The Perfect Bride For Mr. Darcy (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I guess I'm just not in the mood to read more pride and prejudice variations OR I'm just irritated by the portrayals of the characters here. All in all, I found this a dragging read but okay for readers who are new in the lookout for P&P variations. I think I've a lot of variations already that the redundancy of some situations has ruined my judgement in this case. Still, if I have the time I'm not gonna read this again. The most succinct way to describe this novel is to say that it is very much like Mr. Darcy, the man himself - starts out horrid but improves on acquaintance! This is yet another variation that will not appeal to purists. Not only are various facts and circumstances altered but the very natures of certain characters as well. Jane is still good but wiser and less angelic. Georgianna is not at all shy but extremely gregarious if not a little bit silly, although still very poised and intelligent. Charles Bingley not only has additional siblings, but he is no longer even the eldest male, with an older brother in charge of a much larger financial Bingley empire. And of course, the linchpin of this particular tale, Miss Anne de Burgh's scheming and matchmaking would even make Machiavelli pause. The critical flaw for me in this book is the beginning. I even for the first time considered discarding it during the first 40 pages. The writing was so stodgy the lack of skill in moving the narrative kept intruding into any attempts to enjoy the story. It was very much a case of being told "So-and-so did this and then so-and-so said that". All tell and no show, so to speak. However, I'm glad I persevered because the conclusion of the ill-fated proposal in Hunsford was the turning point because truly, this is where this novel should begin, and the first 40 pages or so the author is merely in a rush to recount the events that bring us to Rosings. Frankly, Ms. Simonsen should either simply start with the failed proposal and Darcy's letter or revise the introduction as she is in great danger of losing readership before she ever reaches Kent! However, the writing markedly and steadily improves from that point until I found myself halfway through the book realising that it's been chapters since I've thought about the skill of phrasing. Aside from the various changes necessary to make this variation work, what the author has also done is take the existing intrigues of the original tale and multiply them ten-fold! There are manners that are rather out of place, though not too untoward and of course, while I was greatly entertained by the references to the drawbacks of breeches to trousers enough to laugh out loud, my husband could not help but point out that trousers were still not acceptable dress code for gentlemen this early in the 1800s. This fact really didn't spoil my enjoyment!
What do You think about The Perfect Bride For Mr. Darcy (2011)?
She totally lost Jane Austen. Jane would never have put such trash things in her book.
—Bronte
Great way to while away a few evenings. Excellent story :)
—Anjhum
