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Pemberley: Or Pride and Prejudice Continued
As Jane Austen's beloved novel Pride and Prejudice comes to a close, Elizabeth Bennet proudly announces her engagement to Mr. Darcy, boasting, "We are to be the happiest couple in the world." But after the nuptials, can a marriage between two people as strong-willed as Elizabeth and Darcy survive? With all the wit and style of Jane Austen, Emma Tennant brilliantly imagines both the perils and pleasure of such a marriage.
It's now a year after the wedding, and the time has come for Elizabeth and Darcy to invite their families to visit Pemberley―but not without trepidation, for any gathering that includes both Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh must occasion gaffes and hurt feelings. And when Darcy becomes increasingly distant and Elizabeth falls prey to vicious gossip, the forces of pride and prejudice are at work once again in this "eminently enjoyable" continuation of Pride and Prejudice ( Los Angeles Times ).
It's now a year after the wedding, and the time has come for Elizabeth and Darcy to invite their families to visit Pemberley―but not without trepidation, for any gathering that includes both Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh must occasion gaffes and hurt feelings. And when Darcy becomes increasingly distant and Elizabeth falls prey to vicious gossip, the forces of pride and prejudice are at work once again in this "eminently enjoyable" continuation of Pride and Prejudice ( Los Angeles Times ).
227 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
19 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
Emma Tennant
92 books37 followersSince the early 1970s, when she was in her mid-thirties, Emma Tennant has been a prolific novelist and has established herself as one of the leading British exponents of "new fiction." This does not mean that she is an imitator of either the French nouveaux romanciers or the American post-modernists, although her work reveals an indebtedness to the methods and preoccupations of some of the latter. Like them, she employs parody and rewriting, is interested in the fictiveness of fiction, appropriates some science-fiction conventions, and exploits the possibilities of generic dislocation and mutation, especially the blending of realism and fantasy. Yet, although parallels can be cited and influences suggested, her work is strongly individual, the product of an intensely personal, even idiosyncratic, attempt to create an original type of highly imaginative fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
March 1, 2009
I honestly am shocked that any publishing company actually published this. I think Jane Austen, herself, would despise Emma Tennant's idea of what Elizabeth Bennet Darcy was like after a year of marriage with Mr. Darcy.
The book was not true to the characters that Jane Austen created in Pride and Prejudice. Even as far as slandering poor Mr. Bingley, that is if a fiction character can be slandered.
The story was ridiculous. Elizabeth was weak minded, insecure, and foolish. The story was not believable and I can hardly believe I read the whole thing. I was so shocked by the author's misintrepretation of Pride and Prejudice that I kept reading.
I would love to hear other P&P fans to tell me their thoughts on this book if they read it. However, it is not worth your time.
The book was not true to the characters that Jane Austen created in Pride and Prejudice. Even as far as slandering poor Mr. Bingley, that is if a fiction character can be slandered.
The story was ridiculous. Elizabeth was weak minded, insecure, and foolish. The story was not believable and I can hardly believe I read the whole thing. I was so shocked by the author's misintrepretation of Pride and Prejudice that I kept reading.
I would love to hear other P&P fans to tell me their thoughts on this book if they read it. However, it is not worth your time.
June 23, 2008
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a fan in search of a good sequel can safely skip anything by Emma Tennant. She gets the language pretty well (except for "must needs," which I never read anywhere in JA) and she puts in a few melt-worthy Darcy/Lizzy scenes, but the overall plot annoyed me, particularly with the insinuation about Bingley, which was just a foil to raise Lizzy's suspicions against Darcy. So as I said, Jane Austen fans, skip this one. You'll find better sequels in the wide world of fanfic.
January 8, 2014
If you can, take yourself back to 1993. Some of you reading this review were not even born yet, so bear with me. Imagine the Jane Austen universe pre Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy emerging soaking wet from Pemberley pond in the 1995 A&E/BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice. No dripping Darcy. No thousands of Jane Austen-inspired prequels, sequels and inspired-by novels and self-help books brimming book shelves at your local bookstore. No buy-it-now button at your favorite online retailer. No INTERNET for that matter! You have read Pride and Prejudice (multiple times) and seen both the adaptations: the 1940 movie starring Laurence Olivier and the 1980 BBC mini-series starring David Rintoul on Masterpiece Theatre. You are violently in love with Jane Austen’s novel and know of no one else who shares your obsession — and then one day you are in a bookstore and see Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued, by Emma Tennant. You stare at it in total disbelief. Could someone else continue the story of your beloved Elizabeth and Darcy? Could you be back at Pemberley again?
Now that you have a closer understanding of the environment that Tennant’s brave foray into Jane Austen sequeldom entered in 1993, and what anticipation the reader might have felt, you will have a greater appreciation of its tepid reception. When the vast majority read this book they delusionally expected Jane Austen, again. How could they possibly not be disappointed? By the time I read it in 2002 it had gotten a bad rap all-around by media reviewers and pleasure readers. My first impressions were not positive either. Now, after eleven years of reading numerous Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels that have been published in its wake — I have re-read it with an entirely new perspective — with an open heart and a sense of humor.
It has been almost a year since the happy day in which Mrs. Bennet got rid of two of her most deserving daughters. Elizabeth Darcy nee Bennet is learning the ropes of being the chatelaine of Pemberley House while obsessing over her insecurities and lack of producing an heir. Her dear father has died and his entailed estate of Longbourn has passed on to his cousin Mr. Collins and his wife Charlotte. The displaced Mrs. Bennet and her two unmarried daughters Mary and Kitty have taken up residence at Meryton Lodge, their new home not far from Longbourn and neighbors Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas. Elizabeth’s elder sister Jane and her husband Charles Bingley have purchased an estate in Yorkshire thirty miles from Pemberley. After four years of marriage they have one daughter and another on the way. Thoughtless younger sister Lydia, her ner-do-well husband George Wickham and their four children are continually in debt and an embarrassment to Elizabeth and her family.
The holidays are approaching and the plans for the annual festivities will include gathering family at Pemberley for Christmas and a New Year’s Ball. Besides Georgiana, Mr. Darcy’s younger sister, the guest list is growing out-of-control. Even under the care of her capable housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth is overwhelmed. Included are Elizabeth’s family: some welcome and others not. Mrs. Bennet, Mary and Kitty will make their first visit to Pemberley. Jane will also journey with her husband and his sisters Miss Caroline Bingley, Mrs. Hurst and her husband. Elizabeth’s favorite Uncle and Aunt Gardiner have let a house nearby so that the unwelcome George Wickham and his family can visit with Mrs. Bennet. Also on the guest list is Mr. Darcy’s officious Aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh who disapproved of Darcy’s choice of bride but seems to have mended the fence enough for an extended stay. Arriving with her is her unmarried daughter Anne and the heir to the Pemberley estate, a distant cousin of Lady Catherine, Master Thomas Roper. Shortly before Mrs. Bennet is to depart for Pemberley she reveals to her friend Mrs. Long that even though Mr. Bennet departed this life but nine months ago, she intends to marry Colonel Kitchiner, a cousin and a crush from her youth whose father was a business partner of her father in Meryton. She has invited him to Pemberley as well — so it is a full house of unlikely companionship for its new mistress.
Any fans of Pride and Prejudice will recognize the irony of the guest list. The back story from the original novel and the combination of personalities is a set-up for the conflicts that inevitably arrive even before the guests do. Tennant has fudged on the facts from the original novel which were a bit off-putting. I remember being irked by this the first time around, and the second time did not sit as well either. Jane and Elizabeth were married on the same day in P&P, yet she chose to have Elizabeth marry Mr. Darcy four years after the original event — and how could any author writing a sequel or any historical novel set in the Regency-era not understand the ins and outs of British primogeniture? Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s cousin Thomas Roper, also the cousin of Mr. Darcy’s mother Ann, could not be the heir to Pemberley. If so, it would mean that the Darcy family and his mother a Fitzwilliam were related in earlier generations. This is possible but highly confusing to the reader who may understand the English inheritance laws, or not.
Quibbles in continuity and cultural history aside, my second impressions of Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued were much more favorable — at least I didn’t despise it anymore. With the exception of Elizabeth Bennet being overly angst ridden and atypically un-spirited, I enjoyed Tennant’s characterizations of the delightfully dotty Mrs. Bennet and the slippery Bingley sisters. My biggest disappointment remained with the male characters. We see all of the action through Elizabeth’s eyes, and since she is uncertain and overly grateful of Darcy’s love, their relationship is strained and unpleasant. He is proud again and given nothing to say, and she is too unprejudiced to do anything about it. Tennant excelled most with her new creations: Mr. Gresham, Thomas Roper and the hysterical Col. Kitchiner who rivals the odious Mr. Collins (thankfully not invited to Pemberley) in the role of buffoon.
I appreciate Tennant much more as a writer than I did at first reading. It was interesting to put Pemberley into a wider perspective after many years. She was helping to create a new genre in which many would follow. This first attempt, though seriously flawed, merits some respect and congratulations. It is a must read for any ardent Austenesque fan, but most will be disappointed.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Now that you have a closer understanding of the environment that Tennant’s brave foray into Jane Austen sequeldom entered in 1993, and what anticipation the reader might have felt, you will have a greater appreciation of its tepid reception. When the vast majority read this book they delusionally expected Jane Austen, again. How could they possibly not be disappointed? By the time I read it in 2002 it had gotten a bad rap all-around by media reviewers and pleasure readers. My first impressions were not positive either. Now, after eleven years of reading numerous Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels that have been published in its wake — I have re-read it with an entirely new perspective — with an open heart and a sense of humor.
It has been almost a year since the happy day in which Mrs. Bennet got rid of two of her most deserving daughters. Elizabeth Darcy nee Bennet is learning the ropes of being the chatelaine of Pemberley House while obsessing over her insecurities and lack of producing an heir. Her dear father has died and his entailed estate of Longbourn has passed on to his cousin Mr. Collins and his wife Charlotte. The displaced Mrs. Bennet and her two unmarried daughters Mary and Kitty have taken up residence at Meryton Lodge, their new home not far from Longbourn and neighbors Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas. Elizabeth’s elder sister Jane and her husband Charles Bingley have purchased an estate in Yorkshire thirty miles from Pemberley. After four years of marriage they have one daughter and another on the way. Thoughtless younger sister Lydia, her ner-do-well husband George Wickham and their four children are continually in debt and an embarrassment to Elizabeth and her family.
The holidays are approaching and the plans for the annual festivities will include gathering family at Pemberley for Christmas and a New Year’s Ball. Besides Georgiana, Mr. Darcy’s younger sister, the guest list is growing out-of-control. Even under the care of her capable housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth is overwhelmed. Included are Elizabeth’s family: some welcome and others not. Mrs. Bennet, Mary and Kitty will make their first visit to Pemberley. Jane will also journey with her husband and his sisters Miss Caroline Bingley, Mrs. Hurst and her husband. Elizabeth’s favorite Uncle and Aunt Gardiner have let a house nearby so that the unwelcome George Wickham and his family can visit with Mrs. Bennet. Also on the guest list is Mr. Darcy’s officious Aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh who disapproved of Darcy’s choice of bride but seems to have mended the fence enough for an extended stay. Arriving with her is her unmarried daughter Anne and the heir to the Pemberley estate, a distant cousin of Lady Catherine, Master Thomas Roper. Shortly before Mrs. Bennet is to depart for Pemberley she reveals to her friend Mrs. Long that even though Mr. Bennet departed this life but nine months ago, she intends to marry Colonel Kitchiner, a cousin and a crush from her youth whose father was a business partner of her father in Meryton. She has invited him to Pemberley as well — so it is a full house of unlikely companionship for its new mistress.
Any fans of Pride and Prejudice will recognize the irony of the guest list. The back story from the original novel and the combination of personalities is a set-up for the conflicts that inevitably arrive even before the guests do. Tennant has fudged on the facts from the original novel which were a bit off-putting. I remember being irked by this the first time around, and the second time did not sit as well either. Jane and Elizabeth were married on the same day in P&P, yet she chose to have Elizabeth marry Mr. Darcy four years after the original event — and how could any author writing a sequel or any historical novel set in the Regency-era not understand the ins and outs of British primogeniture? Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s cousin Thomas Roper, also the cousin of Mr. Darcy’s mother Ann, could not be the heir to Pemberley. If so, it would mean that the Darcy family and his mother a Fitzwilliam were related in earlier generations. This is possible but highly confusing to the reader who may understand the English inheritance laws, or not.
Quibbles in continuity and cultural history aside, my second impressions of Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued were much more favorable — at least I didn’t despise it anymore. With the exception of Elizabeth Bennet being overly angst ridden and atypically un-spirited, I enjoyed Tennant’s characterizations of the delightfully dotty Mrs. Bennet and the slippery Bingley sisters. My biggest disappointment remained with the male characters. We see all of the action through Elizabeth’s eyes, and since she is uncertain and overly grateful of Darcy’s love, their relationship is strained and unpleasant. He is proud again and given nothing to say, and she is too unprejudiced to do anything about it. Tennant excelled most with her new creations: Mr. Gresham, Thomas Roper and the hysterical Col. Kitchiner who rivals the odious Mr. Collins (thankfully not invited to Pemberley) in the role of buffoon.
I appreciate Tennant much more as a writer than I did at first reading. It was interesting to put Pemberley into a wider perspective after many years. She was helping to create a new genre in which many would follow. This first attempt, though seriously flawed, merits some respect and congratulations. It is a must read for any ardent Austenesque fan, but most will be disappointed.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
September 22, 2007
Painfully boring. I was literally unable to finish this book. I got to the scene where Elizabeth throws an out-of-character hissy fit and runs off into the rain, disappearing on the grounds of Pemberley. Darcy's a mess, and they send people out searching for her. And it's quite literally the most boring "dramatic" passage I have read in my life. I don't care how big an Austen or Pride and Prejudice fan you are, don't subject yourself to this.
March 19, 2020
If my disastrous experiences reading Joan Aiken's "sequels" to Jane Austen (
Eliza's Daughter
and
Jane Fairfax
) weren't enough to convince me that this type of undertaking is generally ill-advised, then Emma Tennant's atrociously written Pemberley did the trick...
Ostensibly a sequel to Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice , Tennant's narrative of the beginning of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy's marriage strains my ability to suspend disbelief to the breaking point. How is it possible that Darcy has returned to being the cold, distant ass? Wasn't his transformation into a more humane person one of the major themes of the original? And when did Elizabeth Bennett change from a confident young woman, willing to speak her mind to the insufferable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to the cowed, insecure woman we see here?
If you love Jane Austen, value good writing, or simply don't like to have your time wasted, I would advise you to steer clear of Pemberley. I myself regret that I invested the time in reading it, and wouldn't want my fellow readers to make the same mistake. Jane Austen is dead ladies, and no amount of wishful thinking is going to expand her oeuvre.
Addendum: I am simply aghast to learn that Ms. Tennant, in addition to butchering the wonderful Pride and Prejudice , has also turned her dubious talents to the task of rewriting Jane Eyre . Now that is just wrong!
Ostensibly a sequel to Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice , Tennant's narrative of the beginning of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy's marriage strains my ability to suspend disbelief to the breaking point. How is it possible that Darcy has returned to being the cold, distant ass? Wasn't his transformation into a more humane person one of the major themes of the original? And when did Elizabeth Bennett change from a confident young woman, willing to speak her mind to the insufferable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to the cowed, insecure woman we see here?
If you love Jane Austen, value good writing, or simply don't like to have your time wasted, I would advise you to steer clear of Pemberley. I myself regret that I invested the time in reading it, and wouldn't want my fellow readers to make the same mistake. Jane Austen is dead ladies, and no amount of wishful thinking is going to expand her oeuvre.
Addendum: I am simply aghast to learn that Ms. Tennant, in addition to butchering the wonderful Pride and Prejudice , has also turned her dubious talents to the task of rewriting Jane Eyre . Now that is just wrong!
November 27, 2007
I read this story not long after reading "Pride & Prejudice" for the first time. I did not like it, but mostly because it stirred up conflict between Elizabeth & Darcy and cast a darkness over their marriage. I think that Austen needs no sequel.
July 20, 2016
This was one of the 1st P&P sequels I read many years ago. I recently gave it a reread to see if it was as bad as I remembered. It was. I was going to go for a 3rd read for the P&P challenge, but just couldn't do it.
The biggest problem with Pemberley is the "wimpification" of Elizabeth. Emma Tennant has the woman who said "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me;" for whom "the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation" unsure of her home, of how to act and even of her husband! This Elizabeth is intimidated by the barbs of the Bigley sisters (HUH?) and she reacts with "extreme despondency" at the prospect of Jane and her family coming to Christmas at Pemberley. Who is this person???
Tennent makes many mistakes in the canon that are obviously not deliberate plot changes, just laziness or unconcern. By setting the bar for Austen para-literature so low, Tennant hasn't done us any favors. I give this a "Don't Bother."
The biggest problem with Pemberley is the "wimpification" of Elizabeth. Emma Tennant has the woman who said "There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me;" for whom "the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation" unsure of her home, of how to act and even of her husband! This Elizabeth is intimidated by the barbs of the Bigley sisters (HUH?) and she reacts with "extreme despondency" at the prospect of Jane and her family coming to Christmas at Pemberley. Who is this person???
Tennent makes many mistakes in the canon that are obviously not deliberate plot changes, just laziness or unconcern. By setting the bar for Austen para-literature so low, Tennant hasn't done us any favors. I give this a "Don't Bother."
April 2, 2011
What an awful book! I have exclaimed over the explicit sexual P&P sequels, but this makes me realize there is another way to write poorly. Elizabeth and Darcy are having everyone ever mentioned in P&P to Pemberley for Christmas. Elizabeth is a bit uneasy about her role of Mistress of Pemberley, and that is to be understood. But, Elizabeth experiences dismay, regret, anxiety, annoyance, insult, embarrassment, uncertainty, disdain, etc. throughout the entire book. There is NO LET UP. The strong woman of sense we met in P&P is unable to find anything amusing about her guests or her situation. There is no comic relief - at least we are not given to see anyone finding the humor in their time at Pemberley. Even Georgiana turns against her and giggles about her with Caroline Bingley. Now, Mr. Darcy does absolutely nothing to encourage or support Elizabeth. In fact, he finds he never has a chance to speak to her and leaves her wondering all the time where he is, what he is doing, and why he is making the decisions he is. There is no one to like in this book. There is no one to admire. There is no one to enjoy time with. We simply have a crushingly depressing book putting every character from P&P, plus a couple more, in the most terrible light. Well, except Jane, but she is little to no comfort to Elizabeth, at least she does appear to. There is just nothing to enjoy in this book. The author, I believe, thinks there is humor. Do you find it funny that Lady Catherine continues to insult Elizabeth and her family, and even Darcy joins in? Do you find it funny that Caroline Bingley is able to insult Elizabeth left and right and even involve Georgiana in her cruel laughter? Do you find it funny that Kitty finds Pemberley boring, and when she sees Lydia reverts back to exactly the same person she was before Lydia's marriage? Do you find it funny that Wickham is invited for the day and ends up spending several due to a snow storm? Do you find it funny that Lady Catherine insists she be given her own place to entertain away from the Bennet family because Elizabeth's mother is so vulgar? Okay, kids, if you find this funny, you will be laughing out loud while reading this book. For me, it was a day of pain which I felt for Elizabeth and Darcy. In addition, I could not understand any of the actions they chose. Finally, the resolution at the end that brings them back together is so short and unsatisfactory, I could not believe there was not a sequel to this book. All in all, I wouldn't wish this book on anyone who has ever loved Pride and Prejudice.
September 25, 2017
Every other review has covered the minutiae of how awful this book is. I can add nothing: - a sentiment Emma Tennant would have done well to remember before writing this travesty.
August 28, 2014
Sadly I had to agree with all the other reviewers.. This book was upsetting as I cannot imagine Elizabeth and Darcy having these types of communication issues with each other after a year of marriage. Misunderstandings amount to an excessive degree and every time Elizabeth perceives something in Darcy that reminds her of his prideful nature he does something that pieces how much he loves her and yet she distrusts him which is frustrating! Darcy doesn't have many lines in this novel but they were all loving towards Elizabeth - how can she doubt his feelings? Why would she believe overheard conversations lady Catherine has with Caroline? And why wouldn't she just talk to Darcy about her feelings especially when she has an opportunity although that conversation frustrating me cause Darcy attempted to humour her out of her sober mood but when he realized that she misunderstood the situation why wouldn't he defend himself and open up to Elizabeth about the truth? Darcy trying to protect her sister is a sore excuse for causing marital issues with his own wife! Although I was frustrated at Elizabeth for not talking to Darcy I was even more frustrated with Darcy when he just picks up and leaves for London and then Elizabeth does the same thing - that's when it got even more ridiculous. And then we get to the final chapter and realize the author will summarize the reconciliation into one paragraph was lacking in depth and didn't do justice to all the animosity and hurt that had built up by the end.
Side note - I don't think Georgiana's character would have enjoyed Caroline's sarcasm as portrayed in this novel and Jane Austen wouldn't have approved of Bingleys past being how it was portrayed. I also don't think Darcy would call his wife Eliza as she was only called that by Caroline in the original. Elizabeth had ample proof of Darcy's love for her and I think any insecurities she had of not yet conceiving a child would never have caused her to make up so many hypothetical issues with her marriage especially with Jane's advice not to misjudge Darcy as she had in the past mistakenly done.
Side note - I don't think Georgiana's character would have enjoyed Caroline's sarcasm as portrayed in this novel and Jane Austen wouldn't have approved of Bingleys past being how it was portrayed. I also don't think Darcy would call his wife Eliza as she was only called that by Caroline in the original. Elizabeth had ample proof of Darcy's love for her and I think any insecurities she had of not yet conceiving a child would never have caused her to make up so many hypothetical issues with her marriage especially with Jane's advice not to misjudge Darcy as she had in the past mistakenly done.
March 24, 2025
I am SO CONFUSED about the timeline. In the canon, Elizabeth and Jane were married at the same time, slightly after Lydia was, about a year after they first met Darcy and Bingley. This is supposed to be a sequel that continues where Austen left off.
Here, Jane has a one-year old child and another Bingley child is born in the course of this story. The Wickhams have four children under four years of age. Mrs Bennet has been widowed for nine months. At one point Elizabeth thinks about something that happened three years ago and notes that Darcy first came to Hertfordshire after that. So according to that they would have married two years ago, or so. The Wickhams have been VERY busy, to get four children in that time. They are apparently all old enough to run along in the gallery at Pemberley, so maybe Lydia had two sets of twins in very short order and was already pregnant with the first set before her wedding? There is a lot of doom and gloom because Lizzy is not pregnant yet. But we are also told that it is Elizabeth's first Christmas as the mistress of Pemberley...?
I don't know how that all works out, don't ask me.
Lady Catherine has been demoted to Lady De Bourgh.
There are some amusing turns of phrase in the writing style, but there is little happiness to be found in the story. The Darcy marriage appears to be rather troubled. The Gardiners are in Derbyshire but they weren't invited to stay at Pemberley even though even Wickham is staying there. Mr. Darcy is rather secretive and from other people, Elizabeth frequently finds out stuff that Darcy should have told her, leaving her feeling disrespected or disregarded as her husband's wife and the mistress of her own home. Darcy has learned nothing from the Disastrous Hunsford Proposal and still puts her family down in front of her. The usual suspects still snipe at Elizabeth with little to no pushback. There is little interaction between her and her husband, at least of the positive variety. When there's trouble, neither of them handles it well. Both run off at the drop of a hat and whenever they should have a conversation, or write a letter, or communicate using smoke signals, they don't. Sometimes there's no time, or no opportunity, allegedly, but I think most of the time if you have the will you can find the opportunity to write a short note, anyway. If he had the time to inform Lady Catherine or other random people he had the time to tell his wife.
These people thought they got their happy end at the end of Pride and Prejudice but man, were they mistaken. We were all fooled.
One wordless loving glance does not make up for all that went on before, so the book would have benefited from a bit more mush and romance at the end, to give the reader a better sense of HEA. But it ends rather abruptly. And leaves the reader with some questions.
TL;DR: They both suck at being married.
Here, Jane has a one-year old child and another Bingley child is born in the course of this story. The Wickhams have four children under four years of age. Mrs Bennet has been widowed for nine months. At one point Elizabeth thinks about something that happened three years ago and notes that Darcy first came to Hertfordshire after that. So according to that they would have married two years ago, or so. The Wickhams have been VERY busy, to get four children in that time. They are apparently all old enough to run along in the gallery at Pemberley, so maybe Lydia had two sets of twins in very short order and was already pregnant with the first set before her wedding? There is a lot of doom and gloom because Lizzy is not pregnant yet. But we are also told that it is Elizabeth's first Christmas as the mistress of Pemberley...?
I don't know how that all works out, don't ask me.
Lady Catherine has been demoted to Lady De Bourgh.
There are some amusing turns of phrase in the writing style, but there is little happiness to be found in the story. The Darcy marriage appears to be rather troubled. The Gardiners are in Derbyshire but they weren't invited to stay at Pemberley even though even Wickham is staying there. Mr. Darcy is rather secretive and from other people, Elizabeth frequently finds out stuff that Darcy should have told her, leaving her feeling disrespected or disregarded as her husband's wife and the mistress of her own home. Darcy has learned nothing from the Disastrous Hunsford Proposal and still puts her family down in front of her. The usual suspects still snipe at Elizabeth with little to no pushback. There is little interaction between her and her husband, at least of the positive variety. When there's trouble, neither of them handles it well. Both run off at the drop of a hat and whenever they should have a conversation, or write a letter, or communicate using smoke signals, they don't. Sometimes there's no time, or no opportunity, allegedly, but I think most of the time if you have the will you can find the opportunity to write a short note, anyway. If he had the time to inform Lady Catherine or other random people he had the time to tell his wife.
These people thought they got their happy end at the end of Pride and Prejudice but man, were they mistaken. We were all fooled.
One wordless loving glance does not make up for all that went on before, so the book would have benefited from a bit more mush and romance at the end, to give the reader a better sense of HEA. But it ends rather abruptly. And leaves the reader with some questions.
TL;DR: They both suck at being married.
October 7, 2023
پمبرلی ادامه کتاب غرور و تعصب ولی به قلم اِما تنانت هست. قطعا به خوبی آستین نوشته نشده و به کسی پیشنهاد نمیکنم بخونه.
درکل ساده و حوصله سربر بود🥲
و چقدر میتونست بهتر باشه اگر یک موضوع رو چندبار تکرار نمیکرد و اینقدر کش نمیداد، به این شکل توی ۲ صفحه آخر داستان رو جمع نمیکرد، همچنین دیالوگهای مفیدتری میداشت.
درکل ساده و حوصله سربر بود🥲
و چقدر میتونست بهتر باشه اگر یک موضوع رو چندبار تکرار نمیکرد و اینقدر کش نمیداد، به این شکل توی ۲ صفحه آخر داستان رو جمع نمیکرد، همچنین دیالوگهای مفیدتری میداشت.
February 15, 2013
Caccia alla Magagna
Come al solito, non sono una persona che si scandalizza davanti ad un sequel o ad uno spin-off. L’autrice può inventare quello che le pare, purché cerchi di restare quanto più fedele possibile a Jane Austen. Però esigo che l’autrice sia preparata, che conosca l’argomento di cui tratta in modo che non si possano cogliere imprecisioni.
Ed effettivamente questo sequel non è peggio di tanti altri dal punto di vista delle invenzioni, con Mrs Bennet, ormai vedova con un pretendente (un po’ taroccato), Elizabeth che non riesce ancora a dare un erede a Darcy ed è pertanto un po’ preoccupata (anche grazie alla comparsa di un lontano cugino che erediterebbe Pemberley qualora l’unione fra Elizabeth e Darcy rimanesse sterile), e con tutti i personaggi riuniti nel Derbyshire per le Feste di Natale.
Ripeto, non mi scandalizzo!
Ma quando leggo una serie di castronerie dietro l’altra (ne ho appuntate ben 23 sulle note a margine con relativi commenti), una per tutte:
"Dopo cena Anne ci rallegrerà con le sue nuove canzoni al pianoforte," annunciò Lady Catherine, lanciando un'occhiata allo strumento.
quando sappiamo benissimo che Anne De Bourgh non sa suonare il pianoforte! (Sarebbe stata un'esperta se non avesse avuto problemi di salute - a detta di sua madre Lady Catherine)!,
penso: come mai la Tennant ha deciso di scrivere il sequel di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio?
Perché a me sembra quasi come se la Tennant fosse una ragazzina di scuola media (neanche tanto brava) costretta dall’insegnante a leggere il Romanzo e poi a scrivere quella che secondo lei sarebbe potuta essere una giusta continuazione. La ragazzina, avendo letto il libro appena una volta ha delle frasi che le sono rimaste impresse (My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me), altre cose che le sono poco chiare, o che non ricorda bene per via della lettura un po’ frettolosa. Ma dico io, se hai dei dubbi: controlla! Non puoi stravolgere età, nomi, relazioni fra i personaggi…
Il finale poi è rocambolesco, una giravolta di personaggi che si spostano da Manchester a Meryton, da Longbourn a Barlow (la nuova residenza dei Bingley), da Londra a Pemberley nel giro di mezza giornata, con finale a sorpresa e la Tennant, forse stanca di dire corbellerie, che decide di concludere in fretta e furia (proprio come una studentessa di scuola media, appunto)!
Forse si può giustificare la Tennant pensando che è stata una delle prime “scrittrici” ad occuparsi di questo filone (che si è poi rivelato un vero filone d’oro, che ormai sfruttano tutti, basta scrivere la parolina magica "Jane Austen" ed il libro si vende), quindi ha affrontato il suo compito del tutto impreparata…
[NOTE A MARGINE]
1- Delle cinque figlie dei Bennet, tre si sposano nell'ordine di precedenza che la madre avrebbe auspicato: Elizabeth, la seconda, con Mr Darcy, signore di Pemberley House nel Derbyshire, con una rendita di diecimila sterline l'anno; Jane, la maggiore, con Mr Bingley e la sua rendita di cinque o seimila sterline l'anno; infine Lydia, fuggita con l'affascinante ma inaffidabile Mr Wickham.
E questa è appena la Prefazione: quante magagne mi aspettano?
2- Lydia, la terza Bennet a essersi sposata,...
bah!
3- La ragazza, che aveva qualche anno più di sua sorella Mary ed era più alta di Elizabeth stessa,...
Mary o Lydia? 1 anno più di Lydia, 2 anni meno di Mary, Mrs Tennant!
4- Georgiana, che a soli quindici anni aveva subito l'umiliazione di un tentato rapimento da parte di un cacciatore di dote, considerava con scarsa fiducia la possibilità di trovare marito.
Non si menziona il fatto che il cacciatore di dote in questione è Mr Wickham!
Miracolo, a pag. 42 lo ha ricordato! Ma è troppo superficiale! Secondo lei non è il motivo principale per cui Darcy non può vedere Wickham... O_O
5- Lydia sa che non c'è alcuna zia Gardiner da andare a trovare e sa anche che Rowsley si trova a cinque miglia da Pemberley
pag.47
che zia Gardiner aveva preso casa a Rowsley per poter visitare meglio la zona e che la sorella Lydia avrebbe trovato Lambton molto adatto per la sua numerosa figliolanza.
Lambton adesso si chiama Rowsley?
Ah, ecco, Rowsley è un'abitazione nei pressi di Lambton. Ma quanto sei chiara, Mrs Tennant?
6- "Mr Wickham non è mai piaciuto a Mr Darcy, fin da quand'erano ragazzi."
E' un eufemismo... No, no, la Tennant si è proprio dimenticata che il cacciatore di dote di Georgiana era proprio Wickham!
7- Kitty, quando non stava da Jane o a volte a Pemberley, si trovava, come in quel momento, a Lyme dalla zia Philips.
Benissimo, la zia Phillips si è trasferita a Lyme... ma il marito non era avvocato a Meryton?
Però questo non è del tutto impossibile, potrebbe essere rimasta vedova, aver deciso che l'aria di mare le faceva bene...
8- Miss Bingley aveva perfino commentato che i ritratti dei membri della famiglia di Elizabeth avrebbero sfigurato accanto ai Darcy nella galleria di casa, ma suo marito aveva ribattuto promettendo di chiamare a Pemberley un pittore che eseguisse un ritratto di Elizabeth da sola e un altro ancora della moglie accanto agli zii. Quest'ultimo sarebbe stato appeso vicino al prozio di Mr Darcy, giudice della Corte Suprema.
???
Miss Bingley prendeva in giro Mr Darcy, dicendo di collocare i ritratti degli zii di Elizabeth accanto a quelli dei suoi antenati. Ma lo zio il cui ritratto doveva essere messo accanto al giudice della Corte Suprema era quello di Mr Phillips, l'avvocato... Darcy non le ha mai dato corda rispondendole.
La Tennant ha travisato tutto, come al solito!
9- "Ditemi," esclamò Mrs Hurst, "a parte vostra madre e le vostre sorelle, inviterete anche le zie? Ho sentito che ne avete una che vive a Cheapside." E qui Mrs Hurst scoppiò in una risata di cuore. "E un bel viaggio da Cheapside a Pemberley, ma a tutte noi spiacerebbe sentire che ha percorso una simile distanza solo per ritrovarsi ospite di Mrs Gardiner a Rowsley, proprio come Mrs Wickham."
Secondo la Tennant chi sarebbero queste zie che abitano a Cheapside?
10- "Infatti, il colonnello è stato a lungo in guerra e adesso si è ritirato a Uplyme. Un luogo incantevole, devo dire. Lo visitai con il mio povero marito quando Lydia andò a Weymouth, se ben ricordate."
Piuttosto nebuloso... Vabbè, faccio finta di non averlo colto e stendo un velo pietoso, altrimenti... mi esce un commento di 50 righe! :§
11- "No, Darcy, sapevo che la cosa non ti avrebbe interessato, ma è che io ho invitato Caroline qui per Natale. Questo è tutto e," aggiunse in tono di sfida nel silenzio che aveva accolto la notizia, "comunque Miss Bingley non è come la sorella, Mrs Hurst."
"No, è molto peggio," ribatté Elizabeth. "Credo proprio, Georgiana, che dovresti chiedere a me prima di invitare qualcuno in casa." Si alzò con le guance in fiamme e disse che era ora di andare a letto.
1: Georgiana secondo me non si rivolge e suo fratello chiamandolo "Darcy";
2: Georgiana secondo me sopporta poco Caroline Bingley, figuriamoci se la inviterebbe a Pemberley per Natale;
3: Georgiana avrebbe senz'altro chiesto il permesso a suo fratello o ad Elizabeth prima di invitare qualcuno a casa.
Firmato: Georgiana! :P
12- "Non le avevamo ancora nemmeno chiesto di disegnare la carta di Wickham," disse serissimo Darcy, abbandonandosi a una battuta crudele, che Elizabeth gli dimostrò comunque, con un sorriso e un abbraccio, di aver apprezzato.
O_O
Battuta crudele davvero!
Ed Elizabeth ha apprezzato...
13- "Dopo cena Anne ci rallegrerà con le sue nuove canzoni al pianoforte," annunciò Lady Catherine, lanciando un'occhiata allo strumento.
Ma Anne non sa suonare il pianoforte!
Sarebbe stata un'esperta se non avesse avuto problemi di salute (a detta di sua madre Lady Catherine)!
14- "Ci giocavamo insieme, cara Georgiana," le ricordò Miss Bingley, "quando venivo a Pemberley." E lanciò un'occhiata a Mr Darcy.
Le due ragazze risero al ricordo, poi un valletto annunciò che la cena era pronta e si avviarono tutti in sala da pranzo.
Ah, quindi, secondo la Tennant Miss Darcy e Miss Bingley sarebbero amiche d'infanzia?
Non credo proprio!
Comunque c'è una certa differenza d'età, vabbè che la Tennant non ha ancora capito l'età di Georgiana... :P
15- "Io preferirei ballare," propose Elizabeth, di ottimo umore. "E credo che lo stesso valga per Anne e Georgiana."
Le ragazze sorrisero di sollievo a quel suggerimento e Miss Bingley si offrì di suonare per loro. "Tanto non durerà molto," assicurò, "perché Mr Darcy detesta poche cose al mondo come il ballo. Ricordo anzi che una volta a Netherfield, mia cara Mrs Darcy, mentre scriveva una lettera alla sorella, ci suggerì proprio di ballare per tenerci occupate e non distrarlo."
Adesso Miss De Bourgh balla anche!
E che fine ha fatto Mrs Jenkinson?
Miss Bingley, è sicura che Darcy non stesse stuzzicando Miss Elizabeth nella speranza segreta di poter ballare con lei?! Alla faccia della lettera a Georgiana! :P
16- Oltre tutto, la presenza a Pemberley di Miss Caroline Bingley e di Miss de Bourgh, due ragazze che avrebbe potuto sposare, gli ricorderà che a quest'ora potrebbe essere circondato da un esercito di bambini!"
Suona, balla, è così vigorosa da poter sfornare a Darcy un esercito di bambini...
Mrs Tennant, ma cosa ha dato da mangiare a Miss De Bourgh che, da malaticcia si è trasformata in una ragazza che scoppia di salute?
17- Non era stata proprio la zia a esclamare, durante la prima visita a Pemberley, che le sarebbe piaciuto moltissimo girare per il parco su una carrozza scoperta?
Mi sembra di ricordare che lo abbia fatto nella lettera chiarificatrice a Lizzie (quella in cui le rivela il coinvolgimento di Darcy nelle nozze di Lydia), quando sospetta che Darcy abbia per lei un interesse e che quindi sua nipote possa diventare padrona di Pemberley. Come avrebbe potuto avere una simile pretesa, altrimenti?
18- Elizabeth ricordava il rimpianto provato durante la prima visita a Pemberley, quando aveva rifiutato la mano di Darcy pur essendone già innamorata, al pensiero che non avrebbe mai avuto il piacere di essere la signora di un luogo tanto incantevole.
Ma poi al rimpianto si era sostituito il sollievo, al pensiero che in quel caso non avrebbe mai dovuto invitarvi gli zii, e non le era più parsa una grande perdita.
Senza Parole
19- ...se il matrimonio dei suoi genitori non si fosse deteriorato tanto tristemente e Mrs Bennet non fosse diventata il continuo bersaglio dei lazzi del padre, forse la sua natura non sarebbe stata così sciocca e vuota.
Ma è perché Mrs Bennet è sciocca e vuota che è diventata il continuo bersaglio dei lazzi del padre!!!
20- Adesso chiede consiglio a Lady de Bourgh su come comportarsi con i poveri zii Gardiner, che non vorrebbero mai vivere della sua carità perché sono gente onesta e orgogliosa.
Della sua carità???
Ma lo zio Gardiner non ha bisogno della carità di nessuno...
Mi sono persa qualcosa? Ho saltato qualche pagina in cui dice che il commercio dello zio Gardiner è fallito?...
21- "Oh, come mi piacerebbe andare a Londra," esclamò Georgiana nel tono speranzoso dei suoi diciassette anni.
No, Mrs Tennant! Georgiana non può avere solo 17 anni se Lydia ha già quattro figli (anche ammesso che alcuni siano gemelli), e Jane 2, di cui una di 2 anni!
22- Mrs Moffat era stata la governante di casa, all'epoca di Mr Bennet (si parla di Longbourn)
Ma Elizabeth non aveva detto a Lady Catherine che le sorelle Bennet non avevano mai avuto una governante che le seguisse negli studi?!
La governante della casa, poi, si chiamava Hill.
23- "Spero che a Londra vedrai Mr Darcy."
"No, andrò dalla zia Philips, se sarà tanto gentile da ospitarmi," fu la risposta.
Perfetto, zia Phillips adesso ha una casa anche a Londra... :-O
Ma non sarà lei la zia citata prima e scambiata con Mrs Gardiner???
Come al solito, non sono una persona che si scandalizza davanti ad un sequel o ad uno spin-off. L’autrice può inventare quello che le pare, purché cerchi di restare quanto più fedele possibile a Jane Austen. Però esigo che l’autrice sia preparata, che conosca l’argomento di cui tratta in modo che non si possano cogliere imprecisioni.
Ed effettivamente questo sequel non è peggio di tanti altri dal punto di vista delle invenzioni, con Mrs Bennet, ormai vedova con un pretendente (un po’ taroccato), Elizabeth che non riesce ancora a dare un erede a Darcy ed è pertanto un po’ preoccupata (anche grazie alla comparsa di un lontano cugino che erediterebbe Pemberley qualora l’unione fra Elizabeth e Darcy rimanesse sterile), e con tutti i personaggi riuniti nel Derbyshire per le Feste di Natale.
Ripeto, non mi scandalizzo!
Ma quando leggo una serie di castronerie dietro l’altra (ne ho appuntate ben 23 sulle note a margine con relativi commenti), una per tutte:
"Dopo cena Anne ci rallegrerà con le sue nuove canzoni al pianoforte," annunciò Lady Catherine, lanciando un'occhiata allo strumento.
quando sappiamo benissimo che Anne De Bourgh non sa suonare il pianoforte! (Sarebbe stata un'esperta se non avesse avuto problemi di salute - a detta di sua madre Lady Catherine)!,
penso: come mai la Tennant ha deciso di scrivere il sequel di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio?
Perché a me sembra quasi come se la Tennant fosse una ragazzina di scuola media (neanche tanto brava) costretta dall’insegnante a leggere il Romanzo e poi a scrivere quella che secondo lei sarebbe potuta essere una giusta continuazione. La ragazzina, avendo letto il libro appena una volta ha delle frasi che le sono rimaste impresse (My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me), altre cose che le sono poco chiare, o che non ricorda bene per via della lettura un po’ frettolosa. Ma dico io, se hai dei dubbi: controlla! Non puoi stravolgere età, nomi, relazioni fra i personaggi…
Il finale poi è rocambolesco, una giravolta di personaggi che si spostano da Manchester a Meryton, da Longbourn a Barlow (la nuova residenza dei Bingley), da Londra a Pemberley nel giro di mezza giornata, con finale a sorpresa e la Tennant, forse stanca di dire corbellerie, che decide di concludere in fretta e furia (proprio come una studentessa di scuola media, appunto)!
Forse si può giustificare la Tennant pensando che è stata una delle prime “scrittrici” ad occuparsi di questo filone (che si è poi rivelato un vero filone d’oro, che ormai sfruttano tutti, basta scrivere la parolina magica "Jane Austen" ed il libro si vende), quindi ha affrontato il suo compito del tutto impreparata…
[NOTE A MARGINE]
1- Delle cinque figlie dei Bennet, tre si sposano nell'ordine di precedenza che la madre avrebbe auspicato: Elizabeth, la seconda, con Mr Darcy, signore di Pemberley House nel Derbyshire, con una rendita di diecimila sterline l'anno; Jane, la maggiore, con Mr Bingley e la sua rendita di cinque o seimila sterline l'anno; infine Lydia, fuggita con l'affascinante ma inaffidabile Mr Wickham.
E questa è appena la Prefazione: quante magagne mi aspettano?
2- Lydia, la terza Bennet a essersi sposata,...
bah!
3- La ragazza, che aveva qualche anno più di sua sorella Mary ed era più alta di Elizabeth stessa,...
Mary o Lydia? 1 anno più di Lydia, 2 anni meno di Mary, Mrs Tennant!
4- Georgiana, che a soli quindici anni aveva subito l'umiliazione di un tentato rapimento da parte di un cacciatore di dote, considerava con scarsa fiducia la possibilità di trovare marito.
Non si menziona il fatto che il cacciatore di dote in questione è Mr Wickham!
Miracolo, a pag. 42 lo ha ricordato! Ma è troppo superficiale! Secondo lei non è il motivo principale per cui Darcy non può vedere Wickham... O_O
5- Lydia sa che non c'è alcuna zia Gardiner da andare a trovare e sa anche che Rowsley si trova a cinque miglia da Pemberley
pag.47
che zia Gardiner aveva preso casa a Rowsley per poter visitare meglio la zona e che la sorella Lydia avrebbe trovato Lambton molto adatto per la sua numerosa figliolanza.
Lambton adesso si chiama Rowsley?
Ah, ecco, Rowsley è un'abitazione nei pressi di Lambton. Ma quanto sei chiara, Mrs Tennant?
6- "Mr Wickham non è mai piaciuto a Mr Darcy, fin da quand'erano ragazzi."
E' un eufemismo... No, no, la Tennant si è proprio dimenticata che il cacciatore di dote di Georgiana era proprio Wickham!
7- Kitty, quando non stava da Jane o a volte a Pemberley, si trovava, come in quel momento, a Lyme dalla zia Philips.
Benissimo, la zia Phillips si è trasferita a Lyme... ma il marito non era avvocato a Meryton?
Però questo non è del tutto impossibile, potrebbe essere rimasta vedova, aver deciso che l'aria di mare le faceva bene...
8- Miss Bingley aveva perfino commentato che i ritratti dei membri della famiglia di Elizabeth avrebbero sfigurato accanto ai Darcy nella galleria di casa, ma suo marito aveva ribattuto promettendo di chiamare a Pemberley un pittore che eseguisse un ritratto di Elizabeth da sola e un altro ancora della moglie accanto agli zii. Quest'ultimo sarebbe stato appeso vicino al prozio di Mr Darcy, giudice della Corte Suprema.
???
Miss Bingley prendeva in giro Mr Darcy, dicendo di collocare i ritratti degli zii di Elizabeth accanto a quelli dei suoi antenati. Ma lo zio il cui ritratto doveva essere messo accanto al giudice della Corte Suprema era quello di Mr Phillips, l'avvocato... Darcy non le ha mai dato corda rispondendole.
La Tennant ha travisato tutto, come al solito!
9- "Ditemi," esclamò Mrs Hurst, "a parte vostra madre e le vostre sorelle, inviterete anche le zie? Ho sentito che ne avete una che vive a Cheapside." E qui Mrs Hurst scoppiò in una risata di cuore. "E un bel viaggio da Cheapside a Pemberley, ma a tutte noi spiacerebbe sentire che ha percorso una simile distanza solo per ritrovarsi ospite di Mrs Gardiner a Rowsley, proprio come Mrs Wickham."
Secondo la Tennant chi sarebbero queste zie che abitano a Cheapside?
10- "Infatti, il colonnello è stato a lungo in guerra e adesso si è ritirato a Uplyme. Un luogo incantevole, devo dire. Lo visitai con il mio povero marito quando Lydia andò a Weymouth, se ben ricordate."
Piuttosto nebuloso... Vabbè, faccio finta di non averlo colto e stendo un velo pietoso, altrimenti... mi esce un commento di 50 righe! :§
11- "No, Darcy, sapevo che la cosa non ti avrebbe interessato, ma è che io ho invitato Caroline qui per Natale. Questo è tutto e," aggiunse in tono di sfida nel silenzio che aveva accolto la notizia, "comunque Miss Bingley non è come la sorella, Mrs Hurst."
"No, è molto peggio," ribatté Elizabeth. "Credo proprio, Georgiana, che dovresti chiedere a me prima di invitare qualcuno in casa." Si alzò con le guance in fiamme e disse che era ora di andare a letto.
1: Georgiana secondo me non si rivolge e suo fratello chiamandolo "Darcy";
2: Georgiana secondo me sopporta poco Caroline Bingley, figuriamoci se la inviterebbe a Pemberley per Natale;
3: Georgiana avrebbe senz'altro chiesto il permesso a suo fratello o ad Elizabeth prima di invitare qualcuno a casa.
Firmato: Georgiana! :P
12- "Non le avevamo ancora nemmeno chiesto di disegnare la carta di Wickham," disse serissimo Darcy, abbandonandosi a una battuta crudele, che Elizabeth gli dimostrò comunque, con un sorriso e un abbraccio, di aver apprezzato.
O_O
Battuta crudele davvero!
Ed Elizabeth ha apprezzato...
13- "Dopo cena Anne ci rallegrerà con le sue nuove canzoni al pianoforte," annunciò Lady Catherine, lanciando un'occhiata allo strumento.
Ma Anne non sa suonare il pianoforte!
Sarebbe stata un'esperta se non avesse avuto problemi di salute (a detta di sua madre Lady Catherine)!
14- "Ci giocavamo insieme, cara Georgiana," le ricordò Miss Bingley, "quando venivo a Pemberley." E lanciò un'occhiata a Mr Darcy.
Le due ragazze risero al ricordo, poi un valletto annunciò che la cena era pronta e si avviarono tutti in sala da pranzo.
Ah, quindi, secondo la Tennant Miss Darcy e Miss Bingley sarebbero amiche d'infanzia?
Non credo proprio!
Comunque c'è una certa differenza d'età, vabbè che la Tennant non ha ancora capito l'età di Georgiana... :P
15- "Io preferirei ballare," propose Elizabeth, di ottimo umore. "E credo che lo stesso valga per Anne e Georgiana."
Le ragazze sorrisero di sollievo a quel suggerimento e Miss Bingley si offrì di suonare per loro. "Tanto non durerà molto," assicurò, "perché Mr Darcy detesta poche cose al mondo come il ballo. Ricordo anzi che una volta a Netherfield, mia cara Mrs Darcy, mentre scriveva una lettera alla sorella, ci suggerì proprio di ballare per tenerci occupate e non distrarlo."
Adesso Miss De Bourgh balla anche!
E che fine ha fatto Mrs Jenkinson?
Miss Bingley, è sicura che Darcy non stesse stuzzicando Miss Elizabeth nella speranza segreta di poter ballare con lei?! Alla faccia della lettera a Georgiana! :P
16- Oltre tutto, la presenza a Pemberley di Miss Caroline Bingley e di Miss de Bourgh, due ragazze che avrebbe potuto sposare, gli ricorderà che a quest'ora potrebbe essere circondato da un esercito di bambini!"
Suona, balla, è così vigorosa da poter sfornare a Darcy un esercito di bambini...
Mrs Tennant, ma cosa ha dato da mangiare a Miss De Bourgh che, da malaticcia si è trasformata in una ragazza che scoppia di salute?
17- Non era stata proprio la zia a esclamare, durante la prima visita a Pemberley, che le sarebbe piaciuto moltissimo girare per il parco su una carrozza scoperta?
Mi sembra di ricordare che lo abbia fatto nella lettera chiarificatrice a Lizzie (quella in cui le rivela il coinvolgimento di Darcy nelle nozze di Lydia), quando sospetta che Darcy abbia per lei un interesse e che quindi sua nipote possa diventare padrona di Pemberley. Come avrebbe potuto avere una simile pretesa, altrimenti?
18- Elizabeth ricordava il rimpianto provato durante la prima visita a Pemberley, quando aveva rifiutato la mano di Darcy pur essendone già innamorata, al pensiero che non avrebbe mai avuto il piacere di essere la signora di un luogo tanto incantevole.
Ma poi al rimpianto si era sostituito il sollievo, al pensiero che in quel caso non avrebbe mai dovuto invitarvi gli zii, e non le era più parsa una grande perdita.
Senza Parole
19- ...se il matrimonio dei suoi genitori non si fosse deteriorato tanto tristemente e Mrs Bennet non fosse diventata il continuo bersaglio dei lazzi del padre, forse la sua natura non sarebbe stata così sciocca e vuota.
Ma è perché Mrs Bennet è sciocca e vuota che è diventata il continuo bersaglio dei lazzi del padre!!!
20- Adesso chiede consiglio a Lady de Bourgh su come comportarsi con i poveri zii Gardiner, che non vorrebbero mai vivere della sua carità perché sono gente onesta e orgogliosa.
Della sua carità???
Ma lo zio Gardiner non ha bisogno della carità di nessuno...
Mi sono persa qualcosa? Ho saltato qualche pagina in cui dice che il commercio dello zio Gardiner è fallito?...
21- "Oh, come mi piacerebbe andare a Londra," esclamò Georgiana nel tono speranzoso dei suoi diciassette anni.
No, Mrs Tennant! Georgiana non può avere solo 17 anni se Lydia ha già quattro figli (anche ammesso che alcuni siano gemelli), e Jane 2, di cui una di 2 anni!
22- Mrs Moffat era stata la governante di casa, all'epoca di Mr Bennet (si parla di Longbourn)
Ma Elizabeth non aveva detto a Lady Catherine che le sorelle Bennet non avevano mai avuto una governante che le seguisse negli studi?!
La governante della casa, poi, si chiamava Hill.
23- "Spero che a Londra vedrai Mr Darcy."
"No, andrò dalla zia Philips, se sarà tanto gentile da ospitarmi," fu la risposta.
Perfetto, zia Phillips adesso ha una casa anche a Londra... :-O
Ma non sarà lei la zia citata prima e scambiata con Mrs Gardiner???
December 11, 2015
WARNING: stay away from this book. Far, far away. Also, spoilers may be involved.
I rarely rate or review a book. Even if it's really good. I leave it for my blog. But this one. This was just too disappointing in so many levels, for so many reasons. I really thought I would like this book. I mean Berdoll had so many bad reviews but I actually enjoyed the series. Maybe this wouldn't be any different. Maybe you're thinking of the same thing.
No. Stay FAR away.
First off, I know that the author wanted to challenge the readers' perception of Elizabeth and Darcy's married life, add a sense of realism. Sure. And I know that the times and social obligations then were different than they are now. I get it. But my main problem was with the characters themselves. It's like Darcy and Elizabeth (Lizzy especially) have learned nothing in the original book. NOTHING. Darcy should know how touchy Elizabeth can be on the subject of her family and that she had a habit of forming conclusions without all of the facts. And Elizabeth should know better than to believe everything everyone else says as fact. All the time I was reading, I couldn't help shouting, "they learned all these from Pride and Prejudice already!" Who are these people?
Second, it's that for such a supposedly devoted couple, Darcy and Elizabeth don't talk. AT ALL. And when they do, they only say the wrong things. I know that miscommunication is usually used as a plot device. But this is taking it to the extremes. Elizabeth even goes so far as saying that silence, I kid you not, "was... a part of the allure of the union these two unlikely people had formed?" Apparently to Elizabeth, their love "grew daily and stronger" by not saying anything.
Third, there were plot holes and unbelievable plot twists galore. The biggest of which is this whole "Frenchwoman" nonsense. Elizabeth is led to believe that Darcy fell in love with a French woman he met during the war three years before they met, had a child with this woman, and then the woman died. Like hello, how could he have a son being raised near his estate and no other person from the county or town or village would know? And Lizzy thinks that this is why he was so morose when they first met. Uh, woman, you know it's because of what happened to Georgiana. When would he have the time to bother with Georgiana's drama and his supposed French baby mama drama? Then right at the LAST chapter, it's revealed that Bingley was actually the one who got a French woman pregnant... And that's why Darcy didn't want Jane to marry Bingley. He was apparently looking out for JANE. And apparently none of Bingley's sisters knew because it was Caroline Bingley who taunted Elizabeth with the story.
Lastly, the ending. What the bleep happened? Every problem just got pushed under a rug, never to be seen again. Never mind the consequences of Elizabeth misjudging Darcy yet again, and her running away from Pemberley without so much as a goodbye. Nope, they have a reunion, a kid, and a painting. The end. I don't even know what happened to Georgiana, who as far as I know is now best friends with CAROLINE BINGLEY in London. Maybe a minuscule explanation was inserted somewhere but honestly, near the end, I just skimmed most things through.
As an added bonus, another complaint is that the author jumps POV in one chapter too much that I'm usually confused as to whose thoughts and opinions I'm actually reading.
What was most disappointing was that the author is apparently a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the half sister of a descendant of Jane Austen's brother.
So yeah, sorry to be harsh, but I've just got a lot of angst for this book. Stay FAR away.
I rarely rate or review a book. Even if it's really good. I leave it for my blog. But this one. This was just too disappointing in so many levels, for so many reasons. I really thought I would like this book. I mean Berdoll had so many bad reviews but I actually enjoyed the series. Maybe this wouldn't be any different. Maybe you're thinking of the same thing.
No. Stay FAR away.
First off, I know that the author wanted to challenge the readers' perception of Elizabeth and Darcy's married life, add a sense of realism. Sure. And I know that the times and social obligations then were different than they are now. I get it. But my main problem was with the characters themselves. It's like Darcy and Elizabeth (Lizzy especially) have learned nothing in the original book. NOTHING. Darcy should know how touchy Elizabeth can be on the subject of her family and that she had a habit of forming conclusions without all of the facts. And Elizabeth should know better than to believe everything everyone else says as fact. All the time I was reading, I couldn't help shouting, "they learned all these from Pride and Prejudice already!" Who are these people?
Second, it's that for such a supposedly devoted couple, Darcy and Elizabeth don't talk. AT ALL. And when they do, they only say the wrong things. I know that miscommunication is usually used as a plot device. But this is taking it to the extremes. Elizabeth even goes so far as saying that silence, I kid you not, "was... a part of the allure of the union these two unlikely people had formed?" Apparently to Elizabeth, their love "grew daily and stronger" by not saying anything.
Third, there were plot holes and unbelievable plot twists galore. The biggest of which is this whole "Frenchwoman" nonsense. Elizabeth is led to believe that Darcy fell in love with a French woman he met during the war three years before they met, had a child with this woman, and then the woman died. Like hello, how could he have a son being raised near his estate and no other person from the county or town or village would know? And Lizzy thinks that this is why he was so morose when they first met. Uh, woman, you know it's because of what happened to Georgiana. When would he have the time to bother with Georgiana's drama and his supposed French baby mama drama? Then right at the LAST chapter, it's revealed that Bingley was actually the one who got a French woman pregnant... And that's why Darcy didn't want Jane to marry Bingley. He was apparently looking out for JANE. And apparently none of Bingley's sisters knew because it was Caroline Bingley who taunted Elizabeth with the story.
Lastly, the ending. What the bleep happened? Every problem just got pushed under a rug, never to be seen again. Never mind the consequences of Elizabeth misjudging Darcy yet again, and her running away from Pemberley without so much as a goodbye. Nope, they have a reunion, a kid, and a painting. The end. I don't even know what happened to Georgiana, who as far as I know is now best friends with CAROLINE BINGLEY in London. Maybe a minuscule explanation was inserted somewhere but honestly, near the end, I just skimmed most things through.
As an added bonus, another complaint is that the author jumps POV in one chapter too much that I'm usually confused as to whose thoughts and opinions I'm actually reading.
What was most disappointing was that the author is apparently a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the half sister of a descendant of Jane Austen's brother.
So yeah, sorry to be harsh, but I've just got a lot of angst for this book. Stay FAR away.
November 21, 2013
It is no secret I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, and though Pride and Prejudice is not my most favourite of her books it was still so good I did not want it to end.
I wanted more, I wished for more, I really wanted to know how would Eliza and Darcy interact as a married couple.
then, I heard this book was a continuation, that Emma Tennant put a lot of research and tried to write according to the little stories that were exposed in Jane's letters to her sister.
some of the reviews I read (not here) claimed that she was able to copy Jane's writing style. so I gave it a chance and how dissapointed I was!
my only thing to say is stay back! do not read! one should never try to continue Jane's books...
I wanted more, I wished for more, I really wanted to know how would Eliza and Darcy interact as a married couple.
then, I heard this book was a continuation, that Emma Tennant put a lot of research and tried to write according to the little stories that were exposed in Jane's letters to her sister.
some of the reviews I read (not here) claimed that she was able to copy Jane's writing style. so I gave it a chance and how dissapointed I was!
my only thing to say is stay back! do not read! one should never try to continue Jane's books...
February 17, 2023
het was alsof ze de karakters heeft over genomen en ze een hele andere personage heeft gegeven... lizzy gestrest om een baby te krijgen?? georgiana is bitchy like what? echt heel stom want ik was zo enthousiast om dit te lezen
November 17, 2020
Oh dear. I have to agree with other reviewers on here and say that I found this really disappointing. At some points I wondered whether the author had ever done more than skim through 'Pride and Prejudice' - there are so many glaring mistakes!
The narrative is supposed to be set one year, give or take, after Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage. They have yet to conceive a child, while Jane and Bingley have a one-year old daughter and another child on the way. So far so good, but Jane's little daughter Emily is depicted as running about the place and playing with dolls' houses, rather advanced behaviour for a one-year-old.... while Lydia and Wickham, whose marriage in P&P takes place only a matter of months before those of the elder Bennet girls, have had 'four children in the space of four years' !!! And to top it all, Charlotte Collins, whose expectation of a 'happy event' is referred to by Mr Bennet towards the end of P&P is only just now expecting her first child ... it's all badly out of kilter timewise.
When the entire Bennet family (minus Mr B, who seems to have died suddenly just three months after his eldest daughters' marriages) descend on Pemberly for Christmas they are joined by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, her daughter Anne (who speaks not a word, as in the original), and the Bingleys plus Charles' two sisters, Caroline Bingley and Mrs Hurst. They are also joined, at short notice, by Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who are of course welcome guests, but they bring with them the Wickhams, whom Austen says Darcy could never receive at Pemberly, and who certainly wouldn't be allowed on the premises with Georgiana present. Ructions are bound to ensue, and indeed they do, though in such a sporadic and jerkily narrated narrative as to strain the bounds of credibility. None of the characters are given depth, not even poor Elizabeth whose shaky grip on the duties of a hostess, and indeed on her equally inhospitable and unaccountably absent husband, would have the 'real' Elizabeth Bennet shaking her head in disbelief.
Several entirely new characters are introduced, which is normal in a pastiche, but there should at least be some attempt to fit them seamlessly into the narrative of the original - here we are suddenly confronted with a Darcy/de Bourgh cousin, referred to throughout at 'Master Roper' (are we suddenly on the set of 'A Man For All Seasons'?) who is set to inherit Rosings by entail if the Darcys fail to produce an heir! Oh, and the dance at which Elizabeth first meets Darcy is transferred, in her memory, from the local assembly rooms to Netherfield, and Aunt and Uncle Gardiner seem never to have resided at Cheapside - that is 'another aunt', but not Aunt Philips, even though she seems to have been uprooted from Meryton and replanted in London ... enough already, I can't go on.
It's dire stuff as regards both plot and character development, and I've only given the second star because the dialogue at least has that genuine 18th century rhythm.
The narrative is supposed to be set one year, give or take, after Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage. They have yet to conceive a child, while Jane and Bingley have a one-year old daughter and another child on the way. So far so good, but Jane's little daughter Emily is depicted as running about the place and playing with dolls' houses, rather advanced behaviour for a one-year-old.... while Lydia and Wickham, whose marriage in P&P takes place only a matter of months before those of the elder Bennet girls, have had 'four children in the space of four years' !!! And to top it all, Charlotte Collins, whose expectation of a 'happy event' is referred to by Mr Bennet towards the end of P&P is only just now expecting her first child ... it's all badly out of kilter timewise.
When the entire Bennet family (minus Mr B, who seems to have died suddenly just three months after his eldest daughters' marriages) descend on Pemberly for Christmas they are joined by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, her daughter Anne (who speaks not a word, as in the original), and the Bingleys plus Charles' two sisters, Caroline Bingley and Mrs Hurst. They are also joined, at short notice, by Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who are of course welcome guests, but they bring with them the Wickhams, whom Austen says Darcy could never receive at Pemberly, and who certainly wouldn't be allowed on the premises with Georgiana present. Ructions are bound to ensue, and indeed they do, though in such a sporadic and jerkily narrated narrative as to strain the bounds of credibility. None of the characters are given depth, not even poor Elizabeth whose shaky grip on the duties of a hostess, and indeed on her equally inhospitable and unaccountably absent husband, would have the 'real' Elizabeth Bennet shaking her head in disbelief.
Several entirely new characters are introduced, which is normal in a pastiche, but there should at least be some attempt to fit them seamlessly into the narrative of the original - here we are suddenly confronted with a Darcy/de Bourgh cousin, referred to throughout at 'Master Roper' (are we suddenly on the set of 'A Man For All Seasons'?) who is set to inherit Rosings by entail if the Darcys fail to produce an heir! Oh, and the dance at which Elizabeth first meets Darcy is transferred, in her memory, from the local assembly rooms to Netherfield, and Aunt and Uncle Gardiner seem never to have resided at Cheapside - that is 'another aunt', but not Aunt Philips, even though she seems to have been uprooted from Meryton and replanted in London ... enough already, I can't go on.
It's dire stuff as regards both plot and character development, and I've only given the second star because the dialogue at least has that genuine 18th century rhythm.
July 11, 2008
I was a bit disappointed in that it made it as if Elizabeth & Darcy did not have communication with each other. But in the original they had NO problem of saying what was on their mond, especially Lizzie! So this character makes her like a milksop. It still was a quick read that made me think of a different time than now, but it needed help with its timing greatly. It was all off!! It aged some people much faster than that of others. If it was only Lizzie's first Christmas with Darcy than Lydia & Wickham could not have had 4 kids in a row yet. So bizarre and inconsistent.
May 22, 2017
It is not realistic the what Elizabeth and Darcy are behaving. It could happen to have a bit of Elizabeth's overthinking but Darcy is distant and decides to leave when there is a bit of misunderstanding.
Georgiana being so mean together with Caroline... Caroline and Lady Catherine "besties" against Elizabeth.
I can understand that variations and what ifs can change behaviours but this is supposed to be a sequel, so it can not change people's behaviour so much.
Georgiana being so mean together with Caroline... Caroline and Lady Catherine "besties" against Elizabeth.
I can understand that variations and what ifs can change behaviours but this is supposed to be a sequel, so it can not change people's behaviour so much.
August 23, 2007
I really disliked this book. I had high hopes for it, but it just wasn't true to the spirit of Pride and Prejudice. I didn't feel like she had a good grasp of the characters, the events were too overblown, and the writing was repetitive and unoriginal. In other words, it was a big disappointment. I'll just stick with the original Jane Austen books from now on.
February 24, 2008
I read this and thought is was the best of the stories out there trying to continue the saga.
August 27, 2016
Very disappointing sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Emma Tennant has captured none of Jane Austen's wit.
October 4, 2017
Beautiful alla sagra della polpetta.
August 7, 2021
This is one of those stories I read before I retired and began reviewing every book I read. I do want to reread all those stories which I did not review but as time has slipped by and I haven't done so, I just want to mark all those stories as "read" so I have a record of the true number of books in the JAFF sub-genre I have read. I am using the average rating at this time as I do not remember how I rated this story back when I read it. If I ever get around to rereading it I will look at my rating to make sure it is true to my opinion. It was purchased Nov. 24, 2006 so that is most likely when I read it.
December 14, 2025
I'm so incredibly glad that this book is not cannon to the actual pride and prejudice, because that would make Jane Austen retarded, but luckily we live in the real where fortunately Emma Tennant is the only one we have to blame for this disaster. and I also reuse to believe that this was not written by an 11 year old.
what an insult to Austen's memory.
what an insult to Austen's memory.
August 8, 2023
Very disappointing P&P sequel. The language language and writing never come close to Austen's original and the occasional direct quote serves to highlight this. The plot is weak and the characters mainly one dimensional.
The timeline is inconsistent and Tennant seem unfamiliar with the period she is writing about.
This isn't even good fanfic.
The timeline is inconsistent and Tennant seem unfamiliar with the period she is writing about.
This isn't even good fanfic.
April 13, 2025
The book kept me reading, thus 3 stars. But the ending was predictable, rushed, and felt contrived. As other reviewers have stated, Elizabeth spent far too much time brooding over possibilities and jumping to conclusions.
July 12, 2024
Easy to read - good language! Just a rather short continuation of pride and predudice but så well written.
April 15, 2025
At first I didn’t mind the quick pace of the book, but by the end, the end couldn’t come fast enough. The characters felt out of place and I felt like she created a plot twist to something that was never there to begin with.
December 4, 2025
I found this book that belonged to my Grandmother and enjoyed reading it, knowing she had read it at some point. So I’ll give it an extra star for that. But the story was ridiculous and silly. It was still fun to revisit these beloved characters even though they did not act like themselves in this story.
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