The Lost Diary of Fitzwilliam Darcy

by Madeline James

The popularity of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has ensured constant readership and various film and television adaptations. Madeline James addresses many of the inexplicable absences of the hero, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, from the pages of the novel. The Lost Diary presents Mr Darcy’s view of Jane Austen’s narrative. The picture is filled, the memorable scenes take on another dimension and the story unfolds beyond the confines of the original. The Diary starts, in line with Austen’s first attempt, in 1796 and continues into another romantic climax.

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2012

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're going into this thinking it's Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's perspective, it's much more than that. It's P&P and the sequel in one. I say that as Darcy and Elizabeth are married before we get to the halfway point of the novel. That is one of my reasons for a lower rating - I would have loved to read more about Darcy's struggle to overcome his growing attraction and subsequent feelings for Elizabeth and more about his despair. Although it was written in a style that would be appropriate if this really was a mans diary - men would not write pages and pages of their feelings so I guess from that perspective it's more realistic. A lot of new characters - uncles, aunts, cousins, love interests for Cousin Fitzwilliam and more insight into what became of Mary, Kitty and Georgiana. And nothing in P&P would give you any idea so it does include a sequel. Of course from P&P we know that Jane and Bingley move out of Netherfield and closer to Pemberley but how that came about is written in this diary. I did enjoy how Darcy would include quotes of things his dear Elizabeth said and it seemed very much like Lizzy! And we learn about the birth of their first child. Cute story!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to finish. I really think the Author was hampered by the diary format. The writing was very good, but it was so hard to connect with the characters in this format. I would like to see the author write dialogue.

[Kate Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good alternate telling of Pride and Prejudice and beyond. A must read for Jane Austen fans.