What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pemberley Chronicles #5
Mr. Darcy's Daughter
An extraordinary woman in a turbulent era
"Jane Austen herself would have been very well pleased."
Beverley Wong, author of Pride & Prejudice Prudence
The bestselling Pemberley Chronicles series continues the saga of the Darcys and Bingleys from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and introduces imaginative new characters.
Charming, beautiful, and intelligent, Cassandra Darcy is undeniably her father's daughter. When her brother Julian falters in his responsibilities as heir to Pemberley, Darcy and Elizabeth turn in desperation to their daughter, and Cassy is thrust into the role of surrogate heir.
It will take all of Cassy's inner strength and ingenuity to raise Julian's son, attend to her own happy marriage and children, and keep Pemberley's tenants satisfied. When she is faced with a series of crises—her daughter appears to be involved in an unsuitable affair and her son is unwittingly drawn into a murder investigation—Cassy must act before circumstances spin out of control.
Set against a vivid backdrop of dramatic political and social changes sweeping England during the Victorian era, Mr. Darcy's Daughter is the remarkable story of a strong-minded woman in a man's world, struggling to balance the competing demands of love and duty as a daughter, wife, mother, and sister.
"With her crisp style, lively dialogue, and a seasoning of gentle humour, Ms. Collins's latest contribution should keep her readers well satisfied."
Book News
"Jane Austen herself would have been very well pleased."
Beverley Wong, author of Pride & Prejudice Prudence
The bestselling Pemberley Chronicles series continues the saga of the Darcys and Bingleys from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and introduces imaginative new characters.
Charming, beautiful, and intelligent, Cassandra Darcy is undeniably her father's daughter. When her brother Julian falters in his responsibilities as heir to Pemberley, Darcy and Elizabeth turn in desperation to their daughter, and Cassy is thrust into the role of surrogate heir.
It will take all of Cassy's inner strength and ingenuity to raise Julian's son, attend to her own happy marriage and children, and keep Pemberley's tenants satisfied. When she is faced with a series of crises—her daughter appears to be involved in an unsuitable affair and her son is unwittingly drawn into a murder investigation—Cassy must act before circumstances spin out of control.
Set against a vivid backdrop of dramatic political and social changes sweeping England during the Victorian era, Mr. Darcy's Daughter is the remarkable story of a strong-minded woman in a man's world, struggling to balance the competing demands of love and duty as a daughter, wife, mother, and sister.
"With her crisp style, lively dialogue, and a seasoning of gentle humour, Ms. Collins's latest contribution should keep her readers well satisfied."
Book News
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2008
20 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Ann Collins
25 books65 followersRebecca Ann Collins is the pen name of a lady in Australia who loves Jane Austen’s work so much that she has written a series of sequels to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, following Austen’s beloved characters, introducing new ones and bringing the characters into a new historical era.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 8, 2020
This is totally 5 stars! I wasn't sure at the beginning because it seemed to start off a lot like the third one, but it quickly moved on and became something much different! I can't WAIT to read the next book!!
March 1, 2015
Un nouveau tome (qui se déroule dans le même espace temps que le 4) aussi décevant que les précédents...L'histoire reprend en partie l'un des ressorts déjà utilisé dans le tome 3 (la méchante femme de Jonathan Bingley s'enfuyait et trouvait la mort...) Cette fois c'est Julian Darcy (le fils décevant de Lizzy et Mr Darcy) qui paie son union avec Josie Tate (encore une descendante du révérend Collins, est-ce un hasard ?). Josie est donc inconséquente, se pique d'écriture et quitte son mari et leur fils pour poursuivre son rêve... (Méchante Josie). Dieu merci pour le petit Anthony, la famille Darcy compte de fabuleux membres prêts à tout pour aider (et accessoirement condamner). C'est donc Cassandra, la soeur ainée de Julian ( épouse du fils de Mr & Mrs Gardiner, autant dire que la dame est de qualité) qui se charge de tout. D'Anthony mais aussi de secourir sa belle-soeur ( qui finit dans un bouge sordide de Londres, tssss quelle déchéance), de l'administration de Pemberley ( pour laquelle Julian n'a aucun gout ^^ au grand dam de ses parents), des aventures amoureuses de son ainée, Lizzie (aussi insupportable et inconsistante que le reste de sa delighted famille) et aussi de démêler une sombre histoire de meurtre ( wonder Cassy...)
On suit donc sans passion la rencontre entre Lizzie et celui qui va devenir son mari : Mr Carr ( un américain qui partage toutes les opinions des Darcy, normal : le portrait de son grand père qui était palefrenier pour l'oncle de Darcy trône à Pemberley, bah oui, impossible qu'un membre de cette famille se marie avec quelqu'un qui n'a rien à voir avec elle...) Le schéma du couple est le même que dans les 4 tomes précédents et ne présente donc aucun intérêt.
Sur les autres pseudo rebondissements, je me dois de vous faire part d'une nouvelle stupéfiante : l'oncle Gardiner ( qui devait bien avoir 120 ans depuis le temps) est mort... Oui, je sais c'est horrible... Mais bon, tout le monde s'en remet relativement vite ( sauf Mrs Gardiner...) La peu pratique épouse de Julian, qui rêve d'avoir une carrière à elle et ne se dévoue pas corps et âme à ses Darcy d'époux et fils connait également une fin tragique ( qui est entièrement sa faute tssss). Une petite surprise pourtant avec le fils Darcy qui, une fois sa femme morte, abandonne son fils à Cassandra ( le "bon" enfant de la famille Darcy) ainsi que ses prétentions sur Pemberley pour poursuivre ses recherches scientifico médicales, sa vraie passion. Je vous rassure, tel un missionnaire, Julian se dévoue entièrement à la médecine et devient donc un homme digne de la plus grande admiration. Gageons que le moment venu, son fils Anthony, déjà orphelin de mère, comprendra tout à fait que son père, poussé par un souffle quasi divin, ait préféré courir le monde au lieu de prendre soin de son unique enfant.
On a aussi des nouvelles des Bingley ( toujours si parfaits...) de Darcy, de Lizzy et Jane ( toujours aussi promptes à la censure et par conséquent de plus en plus pénibles...) Quand à l'histoire de meurtre, vous ne devinerez jamais l'identité de l'une des personnes impliquées : Frank Wickham ! Mais oui le fils des infâmes et trop méchants Georges et Lydia... Sauf que pour une fois, Frank semble être quelqu'un de bien (miracle) et comble de l'honneur, il est même suffisamment adoubé pour être reçu à Pemberley (j'imagine que ce doit être le plus beau jour de sa vie et qu'il ne regrette pas de ne plus parler à sa mère). Du coup, vu comme il est parti, je le vois bien épouser Jessica, l'une des filles d'Emiliy ( l'une des filles des Gardiner pour mémoire) dans le prochain tome... Youpi trop hâte...
Ce que j'aime : euhhh je suis obligée d'aimer quelque chose ? On va dire le choix de Julian (qui ne se trouve pas tout de suite une autre femme plus conforme à Pemberley et préfère au contraire fuir ce dernier) et le fait que Frank Wickham ne soit pas un méchant (pour l'instant). La mort de l'oncle Gardiner (avoue qu'il était temps)
Ce que j'aime moins : les personnages bouffis d'auto satisfaction et moralisateurs. Les minables tentatives de l'auteure d'inclure des éléments historico politiques dans l'histoire pour la justifier : ça ne trompe personne, en tous cas pas moi. L'avalanche de delight et de bons sentiments qui en deviennent écoeurants... Le peu de renouvellement du scénario.
En bref : Fade, sans renouvellement, sans la moindre nuance dans les personnages. Une déception de plus en plus vive tant l'auteure me rend les personnages de Pride & Prejudice antipathiques.
Ma note
1/10
On suit donc sans passion la rencontre entre Lizzie et celui qui va devenir son mari : Mr Carr ( un américain qui partage toutes les opinions des Darcy, normal : le portrait de son grand père qui était palefrenier pour l'oncle de Darcy trône à Pemberley, bah oui, impossible qu'un membre de cette famille se marie avec quelqu'un qui n'a rien à voir avec elle...) Le schéma du couple est le même que dans les 4 tomes précédents et ne présente donc aucun intérêt.
Sur les autres pseudo rebondissements, je me dois de vous faire part d'une nouvelle stupéfiante : l'oncle Gardiner ( qui devait bien avoir 120 ans depuis le temps) est mort... Oui, je sais c'est horrible... Mais bon, tout le monde s'en remet relativement vite ( sauf Mrs Gardiner...) La peu pratique épouse de Julian, qui rêve d'avoir une carrière à elle et ne se dévoue pas corps et âme à ses Darcy d'époux et fils connait également une fin tragique ( qui est entièrement sa faute tssss). Une petite surprise pourtant avec le fils Darcy qui, une fois sa femme morte, abandonne son fils à Cassandra ( le "bon" enfant de la famille Darcy) ainsi que ses prétentions sur Pemberley pour poursuivre ses recherches scientifico médicales, sa vraie passion. Je vous rassure, tel un missionnaire, Julian se dévoue entièrement à la médecine et devient donc un homme digne de la plus grande admiration. Gageons que le moment venu, son fils Anthony, déjà orphelin de mère, comprendra tout à fait que son père, poussé par un souffle quasi divin, ait préféré courir le monde au lieu de prendre soin de son unique enfant.
On a aussi des nouvelles des Bingley ( toujours si parfaits...) de Darcy, de Lizzy et Jane ( toujours aussi promptes à la censure et par conséquent de plus en plus pénibles...) Quand à l'histoire de meurtre, vous ne devinerez jamais l'identité de l'une des personnes impliquées : Frank Wickham ! Mais oui le fils des infâmes et trop méchants Georges et Lydia... Sauf que pour une fois, Frank semble être quelqu'un de bien (miracle) et comble de l'honneur, il est même suffisamment adoubé pour être reçu à Pemberley (j'imagine que ce doit être le plus beau jour de sa vie et qu'il ne regrette pas de ne plus parler à sa mère). Du coup, vu comme il est parti, je le vois bien épouser Jessica, l'une des filles d'Emiliy ( l'une des filles des Gardiner pour mémoire) dans le prochain tome... Youpi trop hâte...
Ce que j'aime : euhhh je suis obligée d'aimer quelque chose ? On va dire le choix de Julian (qui ne se trouve pas tout de suite une autre femme plus conforme à Pemberley et préfère au contraire fuir ce dernier) et le fait que Frank Wickham ne soit pas un méchant (pour l'instant). La mort de l'oncle Gardiner (avoue qu'il était temps)
Ce que j'aime moins : les personnages bouffis d'auto satisfaction et moralisateurs. Les minables tentatives de l'auteure d'inclure des éléments historico politiques dans l'histoire pour la justifier : ça ne trompe personne, en tous cas pas moi. L'avalanche de delight et de bons sentiments qui en deviennent écoeurants... Le peu de renouvellement du scénario.
En bref : Fade, sans renouvellement, sans la moindre nuance dans les personnages. Une déception de plus en plus vive tant l'auteure me rend les personnages de Pride & Prejudice antipathiques.
Ma note
1/10
August 5, 2011
This was a very enjoyable read. I read the previous novels a long time ago so I had kind of a hard time remembering who exactly was who in the continuation. However, there is a chart at the back of the book to use in this situation. I just didn't look there. It does pain me to see Darcy and Elizabeth getting older...old enough to have grandchildren getting married. However I did enjoy this book. It had romance, mystery, seduction, familial relationships all interwoven. Cassandra Darcy/Gardiner and her husband Dr. Richard Gardiner are so very visual.
February 5, 2009
Maybe I was expecting too much from this book. It just didn't capture me and became a chore to read. I must admit I skimmed the second half. There was potential--I just didn't find it here. Also, it may have to do with the fact that this is the 5th book in the series. I didn't like it enough to commit to reading 1-4, but I might have liked it better if I had some connection with the characters.
March 28, 2019
This book is an example where the back cover text really lets one down. The back cover talks about the way that Mr. Darcy's daughter Cassandra Gardiner nee Darcy is viewed in desperation as a surrogate heir for a son who has fallen down in his responsibilities, but the real concern is that Caroline was chosen to inherit the leadership in the Gardiner firm over her brothers Richard (husband of Cassandra) and Robert. Instead of Cassandra fretting about her daughter's inappropriate marriage, the author's typical heavy-handedness makes it obvious that Mr. Carr, American-born grandson of the Fitzwilliams' Irish groom, is the proper choice to marry the spirited Lizzie Gardiner. And instead of being investigated by the cops, Darcy Gardiner is helping an innocent young man from being transported for a mysterious death of an unsavory and corrupt man. Of course, many people will read the erroneous back cover and not realize that it takes nearly 300 pages to demonstrate that the cover in fact is wrong and was written by someone who did not understand and perhaps did not even read the book. Those who have read other books by the author will have a good idea of what will happen because it follows her usual lunkheaded approach.
In the course of this novel, we witness the attempts of Cassandra to keep the family and keep Pemberley together despite a great deal of pressure. Of course, there are the usual tedious politics in the period approaching the Reform Act of 1867, approached with the usual lack of balance and tedious bias by the author. Of course the author focuses some of her attention on courtships, and her focus is limited in the sense that we really only care about Lizzie's rather perfunctory courtship by the charming American Mr. Carr, whose American openness is something that is particularly frequently commented in a manner that is scarcely more subtle than the national characterizations found in an anime like Hetalia. Subtlety, though, is not among the author's strengths. Keeping Pemberley together involves purchasing a neighboring estate to keep it out of the hands of property developers and seeking to prevent nouveau riche leaseholders from being able to access the commons, showing noblesse oblige to the deserving poor and their descendants (even an artistic and decent member of the Wickham family), and generally working oneself to the bone in order to help preserve the family patrimony while simultaneously supporting radical politics for everyone else.
Indeed, this novel exposes what is a particularly intense hypocrisy on the part of the author. The author's obvious and bluntly wielded bias in favor of radical politics cuts against the tone and behavior of the characters in the novel, who themselves are nearly universally portrayed as being compassionate elites who are seeking to preserve their wealth through savvy investments while also showing themselves to be compassionate and decent people. Although the author cannot find it within herself to praise conservatism, she shows as her protagonists people who are in fact very good examples of principled conservatives in matters of morality as well as in terms of their ability to combine strong networking, elite background, and a strong recognition of merit that is turned to preserving their own political power and personal wealth. The political worldview of the author is therefore at war with the plot and the behavior of the characters themselves. One wonders whether the author is aware of this deep hypocrisy and the contradiction between her ideas to celebrate radicalism and the savvy conservative behavior she shows in action from her praiseworthy and decent main characters or not.
In the course of this novel, we witness the attempts of Cassandra to keep the family and keep Pemberley together despite a great deal of pressure. Of course, there are the usual tedious politics in the period approaching the Reform Act of 1867, approached with the usual lack of balance and tedious bias by the author. Of course the author focuses some of her attention on courtships, and her focus is limited in the sense that we really only care about Lizzie's rather perfunctory courtship by the charming American Mr. Carr, whose American openness is something that is particularly frequently commented in a manner that is scarcely more subtle than the national characterizations found in an anime like Hetalia. Subtlety, though, is not among the author's strengths. Keeping Pemberley together involves purchasing a neighboring estate to keep it out of the hands of property developers and seeking to prevent nouveau riche leaseholders from being able to access the commons, showing noblesse oblige to the deserving poor and their descendants (even an artistic and decent member of the Wickham family), and generally working oneself to the bone in order to help preserve the family patrimony while simultaneously supporting radical politics for everyone else.
Indeed, this novel exposes what is a particularly intense hypocrisy on the part of the author. The author's obvious and bluntly wielded bias in favor of radical politics cuts against the tone and behavior of the characters in the novel, who themselves are nearly universally portrayed as being compassionate elites who are seeking to preserve their wealth through savvy investments while also showing themselves to be compassionate and decent people. Although the author cannot find it within herself to praise conservatism, she shows as her protagonists people who are in fact very good examples of principled conservatives in matters of morality as well as in terms of their ability to combine strong networking, elite background, and a strong recognition of merit that is turned to preserving their own political power and personal wealth. The political worldview of the author is therefore at war with the plot and the behavior of the characters themselves. One wonders whether the author is aware of this deep hypocrisy and the contradiction between her ideas to celebrate radicalism and the savvy conservative behavior she shows in action from her praiseworthy and decent main characters or not.
October 2, 2022
This is the fifth book I have read in The Pemberley Chronicles series. I have read them all in order and cannot imagine reading them otherwise. There are a lot of characters new to the series, not in the original Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I enjoyed this book, though. It might be my favorite of the five!
“A man was to be judged not by his humble beginnings, but for himself and what he made of his life” (172).
“A man was to be judged not by his humble beginnings, but for himself and what he made of his life” (172).
August 8, 2024
Loved it. Easy to read. I got totally pulled into a version of what Darcy’s life would have been like for the next generation. Book 5 stands alone easily. I haven’t read the others. I like seeing how his daughter took on a more contemporary role while still being in the traditional time-frame. The mystery that appeared later in the book was an added bonus.
June 8, 2023
This is totally 5 stars! I wasn't sure at the beginning because it seemed to start off a lot like the third one, but it quickly moved on and became something much different! I can't WAIT to read the next book!!
January 7, 2018
Can't be bothered to finish this one. Too wordy for my liking.
September 23, 2018
Enjoyable.
Read
July 18, 2019good!
March 24, 2020
I had to take a break after reading this because of the incredible amount of extra descriptions and wordiness. I will get back to reading the remainder of the books but slowly.
November 3, 2008
Readers will be compelled to fervently applaud Ms. Collins' talents once more for Mr. Darcy’s Daughter. Out of all of the Pemberley Chronicle's characters, Cassy Darcy (Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam’s lovely daughter) is sure to become a favorite.
A strong and complex heroine, not unlike her mother Lizzy when we first met her in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Cassandra must overcome and conquer many trials in life. Yet, her harrowing experiences are but a strengthening aid to her persona, and as a result, she is consistently a mature and stable character throughout the novel. One is able to relate to her thoughts, sympathize with her concerns and struggles…and feel relief when obstacles are overcome, or at least, adequately dealt with.
The reader will certainly discover that Mr. Darcy’s Daughter is a delicate and intricate blend pertaining to love, honor, trial and duty. The story’s convincing plot engulfs all of these complex issues, coupled with a consistent ease so notable in Ms. Collin’s work. And as always, it is artfully dappled with Austen-like wit and historical flavour of the time. Each adroitly contrived chapter leaves you anticipating what the next one will hold with eager expectation. A truly “capital” read!
I surmise that Miss Austen herself would have been very well pleased with Mr. Darcy’s Daughter, the fifth novel in her lovely Pemberley series.
A strong and complex heroine, not unlike her mother Lizzy when we first met her in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Cassandra must overcome and conquer many trials in life. Yet, her harrowing experiences are but a strengthening aid to her persona, and as a result, she is consistently a mature and stable character throughout the novel. One is able to relate to her thoughts, sympathize with her concerns and struggles…and feel relief when obstacles are overcome, or at least, adequately dealt with.
The reader will certainly discover that Mr. Darcy’s Daughter is a delicate and intricate blend pertaining to love, honor, trial and duty. The story’s convincing plot engulfs all of these complex issues, coupled with a consistent ease so notable in Ms. Collin’s work. And as always, it is artfully dappled with Austen-like wit and historical flavour of the time. Each adroitly contrived chapter leaves you anticipating what the next one will hold with eager expectation. A truly “capital” read!
I surmise that Miss Austen herself would have been very well pleased with Mr. Darcy’s Daughter, the fifth novel in her lovely Pemberley series.
February 9, 2009
Ms. Collins has improved over the last book significantly--I was about to give up on the series but will probably stick around now.
While I still don't like the way a death seems to solve problems in these books, this one was at least a very little bit more realistic and long-standing of a problem before she dies (of course, I wish all the problem people in my life would die off, but in real life the problem people live to a good old age to torment everyone). I really like Cassandra as a person, though she still seems to be a bit more perfect and forward looking than many people in that day and age. She has some complexity and depth to her character.
That being said, I really disliked how sympathetically she treated Julian. He was a self-absorbed twit that ruined his life, and Ms. Collins certainly didn't write him that way. Other than that, it was a good read.
While I still don't like the way a death seems to solve problems in these books, this one was at least a very little bit more realistic and long-standing of a problem before she dies (of course, I wish all the problem people in my life would die off, but in real life the problem people live to a good old age to torment everyone). I really like Cassandra as a person, though she still seems to be a bit more perfect and forward looking than many people in that day and age. She has some complexity and depth to her character.
That being said, I really disliked how sympathetically she treated Julian. He was a self-absorbed twit that ruined his life, and Ms. Collins certainly didn't write him that way. Other than that, it was a good read.
August 9, 2009
Continuing the Pemberley Chronicles, Mr Darcy's Daughter follows the story of Cassandra Gardiner (nee Darcy), daughter of the beloved characters of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy.
The fifth in the Chronicles, the story follows Cassy Gardiner, wife of Dr Richard Gardiner. Her story is one that takes many twists and turns, but as the daughter of Darcy and Elizabeth, she has inherited many of the qualities that enriches Elizabeth and Darcy in our minds.
Cassy is one of the most beloved characters in the Pemberley series, and this is her story.
The fifth in the Chronicles, the story follows Cassy Gardiner, wife of Dr Richard Gardiner. Her story is one that takes many twists and turns, but as the daughter of Darcy and Elizabeth, she has inherited many of the qualities that enriches Elizabeth and Darcy in our minds.
Cassy is one of the most beloved characters in the Pemberley series, and this is her story.
April 17, 2023
#5 in series title makes it seem is though it is about Cassandra Darcy Gardiner, but is more about Richard and Cassie's maturing teenage daughter Lizzie, as she helps all around her as the family worries about Cassie's younger brother Julian and his ill wife Josie Tate Darcy and dying grandfather Gardiner. Lizzie's brother Darcy introduces his best friend, Mr Carr, a genial, wealthy American looking for property. Aunt Lydia Bennet Wickham's artistic youngest son Frank, unlike his grasping, never do well brothers and mother, helps solve a murder accusation.
March 21, 2013
Not bad for fan fiction. I had not read any of the previous books in this series so was initially overwhelmed by the number of characters. I think there was really enough material in this story for two books that may have been better told more spaced out and moderated with some spaces of calm and ordinary happiness instead of jumping around in the course of two years from one dramatic event to the next. Even it out a bit.
February 9, 2009
Okay, I completely recommend this series to Jane Austen fans who just can't get enough (me). This author's writing style correlates with Jane Austen's so well, and the characters remain true throughout. I liked it.
May 28, 2009
It seemed more about her uncle & everyone else than her!
July 10, 2009
Parts of the book are fun to read and imagine, but the rest is silly and boring. I enjoyed Collins ideas on what happens to all the characters later in life.
August 22, 2009
I liked this book well enough, but it was almost the EXACT same story of Pride and Prejudice. Not very original.
December 27, 2012
if you like jane austin, you'll like this series. a ten volume set written in the style of jane austin. the characters are based on pride and prejudice, and continue their lives through time.
December 9, 2012
Probably a 2.5. I haven't read others in the series. Better than I expected.
January 5, 2013
I couldn't finish this one. The characterisation is good and the settings are well described, but it still seems like a studious imitation of Austen and not the real thing at all.
Read
January 23, 2016I loved it! I founf myself crying with joy at the end with the characters Cassy and Lizzie
February 4, 2021
I have read and re-read this whole series more times than I can count, sometimes starting at the beginning again when I reach the end. This is in my top 3 favorites of the series
May 4, 2010
Slow and sort of a repeat of others, but more entertaining than tv!
May 18, 2015
Guess who's been re-reading Jane Austen. Sadly this does not fulfill the wish for more.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews