Caroline Bingley had hoped for years that one day she would be Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy, but as
we know he preferred Elizabeth Bennett. Devastated and weeping after the happy couple had been
married she hastens away to a private place to give vent to her grief... but somebody witnesses
it. A year later she meets this stranger again, for he is also a Mr Darcy, cousin to the one
she knows so well (or thought she did) and normally a resident of Boston, Massachusetts. This
time she has to travel with him to Pemberley, where Lizzie lies ill following a miscarriage.
They are opposites in every way, but when something goes disastrously wrong he is there to save
her... but is what he does only going to make everything worse?
Now read on! If you, like this reviewer, count Pride and Prejudice (Amazon.com
US ||
UK) among your
favorite books then this sequel is a treat indeed. Unlike many other sequels to this famous
novel, the tone of the original is kept to admirably, and you can rest assured that nothing
happens that might not have happened had Ms Austen decided to conclude her work. This is not
a frothy piece of chicklit in long frocks; instead it manages to be a true tale of manners with
a good historical underpinning and sound knowledge of the characters. Strait-laced Caroline
wrestles with her feelings, which were repressed during her upbringing when she was taught to be
a lady, despite her father being in trade, while the free-and-easy Robert Darcy finds himself
somewhat at odds with English high society after a lifetime spent in America. Settle down to
enjoy some excellent descriptions of house parties, carriage travel, balls and of course the
company of most of the characters from the original novel. More, please!