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Darcy #5
The Darcy Connection
In The Darcy Connection, Mr. Collins of Pride and Prejudice is now the Bishop of Ripon, living with his wife, Charlotte, and their two daughters, who have reached marriageable age. The elder, another Charlotte, is extraordinarily beautiful, and her parents hope her looks and connections will ensure a brilliant marriage. Her sister, Eliza, while not as handsome, possesses a lively intelligence that, in Mr. Collins's opinion, is too like her godmother, Mrs. Darcy. In London, Charlotte's beauty wins her many admirers, despite her small fortune. But Eliza's wit and attempts to interfere in what she considers an unsuitable marriage for her sister infuriate her family and Charlotte's suitor -- until Eliza herself meets her match. New and old fans alike will relish this witty, romantic, thoroughly entertaining novel from a highly talented author.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2008
30 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Aston
53 books229 followersI’m the daughter of two Jane Austen addicts, who decided to call me after a character from one of Jane Austen’s novels. So it’s no wonder that I also became a passionate Jane Austen fan.
Elizabeth Aston is a pen name (it's actually my married name). I first wrote under the name Elizabeth Pewsey, and now Attica Books are reissuing those novels as ebooks under my Aston name.
I've also published several books under my own name Elizabeth Edmondson. They're historicals, but set in the 20th century.
from http://www.elizabeth-aston.com/catego...
Elizabeth Aston is a pen name (it's actually my married name). I first wrote under the name Elizabeth Pewsey, and now Attica Books are reissuing those novels as ebooks under my Aston name.
I've also published several books under my own name Elizabeth Edmondson. They're historicals, but set in the 20th century.
from http://www.elizabeth-aston.com/catego...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
May 13, 2009
I know these kinds of books are silly and are probably blasphemy to most Austen-ites, but I can't help it, I love them. This one was exciting and I couldn't put it down. The main characters are the daughters of Charlotte and Mr. Collins and the story line echoes a lot of Pride & Prejudice. It's not going to win any awards, but it's a really fun read.
July 29, 2018
I read this long ago just after it was published, in paperback, and have been meaning to reread in order to post an honest review but this will have to do for now.
June 19, 2019
I tried to read this book years ago, and I could have sworn I never managed to finish it. But, reading it this week, there was something oddly familiar about the story. It is possible that I actually had finished it before and, it being so terrible, forgot it entirely, or it recycles so many topes that it simply seems familiar.
Regardless, I was not a fan. The story was all over the place, the ending was terrible, and I found that I truly disliked Eliza for her own pigheadedness. It is ridiculous that the author expects you to believe that Eliza is talented enough to observe and write meaningfully about her acquaintances, yet she somehow is completely incapable of accurately determining anything that is going on around her and fails utterly in ascertaining her own sisters feelings. It makes no sense!
The main character is so unbelievably self centered that I found myself happier for the match her sister made with the marquis rather that the one formed between Eliza and Bartholomew. There was also very little development between these two main characters, and upon their declarations of love, I found myself flipping through what I’d already read certain that I’d managed to skip a chapter or two. Their revelations came completely out of nowhere!
And if I’m being completely honest, I find it difficult to be confident in a book when I, an individual often horribly crippled by their dyslexia, manage to find SIX glaring typos throughout the published work... ridiculous.
Regardless, I was not a fan. The story was all over the place, the ending was terrible, and I found that I truly disliked Eliza for her own pigheadedness. It is ridiculous that the author expects you to believe that Eliza is talented enough to observe and write meaningfully about her acquaintances, yet she somehow is completely incapable of accurately determining anything that is going on around her and fails utterly in ascertaining her own sisters feelings. It makes no sense!
The main character is so unbelievably self centered that I found myself happier for the match her sister made with the marquis rather that the one formed between Eliza and Bartholomew. There was also very little development between these two main characters, and upon their declarations of love, I found myself flipping through what I’d already read certain that I’d managed to skip a chapter or two. Their revelations came completely out of nowhere!
And if I’m being completely honest, I find it difficult to be confident in a book when I, an individual often horribly crippled by their dyslexia, manage to find SIX glaring typos throughout the published work... ridiculous.
February 28, 2009
I usually like to read book series in chronological order, but for some reason I picked this particular Pride and Prejudice spinoff by Elizabeth Aston to read first. I figured that, since each book in the series focuses on different characters based on those of Jane Austen's classic novel, I could start reading any one of them.
Such was not the case with The Darcy Connection. Often times I was lost because I didn't know the characters who were apparently introduced in Aston's previous novels. This novel loosely follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice: boy meets girl, they verbally spar, they're intrigued with one another, and then discover they're in love. There's very little mention of Mr. Darcy and his wife Elizabeth, so I felt the title of the book was a bit misleading. The main characters are the daughters of Charlotte (Lucas) Collins. Hardly a 'Darcy connection'. The Mr. Darcy does make an appearance near the end of the novel, but I feel like the author just threw him in there to make the book more Darcy-related.
It took me two weeks to read this book, a lot longer than it should've taken me. But I had a hard time going back to it whenever I put it down. Perhaps if I'd started with Mr. Darcy's Daughters first, my reading experience with this book would've been better.
Such was not the case with The Darcy Connection. Often times I was lost because I didn't know the characters who were apparently introduced in Aston's previous novels. This novel loosely follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice: boy meets girl, they verbally spar, they're intrigued with one another, and then discover they're in love. There's very little mention of Mr. Darcy and his wife Elizabeth, so I felt the title of the book was a bit misleading. The main characters are the daughters of Charlotte (Lucas) Collins. Hardly a 'Darcy connection'. The Mr. Darcy does make an appearance near the end of the novel, but I feel like the author just threw him in there to make the book more Darcy-related.
It took me two weeks to read this book, a lot longer than it should've taken me. But I had a hard time going back to it whenever I put it down. Perhaps if I'd started with Mr. Darcy's Daughters first, my reading experience with this book would've been better.
March 4, 2014
I just finished it and have such a grin on my face! I have enjoyed all of Ashton's books-- and this one is by far her best! Her writing is always top-notch, well-developed story lines, and well researched for the language and period. How can you not immediately love the heroine of the story who is named after her godmother, Elizabeth Darcy! and has similar character traits. Some of Ashton's characters from her previous books are sprinkled through out adding color and drama... even the dispicable George Warren, the angling, spiteful step-son of Caroline Warren, nee Bingley. Eliza is the 2nd daughter of the Collins' and like in P&P, she is not so beautiful as her elder sister so must get on by her other natural assets. I'll not spoil any of the story for you but know it is full of sweet romance, witty conversations, a clever maid!, handsome,exciting, rich men (both good and bad!) and even a Mr. Darcy sighting! I've been waiting for this new novel and am so glad to add it to my library. The subtle and some blatant similarities to P&P are entertaining and fun to recognize! I look forward to re-reading this at a more leisurely pace. This is a keeper.
October 25, 2015
Overall, I found this book charming and intriguing. It was fun to get a glimpse of what might have become of the Darcy and Collins children. The plot line, though starting off a little slow and confusing (I haven't read the other books), grew to be engulfing as you were thrown into one conflict after another and left you half breathless to see what would happen next. That said, there were a few things that were not "shown" or explained that left me quite confused and hindered my enjoyment a little - where did Charlotte's sudden violent passion come from in an extremely sedate life? What was the duel actually about? And how did Mr. Darcy showing up randomly fix things? I was rather sad at the ending. It seemed very rushed and didn't make much sense. We're rushed headlong into a scandal and then suddenly all is well. I wish the last drama had been left out and they could go on their happy way sooner as it wasn't adequately dealt with. It had a little too much high stakes drama for me but other than that was a very fun read.
September 30, 2009
This was a fun book to read. It had many parallels (obviously) to Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed this story more. It was an easier read and had some interesting characters. This is the story of the daughters of Mr. Collins and Charlotte. Both go to London; One determined to find a match, the other determined not to find a match. Eliza is the younger sister with a "true love" at home. She is also very feisty and has much the personality of Elizabeth Bennett. Charlotte is the older sister who seems more prim and proper and beautiful, but less interesting. Charlotte is taken to many balls and parties, while Eliza is often left behind. Eliza is an enjoyable character who learns to enjoy every minute and never seems to regret not being the favored child. I would recommend this story to Austin fans. It is a fun take off on a great book.
October 15, 2009
I'm sorry, I just cannot recommend this book. I kept trying to read faster to get to the end so I would know how it ended without spending too much more time in it. Not only was the plot copied almost exactly from the original Pride and Prejudice, but the author relied heavily on memory of and projection from the original in her character development. Then several of the parts that *were* unique contributions went beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief, making confusing or unfounded leaps in the storyline. Finally, the ending was not satisfying enough to justify trudging through the rest of it. The only reason I'm not giving it a "1" is because, let's face it, I'm desperate for anything with a "Darcy Connection" (yes, that was a horrible pun, I'm sorry...) :)
August 31, 2010
Another novel of peripheral characters to P&P. This one follows the London season of the two daughters of Charlotte and Mr. Collins. The beautiful eldest sister, Charlotte, is granted a season in London by her godmother, in the hopes that her looks will snare a husband rich enough to further Mr. Collins' professional advancement. The younger sister, Eliza (named after Elizabeth Bennett), is packed off to London in disgrace, having fallen for the son of the county squire. Aston's characters move in a slightly wider world that Austen's did, and she shows wonderful detail of the restrictive rules of society.
May 19, 2009
I usually dislike Austen sequels, but I've really enjoyed Elizabeth Aston's series, and this one is especially fun. Eliza and Charlotte were very believable daughters to Mr Collins, and the romantic comedy was sparkling. Personally, I would have preferred to have fewer parallels to the first Eliza's romance, and a bit more clarity in the novel's resolution, but overall, this was a complete pleasure to read.
January 16, 2011
I liked all of Elizabeth Aston's Darcy novels, but the two I've liked best are this one and the first, "Mr. Darcy's Daughters". This one seemed very Austen and the characters were well done and interesting. Although, as with most novels of this sort, one can predict whom the heroine will end up with, there were complications and surprises that made it fun and interesting.
August 13, 2020
Fun Austen fan fiction, picking up about 25 years after the end of Pride & Prejudice. Although it is focused on Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lucas’s two daughters, the plot is essentially a retelling of P&P. Still, well-written and fun.
March 15, 2019
Having previously read (and at least mildly enjoyed) a previous book by the author [1], I had some idea of what to expect going into this novel and my expectations were met in both positive and negative ways. It must be said that Aston is an enjoyable writer, and she certainly loves putting her heroines in compromising positions. In this particular book, the sympathies of the reader are clearly meant for the mildly attractive but "provincial" Eliza Collins and not her more attractive but also somewhat glacial older syster. The author accomplishes this fairly obvious task both by making Eliza somewhat more modern in her behavior and sensibilities than would have been proper and also by making the attractive Charlotte rather emotionally unavailable and very unappealing. If you are looking at this novel as a somewhat overly modern early Victorian novel, there is a lot to appreciate here, but sometimes the author forgets to make her characters act according to the mores of their own time, which is a notable quality that one can find in her work as a whole (as I am becoming more familiar with now that I have read more of her work).
The plot of this novel is fairly straightforward. Eliza Collins has made a somewhat imprudent secret engagement with a son of the local gentry and his parents approve and pressure Mr. Collins (now Biship of Ripon, an anachronistic title) to send her daughter to London in disgrace, where she has no clothes suitable for going out while her sister attracts drooling male suitors the way a florescent light attracts doomed moths. Predictably, there is a misunderstanding where a worthwhile gentleman of banking background accidentally offends Eliza but the two are well-suited and eventually get together (spoiler alert). Meanwhile, Charlotte finds herself pursued by several different men and charmed by the odious George Warren, stepson of the former Miss Bingley (now Mrs. Warren), who comes off rather hatefully here. Given that I have seen this draconic woman in several novels, I can safely say that the author has her in mind as a woman scorned determined to wreck havoc on any Darcy or any of their connections, which she manages to accomplish here including one scene that prompts the required marriage after a somewhat deux et machina scene involving a ferocious and suddenly present Mr. Darcy. As long as you're not too concerned with the convenience of the plot and with the lack of proper modesty of these clergyman's daughters, the plot is certainly spicy enough for broad interest.
Of course, this particular book prompts the reader to ponder the interest of so many sequels and continuations to Jane Austen's work as a whole. How is it that the not particularly attractive Mr. Collins and the very plain Charlotte Lucas have two daughters as pretty as the Bennet girls, with less glorious results? Is there a non-paternal event we need to be concerned about here? Someone needs to do some basic study in genetics to figure out how those genes could randomly produce two beautiful daughters aside from the needs of a novelist for appealing heroines rather than plain janes accompanied by sturdy abigails as maids? At any rate, implausibility is the least of the author's concerns. The author seems to be most interested in writing an exciting plot and thinking of as many daughters as possible that can be connected somewhat distantly to the Darcy family and thus able to draw upon his goodwill and protection as well as the enmity of those who hate the the family. At five novels in there is little sign that the author will be stopping any time soon.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
The plot of this novel is fairly straightforward. Eliza Collins has made a somewhat imprudent secret engagement with a son of the local gentry and his parents approve and pressure Mr. Collins (now Biship of Ripon, an anachronistic title) to send her daughter to London in disgrace, where she has no clothes suitable for going out while her sister attracts drooling male suitors the way a florescent light attracts doomed moths. Predictably, there is a misunderstanding where a worthwhile gentleman of banking background accidentally offends Eliza but the two are well-suited and eventually get together (spoiler alert). Meanwhile, Charlotte finds herself pursued by several different men and charmed by the odious George Warren, stepson of the former Miss Bingley (now Mrs. Warren), who comes off rather hatefully here. Given that I have seen this draconic woman in several novels, I can safely say that the author has her in mind as a woman scorned determined to wreck havoc on any Darcy or any of their connections, which she manages to accomplish here including one scene that prompts the required marriage after a somewhat deux et machina scene involving a ferocious and suddenly present Mr. Darcy. As long as you're not too concerned with the convenience of the plot and with the lack of proper modesty of these clergyman's daughters, the plot is certainly spicy enough for broad interest.
Of course, this particular book prompts the reader to ponder the interest of so many sequels and continuations to Jane Austen's work as a whole. How is it that the not particularly attractive Mr. Collins and the very plain Charlotte Lucas have two daughters as pretty as the Bennet girls, with less glorious results? Is there a non-paternal event we need to be concerned about here? Someone needs to do some basic study in genetics to figure out how those genes could randomly produce two beautiful daughters aside from the needs of a novelist for appealing heroines rather than plain janes accompanied by sturdy abigails as maids? At any rate, implausibility is the least of the author's concerns. The author seems to be most interested in writing an exciting plot and thinking of as many daughters as possible that can be connected somewhat distantly to the Darcy family and thus able to draw upon his goodwill and protection as well as the enmity of those who hate the the family. At five novels in there is little sign that the author will be stopping any time soon.
[1] https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
November 6, 2019
This was a weird read.
Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Was it good?
Well... it wasn't bad. So, I guess there's that.
There were just so many things that didn't make sense. And really, there's no way to talk about it without spoilers, so I'll just say from here on out there will be SPOILERS. You have been warned.
One of the biggest failings was the relationship between the main characters, Eliza and Mr. Bruton. The story is 287 pages long and for the first 180 or so pages they barely interact - I counted five interactions with the longest lasting around two pages (quite the exception, since most of their interactions were no longer than a few sentences, when they even spoke at all). And I know it's possible for characters to grow closer without them exchanging words, but these two were hardly ever within earshot of each other! They'd always be across the room from one another!
And then, FINALLY, they get a decent interaction that lasts more than two pages, only for it to end with him proposing to her! SERIOUSLY?! They've barely spoken to one another and he's proposing?!
All the while, the author is trying to sell you on the fact that Eliza's relationship with Anthony Diggory, a man she's known since they were children, is short-sighted, impulsive and a giant mistake... whereas Mr. Bruton is her perfect match. Mr. Bruton who she's known for a month and spoken to for no longer than 20 minutes (if you add up all their interactions). Sure...
Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like I thought Anthony was a good match for her - he clearly wasn't - but at least she knew him.
But moving on! Let's talk about Charlotte.
WTF is with this character? Eliza only has kind things to say about her sister, but Charlotte's a horrible person. These two did not feel like sisters; they're more like two strangers who happen to live in the same house - less than roommates even - but only one of them is aware of this fact. Not ONCE does Charlotte ever show Eliza some sisterly affection, which makes her feel very one dimensional as a character.
And then there was her hypocrisy, judging Eliza for her impropriety with Anthony and then having absolutely no qualms about intending to sleep with someone before marriage. Going so far as to blackmail Eliza when she tries to intervene. Like, WHAT?! Is no one in the Collins family ACTUALLY religious outside of Mr. Collins? It was just one extreme or the other with this girl. She came across as so moral - and I understand that many people who act righteous are not, and I suppose it was meant to be shocking, but to remove one of the only characteristics this very bland character had left her feeling exceedingly hollow. Quite the accomplishment since she already came across as pretty empty even before she was robbed of her integrity.
My final complaint, and this is short but it's something that really made no sense to me - why do people keep saying that the ONLY family of note the Collins have a connection to is the Darcy family? Excuse me... What about the Bingley connection?! Did the family fall to ruin within the last twenty years since Pride & Prejudice took place?
And it drove me crazy because it happened SEVERAL times. I think even Caroline Bingley says it at one point. *face palm* It's ridiculous and non-sensical.
All in all, I didn't hate this book, but it definitely missed the mark. If you're a true Austen fan, you may want give this one a pass - but if you feel like something silly and light-hearted, and your sensibilities aren't easily offended, the narrative is good enough that you might still have a good time.
Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Was it good?
Well... it wasn't bad. So, I guess there's that.
There were just so many things that didn't make sense. And really, there's no way to talk about it without spoilers, so I'll just say from here on out there will be SPOILERS. You have been warned.
One of the biggest failings was the relationship between the main characters, Eliza and Mr. Bruton. The story is 287 pages long and for the first 180 or so pages they barely interact - I counted five interactions with the longest lasting around two pages (quite the exception, since most of their interactions were no longer than a few sentences, when they even spoke at all). And I know it's possible for characters to grow closer without them exchanging words, but these two were hardly ever within earshot of each other! They'd always be across the room from one another!
And then, FINALLY, they get a decent interaction that lasts more than two pages, only for it to end with him proposing to her! SERIOUSLY?! They've barely spoken to one another and he's proposing?!
All the while, the author is trying to sell you on the fact that Eliza's relationship with Anthony Diggory, a man she's known since they were children, is short-sighted, impulsive and a giant mistake... whereas Mr. Bruton is her perfect match. Mr. Bruton who she's known for a month and spoken to for no longer than 20 minutes (if you add up all their interactions). Sure...
Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like I thought Anthony was a good match for her - he clearly wasn't - but at least she knew him.
But moving on! Let's talk about Charlotte.
WTF is with this character? Eliza only has kind things to say about her sister, but Charlotte's a horrible person. These two did not feel like sisters; they're more like two strangers who happen to live in the same house - less than roommates even - but only one of them is aware of this fact. Not ONCE does Charlotte ever show Eliza some sisterly affection, which makes her feel very one dimensional as a character.
And then there was her hypocrisy, judging Eliza for her impropriety with Anthony and then having absolutely no qualms about intending to sleep with someone before marriage. Going so far as to blackmail Eliza when she tries to intervene. Like, WHAT?! Is no one in the Collins family ACTUALLY religious outside of Mr. Collins? It was just one extreme or the other with this girl. She came across as so moral - and I understand that many people who act righteous are not, and I suppose it was meant to be shocking, but to remove one of the only characteristics this very bland character had left her feeling exceedingly hollow. Quite the accomplishment since she already came across as pretty empty even before she was robbed of her integrity.
My final complaint, and this is short but it's something that really made no sense to me - why do people keep saying that the ONLY family of note the Collins have a connection to is the Darcy family? Excuse me... What about the Bingley connection?! Did the family fall to ruin within the last twenty years since Pride & Prejudice took place?
And it drove me crazy because it happened SEVERAL times. I think even Caroline Bingley says it at one point. *face palm* It's ridiculous and non-sensical.
All in all, I didn't hate this book, but it definitely missed the mark. If you're a true Austen fan, you may want give this one a pass - but if you feel like something silly and light-hearted, and your sensibilities aren't easily offended, the narrative is good enough that you might still have a good time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2019
After reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen sometime last year I came across this interesting book at the library and had to check it out.
It's the 5th book in a series so unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to read the other 4, but if they make there way to the library I will definitely pick them up.
Eliza and Charlotte Collins are sisters, cousins to Mr. & Mrs. Darcy and the two main characters of the story. They are both daughters to a well known bishop of Ripon in a small farming community of Yorkshire and because the older sister Charlotte is by far the most beautiful & at times considered cold in her ways it stands for her to have a holiday in London and find herself a well-bred & hopefully rich man to marry.
Charlotte's sister Eliza who is a little more outspoken and a bit wild in her ways ends up as a sort of tag-along into London with Charlotte after it's been found out that she has been seeing a little too much of a local young man and since Eliza is not yet of age to marry it is the parents hope that she might forget this young Mr. Diggory fella and just start to grow up.
Once the sisters are in London it is pretty much the talk of the town that a Miss Charlotte Collins the most beautiful beauty of them all is staying with her godmother Lady Grandpoint and will be attending all the grand balls and dinner parties with her sister in toe, who seems the most unlikely person to attend any of these parties & dinners, but later decides they are not so bad especially when the very rich and handsome Mr. Bruton who is air to his fathers banking business comes around.
At first meeting they seem to be absolutely repulsed by one another, but the more Eliza meets into him the more smitten she becomes with him and realizes that maybe Mr. Diggory is not the person she should be with along with a little help from a few whispers in her ear from friends of Lady Grandpoint that Mr. Bartholomew Bruton would make a much more suitable match.
Of course their are few villainous characters that would no doubt do their absolute best to stand in the way of Eliza and Charlotte to get what they won't and that would be revenge.
I found this book to have a bit of smart, wittiness & revenge about it and many of the characters reminded me of the originals from Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice.
It's the 5th book in a series so unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to read the other 4, but if they make there way to the library I will definitely pick them up.
Eliza and Charlotte Collins are sisters, cousins to Mr. & Mrs. Darcy and the two main characters of the story. They are both daughters to a well known bishop of Ripon in a small farming community of Yorkshire and because the older sister Charlotte is by far the most beautiful & at times considered cold in her ways it stands for her to have a holiday in London and find herself a well-bred & hopefully rich man to marry.
Charlotte's sister Eliza who is a little more outspoken and a bit wild in her ways ends up as a sort of tag-along into London with Charlotte after it's been found out that she has been seeing a little too much of a local young man and since Eliza is not yet of age to marry it is the parents hope that she might forget this young Mr. Diggory fella and just start to grow up.
Once the sisters are in London it is pretty much the talk of the town that a Miss Charlotte Collins the most beautiful beauty of them all is staying with her godmother Lady Grandpoint and will be attending all the grand balls and dinner parties with her sister in toe, who seems the most unlikely person to attend any of these parties & dinners, but later decides they are not so bad especially when the very rich and handsome Mr. Bruton who is air to his fathers banking business comes around.
At first meeting they seem to be absolutely repulsed by one another, but the more Eliza meets into him the more smitten she becomes with him and realizes that maybe Mr. Diggory is not the person she should be with along with a little help from a few whispers in her ear from friends of Lady Grandpoint that Mr. Bartholomew Bruton would make a much more suitable match.
Of course their are few villainous characters that would no doubt do their absolute best to stand in the way of Eliza and Charlotte to get what they won't and that would be revenge.
I found this book to have a bit of smart, wittiness & revenge about it and many of the characters reminded me of the originals from Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice.
October 13, 2020
This is a faithful retelling of Pride and Prejudice using different characters. Mr. Darcy does make an appearance, as well as Miss Bingley, now Mrs. Warren. A young woman, Miss Eliza Collins, the younger daughter of our favorite clergyman, Mr. Collins, has fallen head over heels for the young son of a squire. The squire is not pleased and has set his sights on a woman of consequence and means for his son, definitely not Eliza. Eliza's older sister, Charlotte, named after her mother, the former Charlotte Lucas, has become quite the beauty, but no feelings, no passions, no livelyness are anywhere in sight. Charlotte's aunt is determined to take her to London to flaunt Charlotte's beauty and see if they can catch a wealthy man's eye. Because of the attachment to the young son of the squire, Eliza is then also carted off to London to get her out of the way; out of sight, out of mind. While in London, a very rich man, and one who seems to be in no need of female companionship, makes a stinging remark about Eliza being "provincial", a snub if every she heard one. Truth be told, it has been made know to Eliza that her wardrobe and parties will be nothing compared to Charlotte's and Eliza could care two shakes about her appearance or her wardrobe. Charlotte's aunt wants her to make a good marriage and are willing to spend the money and time to achieve that goal. Later on, Mr. Bruton, our wealthy and rude banker of the "provincial" remark, is offered as a "desirable dancing partner" for Miss Eliza. She turns him down cold in favor of hearing stories about Turkey, its customs and people. Mr. Bruton is insulted but something is stirring inside him for this minx of a girl...woman? Though Eliza is sending and receiving letters from her beloved through his sister's letters, are her feelings changing for him as well. This was a very enjoyable book, written in the Jane Austen style. I was hoping it was going to be more about the Darcy daughters, however. Still good.
November 23, 2016
Synopsis: After forming an unacceptable attachment to the son of a local squire, Eliza is sent to London in disgrace. Of course that doesn’t work, because Eliza makes a sensational splash wherever she goes. She also has a sister who is somewhat important.
I love the Darcys and anything Darcy related, so my opinion of this book may be skewed. In fact, I think it has to be, because I don’t like love stories and every single one of these books has the same plot. So much of these stories carries takeaways from the original. Elizabeth Aston is clearly fulfilling a longstanding dream to retell Pride and Prejudice, plus a smattering of other other Austen novels, in as many ways as possible. So if you’re into that, you may love these books as well.
Maybe that’s all it is, or maybe I just love this plot and I can’t help myself. Aston has successfully carried on the Austen (did she change her name to sound so similar to Jane Austen’s?) tradition of plucky female protagonists, determined and courageous in their own right, but in the end unafraid to follow their hearts. That’s powerful medicine.
I love the Darcys and anything Darcy related, so my opinion of this book may be skewed. In fact, I think it has to be, because I don’t like love stories and every single one of these books has the same plot. So much of these stories carries takeaways from the original. Elizabeth Aston is clearly fulfilling a longstanding dream to retell Pride and Prejudice, plus a smattering of other other Austen novels, in as many ways as possible. So if you’re into that, you may love these books as well.
Maybe that’s all it is, or maybe I just love this plot and I can’t help myself. Aston has successfully carried on the Austen (did she change her name to sound so similar to Jane Austen’s?) tradition of plucky female protagonists, determined and courageous in their own right, but in the end unafraid to follow their hearts. That’s powerful medicine.
December 6, 2023
In the fifth book of Elizabeth Ashton‘s Darcy series, we find the two daughters of Mr. Collins now the bishop of Ripon and his wife, Charlotte, and their two daughters, the older Charlotte, an exceptional beauty, and her younger sister Eliza, rather like her godmother Mrs. Darcy. Eliza’s friendship with Anthony Diggory, son of the local squire turns romantic, infuriating Esquire Diggory, who tells Bishop Collins, that his daughter Eliza must be sent off to Pemberly immediately. But the Darcy‘s are not at Pemberly, and it is decided that Eliza will go to London with Charlotte and her godmother, lady, Grandpoint, who is giving the exquisite Charlotte and London season. It is there that Eliza meets Bartholomew Bruton, Son and heir of the great banking house. She overhears him referred to her as quite provincial, similar to Mr. Darcy‘s negative comments on Elizabeth Bennett, when they met at the Meryton dance.
The Darcy connection is an intricate web of alliances and misalliancesCin London Society, But as in all the rest of her novels, all is well, that ends well.
The Darcy connection is an intricate web of alliances and misalliancesCin London Society, But as in all the rest of her novels, all is well, that ends well.
August 17, 2020
Enter the Reverend Collins as annoying, brown-nosing, infuriating, sermonizing as ever. His two daughters are of marriageable ages, but only one is beautiful and favored and has a chance at a season. The other is to be married off to any cleric available. The unfavored one ends up going to London with her sister, but treated as a nonentity no beautiful clothes, no being taken about to parties, teas and balls unless necessary. She considers herself engaged (although both fathers are against it), but slowly falls in love with someone else and realizes that what she had was puppy love. The book as a recurring villain, who will do anything to get what he wants. Kept me reading! Very enjoyable.
October 12, 2019
Another "After P&P" Novel About Decendants of Austen Characters
This is an old-fashioned farce centered on the children of P&P characters, in this case primarily two of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins' daughters, one beautiful but vapid and the other plain-to-average but daring and intellectually adventurous. Their paths to marriage are somewhat predictable but fun, taking farcical twists and turns. The writing is good and plot development smooth, but this book has next to nothing to do with Jane Austen's world.
This is an old-fashioned farce centered on the children of P&P characters, in this case primarily two of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins' daughters, one beautiful but vapid and the other plain-to-average but daring and intellectually adventurous. Their paths to marriage are somewhat predictable but fun, taking farcical twists and turns. The writing is good and plot development smooth, but this book has next to nothing to do with Jane Austen's world.
April 20, 2019
Like all of Aston's other Darcy spin-off novels, this one is entertaining, easy and fun to read. While I think that Jane Austen's novels embody all of those aspects too, I still feel that Aston falls short of the spark of brilliance contained in the original Pride and Prejudice. I did love that the main character is related to the ridiculous Mr. Collins in this story, and once again, Aston has drawn a female character that pushes the boundaries but can still be placed in Austen's England.
March 10, 2018
Love that Aston takes characters out of the original books and makes the stories about their children and cousins. These are the perfect fix for Austin fans and I read six of her books in a total of 12 days because they were so good. I was only sorry when they were all done, and cannot wait for the next one.
March 9, 2025
Maybe a 2.5. While it was fun to have a story about Charlotte’s daughters and an entertaining story in the land of Pride and Prejudice, it was slow. I only liked two of the characters and skipped most of the other storylines. A quick read. I’ve heard good things of this series so maybe the other books are better!
November 28, 2017
I liked it better than Mr. Darcy's Daughters. Glad I stumbled on this at the library! A fun, escapist read.
December 14, 2017
Decent book. Some of the character actions are a little hard to believe, but it’s funny and fun to read.
August 20, 2019
It was okay.
September 1, 2019
I enjoyed being back in the world of Jane Austen.
July 5, 2020
Really well written and researched, the story is connected to the Darcy’s but is about the daughters of mr. Collins and Charlotte. I really enjoyed it and plan to look for her other novels.
February 14, 2025
Wasn't bad, wasn't great
I did like being in this world again, but you can tell the author is modern and not from this era.
I did like being in this world again, but you can tell the author is modern and not from this era.
August 22, 2019
A bestseller by the most popular postwar writer for children of all ages.
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