Presumption : a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

by Julia Barrett

A delightful revel for any reader who has ever longed to spend just a few more hours in the company of Jane Austen's engaging people, Bennets, Darcys, Collins, de Bourghs. Here, in this witty sequel to Pride and Prejudice, are all of our old friends, and some newer ones too. In the idyllic serenity of their great house, Pemberley, we find Georgiana Darcy now under the happy tutelage of her young sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy. At seventeen years, she is just coming to womanhood. Georgiana, romantic by nature, has been wounded by her previous misadventure with Lieutenant George Wickham, and has vowed to give her heart to no man. Her vow, however, is sorely put to the test by the attentions of the gallant Captain Thomas Heywood, newly returned from the Naval Wars. No such threat is posed by James Leigh-Cooper, a brilliant architect engaged by Fitzwilliam Darcy for improvements upon his Derbyshire estate: this guileless, plain-spoken admirer somehow succeeds in nettling Georgiana at their every encounter. Meanwhile, the unfortunate Bennet clan is beset by its share of woes. Although both Elizabeth and Jane are now grandly married, a new scandal involving their foolish Aunt Philips of Meryton promises to ruin the family's reputation forever. How the Bennet name is cleared, and how Georgiana finds love after all, is a tale artfully unfolded in this enchanting tribute to England's best-loved novelist.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Regency, British Literature, Historical Romance

238 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Julia Barrett was the pseudonym adopted by Julia Braun Kessler and British-born novelist Gabrielle Donnelly in the writing of Presumption, An Entertainment, a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Julia Braun Kessler then continued on her own (as Julia Barrett) with three more continuations of Jane Austen's works: The Third Sister, A Continuation of Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen's Charlotte: Her Fragment of A Last Novel, Completed, and the forthcoming, Mary Crawford: or, Revisiting At Mansfield Park.

Reviews

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Early Pride and Prejudice Sequel About Georgiana

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel

TIME FRAME: 2 years after the close of Pride and Prejudice

SYNOPSIS: It is time for Georgiana’s debut into society and even though she is a wealthy heiress that has reached a marriageable age, Georgiana is understandably wary about her own powers of discernment and the false flattery or possible insincerity of her suitors. While she has no pressing inducements to marry, Georgiana would be willing to if the right man came along. Is that man a charming navy captain that Lady Catherine is trying to persuade to marry Anne? Or is he the young architect who isn’t afraid to boldly challenge and disagree with Georgiana? Or is he someone else altogether?

WHAT I LOVED:

- Georgiana Darcy: I love that this story shines a spotlight on Georgiana a little, and that she is a decisive young woman who has grown wiser and more confident. In addition, after observing Elizabeth’s saucy and impudent remarks to her husband, Georgiana has developed a penchant for impertinent speech herself! (Some readers may need to suspend their disbelief a little.) I enjoyed this less timid and meek Georgiana. I love that she isn’t in a hurry to marry and cares more about supporting and spending time with her brother and sister. And I admire Georgiana’s ability to speak her mind. Especially when she goes toe-to-toe with Lady Catherine!

- New Characters: Several new male characters are featured in this sequel and they all were interesting and well-crafted additions. My favorite new characters were James Leigh-Cooper, who is the outspoken and talented architect hired to improve Pemberley and Mr. Beasley, who is Mr. Collins’ new curate that is a great deal less conceited and obsequious. However, I also enjoyed encountering Mr. Darcy’s godfather, Sir Geoffrey Portland, and seeing if Elizabeth could win his approval. It looks like Lady C has effectively influenced Sir Geoffrey’s opinion against Mr. Darcy’s new bride.

- A Clever Tie-In: I think it is great fun that the authors borrowed an actual situation from Jane Austen’s life and added it to this sequel. What a lovely homage that only devoted Janeites would pick up on! While some may say it is a little implausible, I don’t think it is. After all, it did happen to someone in Jane Austen’s family! And the authors chose their character and situation well.

- Brave and Reverent: This is a sequel published in 1993 and while it is hard not to, it really shouldn’t be compared to the Austenesque literature that is published today. It is pre-Colin Firth, Darcy-mania, and online forums! These authors are somewhat early pioneers of the genre, and at the time they were writing these stories, many readers felt authors writing in Jane Austen’s tone and about Jane Austen’s characters was sacrilege. I greatly appreciate the bravery it took to write this story, as well as the careful and reverential treatment of Jane Austen’s characters.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- Focus and Arc: I kind of wished this sequel focused more on Georgiana throughout the novel. There were several smaller plot lines developing throughout, and sometimes we’d go a few chapters without checking in with her. I’m not usually one to mind multiple plot lines and perspectives, but I guess the story arcs in this sequel felt a little jumbled. And the time away from Georgiana made me feel less connected to her story. In addition, while the other plot lines were enjoyable they weren’t as engrossing as Georgiana’s.

- Pacing: The exposition of this story was beautifully done and all the characters, conflicts, and story-lines were brilliantly introduced, but then there were some slower-moving chapters followed by an abruptly-paced conclusion. I loved all the exciting action that occurred towards the end, I just wish it was more drawn out. Especially Georgiana’s romantic developments.

CONCLUSION:

Presumption is a delightful and diverting Pride and Prejudice sequel that is worthy of merit! While the focus of this sequel is not Mr. Darcy’s marriage with Elizabeth, this story delivers a satisfying and entertaining visit with the other beloved friends from Jane Austen’s masterpiece!

Austenesque Reviews

[CindySR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the author tried a little too hard to write like Austen but otherwise I enjoyed this continuation of the Darcy/Bingley/Bennet clans. The characters were true to the originals for the most part, especially Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The main storyline is about the twists, turns, and presumptions surrounding Georgiana's love life. Elizabeth was kind of meh, which was disappointing. A fun passage: the setting, Jane, Kitty, and Mary on their way to Pemberley.....

The harmony of human intercourse may be said to be antithetical to the number three. A party of two or four may differ with reasonable expectations of balance; but when three tangle there must be inequity. Amongst sisters, this maxim holds relentless: no matter how momentous or trivial the dispute, their divisions are fierce. The two of the triangle who chance to concur will glory in their alliance, while the third, left friendless and forlorn, may only forebear. Happy the sisters were, therefore, with the first appearance of Pemberley woods.

Edited down to Two's company, three's a crowd, four's a party. 😁

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to spend more time with Jane Austen's characters and to see what they've been up to, even if it's not the original version. Darcy and Elizabeth are one of my favorite couple and their marriage makes me really happy.

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 3 out of 5]

Роман-продължение на „Гордост и предразсъдъци“ от Джейн Остин, в който авторката представя своето виждане за взаимоотношенията между героите след щастливия край. Отново се срещаме с мистър Дарси и неговата сестра. Джорджиана вече е пораснала, но е решила да не отдава на никой сърцето си, докато не се появява хубавият капитан Хейууд. Нейната история ще бъде като любовта между Елизабет и Дарси. Тя първоначално също отхвърля един ухажор, поради предразсъдъци. Добре че Джорджиана израсна и се поучи от поведението си. Семейство Бенет отново бяха сполетени от беди и Дарси пак хукна да ги спасява.
Като цяло ми хареса заигравката с въображението на читателя за евентуалното развитие на героите след „Гордост и предразсъдъци“, но я четох по-скоро като нещо любопитно, отколкото увличащо. Напротив, на моменти се дразнех на интригантите и на някои герои, които не спираха да мрънкат.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

This is one of those stories I read before I retired and began reviewing every book I read. I do want to reread all those stories which I did not review but as time has slipped by and I haven't done so, I just want to mark all those stories as "read" so I have a record of the true number of books in the JAFF sub-genre I have read. I am using the average rating at this time as I do not remember how I rated this story back when I read it. If I ever get around to rereading it I will look at my rating to make sure it is true to my opinion. It was purchased Nov 24, 2006 so that is most likely when I read it.

[Carolyne | Jane Austen Bookstagrammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presumption is a relatively quick to read coda to Pride and Prejudice. Although the focus of the novel is on Georgiana and her romantic relationships, it is populated almost entirely (and happily) by the characters from Jane Austen’s story. The writing style is very similar to Austen’s, but lacks her signature wit. Presumption is a well-written, but not particularly exciting Pride and Prejudice continuation. I’m glad I read it, but do not plan to read it again.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an entertainment. But I would like to take this moment to talk about Jane Austen fanfiction first starting off with this book and why I don’t think it worked.

First, the novel mostly follows Georgiana with some shenanigans from the Bennets thrown in. Barrett borrows an event from Austen’s own life and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Austen’s aunt, Jane Leigh Perrot, was tried on shoplifting and subsequently waited in jail before her trial. The jury found her not guilty. In Presumption, Mrs. Phillips has been accused of shoplifting and waits in jail for a trial. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but I dislike conflating Austen’s life with her work. Like how the 1999 movie Mansfield Park reinvented Fanny into Jane Austen 2.0. I’m not saying you can’t radically alter Austen’s story, but something about putting the author into her work bothers me.

Barrett copies Regency speech, leading to clunky exposition and dialogue. She doesn’t have Austen’s wit or observations to pull it off, though. Other excellent Jane Austen fanfiction I’ve read will copy the feel of the regency style and that typically works out better. She altered Georgiana’s characterization to be a second Elizabeth Bennet. While I think it’s accurate she’d be more confident as she got a little older (although still quite young in this book), why completely do away with her shyness? I could see a world where she’s enamored with Elizabeth Bennet and wants to copy her, but I don’t think you fundamentally change the character. Another small quibble is Barrett added a godfather character, and he calls Darcy, Henry? Why not go with the obvious William or Fitz? Thanks, I hated it. Anyway, there’s good fanfiction out there and the nice thing about the Austen fandom is you can actually publish your fanfiction. Anyway read Death Comes to Pemberley instead or watch the adaptation.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fan fiction at its best. Julia Barrett took all the aspects of Jane Austen's novels and made a sequel to her most popular book. For that reason I'm not sure if I love it or hate it. The writing itself was well done, because this is supposed to be a sequel to a Jane Austen novel, it is appropriate to write like her. However, one would hope that Barrett would incorporate some of her own creativity into her writing instead of using the same story line as Austin. The characters were fun and the story was pretty enjoyable for itself to read. I liked her take on the previous characters and her addition of a new one, but I would have given five stars if it had been an original plot.

[Karalee Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This attempted pastiche of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is entertaining but slight. Unfortunately, the author has missed the mark in her attempt to imitate Ms. Austen’s style. In fact, the story is written so forsoothely, with sentences throughout so convoluted, that their meaning is frequently as obscure as those of Master Yoda.

[Adnamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this worth 4 * well no but it was fun!!
I felt very Jane Austen …
And for that delight, even if at times , overflowery & just toooo much, I feel it deserves to be rated this well. Oh the joy of the too much. I nearly did not read this as I was almost affronted by the cheek of the author but then it was not “updated” thank goodness.
I hope it is never made into a movie, because, oh the horror if it was made to be politically correct.
As it is it is A period romance about improbabilities of the Darcy’s and the Binglys and the Bennetts.
But thank goodness it is NOT Bridgeton. Ugh

It is also not too long. I actually read it - skimmed it - in a night but then just because it was so … I reread it.
Every now and then it did lapse and almost forget some proprietaries and go on a bit about Lizzie - really Lizzie!
But not unbearably so … although close.
The regular villains returned, made serious mischief & added to their number. Consequences could have been dire but all was well in the end - sort of - tied up in a literary bow as expected of an Austenisque novel.
It is not an extension of Emily Brontë after all.

Will there be more ? - not that I know of and if so I do not think I would go to this well again. It was sufficient.

High praise from me is that the book is “readable”
This book was also so readable.

What does that mean ?
It means: it is short with a good strong font with black ink on white paper that is hardy; ideally larger than usual; that it is light and not a hardback; that is disposable ie not expensive and that it has short chapters and plenty of punctuation.
I now avoid non-readable books even if they have fantastic literary merit. Indeed I write my 18 books with readability as one of my prime objectives & one of my favourite authors is lost to me because of her lousy unreadable publications: Grey/white (not black & white) printing on light friable paper, bound so that opening is a wrist exercise & requires additional props to visualize the content and turn the pages

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors try to capture Jane Austen's writing style and do a fairly good job of it though the style is not a good one for moving the plot forward. I found myself falling asleep in the middle of the book and having to reread passages because the language required close attention. (This does not happen when I read Jane Austen's original words). The plot is predictable right from the beginning. I judged which suitor was right for Georgiana from their first meeting. One of them I felt to be smarmy and he let off negative vibes that a silly teenage girl would not notice except that that teenage girl is Georgiana who has experience dealing with rogues. Therefore, I found the entire love story unconvincing. I also did not like how the character of Georgiana seems to have undergone a dramatic change. In two years she has gone from shy and demure to bold and outspoken. I found that change a bit too much to believe but it made her character more interesting. Lady Anne deBourgh has also changed from sickly to dutiful daughter and excellent rider with a quick temper. Elizabeth's character seems to have switched places with Georgiana and she turns into a watering pot for half the novel despite her determination to hold her head high in public. The other Bennet sisters have not changed a bit but there's a subplot about Kitty that is also hard to believe given what we're told in the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice. The conclusion to Lydia's story also does not seem accurate. The biggest thing I disliked about this novel is that Lizzie and Darcy are hardy ever together. We're told of their love for each other but hardly get to see it. We're told a lot of things we don't get to see. This story possibly suffers from the dual author syndrome because the first quarter of it is pretty good but then the story becomes radically different from how it began. I would not recommend this book for Janeites but casual fans of Jane Austen movie adaptations and books might enjoy it.

[Beatrice Malina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cu toate că se spune că autoarea a continuat în stilul lui Jane Austen, diferența de secol de la o carte la alta e sesizabilă în unele expresii și în dialoguri. Unele personaje își schimbă puțin personalitatea față de cartea originală, dar privind povestea principală și făcând abstracție de opera de bază, pot spune că m-a surprins și a fost plăcută. Totuși, nu pot să nu mă întreb în continuu cum ar fi arătat cartea dacă era scrisă de Austen.

[Oana Crâmpeie de suflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atmosferă de epocă, etichete care trebuie respectate, povești de dragoste cu iz modern, baluri… de toate aceste și multe altele pe lângă veți avea parte în „Din nou la Pemberley” de Julia Barrett, continuarea târzie a romanului lui Jane Austen – „Mândrie și prejudecată”.

http://sufletsicrampeie.blogspot.ro/2...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presumption, An Entertainment: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice by Julia Barrett, continues what might have happened in the families Bennet, Darcy, Collins and de Bourgh. It begins with the happiness of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet Darcy in the fine estate of Pemberley. The story focuses upon Darcy's sister Georgiana who is coming of age and is headstrong and on occasion intractable. She attracts two suitors, one a Navy captain, the other a brash, young architect. Having already experienced disappointments in love, Georgiana is determined not to be easily mislead by questionable intentions. There are several side plots one involving a Bennet family member in travail, Lady Catherine de Bourgh's influence on events in the families and the marriage of Elizabeth's good friend Charlotte Collins. The story is bracing, intricate and will quickly invest the reader in the possible outcomes for each character. For those who loved Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Presumption: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice by Julia Barrett is a delightful revisiting of these memorable characters.

[MarionaRebull · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pride and prejudice fanfic… bueno

[Sherwood Smith]

I found a glimmer or two of wit, but after a promising beginning it veers more and more off-kilter. At first the mistakes are small: Caroline Bingley calling Kitty and Mary 'Misses Kitty and Mary Bennet' instead of 'the Miss Bennets' (thus implying a familiarity she would scorn to claim), the misuse of the word disquiet for disturb, and some others…but then the characters do things they just wouldn't do, and it became increasingly hard to read, despite some occasional fun passages. I wonder if the writers reread Austen assiduously, but failed to read other period work and so, despite their attempts to ground the novel in Austen's details, did not grasp how people of the time behaved. In a fantasy or broad historical adventure that wouldn't matter, but in comedy of manners, the manners must be right, or what's the point?

What I can attest to in its praise is that there is no mapping of Georgette Heyer's distinctive prose style over the supposed Austen. Lady Catherine de Bourgh does not advise Georgianna Darcy not to 'make a cake of herself' and Elizabeth never exclaims 'You're bamming me!' Heyer herself wisely never poached onto Austen's ground, being content to fashion her own world loosely based on Jane Austen's times and place. She could never have caught Austen's tone, nor, alas, does this novel.

[Tracie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cute read. Predictable in that you knew far-too-charming Captain Heywood would be Wickham 2.0, the intelligent architect who beguiles and irritates simultaneously would be Darcy 2.0, etc. I certainly didn't see the elopement of Caroline and the aforementioned Captain--but she deserved him. Truly, I can't envision or hear Darcy calling his beloved Lizzie--far too common and overused by her sisters.

Another ridiculous predicament by the Bennet family--oy! But, I do like the further development of the Austenite's affection for the Gardiner family--and Darcy's growing admiration, too.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While others have used Austen’s characters and put them into situations and adapted them from there, this tale follows the characters themselves in a very likely situation from the Regency period. The writing style is very similar to that of Austen and her wit is in tact and shines. The story isn’t complicated, resembling elements of P&P itself – but still satisfies. It also sticks to Jane Austen canon – with Jane being the first to have a baby, and with Kitty marrying a curate. I highly recommend this short little read as a fresh look at the Bennets, Darcys, Collinses, and de Bourghs.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very surprised and very impressed with this sequel to Pride and Prejudice. I really enjoyed reading that Elizabeth's welcome into society wasn't as easy as most other sequels make it out to be. I found that the prose was refreshing and the characterization very faithful. I would strongly recommend it to any P&P purist.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out good, but I quickly decided I didn't agree with her portrayal of Anne De Bourgh, Kitty Bennett or Georgiana Darcy. Entertaining, but I felt like I was reading about new characters, not the characters I loved in Pride and Prejudice.

[Harini Gopalswami Srinivasan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful parody (unintentional) of Jane Austen's most beloved characters. I couldn't believe how terrible this book was, given the promising cover and blurb. Lizzy and Mr Bennet don't have one clever or amusing thing to say, and every single character is as boring as hell!

[AncsaT · Rating 2 out of 5]

A stílusa kicsit túl lett tolva, Jane Austen szereplői nem beszélnek ennyire idegesítően modorosan. De ezért max. egy csillagot vontam volna le. A vége volt botrányos módon összecsapva. A történet veleje, hogy a büszkeség (önteltség) és balítélet (önámítás) dacára hogyan talál egymásra a szerelmespár. Ezt egy kerti séta (fél fejezet) alatt elrendezni nem az a kimondott fanservice.
Szerkesztőként visszaküldenék a szerzőnek egy ilyen kéziratot, hogy tessék már még 5-6 fejezetet betenni a végére, ahol a fiatalember is kap némi feddést meg bíztatást, és nem csak úgy magától lép egy túlontúl merészet. Aztán ha a fiatalok közt elrendeződik minden, tessék már állítani elébük némi külső akadályt is, amit még le kell győzniük. A konfliktusok ne oldódjanak meg maguktól, mintegy varázsütésre, mert az csalódáskeltő.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intelligent continuation of the character Georgiana Darcy, though we see much of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy as well. The plot is one of Austen's typical: a young woman courted by two men, one of whom turns out to be of sterling character, the other not. No spoilers there. And in fact I could figure out right away which was which, but the interest is in how Georgiana and others find out. The style of language is reminiscent of Austen's but without her irony and gentle satire, two aspects that are hard to imitate I think. Nonetheless the characters are developed sensibly and intelligently, the plot intricate enough to hold one's interest. One of the best, by far, of the continuations of P&P that I have seen.

[Dannya Ramírez González · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una historia que retoma el crecimiento de la hermana de dark y protagonista de Orgullo y prejuicio obra de Jane austen está esta autora retoma de buena manera los principios palabras y descripciones que ya en haustin plasmaba y caracterizaban sus obras es interesante ver el crecimiento de Georgia en este libro Y darme cuenta que lo que presentía en un principio terminó por hacerse realidad yo presentía que el capitán se iba a quedar siempre con Caroline y que Georgina se iba a casar con el arquitecto Dios mío tener esos sentimientos profetizó a veces me hacen pensar que ya el leído esos libros en otras vidas Jajaja Es un buen libro te lleva a recrear los clásicos y a sentir esa emoción de los amores más honestos más antiguos y más bonitos se los recomiendo mucho

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister (2010), Miss Darcy Falls in Love (2011), Georgiana Darcy’s Diary (2012) or Loving Miss Darcy (2013), or any of the other numerous Pride and Prejudice sequels elevating Georgiana Darcy to main character, there was Presumption: An Entertainment, by Julia Barrett (1993). Of all of the minor characters in Pride and Prejudice Mr. Darcy’s younger sister is the logical choice to continue the story. She has many points in her favor. Being young, beautiful, wealthy, and accomplished she is certainly heroine material—and living at Pemberley with her brother Fitzwilliam and sister-in-law Elizabeth does not hurt either.

The first Pride and Prejudice sequel ever published, Pemberley Shades (1949), also continued her story. What could go wrong in this scenario you ask? Well plenty, if the author takes the liberties that Barrett does—but that does not mean the story is not enjoyable—if you can abide change, and the characters acting in a conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, or lady. I will hint that the title, Presumption, foreshadows more than mirroring Austen's use of verbs in her own titles.

Published the same year as another early Austenesque sequel, Pemberley: or Pride and Prejudice Continued, by Emma Tennant, Austen fans must have been agog to see two books available at the same time. Since there were very few Austenesque novels before them, and even fewer still in print, they were forging virgin territory. It appears that the media was surprised too and Presumption received some early rave reviews: “An elegant emulation and continuation of Pride and Prejudice. . . . Jointly composed by two admirers of Jane Austen, the book often achieves crisp replication of her style. . . . Presumption shows how sequel-writing can, like parody, be a sharp exercise in literary appreciation.”—Peter Kemp, Times Literary Supplement. Wow, any author would be thrilled to receive such praise from the esteemed London newspaper that Austen mentions in P&P and read herself. In the pursuit of more back story I read reviews at Amazon.com. They are more recent, but the general public was more critical, and at times abusive. This was not surprising considering that it was someone tinkering with Austen and her beloved characters.

I first read Presumption in 1999, and like Pemberley: or Pride and Prejudice Continued, my first impressions were not as favorable as I had hoped. As I explained in my review of the later, you must put yourself into the shoes of a reader pre-P&P 1995 (Austen Renaissance), because everything in the Jane Austen universe changed dramatically after the airing of the A&E/BBC mini-series starring Colin Firth. It altered the way we think of her as an author and introduced her writing to many new readers—now primed and ready to consume anything Austen related—including the new burgeoning Austenesque sequel genre. In this year of Pride and Prejudice’s 200th anniversary of publication, in addiction to re-reading the novel, I wanted to re-visit many of the early sequels. So here we are—and back to Georgiana Darcy and her romances.

On the eve of Georgiana’s coming out ball, we are reintroduced to many of the original characters from Pride and Prejudice and a few new ones too. It has been two years since the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. The couple is very happily married, but because of her previous social standing Mrs. Darcy feels the slight of relations and Society and is overcompensating by planning Georgiana’s coming out party at Pemberley. Mr. Darcy is focused on improvements to his estate and has hired a young architect James Leigh-Cooper who has arrived and is staying at Pemberley for the duration. Also on the guest list are Darcy’s imperious aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her sickly daughter Ann who have chosen to stay with family friend and neighbor, Sir Geoffrey Portland of Denby Park, while they are in Derbyshire. The majority of the story involves Georgiana’s choice of suitors while orbiting characters such as Elizabeth’s sisters Lydia Wickham and her husband George, Jane, husband Charles, and his sister Caroline Bingley and others.

While Barrett writes in a style of the period, it is at the same time modern and accessible. I found myself laughing quite frequently not only at her wit, but at and the blunders. She trips up on facts quite frequently that readers in 1993 may not of caught, but modern and more savvy Austen readers today will catch in a flash: Georgiana is 17, and should be 19 according to my calculations; Elizabeth is called both Lizzy and Lizzie (oh my); and other tidbits that I will let you discover. Just let them pass and enjoy the story. Unfortunately, Barrett broke the cardinal rule of Austenesque fanfiction: do not, DO NOT, have Austen’s character acting outside their established personalities. (Spoilers: avert your eyes and skip if you are squeamish. Elizabeth’s Aunt Phillips, obliging hostess and head gossip of Meryton, is imprisoned for theft? And, Caroline Bingley, who strove every day to be higher in her station, elopes with a scoundrel?) Yes, characters can change and grow emotionally, but within reason, please. The plot is rather thin, and blunders aside, my second reading improved my opinion over-all. As an early effort I admire Barrett’s bravery and wit. But, in comparison to the four recent Georgiana sequels mentioned at the top of this review, Presumption lives up to everything that its title alludes to.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

[Lospatitosleos · Rating 4 out of 5]

El verano pasado leí Orgullo y Prejuicio y me gustó bastante. Así que miré en mi biblioteca personal si había algo parecido y mi sorpresa fue descubrir esta maravillosa continuación aunque tiene algunas cosillas que no me han gustado del todo. Lo que no me ha gustado ha sido el romance final porque creo que le falta desarrollo y que aparece un poco por arte de magia. Lo que sí me ha gustado es que es un libro que mantiene la esencia original de los personajes de Jane Austen y que es un libro entretenido que te mantiene alerta. En resumen, un libro genial como continuación de un gran clásico

[Danielle V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho, es un libro sumamente sencillo y de lectura fácil y rápida, lo usé como distracción entre libros más densos y funcionó muy bien. Su personaje principal es Georgiana Darcy y la dota de una personalidad mucho más agradable que otras continuaciones de Orgullo y Prejuicio que he leído. También me gustó los matices de los personajes ya conocidos de la Sra. Collins y la Sra. Gardiner, pero me gustó aún más el giro de Kitty Bennet.

[Agustina Uliarte · Rating 1 out of 5]

RESEÑA COMPLETA EN EL BLOG: https://bookstwins.wordpress.com/2018...
Yo supongo que la autora intentó alcanzar el nivel de escritura de Jane Austen pero lo que consiguó fue una "grotesca" continuación de "Orgullo y Prejuicio" que modificó a los personajes volviendolos insulsos.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised this got such a low overall rating; it seems so far superior to most of the Jane Austen-inspired books. It can be quite humorous and represents all previously-encountered characters justly.
I completely recommend it, with the caveat that the edition I read - the one pictured here - uses a terrible font and cheesy cover art.

[Ema · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice premise. The author managed to do a charming job at imitating Jane Austen's tone...so at least the reading experience was pleasant. The story was a disappointment though. Georgiana's love(s?) were unconvincing and the ending was so abrupt and unbelievable. It was rather fun being reintroduced to Mr. Collins though :)