Volume l: Disappointed Hopes: 3-stars: ended at 38%
“When you have expectations, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.” Ryan Reynolds
Post [DHP] Disastrous Hunsford Proposal… it started out OK, then crashed and burned, but picked back up again, leaving us with unfinished business [cliffhanger]. We could probably cut out about a fourth of the middle and still have a great story.
Mr. Darcy had expectations and boy was he ever disappointed. He couldn’t have been more surprised if she had hit him up-side-the-head with a two-by-four. After his letter to Elizabeth, several things happened. He now realized he was an ass. Let me count the ways: first, while he was at Meryton and his insulting comment regarding Elizabeth; second, his interfering in Bingley’s relationship with Jane and keeping her visit to her London relations a secret, and finally, with his mode of proposal to Elizabeth. Yeah, he was a mess.
Elizabeth realized she was an… wait, what is a lady? OK, she was foolish and now realized that she was so very wrong about him. She now questioned her own character and actions toward Darcy, first in being so angry with his insult and holding it against him for all eternity. Second, in believing Wickham’s [she now knows] lies, and finally, her harsh accusations to Darcy’s face after his proposal. Yeah, she was a mess.
That middle part I mentioned that needed to be cut/trimmed/pruned or something. It was full of redundant… retelling of the same story over and over again by different people. I found myself cringing when someone new needed to be told ‘what happened at Kent’ because I knew it was rehashing of the same thing. What happed at Kent should have stayed at Kent. Oh, well…
The misunderstandings were cute but became trite after a while. The Colonel was supposed to add comedic relief but he got on my nerves as he badgered Darcy trying to find out what happened in Kent. Poor Darcy closed up like a clam and wouldn’t let anyone in. He began to get on my nerves. It got so bad, any minute I expected to see a whip or braided cord for his penance and flagellation.
There were nuggets, every once in a while, that grabbed the interest and sparked the imagination and pulled the reader from a drugged haze. I am so sorry but, this was not a ‘could-not-put-it-down’ story. In fact, I kept putting it down. I even considered running the vacuum or something like that. Shudder… it was a close call, but I resisted.
Volume ll: Darcy’s Dilemma: 3-stars: ends at 66%
“The human dilemma is that which arises out of a man’s capacity to experience himself as both subject and object at the same time.” –Rollo May
This immediately picks up at the conclusion of Volume l. The angst from the first story continues in this one and is driving me crazy. Everyone misunderstands everything. Darcy has been on so many rabbit trails with his feelings and emotions and Elizabeth is just as bad. Their self-censuring, constant grieving is getting on my last nerve. We spend way too much time in their heads and I didn’t like the scenery. It was depressing as heck and I just wanted to run away.
Once again, this second volume is full of fluff that is unnecessary to the forwarding of the story. It distracts from the true story of Elizabeth and Darcy and I wanted to pull my hair out. Can they not have a conversation without someone interrupting them? I wanted to scream every time someone approached them and stopped their conversation. Grrrrr!!
I love the Gardiners and they have been received well by Darcy. Even Lady Catherine found a use for Lizzy’s uncle. That was surprising. Caroline was able to ingratiate herself into the company. Always mindful of letting everyone know of her disdain... wicked witch of the north.
Lizzy received a startling letter from Longbourn and he-who-shall-not-be-named is hiding out in Meryton. Lawd!! That man! This threw a wrench into the works and Darcy and the Colonel went into plans as to how they would approach the situation.
Volume lll: Desperate Measures: 3-stars: ends at 100%
Kill me now!! I am so angry with this story. We are talking about the angst being drawn out until the 90% mark before ODC [our dear couple] straightens out their differences. I-wanted-time-with-ODC!!! This was a maze or labyrinth of hits and misses, twists and turns, roadblocks and deadends. The range of misunderstandings was maddening. This became a ‘How Many Different Ways Can We Screw With ODC’ before they finally get together. Lawd, help me!!
The side story finally had its own conclusion. The epilogue was nice and wrapped up the loose threads. We were told what happened with the rest of the characters. I just wanted it to be over. I did not enjoy this journey. I wanted to pull out my hair.