventful really happened - a story about the everyday lives of the Darcy's in their first year of marriage.
September 26, 2021
Jane Dawkins has given us an imaginary bundle of letters from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'S newly Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy to her sister, Mrs. Jane Bingley in her book, LETTERS FROM PEMBERLEY.
Jane Dawkins uses a method of exploring the new world of Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy similar to that of Jane Austen's own LADY SUSAN novella. Comprised entirely of letters from the recent Mrs. Darcy to the just as recent Mrs. Bingley, once sisters at Longbourn, and confidants as always.
The letters catalog Lizzy's acquaintance with the mighty estate of Pemberley and Mr. Darcy's society in the neighboring estates. The letters reveal her nervousness at meeting new people and her reactions to the plight of her sister.
Old friends are remembered. Darcy's sister Georgianna makes her presence known, getting to know Lizzy and becoming fast friends. Even some characters from Jane Austen's other novels are slipped in here and there. The book culminates in the beginning of new life for the sisters, bringing joy for all of us fans who have thought of the Darcy's so fondly over the years.
Ms. Dawkins' admiration of Jane Austen and her characters is apparent throughout her book. The language is beautiful, although in the form of only letters from Jane. If you are as obsessed a fan of Jane Austen as I am, I definitely recommend this book. However, it may only be for the most dedicated...those of us who feel that Lizzy had become a great and true friend through PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
Jane Dawkins uses a method of exploring the new world of Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy similar to that of Jane Austen's own LADY SUSAN novella. Comprised entirely of letters from the recent Mrs. Darcy to the just as recent Mrs. Bingley, once sisters at Longbourn, and confidants as always.
The letters catalog Lizzy's acquaintance with the mighty estate of Pemberley and Mr. Darcy's society in the neighboring estates. The letters reveal her nervousness at meeting new people and her reactions to the plight of her sister.
Old friends are remembered. Darcy's sister Georgianna makes her presence known, getting to know Lizzy and becoming fast friends. Even some characters from Jane Austen's other novels are slipped in here and there. The book culminates in the beginning of new life for the sisters, bringing joy for all of us fans who have thought of the Darcy's so fondly over the years.
Ms. Dawkins' admiration of Jane Austen and her characters is apparent throughout her book. The language is beautiful, although in the form of only letters from Jane. If you are as obsessed a fan of Jane Austen as I am, I definitely recommend this book. However, it may only be for the most dedicated...those of us who feel that Lizzy had become a great and true friend through PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
May 16, 2019
Letters from Pemberley est un roman épistolaire retraçant la première année de mariage de Lizzy et Darcy à travers les lettres que la jeune femme envoie à sa sœur Jane. On y suit ses premiers pas en tant que maîtresse de Pemberley, son bonheur, ses doutes aussi...
J’ai vraiment passé un agréable moment avec cette lecture et pourtant, je vais vous révéler tout de suite ce qui pourrait être considéré comme son pire défaut, il ne s’y passe quasiment rien. Et je dirais même plus, le peu de rebondissements auxquels nous avons droit sont sans aucune surprise.
L’histoire n’est assurément pas le point fort de cette sequel donc et on pourrait trouver cela dommage. Il n’y a ni départ pour des pays exotiques, ni scènes de sexe, ni personnages célèbres qui font leur apparition mais nous voilà projetés à Pemberley, avec ses petits tracas du quotidien, auprès de personnages que nous adorons, le tout écrit dans un style agréable et dans le respect total de l’œuvre originale. C’est reposant en fait et rempli parfaitement son objectif principal : prolonger le plaisir de lecture d’Orgueil et Préjugés, nous baigner de nouveau dans son ambiance confortable, comme une madeleine de Proust en quelques sortes, et pour cela, nul besoin d’y ajouter quoi que ce soit il me semble.
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
J’ai vraiment passé un agréable moment avec cette lecture et pourtant, je vais vous révéler tout de suite ce qui pourrait être considéré comme son pire défaut, il ne s’y passe quasiment rien. Et je dirais même plus, le peu de rebondissements auxquels nous avons droit sont sans aucune surprise.
L’histoire n’est assurément pas le point fort de cette sequel donc et on pourrait trouver cela dommage. Il n’y a ni départ pour des pays exotiques, ni scènes de sexe, ni personnages célèbres qui font leur apparition mais nous voilà projetés à Pemberley, avec ses petits tracas du quotidien, auprès de personnages que nous adorons, le tout écrit dans un style agréable et dans le respect total de l’œuvre originale. C’est reposant en fait et rempli parfaitement son objectif principal : prolonger le plaisir de lecture d’Orgueil et Préjugés, nous baigner de nouveau dans son ambiance confortable, comme une madeleine de Proust en quelques sortes, et pour cela, nul besoin d’y ajouter quoi que ce soit il me semble.
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
July 18, 2024
Bu kitaba bayıldım çünkü vaad ettiği her şeyi bana fazlasıyla verdi. Eser Elizabeth Bennet Bay Darcy ile evlenip Permberley'nin hanımı olduktan sonra ilk zamanlarda neler yaşamıştır sorusundan yola çıkıyor ve Elizabeth'in kardeşi Jane'e yazarak yeni hayatından bahsettiği mektuplardan oluşuyor. Jane Austen'ın romanlarını taklit eden, günümüze uyarlayan veya kimi zaman bir romanındaki olayları farklı bir bakış açısından ele almaya çalışan çokça kitap var. Ve biz iflah olmaz Austen hayranları bayıldığımız o dünyaya biraz daha yaklaşmak uğruna bunları dinmez bir iştahla okuyoruz. Fakat üzülerek söylemeliyim ki bu kitapların büyük kısmı benim açımdan hayal kırıklığı oluyor. Çünkü benim aradığım şey Jane Austen romanlarındaki olay ve karakter formüllerinin farklı şekillerde tekrar tekrar yaratılması değil, ben o romanlardaki Austen bakışını, üslubunu da arıyorum. Bu açıdan bu kitabı çok başarılı buldum, çok titizlikle yazılmış. Üslubu ve olaylar o kadar ikna edici ki okurken "Evet Lizzy Pemberley'de herhalde gerçekten bunları yaşamıştır" veya "Evet bunlar tam da Lizzy'nin" yazacağı cümleler" diyorsunuz. İlk defa bir kitapta Austen romanlarındakine benzer o havayı yakaladım. Üstelik yazar bunun dışında Austen hayranları için başka başka sürprizler de yerleştirmiş kitaba, okuma keyfini kaçırmasın diye bunları yazmıyorum. Okuyup keşfedin. Jane Austen seviyorsanız asla kaçırmamanız gereken bir kitap. Üstelik mektup şeklinde yazılmış. Daha ne olsun!
October 25, 2023
Pride and Prejudice “continuations” are a hit or a miss for me. I liken them to going to TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Sometimes that cart is overflowing while other times I leave there with only a 76ers t-shirt for my husband.
I oft read these continuations and cringe. I also picture poor Jane Austen rolling over in her grave.
But, this book? I loved it. I have been reading these continuations for well over 20 years but if I am remembering correctly this is my favorite.
First, I’m a sucker for epistolary books. (My favorite is 84, Charing Cross Road. And again, if my memory serves me this book is my second favorite epistolary novel!)
I loved all the bonuses this book had to offer. There were some surprising names mentioned. I squealed each time.
The letters are all from recently married Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Elizabeth) to recently married Mrs. Charles Bingley (Jane). I loved that it was one sided. Elizabeth’s responses clued us in well enough to what Jane’s correspondence was.
Really an easy quick read. Some of these continuations are the size of a dictionary. This was a perfect 200 pages.
I oft read these continuations and cringe. I also picture poor Jane Austen rolling over in her grave.
But, this book? I loved it. I have been reading these continuations for well over 20 years but if I am remembering correctly this is my favorite.
First, I’m a sucker for epistolary books. (My favorite is 84, Charing Cross Road. And again, if my memory serves me this book is my second favorite epistolary novel!)
I loved all the bonuses this book had to offer. There were some surprising names mentioned. I squealed each time.
The letters are all from recently married Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Elizabeth) to recently married Mrs. Charles Bingley (Jane). I loved that it was one sided. Elizabeth’s responses clued us in well enough to what Jane’s correspondence was.
Really an easy quick read. Some of these continuations are the size of a dictionary. This was a perfect 200 pages.
June 24, 2017
I was soooo impressed with the writing of this novel. I found it to be extremely authentic in feel and in literal semantics. It seemed to be a very accurate picture of what life would probably have been like for Mrs. Darcy in the first year. It was very believable.
However saying that - I can understand that a less appreciative fan of the period, someone who doesn't read for the subtle nuances of JA's writing would have demanded more "action" or "drama". The story was not terribly exciting. Though, I very much doubt that drama was the intent of the author- indeed, I think it might have failed spectacularly in the attempt (to maintain the style of writing and wit), to mimic JA through complicated plot would have been indefinitely more difficult.
I am giving four stars for the scheer brilliance of the writing and the effort that must have gone into that. I'm not sure that I would personally have chose the suitor that the author wrote for Georgiana - but other than that, I cannot really find any flaws.
However saying that - I can understand that a less appreciative fan of the period, someone who doesn't read for the subtle nuances of JA's writing would have demanded more "action" or "drama". The story was not terribly exciting. Though, I very much doubt that drama was the intent of the author- indeed, I think it might have failed spectacularly in the attempt (to maintain the style of writing and wit), to mimic JA through complicated plot would have been indefinitely more difficult.
I am giving four stars for the scheer brilliance of the writing and the effort that must have gone into that. I'm not sure that I would personally have chose the suitor that the author wrote for Georgiana - but other than that, I cannot really find any flaws.
October 19, 2017
Letters from Pemberley and More Letters from Pemberley, both by Jane Dawkins, were lovely reads, very much in keeping with the tone, language, and sentiments of Austen’s original. They made me reflect on the difference between my life and the life of a gentlewoman in the early 19th century. While I carom from activity to activity and then fall exhausted into bed at the end of every long day, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy reads poetry in front of the fire, embroiders for pleasure, and takes long walks in the countryside. While I eye the kitchen floor and decide if I can let it go just one more day, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy probably has a servant whose sole job is keep the kitchen floor clean. While I am up and down all night with sick children, forever cutting up apples for snacks, and hearing a continuous stream of “Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?” all day long, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy has a nurse who looks after her children. There has to be a down side to being a gentlewoman in the early 19th century, right? What it is, I don’t know.
May 15, 2018
I'm not sure whether to call this short epistolary extension of Pride and Prejudice a novel, as it largely lacks plot. A few events occur, but only one is less than predictable. The book is mainly a pleasant peek behind the scenes of Pemberley after the curtain drops at the end of the source material.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the author's decision to transplant various characters from other Austen novels into this story, albeit with new names, and the similar decision to include passages from the original book as bits of Elizabeth's letters to Jane. It's amusing to identify these elements, but tended to pull me out of the narrative flow. I would rather lose myself in Elizabeth's musings and confidences than play the "I saw that!" game.
On the plus side, the author captures Elizabeth's voice admirably.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the author's decision to transplant various characters from other Austen novels into this story, albeit with new names, and the similar decision to include passages from the original book as bits of Elizabeth's letters to Jane. It's amusing to identify these elements, but tended to pull me out of the narrative flow. I would rather lose myself in Elizabeth's musings and confidences than play the "I saw that!" game.
On the plus side, the author captures Elizabeth's voice admirably.
April 26, 2022
I am not immune to the charms of a "heres what happened afterwards" story, especially for Jane Austen. But they tend to not thrill me.
This is a nice little volume, an easy read, and generally without great transgressions of character and plot, all told in letter-format.
The book did have two things that annoyed me. One is a pet peeve, namely who Georgina ends up with, who, while a nice character, I never like him as a match for her. (I shall not spoil in this review).
The other is that the author has, by her own admission, added characters we know from other Austen novels into the book. This is something I've seen before, and usually doesn't really impress me, though I see the appeal. The trouble here is that she's insisted on giving them other names, other then their book-proper ones, which I just found irritating.
An easy read, and most likely I shall not revisit this.
This is a nice little volume, an easy read, and generally without great transgressions of character and plot, all told in letter-format.
The book did have two things that annoyed me. One is a pet peeve, namely who Georgina ends up with, who, while a nice character, I never like him as a match for her. (I shall not spoil in this review).
The other is that the author has, by her own admission, added characters we know from other Austen novels into the book. This is something I've seen before, and usually doesn't really impress me, though I see the appeal. The trouble here is that she's insisted on giving them other names, other then their book-proper ones, which I just found irritating.
An easy read, and most likely I shall not revisit this.
May 6, 2017
People are haters and far too fussy when it comes to Jane Austen variations. There are such strict rules dictating how everyone's allowed to behave or be described and I'm shocked that anyone's brave enough to post anything in the genre. Seems like you'd only be fodder for sticklers to tear you apart.
Anyway, I loved this. The language felt realistic and highly authentic to the time period; no modern sayings crept in. I thought she nailed the phrasings. The author had also clearly done her research on the time period, locations, social etiquette, etc. It truly read like a peek into the world of Austen after P&P, and I appreciated every word. Honestly, I could have read a thousand pages more.
Anyway, I loved this. The language felt realistic and highly authentic to the time period; no modern sayings crept in. I thought she nailed the phrasings. The author had also clearly done her research on the time period, locations, social etiquette, etc. It truly read like a peek into the world of Austen after P&P, and I appreciated every word. Honestly, I could have read a thousand pages more.
November 20, 2025
This book contains a series of letters from Elizabeth to Jane and is somewhat dull. The letters describe a lot of domestic, mundane affairs like sewing & walking (which I guess is true to gender roles and the time period), but there was very little interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy, which is what I’d wanted to see. When the two do interact, there is a lack of closeness between them (think “I will admire her from afar” vibes), but maybe the author is trying to illustrate how newlyweds gradually come to know each other. It’s really just a picture of Elizabeth getting used to her new life & her internal musings than anything else.
Also had some of a presentist mindset with this one… I’d forgotten how common it was to marry your cousins…
Also had some of a presentist mindset with this one… I’d forgotten how common it was to marry your cousins…
July 26, 2018
The frustrations of this book are twofold: firstly, that it is only half a correspondence (yes, I know, the clue’s in the name) and secondly that the author thought it was a good idea to introduce thinly disguised versions of Austen characters. The effect of the first was that the writing was more stilted than it needed to be as the author sought to convey what Jane had written in her letters to Lizzy. The effect of the second was simple - irritation! So although it was a good attempt to convey Elizabeth’s impressions and feelings during the first year of her marriage, it was rather twee and very predictable!
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