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Project Darcy
A LOVE STORY LOST IN PRIDE & PREJUDICE... It is high summer when Ellie Bentley joins an archaeological dig at Jane Austen's childhood home. She's always had a talent for 'seeing' into the past and is not easily disturbed by her encounters with Mr Darcy's ghost at the house where she's staying. When Ellie travels into the past she discovers exactly what happened whilst Jane danced her way through the snowy winter of 1796. As Steventon Rectory and all its characters come to life, Ellie discovers the true love story lost in Pride and Prejudice - a tale which has its own consequences for her future destiny, changing her life beyond imagination.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2013
8 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Jane Odiwe
18 books142 followers Jane Odiwe is a British author with a special interest in writing novels inspired by Jane Austen's works. Her books continue the stories of beloved characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in Mr Darcy's Secret, or tell Jane Austen's own story, as in the novels, Searching for Mr Tilney, Jane Austen Lives Again, Searching for Captain Wentworth, and Project Darcy. Other works include the novels Willoughby's Return, Lydia Bennet's Story and the novellas, Mr Darcy's Christmas Calendar, and Mrs Darcy's Diamonds. Jane's short story, Waiting, was published in the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 23, 2014
Ellie Bentley has a gift, she can slip back in time, and when she joins an archaeological dig at Jane Austen’s childhood home at Steventon, she has the biggest chance of her life: to witness Jane Austen’s love for a young Irish gentleman. While she is deeply involved in those journeys to the past, she has her own life to live which entwines with this extraordinary experience and reminds a lot of Elizabeth Bennet’s life, the heroine of “Pride and Prejudice”.
When I watched for the first time “Becoming Jane”, a movie with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy, which depicts the early life of Jane Austen and her encounter and love with Tom Lefroy, I really wanted it to be true. Because since I adore Jane Austen, I wish she had experienced true love. We know that she met a Tom Lefroy but we do not know if something special happened between them. Ms. Odiwe made that happen and it was wonderful! Her Tom Lefroy was indeed charming and he could have been a perfect suitor for the great Jane Austen. Plus, they say that he inspired her to create my dear Mr. Darcy, therefore he must have been a very interesting man!
Jane Odiwe’s writing is always excellent. She easily brings her readers to the world she describes by telling any details that can be useful and important to the story. Her descriptions, especially of the places her characters live in are extremely good. Every time I read one of her books I can see all the things she is talking about, and I always love this aspect.
Jane and Tom’s relationship was the thing I loved most. Their story was so enchanting I did not want it to end (especially because I did know how it would end!). The author told us a story of hope, deep love and tenderness and I loved every second of it. Every aspect of the plot set in the Regency era was thrilling, from the balls which made possible many encounters between Jane and Tom, to the moments when they were alone and could really be free to show their true feelings and passionate love. Some scenes were thoroughly romantic and I loved them all. Thank you, Ms. Odiwe!
As for the modern story that entwines with the past, I thought it was not as engrossing as the other one. I liked it as well, but I felt I was more drawn to the Regency time (I actually would love to have Ellie’s special gift and go back to the past every now and then!), I was so curious to read Jane’s story that sometimes I could not wait to finish the modern part. This does not mean I did not enjoy Ellie and her friends’ stories, but I felt it was not as interesting as the Regency aspect of the book. There are some cute moments, however, and I liked how the author connected her modern characters to the ones from “Pride and Prejudice”. That was lovely!
The only thing that left me a little disappointed was an unexpected twist in the story, right at the end of the book, that I definitely did not see coming and, although the scene I am referring to is undoubtedly very sweet and utterly romantic, prevented me from giving this book a higher rating. Unfortunately, I was not entirely pleased with that ending.
With its exciting changes of scenery, “Project Darcy” is a beautiful time travel novel that will delight Jane Austen admirers and whoever enjoys a journey to Regency England. I highly recommend it!
When I watched for the first time “Becoming Jane”, a movie with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy, which depicts the early life of Jane Austen and her encounter and love with Tom Lefroy, I really wanted it to be true. Because since I adore Jane Austen, I wish she had experienced true love. We know that she met a Tom Lefroy but we do not know if something special happened between them. Ms. Odiwe made that happen and it was wonderful! Her Tom Lefroy was indeed charming and he could have been a perfect suitor for the great Jane Austen. Plus, they say that he inspired her to create my dear Mr. Darcy, therefore he must have been a very interesting man!
Jane Odiwe’s writing is always excellent. She easily brings her readers to the world she describes by telling any details that can be useful and important to the story. Her descriptions, especially of the places her characters live in are extremely good. Every time I read one of her books I can see all the things she is talking about, and I always love this aspect.
Jane and Tom’s relationship was the thing I loved most. Their story was so enchanting I did not want it to end (especially because I did know how it would end!). The author told us a story of hope, deep love and tenderness and I loved every second of it. Every aspect of the plot set in the Regency era was thrilling, from the balls which made possible many encounters between Jane and Tom, to the moments when they were alone and could really be free to show their true feelings and passionate love. Some scenes were thoroughly romantic and I loved them all. Thank you, Ms. Odiwe!
As for the modern story that entwines with the past, I thought it was not as engrossing as the other one. I liked it as well, but I felt I was more drawn to the Regency time (I actually would love to have Ellie’s special gift and go back to the past every now and then!), I was so curious to read Jane’s story that sometimes I could not wait to finish the modern part. This does not mean I did not enjoy Ellie and her friends’ stories, but I felt it was not as interesting as the Regency aspect of the book. There are some cute moments, however, and I liked how the author connected her modern characters to the ones from “Pride and Prejudice”. That was lovely!
The only thing that left me a little disappointed was an unexpected twist in the story, right at the end of the book, that I definitely did not see coming and, although the scene I am referring to is undoubtedly very sweet and utterly romantic, prevented me from giving this book a higher rating. Unfortunately, I was not entirely pleased with that ending.
With its exciting changes of scenery, “Project Darcy” is a beautiful time travel novel that will delight Jane Austen admirers and whoever enjoys a journey to Regency England. I highly recommend it!
November 26, 2013
In her first phenomenal timeslip novel, Searching for Captain Wentworth, Jane Odiwe takes readers to Bath, England in the year 1802 where the main character transports back in time to the body of Jane Austen’s neighbor and friend. (ugh! Such a lucky girl!) In her second timeslip novel, readers travel to Steventon, Hampshire in the year 1796 where the main character transports back in time to the body of…Jane Austen! (so not fair, right!?!)
In Project Darcy, our main character, Ellie Bentley travels to Steventon with several of her friends to participate in an archaeological dig at the site of Jane Austen’s former home. Although Ellie looks forward to capturing the beautiful countryside of Steventon on canvas and taking part in the dig, she ends up learning more about Jane Austen and her beloved childhood home than she ever intended! For some inexplicable and uncontrollable phenomena, Ellie is able to transport into Jane’s body and experience her brief romance with Tom Lefroy – the witty banters, the exhilarating dances, the clandestine encounters…
What a delight it is to read another timeslip novel by Jane Odiwe! Thank you, Jane, for once again exploring the unknown secrets of Jane Austen life and for taking us back to Steventon! What a treat it was to visualize Jane Austen’s beloved home and surroundings! Oh! And thank you for fleshing out her relationship with Tom Lefroy…*sigh* What an enchanting and plausible romance!
One of my favorite things about Jane Odiwe’s writing, is her ability to paint lush, striking, and vibrant scenes using just her words. She truly does write with an artist’s eye and describes the world of her novels with such incredible sensory detail! Another aspect I love about Ms. Odiwe’s works is that she often writes novels with two main intertwining storylines (kind of like Once Upon a Time – one of my fave TV shows). Each storyline is captivating and complex, full of intrigue, romance, and drama, and just when you least expect it…torturously put on hold while she switches to the other storyline!
Similar to Searching for Captain Wentworth and its gentle nods and parallels to Persuasion, Project Darcy holds some strong connections and similarities with Pride and Prejudice. Of course, I loved spotting these clever parallels in Jane Austen’s romance with Tom Lefroy, but sometimes the modern-day counterparts with Ellie felt little forced and stilted by comparison. In addition, there was a pretty surprising twist at the end that came about quite unexpectedly. While I do love a good surprise, I kind of felt the unexpectedness of this outcome made the story’s beautiful conclusion feel just a little less satisfying and complete.
Despite my quibbles, Project Darcy is another brilliant and reverent work of fiction by the talented and always artistic Jane Odiwe! I do hope that she has some more timeslip novels in mind! I would love to explore more of Jane Austen’s life and works with some lucky heroine who is transported back in time!
In Project Darcy, our main character, Ellie Bentley travels to Steventon with several of her friends to participate in an archaeological dig at the site of Jane Austen’s former home. Although Ellie looks forward to capturing the beautiful countryside of Steventon on canvas and taking part in the dig, she ends up learning more about Jane Austen and her beloved childhood home than she ever intended! For some inexplicable and uncontrollable phenomena, Ellie is able to transport into Jane’s body and experience her brief romance with Tom Lefroy – the witty banters, the exhilarating dances, the clandestine encounters…
What a delight it is to read another timeslip novel by Jane Odiwe! Thank you, Jane, for once again exploring the unknown secrets of Jane Austen life and for taking us back to Steventon! What a treat it was to visualize Jane Austen’s beloved home and surroundings! Oh! And thank you for fleshing out her relationship with Tom Lefroy…*sigh* What an enchanting and plausible romance!
One of my favorite things about Jane Odiwe’s writing, is her ability to paint lush, striking, and vibrant scenes using just her words. She truly does write with an artist’s eye and describes the world of her novels with such incredible sensory detail! Another aspect I love about Ms. Odiwe’s works is that she often writes novels with two main intertwining storylines (kind of like Once Upon a Time – one of my fave TV shows). Each storyline is captivating and complex, full of intrigue, romance, and drama, and just when you least expect it…torturously put on hold while she switches to the other storyline!
Similar to Searching for Captain Wentworth and its gentle nods and parallels to Persuasion, Project Darcy holds some strong connections and similarities with Pride and Prejudice. Of course, I loved spotting these clever parallels in Jane Austen’s romance with Tom Lefroy, but sometimes the modern-day counterparts with Ellie felt little forced and stilted by comparison. In addition, there was a pretty surprising twist at the end that came about quite unexpectedly. While I do love a good surprise, I kind of felt the unexpectedness of this outcome made the story’s beautiful conclusion feel just a little less satisfying and complete.
Despite my quibbles, Project Darcy is another brilliant and reverent work of fiction by the talented and always artistic Jane Odiwe! I do hope that she has some more timeslip novels in mind! I would love to explore more of Jane Austen’s life and works with some lucky heroine who is transported back in time!
November 21, 2013
The hardest thing with travelling through time is imagining what one would see: places, people, the minutiae of life. We may have a concept in our minds from the history books we have read or the adaptations we have watched of novels set in other time periods, but when reading, to truly believe that we are in the past, we need to be taken there by a master hand.
This is something you can rely on when picking up one of Jane Odiwe’s time-slip novels and deciding whether to travel with her! It is, as they say, a no-brainer! Pack your bags and come along for the ride!
Project Darcy is set mainly in Hampshire, a county steeped in Austen history and associations. The ‘project’ relates to an archaeological dig that is taking place at Steventon, the village where Jane Austen was born in 1775 and lived until 1801 when the family moved to Bath. She drafted three of her novels whilst living there: Elinor & Marianne (later to become Sense & Sensibility), First Impressions (later to become Pride & Prejudice) and Susan (later to become Northanger Abbey, with the heroine’s name later changed to Catherine).
Ellie Bentley, (who has a talent for illustration and watercolour painting) is one of a group of five female friends who spend their summer post-university taking part in the dig. Ellie’s other ‘talent’ is seeing into the past, and before long she is travelling from the heat of a Hampshire summer back to the snowy winter of 1795/6, to a time when Steventon Rectory was alive with the sounds, smells and sensations of the Austen family at home. She begins to realise that her time in the past, where she makes the acquaintance of one Tom Lefroy, is showing her a period in Jane Austen’s own life, one that Ellie becomes so immersed in that she becomes torn between her life in the present and her life in late18th Century England.
Beautifully sketched at all times, Ms Odiwe paints the most wonderful images through her carefully chosen words. As a result, Project Darcy engages the reader through humour, potential heartbreak and little hints and nods to Jane Austen’s writing, in particular Pride & Prejudice, (though the Austen detective in you will revel in picking out echoes from other works and her own life and letters)! The story interweaves the episodes in the past beautifully with those of the present day, tugging at your emotions as the tale pulls you enticingly towards its surprise conclusion.
Project Darcy is the second time-slip novel I have read from Ms Odiwe. It goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – I can’t wait for the next one! Where are we going, Jane? To Highbury, to Portsmouth or beyond? Wherever it is, I look forward to travelling there with you!
This is something you can rely on when picking up one of Jane Odiwe’s time-slip novels and deciding whether to travel with her! It is, as they say, a no-brainer! Pack your bags and come along for the ride!
Project Darcy is set mainly in Hampshire, a county steeped in Austen history and associations. The ‘project’ relates to an archaeological dig that is taking place at Steventon, the village where Jane Austen was born in 1775 and lived until 1801 when the family moved to Bath. She drafted three of her novels whilst living there: Elinor & Marianne (later to become Sense & Sensibility), First Impressions (later to become Pride & Prejudice) and Susan (later to become Northanger Abbey, with the heroine’s name later changed to Catherine).
Ellie Bentley, (who has a talent for illustration and watercolour painting) is one of a group of five female friends who spend their summer post-university taking part in the dig. Ellie’s other ‘talent’ is seeing into the past, and before long she is travelling from the heat of a Hampshire summer back to the snowy winter of 1795/6, to a time when Steventon Rectory was alive with the sounds, smells and sensations of the Austen family at home. She begins to realise that her time in the past, where she makes the acquaintance of one Tom Lefroy, is showing her a period in Jane Austen’s own life, one that Ellie becomes so immersed in that she becomes torn between her life in the present and her life in late18th Century England.
Beautifully sketched at all times, Ms Odiwe paints the most wonderful images through her carefully chosen words. As a result, Project Darcy engages the reader through humour, potential heartbreak and little hints and nods to Jane Austen’s writing, in particular Pride & Prejudice, (though the Austen detective in you will revel in picking out echoes from other works and her own life and letters)! The story interweaves the episodes in the past beautifully with those of the present day, tugging at your emotions as the tale pulls you enticingly towards its surprise conclusion.
Project Darcy is the second time-slip novel I have read from Ms Odiwe. It goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – I can’t wait for the next one! Where are we going, Jane? To Highbury, to Portsmouth or beyond? Wherever it is, I look forward to travelling there with you!
March 17, 2014
4.5 out of 5 stars...charming
Project Darcy is a charming story about five modern day friends taking part in an archaeological dig at Steventon, the home of Jane Austen. Ellie Bentley is a talented artist and watercolorist. She also has another gift, the unique ability of seeing people and places of another time. This special gift allows Ellie to experience a time slip to two hundred years in the past and actually become Jane Austen. What a treat this is for the reader as Jane Odiwe so expertly weaves in the story of Jane Austen and her real-life romance with Tom Lefroy. It is a treasure by itself.
The book seamlessly moves between present and past. The modern day story about Ellie and her friends has close parallels to the original plot and cast of Pride and Prejudice. I had much fun picking out which present day character represented which original! The occasional quotes were sometimes given to someone other than the original counterpart but in such a way that it felt natural.
Each time Ellie slips to the past, the reader learns more about the life of Jane Austen and her growing feelings for Tom Lefroy. It all felt incredibly believable and was extremely gratifying. Even though I knew the fate of the two lovers, Jane Odiwe told their story in such a touching and poignant manner that I did not feel the sadness that I expected. It was beautifully done. I also loved the connection of the past meeting the present with Jane Austen’s reticule, the discovery of its contents and its significance to Ellie. Very neat!
The modern day ending came as a complete surprise. It was a twist that I did not see coming plus it was rather sudden. I wasn’t ready for it to end and wanted to know more. In spite of that wanting, I must add that the last few lines of the book were delightful!
I love the time travel aspect of this narrative and especially when Ellie goes back in time as Jane Austen. Both parts of the story are entertaining and enjoyable. The author’s knowledge of the area shines through in her lovely descriptions of the landscapes. I could see the pictures she was painting and felt like I was there. Project Darcy is a very good book and for anyone who loves Jane Austen, it is a book not to be missed!
Review originally posted at More Agreeably Engaged
Project Darcy is a charming story about five modern day friends taking part in an archaeological dig at Steventon, the home of Jane Austen. Ellie Bentley is a talented artist and watercolorist. She also has another gift, the unique ability of seeing people and places of another time. This special gift allows Ellie to experience a time slip to two hundred years in the past and actually become Jane Austen. What a treat this is for the reader as Jane Odiwe so expertly weaves in the story of Jane Austen and her real-life romance with Tom Lefroy. It is a treasure by itself.
The book seamlessly moves between present and past. The modern day story about Ellie and her friends has close parallels to the original plot and cast of Pride and Prejudice. I had much fun picking out which present day character represented which original! The occasional quotes were sometimes given to someone other than the original counterpart but in such a way that it felt natural.
Each time Ellie slips to the past, the reader learns more about the life of Jane Austen and her growing feelings for Tom Lefroy. It all felt incredibly believable and was extremely gratifying. Even though I knew the fate of the two lovers, Jane Odiwe told their story in such a touching and poignant manner that I did not feel the sadness that I expected. It was beautifully done. I also loved the connection of the past meeting the present with Jane Austen’s reticule, the discovery of its contents and its significance to Ellie. Very neat!
The modern day ending came as a complete surprise. It was a twist that I did not see coming plus it was rather sudden. I wasn’t ready for it to end and wanted to know more. In spite of that wanting, I must add that the last few lines of the book were delightful!
I love the time travel aspect of this narrative and especially when Ellie goes back in time as Jane Austen. Both parts of the story are entertaining and enjoyable. The author’s knowledge of the area shines through in her lovely descriptions of the landscapes. I could see the pictures she was painting and felt like I was there. Project Darcy is a very good book and for anyone who loves Jane Austen, it is a book not to be missed!
Review originally posted at More Agreeably Engaged
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November 3, 2017Check out my review on Diary of an Eccentric
January 6, 2017
Surprise twist ending that came out of the blue but somehow worked for me. Interesting read that annoyed me but charmed me too.
January 19, 2022
Un time-travel austeniano che parte da un retelling di Orgoglio e pregiudizio in chiave moderna che comincia a Steventon, presso gli scavi della ex canonica in cui visse Jane Austen, con l'equivalente di Elizabeth Bennet, Ellie, ospite della Ashe Rectory, la casa in cui abitava Madame Lefroy, l'amica di Jane Austen nonché zia di Tom Lefroy, il (presunto) innamorato di Jane Austen. Ellie è una pittrice non ancora affermata e ha la particolarità di poter viaggiare nel tempo, per cui, impressionata dal luogo così particolare, si ritrova nella Steventon di Jane Austen, e proprio nei panni della scrittrice ancora giovanissima (che, a quanto pare, le somigliava molto). Proprio nel periodo in cui sbocciò il suo (presunto) amore per Tom Lefroy. La parte che si svolge nel passato rispecchia molto la storia di Becoming Jane, anche se ci sono delle variazioni che rendono la storia più plausibile (se può essere plausibile viaggiare nel tempo!), traendo spunto da alcuni dei suoi romanzi, ma soprattutto da Ragione e sentimento, secondo me. (La giustificazione per questa "ispirazione" è che tutti i romanzi di Jane siano stati influenzati dalla storia d'amore con Tom Lefroy, a cui la scrittrice ha voluto dare il lieto fine che non avrebbero avuto nella realtà).
La parte contemporanea è gradevole anche se un po' troppo arzigogolata, con una sorpresa finale che non la rende affatto scontata.
La parte contemporanea è gradevole anche se un po' troppo arzigogolata, con una sorpresa finale che non la rende affatto scontata.
June 18, 2017
Ellie Bentley and her four friends join a secret archaeological dig at Jane Austen's childhood home. But Ellie starts slipping back to 1796 and into the body of Jane Austen. Although Jane's romance is doomed, what about Ellie's?
An interesting read, a nice mix of Austen and time travel.
An interesting read, a nice mix of Austen and time travel.
November 18, 2013
Ellie has a gift for seeing ghosts and being able to slip back in time. It’s not something she has any control over. Ellie, Jess and a few other girls have volunteered to work on an archaeological dig at the site of Jane Austen’s childhood home in Steventon. As soon as Ellie arrived at Ashe Rectory, where she and the girls were going to be staying for the summer, she saw him. He was a handsome young man, and she had the distinct feeling that she knew him quite well. Then he was gone. This was just the beginning of seeing him. Soon she began to slip back in time as Jane Austen and the young man is Tom Lefroy. Sometimes Ellie would spend days as Jane, then return to the present to find only a moment had passed. It becomes hard for Ellie to separate her feelings from Jane’s as she falls deeply in love with Tom. Whenever Ellie would be back in the present, she would miss Tom badly.
It was fun picking out the parallels to Pride and Prejudice in this story! Matching up the characters, like Ellie is Elizabeth, and Jess is Jane...you get the picture. And Jane and Tom’s story was excellent! I liked how you could see where Jane would get her ideas for her stories!
I was absorbed into both stories! Not only are we seeing Jane and Tom fall in love, but or course, there is romance in the present day story also. As Jess finds her Mr. Bingley, will Ellie find her Mr. Darcy?
There is a twist at the end that I did not see coming! I confess, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked this twist, but in the end it worked out alright. My only complaint is that I thought it ended too soon! I would have liked to have gotten to know one of the characters better.
I really enjoyed Project Darcy! It's a fun read! I would recommend this story to both Jane Austen fans and time travel fans alike! It is the second book in Odiwe's Time Travels with Jane Austen series. I haven't read the first, but I'm going to have to read it soon!
Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy for my honest review.
It was fun picking out the parallels to Pride and Prejudice in this story! Matching up the characters, like Ellie is Elizabeth, and Jess is Jane...you get the picture. And Jane and Tom’s story was excellent! I liked how you could see where Jane would get her ideas for her stories!
I was absorbed into both stories! Not only are we seeing Jane and Tom fall in love, but or course, there is romance in the present day story also. As Jess finds her Mr. Bingley, will Ellie find her Mr. Darcy?
There is a twist at the end that I did not see coming! I confess, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked this twist, but in the end it worked out alright. My only complaint is that I thought it ended too soon! I would have liked to have gotten to know one of the characters better.
I really enjoyed Project Darcy! It's a fun read! I would recommend this story to both Jane Austen fans and time travel fans alike! It is the second book in Odiwe's Time Travels with Jane Austen series. I haven't read the first, but I'm going to have to read it soon!
Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy for my honest review.
December 19, 2017
I have to agree with other reviews which state that "I did not see this ending coming." With this novel I truly missed not having the paperback in my hands as I would have checked ahead to see just who Ellie ended up with and so could have watched for clues. I find that I am discontented in that I really paid little attention to that male figure! I need to go back and re-read it and having a paperback in hand I could pick out the pages on which there is interaction between those two, while with a kindle I have to re-read the whole book.
This was also like no other time travel I have read (and someone mentioned that this is a series of stories) in that Ellie time travels off and on with no control and becomes someone completely different from the person she seems to be in modern day. She becomes Jane Austen but only during those moments of Jane's life having to do with "her romance" (Becoming Jane movie) with Tom Lefoy. Part of what the author does to lead us astray is that in modern day Ellie is definitely Elizabeth Bennett while her friends are the other four Bennett sisters. So in doing that and portraying men that they are in contact with as Wickham, Bingley and Darcy, we have preset notions as to with whom each girl falls in love.
The descriptions were vivid: the contrasts in how each house looked in each time period and the setting for the archeological dig, even in descriptions of china pieces dug up there allowed me to picture such in my head.
I liked this but, as stated, was not sharp enough to realize where this was going, so be warned - put on your detective hat for this one, not just your romance escapism here.
This was also like no other time travel I have read (and someone mentioned that this is a series of stories) in that Ellie time travels off and on with no control and becomes someone completely different from the person she seems to be in modern day. She becomes Jane Austen but only during those moments of Jane's life having to do with "her romance" (Becoming Jane movie) with Tom Lefoy. Part of what the author does to lead us astray is that in modern day Ellie is definitely Elizabeth Bennett while her friends are the other four Bennett sisters. So in doing that and portraying men that they are in contact with as Wickham, Bingley and Darcy, we have preset notions as to with whom each girl falls in love.
The descriptions were vivid: the contrasts in how each house looked in each time period and the setting for the archeological dig, even in descriptions of china pieces dug up there allowed me to picture such in my head.
I liked this but, as stated, was not sharp enough to realize where this was going, so be warned - put on your detective hat for this one, not just your romance escapism here.
March 6, 2014
If you love Jane Austen’s work, but are slightly overwhelmed by the many prequels and sequels available on the market, something slightly different would certainly fit the bill to savour those Austen cravings. Project Darcy is just that; It has all the charm and wit of Austen, with the twist to keep you enthralled throughout.
Starting off with just a hint here and there of the mystery to be revealed, Jane Odiwe tempts you to read page after page. You’ll recognise certain attributes of Pride and Prejudice along the way, with modern characters intertwining with the beloved Bennet sisters and of course Darcy and Bingley. You’ll also gain glimpses of the lady herself, set in her home of Steventon Rectory. The flashbacks to see a young Jane Austen were wonderfully written and delicately done. A delight for any Jane Austen fan to read.
Writing much more about this wonderful could possibly spoil the twists and turns along the way, so I will leave it to you to find out more!
Starting off with just a hint here and there of the mystery to be revealed, Jane Odiwe tempts you to read page after page. You’ll recognise certain attributes of Pride and Prejudice along the way, with modern characters intertwining with the beloved Bennet sisters and of course Darcy and Bingley. You’ll also gain glimpses of the lady herself, set in her home of Steventon Rectory. The flashbacks to see a young Jane Austen were wonderfully written and delicately done. A delight for any Jane Austen fan to read.
Writing much more about this wonderful could possibly spoil the twists and turns along the way, so I will leave it to you to find out more!
July 12, 2015
Project Darcy
Unique story that incorporates Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and time travel by Ellie (Elizabeth) that places her in Jane's life. Ellie, who's an artist, is helping as a volunteer to discover the Austen house at Steventon. The group was digging in hope of finding the outline of the home. Ellie who has traveled back in time, her being Jane, is able to draw and paint the home exactly as it was. The archaeologist along with the dig berates her for not painting scientifically what the site eventually will look like, but with imagination not based on reality. Readers can definitely recognize key characters from Austen's novel: Charles Bingley, Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Lucas, Reverend Collins, George Wickham, and the Darcys. The ending surprised me as Ellie didn't wind up with who I thought she would.
Unique story that incorporates Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and time travel by Ellie (Elizabeth) that places her in Jane's life. Ellie, who's an artist, is helping as a volunteer to discover the Austen house at Steventon. The group was digging in hope of finding the outline of the home. Ellie who has traveled back in time, her being Jane, is able to draw and paint the home exactly as it was. The archaeologist along with the dig berates her for not painting scientifically what the site eventually will look like, but with imagination not based on reality. Readers can definitely recognize key characters from Austen's novel: Charles Bingley, Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Lucas, Reverend Collins, George Wickham, and the Darcys. The ending surprised me as Ellie didn't wind up with who I thought she would.
November 7, 2013
I liked this re-telling because, well I can't say it cos that would be a spoiler. But I liked how it all tied in together. Oh and the end, I did not see that, fun :)
Elizabeth, Elle, is on a Jane Austen dig with her 4 friends. All with names hinting to that they are the Bennet sisters. And together they experience Pride and Prejudice. There is a Wickham, Mr Darcy and Bingley. There is Pride and there is prejudice.
But the thing is, that while all of this is going on Elle is seeing bits and pieces of Jane's life as they are digging out her house and visiting places she visited. There are memories from her childhood and how she met Tom Lefroy. And then there are spoilery things I wont mention but that were awesome.
An interesting re-telling of the old story with a new twist on it.
Elizabeth, Elle, is on a Jane Austen dig with her 4 friends. All with names hinting to that they are the Bennet sisters. And together they experience Pride and Prejudice. There is a Wickham, Mr Darcy and Bingley. There is Pride and there is prejudice.
But the thing is, that while all of this is going on Elle is seeing bits and pieces of Jane's life as they are digging out her house and visiting places she visited. There are memories from her childhood and how she met Tom Lefroy. And then there are spoilery things I wont mention but that were awesome.
An interesting re-telling of the old story with a new twist on it.
August 2, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this modern, timeslip version of Pride and Prejudice. Within the first few pages the five friends' characters were easily identifiable as based on the Bennet sisters, but what I loved most was the intricate weaving of what we know as true from the letters of Jane Austen with the fictional story spun by the very clever Jane Odiwe. Some may have reservations about the ending, but this is Jane Odiwe, not Jane Austen! It surprised me I must admit, but it didn't upset me. I liked the change from third person to first when we changed time and I wish I had been on the Project Darcy dig!
December 17, 2017
Not Yet another P&P Update
Once more into the breach! This is Pride and Prejudice update with a few curves added: the Bennet sisters have been translated into a group of friends who share a house during an archeological dig. Mr Darcy isn't who you think. And many of JA's grotesques are softened. Still, the story works and it is all good fun.
Once more into the breach! This is Pride and Prejudice update with a few curves added: the Bennet sisters have been translated into a group of friends who share a house during an archeological dig. Mr Darcy isn't who you think. And many of JA's grotesques are softened. Still, the story works and it is all good fun.
September 8, 2017
This was pretty good, but not great. I liked parts of the story, but was annoyed by others. Overall just an ok read for me.
January 23, 2018
Was really good!
December 11, 2013
An original twist on a timeless classic that is simply inspired!
Already a fan of Jane Odiwe {from having read one of her other Austen-inspired novels “Searching for Captain Wentworth”}, I delved into Darcy’s tale with excitement and high expectations. Jane Odiwe has a brilliant way with words, capturing quintessentially the true essence of a Jane Austen novel but bringing it into the twenty-first century with a modern twist. I loved how this re-telling of one of the greatest books ever written was current, contemporary and fresh so as to reach out to a wide readership in this modern world while drawing on the main themes within Austen’s classic. ’Pride and Prejudice’ is a story that contains so much truth-drawing elements within and character studies that it remains relevant within society, regardless of the year and whether we are 1880 or 2013. All of the characters within this story link to Pride & Prejudice in their mannerisms, actions and the overall aura that surrounds them. I do not think you will find another fictional novel that pays such respectful homage to the greatest female writer of a century, therefore I highly recommend this book to all Austen fans! .
This is a heartrending, poignant modern-day love story that is entwined within Jane Austen’s universally loved novel Pride & Prejudice. ‘Project Darcy’ follows Ellie Bentley as she involves herself within an archaeological dig at Jane Austen’s childhood home, wherein she encounters the ghost of Mr. Darcy! As Ellie digs deeper into Jane’s past and explores in particular the winter of 1796, she discovers a true love story that was lost long ago…bringing about great change in her own life and destiny. The dig at Steventon Rectory is certainly unusual, as you will find that many modern-day characters resemble those from Austen’s novel {Pride & Prejudice}, such as the Bennetts and Wickham etc.
This fusion of fancy with an extraordinarily unexpected ‘take’ on a well-known story, is a fitting tribute to an author whose unforgettable characters still live on today. Incredibly well written and full of accurate details this authentic, credible and quite believable read is a Stirling success and an outstanding novel. Naturally I will always love re-reading Austen’s novels but it is nice to be able to discover an author who writes with as such remarkable dexterity as Jane, although her books are refreshing in the sense that you can relate to them even more due to the contemporary characters within.
In my mind Jane Odiwe is the modern day version of Jane Austen and so I would strongly urge readers who love Austen {including students studying Austen’s works}, to add this book to your reading lists! I won a signed copy of this beautiful book through a giveaway that I would like to thank the author for.
Already a fan of Jane Odiwe {from having read one of her other Austen-inspired novels “Searching for Captain Wentworth”}, I delved into Darcy’s tale with excitement and high expectations. Jane Odiwe has a brilliant way with words, capturing quintessentially the true essence of a Jane Austen novel but bringing it into the twenty-first century with a modern twist. I loved how this re-telling of one of the greatest books ever written was current, contemporary and fresh so as to reach out to a wide readership in this modern world while drawing on the main themes within Austen’s classic. ’Pride and Prejudice’ is a story that contains so much truth-drawing elements within and character studies that it remains relevant within society, regardless of the year and whether we are 1880 or 2013. All of the characters within this story link to Pride & Prejudice in their mannerisms, actions and the overall aura that surrounds them. I do not think you will find another fictional novel that pays such respectful homage to the greatest female writer of a century, therefore I highly recommend this book to all Austen fans! .
This is a heartrending, poignant modern-day love story that is entwined within Jane Austen’s universally loved novel Pride & Prejudice. ‘Project Darcy’ follows Ellie Bentley as she involves herself within an archaeological dig at Jane Austen’s childhood home, wherein she encounters the ghost of Mr. Darcy! As Ellie digs deeper into Jane’s past and explores in particular the winter of 1796, she discovers a true love story that was lost long ago…bringing about great change in her own life and destiny. The dig at Steventon Rectory is certainly unusual, as you will find that many modern-day characters resemble those from Austen’s novel {Pride & Prejudice}, such as the Bennetts and Wickham etc.
This fusion of fancy with an extraordinarily unexpected ‘take’ on a well-known story, is a fitting tribute to an author whose unforgettable characters still live on today. Incredibly well written and full of accurate details this authentic, credible and quite believable read is a Stirling success and an outstanding novel. Naturally I will always love re-reading Austen’s novels but it is nice to be able to discover an author who writes with as such remarkable dexterity as Jane, although her books are refreshing in the sense that you can relate to them even more due to the contemporary characters within.
In my mind Jane Odiwe is the modern day version of Jane Austen and so I would strongly urge readers who love Austen {including students studying Austen’s works}, to add this book to your reading lists! I won a signed copy of this beautiful book through a giveaway that I would like to thank the author for.
January 17, 2014
Project Darcy is a time travels with Jane Austen novel. Ellie Bentley joins an archaeological dig at the childhood home (Steventon rectory) of Jane Austen for the summer while in college. This isn’t really how she wanted to spend the summer, but her good friend Jess has survived cancer and this dig is one of her dreams. Together with their other friends, Martha, Cara, and Liberty, they travel to Hampshire and stay in Jess’s Aunts house, which also happens to be the home of the Lefroy family, good friends of Jane Austen. While there, Cara and Liberty go silly over the boys, but Jess find herself more seriously infatuated with Charlie Harden, a rich and nice guy. Ellie is not so infatuated by Charlie’s snobby friend Henry Dorsey. This present day story roughly follows the lines of Pride and Prejudice set in modern times, but with a few new twists and surprises.
One twist is that Ellie has a special gift where she is able to slip back in time and experience Jane Austen’s romance with young Tom Lefroy. Jane finds Tom quite stuffy and arrogant when she first meets him, but upon further meetings, she finds herself in love. Tom and Jane both have no money and know their romance is improbable, but their love cannot be denied. Could this romance have helped to inspire Pride and Prejudice?
I enjoyed this novel. It was a relaxing read and quite entertaining. I felt both the contemporary as well as the time slip portion of the novels were equally as strong in the narration. I enjoyed both stories and felt in suspense waiting to see what was happening in the other time frame. I liked all of the characters and I especially enjoyed the twists to the stories that Odiwe added in just when you thought you knew what was going to happen. I also really enjoyed the setting of the modern day story – an archaeological dig on Steventon Rectory! That would be a dream to work on. I also love time slip/time travel stories so together with my love of all things Jane Austen, this was the perfect novel for me. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great book to read.
Book Source: I am grateful to author Jane Odiwe who sent me a copy of this wonderful book to review. Thank-you!
This review was originally published on my blog at: http://www.lauragerold.blogspot.com/2...
One twist is that Ellie has a special gift where she is able to slip back in time and experience Jane Austen’s romance with young Tom Lefroy. Jane finds Tom quite stuffy and arrogant when she first meets him, but upon further meetings, she finds herself in love. Tom and Jane both have no money and know their romance is improbable, but their love cannot be denied. Could this romance have helped to inspire Pride and Prejudice?
I enjoyed this novel. It was a relaxing read and quite entertaining. I felt both the contemporary as well as the time slip portion of the novels were equally as strong in the narration. I enjoyed both stories and felt in suspense waiting to see what was happening in the other time frame. I liked all of the characters and I especially enjoyed the twists to the stories that Odiwe added in just when you thought you knew what was going to happen. I also really enjoyed the setting of the modern day story – an archaeological dig on Steventon Rectory! That would be a dream to work on. I also love time slip/time travel stories so together with my love of all things Jane Austen, this was the perfect novel for me. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great book to read.
Book Source: I am grateful to author Jane Odiwe who sent me a copy of this wonderful book to review. Thank-you!
This review was originally published on my blog at: http://www.lauragerold.blogspot.com/2...
January 3, 2014
Ellie, Jess, Cara, Liberty, and Martha will soon be ending their time at university. Jess, and avid Austen fan, convinces the group of friends to go out with a bang and help on an archaeological dig at Jane Austen's home. The dig proves to be more than the girls bargained for as they find romance, past and present.
I'm on the fence about Project Darcy. It feels like there are two stories running parallel to one another throughout the book. Ellie's story is a modernization of Pride and Prejudice while Jane's story is a somewhat biographical telling of Jane's short love affair with Tom Lefroy. Odiwe weaved the two together by using Ellie's ability to "see" into the past. It was an unexpected, but interesting choice. Jane's story, while intriguing on its own, was given a fresh layer as Ellie struggled to divine if her feelings about Tom were linked to those of Jane of if she too were falling for the young Irishman. Odiwe's nod to classic Austen in these looks into the past are wonderfully written and a treat for Austenophiles.
I did not care for Ellie's actual story. The modernization of Pride & Prejudice fell extremely short for me. The girls, all modeled after the Bennet sisters, felt flat and lacking in actual character. The lot, particularly Jess and Ellie, who are intended to represent Jane and Elizabeth Bennet respectively, are downright simpering at times. For those very familiar with Austen, these characters felt more like Laura and Isabel of Love and Freindship [sic] than the Bennet girls.
For more reviews by The Readist, please visit www.thereadist.com.
I'm on the fence about Project Darcy. It feels like there are two stories running parallel to one another throughout the book. Ellie's story is a modernization of Pride and Prejudice while Jane's story is a somewhat biographical telling of Jane's short love affair with Tom Lefroy. Odiwe weaved the two together by using Ellie's ability to "see" into the past. It was an unexpected, but interesting choice. Jane's story, while intriguing on its own, was given a fresh layer as Ellie struggled to divine if her feelings about Tom were linked to those of Jane of if she too were falling for the young Irishman. Odiwe's nod to classic Austen in these looks into the past are wonderfully written and a treat for Austenophiles.
I did not care for Ellie's actual story. The modernization of Pride & Prejudice fell extremely short for me. The girls, all modeled after the Bennet sisters, felt flat and lacking in actual character. The lot, particularly Jess and Ellie, who are intended to represent Jane and Elizabeth Bennet respectively, are downright simpering at times. For those very familiar with Austen, these characters felt more like Laura and Isabel of Love and Freindship [sic] than the Bennet girls.
For more reviews by The Readist, please visit www.thereadist.com.
April 24, 2014
Project Darcy is a modern day Pride and Prejudice in every way. Each character can be matched up with a character in P&P. The main character is Ellie (Elizabeth) and she goes to Steventon with her four friends Jess (Jane), Margaret (Mary), Liberty (Lydia) and Cara (Kitty). There is even a Wickham and Mr. Collins. I really enjoyed matching up the characters as I read the book. It made really fun.
I really enjoyed the time travel aspect of Project Darcy. Jane Austen’s story really made the book engaging and fun. Ellie’s story, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as engaging. Her Mr. Darcy wasn’t very likeable and didn’t turn out to be HER Mr. Darcy. I found the ending to be a little disconnected from the story. It didn’t make much sense to me.
However, I found Jane Austen and Mr. Lefroy’s romance to very to be very charming and touching as well. Jane is portrayed as someone who is fun-loving and flirtatious; not the serious spinster that people might attribute to her. Their relationship seemed a little illicit and passionate. I truly hope that Miss Austen experienced passion in her life amidst her disappointment. I felt her story was the most potent storyline of Project Darcy. I wanted to know more and I was a little disappointed when Ellie would return to her own time.
Overall, I really enjoyed Project Darcy. I loved the Jane Austen bits of the book. The only thing I found disappointing was how Ellie found her ultimate love interest. It was very romantic but didn’t make sense to me. But still this book is very much worth a read if you a true fan of Austenesque fiction.
I really enjoyed the time travel aspect of Project Darcy. Jane Austen’s story really made the book engaging and fun. Ellie’s story, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as engaging. Her Mr. Darcy wasn’t very likeable and didn’t turn out to be HER Mr. Darcy. I found the ending to be a little disconnected from the story. It didn’t make much sense to me.
However, I found Jane Austen and Mr. Lefroy’s romance to very to be very charming and touching as well. Jane is portrayed as someone who is fun-loving and flirtatious; not the serious spinster that people might attribute to her. Their relationship seemed a little illicit and passionate. I truly hope that Miss Austen experienced passion in her life amidst her disappointment. I felt her story was the most potent storyline of Project Darcy. I wanted to know more and I was a little disappointed when Ellie would return to her own time.
Overall, I really enjoyed Project Darcy. I loved the Jane Austen bits of the book. The only thing I found disappointing was how Ellie found her ultimate love interest. It was very romantic but didn’t make sense to me. But still this book is very much worth a read if you a true fan of Austenesque fiction.
November 6, 2013
After having enjoyed Jane Odiwe's Searching for Captain Wentworth, I jumped at the chance to read Project Darcy even before knowing anything more about it other than the title and that the cover promised further Time Travels with Jane Austen. One of the highlights to me of Odiwe's previous book was how she'd imagined Jane Austen to be, as well as her contemporaries and the characters from her books and their possible real-life inspiration. This holds every bit as true for Project Darcy and I had a great deal of fun reading not only Odiwe's take on Jane Austen and her circle of acquaintances and their surroundings but seeing how she used fragments of well-known speeches and letters from Jane Austen's books to show how and where Jane Austen's inspiration might have come from. I liked the fact that having a twenty-first century heroine slip back in time allowed Odiwe to take a few more liberties than she might otherwise have done in scenes between the heroine, Ellie, and her eighteenth century beau. I also enjoyed figuring out who the modern-day counterparts to Jane Austen's characters were and seeing how they behaved now that they were in a more contemporary setting and circumstances.
To read the full review, go to the Nut Press
To read the full review, go to the Nut Press
March 31, 2017
An archaeological project to find the old rectory that was Jane Austen's house brings together a group of unknown people to work on it. One of them has the special gift of being transported to the past in flashbacks, to 1796, and relive the love story between Tom Lefroy and Jane Austen.
Meanwhile, during the excavation, attachments are formed, and we can find among them the Bennet sisters in form of friends, Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, Wickham, Cousin Collins and so many characters from Jane Austen's books. Jane Odiwe masterfully explores the relationship between Tom and Jane, and we can recognize scenes of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion happening between them.
Will Ellie find her Mr Darcy? How will she overcome the love she had found in Mr Lefroy?
It's a deliciously written story, and it won't be the last I read from Jane Odiwe. She has become one of my favourite "Jane Austen" writers since I read "Searching for Captain Wentworth". If you like Jane Austen, you have to read Jane Odiwe's books.
And about the ending... I didn't see that coming, either, but I loved it.
Meanwhile, during the excavation, attachments are formed, and we can find among them the Bennet sisters in form of friends, Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, Wickham, Cousin Collins and so many characters from Jane Austen's books. Jane Odiwe masterfully explores the relationship between Tom and Jane, and we can recognize scenes of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion happening between them.
Will Ellie find her Mr Darcy? How will she overcome the love she had found in Mr Lefroy?
It's a deliciously written story, and it won't be the last I read from Jane Odiwe. She has become one of my favourite "Jane Austen" writers since I read "Searching for Captain Wentworth". If you like Jane Austen, you have to read Jane Odiwe's books.
And about the ending... I didn't see that coming, either, but I loved it.
May 3, 2014
Channeling my inner Jan Brady....."Darcy Darcy Darcy". Lol, ok now that I have done that.....loved this one as much as "Searching for Captain Wentworth". I greatly enjoyed both the present time and past time stories. I would say equally...can't say that about other books with past/present stories. Lol, the "time passages"(after Al Stewart's (bitter?)sweet 1978 song Time Passages..."A girl comes towards you, you once used to know/You reach out your hand, but you're all alone in these/Time passages"...I don't care for the term "Time Slip") were done very well indeed. I love that the heroine's best friend Jess, and Jane Bennet stand-in(!!!!!), knows about the time passages. Unlike others, I liked the twist in the ending. I only wish that we had the reactions of other characters to the sweet ending, especially Jess' reaction.
May 14, 2016
I'm glad I didn't read any spoilers before I read this book. I thought I had it figured out before I was in the middle, but I was so delightfully wrong!
I loved the paranormal elements of the story, I truly felt that I was experiencing it with Ellie/Jane. I did find myself assigning JA's characters to the modern ones in the book, and had actually flipped two rather crucial characters. In the past sequences, I loved seeing how people in Jane's life were actually amalgams of traits Jane then split into separate characters.
A wonderful story.
I loved the paranormal elements of the story, I truly felt that I was experiencing it with Ellie/Jane. I did find myself assigning JA's characters to the modern ones in the book, and had actually flipped two rather crucial characters. In the past sequences, I loved seeing how people in Jane's life were actually amalgams of traits Jane then split into separate characters.
A wonderful story.
Want to read
November 13, 2013Stop by The Calico Critic and enter to win a copy. Open worldwide. http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2013...
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August 5, 2018Jane Odiwe writes from the heart. This is evident to anyone who has ever read one of her novels, but particularly so in her newest work, Project Darcy.
A full review can be found here: https://www.janeausten.co.uk/project-...
A full review can be found here: https://www.janeausten.co.uk/project-...
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