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Darcy and Fitzwilliam #1
Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer
A gentleman in love cannot survive without his best friend...
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam couldn't be more different, and that goes for the way each one woos and pursues the woman of his dreams. Darcy is quiet and reserved, careful and dutiful, and his qualms and hesitations are going to torpedo his courtship of Elizabeth. His affable and vivacious cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a military hero whose devil-may-care personality hides the torments within, until he finds himself in a passionate, whirlwind affair with a beautiful widow who won't hear of his honorable intentions. Cousins, best friends, and sparring partners, Darcy and Fitzwilliam have always been there for each other. So it's no surprise when the only one who can help Darcy fix his botched marriage proposals is Fitzwilliam, and the only one who can pull Fitzwilliam out of an increasingly dangerous entanglement is Darcy...
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam couldn't be more different, and that goes for the way each one woos and pursues the woman of his dreams. Darcy is quiet and reserved, careful and dutiful, and his qualms and hesitations are going to torpedo his courtship of Elizabeth. His affable and vivacious cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a military hero whose devil-may-care personality hides the torments within, until he finds himself in a passionate, whirlwind affair with a beautiful widow who won't hear of his honorable intentions. Cousins, best friends, and sparring partners, Darcy and Fitzwilliam have always been there for each other. So it's no surprise when the only one who can help Darcy fix his botched marriage proposals is Fitzwilliam, and the only one who can pull Fitzwilliam out of an increasingly dangerous entanglement is Darcy...
481 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
66 people are currently reading
1659 people want to read
About the author
Karen V. Wasylowski
8 books15 followersKaren V. Wasylowski was born in Chicago, Illinois and is now a retired CPA living in Florida with her husband, Richard. "We married late in life, first for both of us - started right off with the happy second marriage, avoided the often disastrous first altogether. No children. Just dogs."
Karen's book, Darcy & Fitzwilliam, A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer is a very different continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and the first book of what has turned into a Darcy and Fitzwilliam Family Saga...
Darcy & Fitzwilliam
Sons and Daughters
Wives and Lovers
Saints and Sinners
Georgiana's Story (short story)
Karen's book, Darcy & Fitzwilliam, A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer is a very different continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and the first book of what has turned into a Darcy and Fitzwilliam Family Saga...
Darcy & Fitzwilliam
Sons and Daughters
Wives and Lovers
Saints and Sinners
Georgiana's Story (short story)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 3, 2015
The Elizabeth he had seen last evening was a stranger to him, a spoiled child with her screeching and outrage. He stared at the closed door and sighed. What could he do? God alone knew how much he missed his beloved angel and closest friend, and that after only one night apart. Why, he missed her so much that he wanted to strangle her.This book is meant to be fanfiction of the beloved Pride and Prejudice. I can only imagine that the author read an annotated version of the original, possibly a book report of it, written by Kim Kardashian during her high school years. It bears no resemblance to the original. It is the most atrocious Pride and Prejudice fanfiction I have ever read, and mind you, my love for the tale is such that my standards for P&P fanfiction is exceedingly low.
Well, it’s obvious that she has lost her mind. Darcy prided himself as always on his calm, his reasoning capabilities. I am married to a madwoman.
Need I remind you that this is a woman who adored Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues, a tale in which Elizabeth and Darcy did nothing but stare into each others' eyes lovingly. Mostly when they're fucking. And fucking is the entire thing that transpires throughout that book that more discerning readers might consider a crime against Jane Austen.
If that book was criminal, this one deserves the fucking guillotine and the Iron Maiden, after it has been deprived of sleep, put on sound torture by the constant blasting of Justin Bieber and T-Pain, waterboarded. Drawn and tortured. Preferably not in that order.
The characters in this book bears no resemblance to the original. The calm, rational Elizabeth has been reduced to a green-eyed, screeching harpy. A violent, jealous, oftentimes slut-shaming bitch.
Lizzy said she sometimes found herself dreaming of them together, or of her strangling and disemboweling the meddlesome redheaded witch, slicing open her throat or gouging out her eyes.Darcy has been reduced to nothing more than a drunken, debauched frat boy in his youth, as opposed to the responsible, loving, irreproachable man with whom we all fell in love.
“Once. Well, twice actually, but both on the same night. The first time, I believe I fell asleep on her. Well, not exactly on her…” The lethal hairbrush was quickly on the rise again.And the honorable Fitzwilliam, his cousin, became someone unrecognizably distasteful.
...the women had been used as dinner plates. He vaguely remembered a drunken moment in which he was eating fried eggs and kippers right from within a naked woman’s…The irrepressible, haughty, arrogant Lady Catherine is now a misunderstood, cuddly old gramma. The excruciatingly shy Georgiana now someone who makes completely inappropriate references in public.
“Yes, Cousin,” beamed a mischievous Georgiana. “There were some very outrageous incidents hinted at in the papers. One in particular I always wondered about—did your officers really smuggle in ten opera dancers disguised as French prisoners?”Indeed, everyone is completely unrecognizable as their original character...except for the few, like Lydia, who had already been bitches to start with.
My head hurts. Hardly a page passed by which did not make me rage or groan. I couldn't finish 1/4 of this book before wanting to throw it into a fire.
July 12, 2012
Mr. Darcy sleeping with Caroline Bingley? Elizabeth Bennett turning into an irritable, emotional shrew who throws things at Darcy? Col. Fitzwilliam and Darcy swearing all the time? I think not. Don't be tempted by the stunning cover and clever title. Stay far, far away from this book.
March 6, 2025
Pride and Prejudice sequel
Unputdownable!
Hot, heavy and laugh-out-loud funny sequel where the tempers flair in the Darcy's household.
Enters with a little snippet of untold story from canon, where Darcy informs Fitzwilliam of his resent, unlucky event. Their relationship was on of the high lights of the book. Snarkiness aside, they were brothers at heart.
The newlywedded bliss takes a turn when Elizabeth's mother dies unexpectedly. A question arises and Elizabeth discovered one of Darcy's previous mistresses in their midst. Their quarrels was legendary and destructive in more sense than one...
Another surprise was Lady Catherine, quite a force to be reckoned with and hilariously funny.
The backstory with her and Darcy was elaborated and her dedication to her nephews was heart-warming. Lady C also provided my favourite set down of Caroline, ever...
The Colonel had his own thrilling story with love, lust and battles.
It all culminated in the birth of the long anticipated Darcy heir and what a nailbitingly angsty moment it was, oh my!
I absolutely loved this book that manages to combine the heart-wrenching with the hilariously funny.
Unputdownable!
Hot, heavy and laugh-out-loud funny sequel where the tempers flair in the Darcy's household.
Enters with a little snippet of untold story from canon, where Darcy informs Fitzwilliam of his resent, unlucky event. Their relationship was on of the high lights of the book. Snarkiness aside, they were brothers at heart.
The newlywedded bliss takes a turn when Elizabeth's mother dies unexpectedly. A question arises and Elizabeth discovered one of Darcy's previous mistresses in their midst. Their quarrels was legendary and destructive in more sense than one...
Another surprise was Lady Catherine, quite a force to be reckoned with and hilariously funny.
The backstory with her and Darcy was elaborated and her dedication to her nephews was heart-warming. Lady C also provided my favourite set down of Caroline, ever...
The Colonel had his own thrilling story with love, lust and battles.
It all culminated in the birth of the long anticipated Darcy heir and what a nailbitingly angsty moment it was, oh my!
I absolutely loved this book that manages to combine the heart-wrenching with the hilariously funny.
October 7, 2011
I couldn't make myself finish this book. I read about 1/3 of it, and just couldn't take any more. I'm a sucker for novels inspired by Pride and Prejudice, and I'm willing to try almost any of them I come across, but I'm almost always disappointed. In this case, the author makes zero attempt to recreate the classic Regency style of the original. The tone does not match at all. She has Darcy and his cousin, Fitzwilliam, using foul language to each other (out of the hearing of the ladies, of course, I'll grant you that) and Fitzwilliam routinely calls Darcy "Brat;" it seems to be his pet name for Darcy. None of this rings true to the original. I just can't imagine the characters in Jane Austin's book talking this way to each other.
And even more disappointing is the plot. What kind of a plot do I want for a sequel? I don't know, but I haven't found it yet. It has to be some version of ". . . and they lived happily ever after" but still have something in it to keep one's interest. This one definitely isn't happily ever after! Instead, we learn that Darcy had a brief sexual fling with Caroline Bingley long before he ever met Elizabeth, and now he makes the horrible mistake of confessing this to Elizabeth after their marriage, which naturally causes her to become insanely jealous.
But as if that weren't enough, Darcy is tricked into spending a night alone with Caroline at the Bingley residence, where she attempts to seduce him, and we just know that all of this is going to create havoc in Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship. I'm sure all will be well that ends well eventually, but I just couldn't put myself through any more of this soap opera plot. This is NOT what I want from a P & P sequel. Definitely NOT recommended.
And even more disappointing is the plot. What kind of a plot do I want for a sequel? I don't know, but I haven't found it yet. It has to be some version of ". . . and they lived happily ever after" but still have something in it to keep one's interest. This one definitely isn't happily ever after! Instead, we learn that Darcy had a brief sexual fling with Caroline Bingley long before he ever met Elizabeth, and now he makes the horrible mistake of confessing this to Elizabeth after their marriage, which naturally causes her to become insanely jealous.
But as if that weren't enough, Darcy is tricked into spending a night alone with Caroline at the Bingley residence, where she attempts to seduce him, and we just know that all of this is going to create havoc in Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship. I'm sure all will be well that ends well eventually, but I just couldn't put myself through any more of this soap opera plot. This is NOT what I want from a P & P sequel. Definitely NOT recommended.
May 26, 2012
Poor, to say the least, don't get me wrong, the closeness between the two main protagonists was endearing but it was clearly poorly thought out & researched, the tone and humour was all wrong, witty but the tale belonged in present day America not in 19th regency Britain and as for the women in this tale the were perverted and deformed beyond belief or recognition, this author clearly has forgotten that they are writing the stories and adventures of charactes that have existed and survived for almost 200 years, it comes from a source, P&P, I mean Elizabeth Bennett becomes her mother for goodness sake, and colonel Fitzwilliam character is basically a carbon copy of Wickham's yet he and Darcy remain friends and Darcy and his aunt are dismissive to these character flaws, and even find humour in it. No these blunders are too grave to ignore not to mention the incorrect use of *** to separate paragraphs.
I've read many P&P inspired literature, some I've loved, some have been so incongruous yet hilariously funny, some I've hated because they are just too raunchy but at least with them, they have remembered the tone and the time which it was set and who the characters are.
Don't read this if you've read/watched P&P at least once and are mildly aware of the story, you will be disgusted by the plain disregard to the original, I am not even the biggest Austen enthusiast but this sort of distortion I cannot condone
I've read many P&P inspired literature, some I've loved, some have been so incongruous yet hilariously funny, some I've hated because they are just too raunchy but at least with them, they have remembered the tone and the time which it was set and who the characters are.
Don't read this if you've read/watched P&P at least once and are mildly aware of the story, you will be disgusted by the plain disregard to the original, I am not even the biggest Austen enthusiast but this sort of distortion I cannot condone
April 11, 2016
I have some major issues with the author's interpretation of several of the characters, but it was certainly entertaining. I especially enjoyed Colonel Fitzwilliam. The light-hearted humor between the cousins made for an enjoyable read.
September 12, 2016
This is strange Pride & Prejudice variation. Told from a male perspective the saving grace of the book is that Lady Catherine is redeemed and a hoot. Darcy is a not very likeable, Caroline Bingley is a woman of easy virtue and Lizzy is a whiny harridan.
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November 4, 2017Karen V. Wasylowski’s Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer is a sequel of sorts to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that focuses on the strong friendship between cousins Fitzwilliam Darcy, gentleman, and Richard Fitzwilliam, colonel and war hero. Darcy is settling into marriage with Elizabeth Bennet, and Fitzwilliam is content as a bachelor, despite his high and mighty aunt, Lady Catherine, insisting that he marry.
The first part of the book follows Darcy as he navigates impending fatherhood and engages in fiery arguments with Elizabeth about his past with the vindictive Caroline Bingley. The second part puts Fitzwilliam in the spotlight as he overcomes his memories of the horrors of battle by falling in love. The final part brings Darcy and Fitzwilliam and their families together. Readers will meet a more amusing Lady Catherine, a less socially awkward Georgiana Darcy, an even more horrid Caroline Bingley, and a more carefree Mr. Bennet, but Charles and Jane Bingley, the rest of the Bennet sisters, and even George Wickham are relegated to the background.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is unique in that it gives Fitzwilliam is giving a starring role. I enjoy Austen variations in which the minor characters in her novels — the ones many of us are curious about — are fleshed out and given new life. I loved the story about Fitzwilliam, so much so that I believe it could have been the main focus of the book, with Darcy more in the background. Fitzwilliam’s character is both brawny and gentle, humorous and sensitive, combative and weak. He is a man troubled by what he has seen in wartime, and he turns to liquor and loose women to cope. Wasylowski doesn’t sugar-coat his character’s failings, but we are able to love him despite his flaws — and she puts in his path a strong-willed American who gives him a run for his money and adds much amusement to the story.
As for Darcy, I enjoyed his bantering with Fitzwilliam, but I had a love-hate relationship with him and Elizabeth in this novel. It seemed that for much of the book, he and Elizabeth were fighting — fights complete with shouts, thrown objects, and broken doors. Wasylowski inserts a dose of reality into her novel with this marital strife; after all, did we really think that Darcy and Elizabeth would have a problem-free, sweet-as-can-be relationship? But I would rather have seen Elizabeth’s biting remarks and wit than a violent rage. Moreover, the complications in Darcy’s life just weren’t as tension-filled and captivating as the drama surrounding Fitzwilliam’s romantic relationship, although the book is worth reading just for the hilarious scene in which Elizabeth finds herself alone in a room with Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley!
Wasylowski does a great job balancing the lightness of Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s teasing with heavier moments, including Fitzwilliam’s memories of war and women’s lack of rights during the Regency era, highlighted by a widow’s child custody battle. But the humor really stands out and makes Darcy and Fitzwilliam an enjoyable read.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
The first part of the book follows Darcy as he navigates impending fatherhood and engages in fiery arguments with Elizabeth about his past with the vindictive Caroline Bingley. The second part puts Fitzwilliam in the spotlight as he overcomes his memories of the horrors of battle by falling in love. The final part brings Darcy and Fitzwilliam and their families together. Readers will meet a more amusing Lady Catherine, a less socially awkward Georgiana Darcy, an even more horrid Caroline Bingley, and a more carefree Mr. Bennet, but Charles and Jane Bingley, the rest of the Bennet sisters, and even George Wickham are relegated to the background.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is unique in that it gives Fitzwilliam is giving a starring role. I enjoy Austen variations in which the minor characters in her novels — the ones many of us are curious about — are fleshed out and given new life. I loved the story about Fitzwilliam, so much so that I believe it could have been the main focus of the book, with Darcy more in the background. Fitzwilliam’s character is both brawny and gentle, humorous and sensitive, combative and weak. He is a man troubled by what he has seen in wartime, and he turns to liquor and loose women to cope. Wasylowski doesn’t sugar-coat his character’s failings, but we are able to love him despite his flaws — and she puts in his path a strong-willed American who gives him a run for his money and adds much amusement to the story.
As for Darcy, I enjoyed his bantering with Fitzwilliam, but I had a love-hate relationship with him and Elizabeth in this novel. It seemed that for much of the book, he and Elizabeth were fighting — fights complete with shouts, thrown objects, and broken doors. Wasylowski inserts a dose of reality into her novel with this marital strife; after all, did we really think that Darcy and Elizabeth would have a problem-free, sweet-as-can-be relationship? But I would rather have seen Elizabeth’s biting remarks and wit than a violent rage. Moreover, the complications in Darcy’s life just weren’t as tension-filled and captivating as the drama surrounding Fitzwilliam’s romantic relationship, although the book is worth reading just for the hilarious scene in which Elizabeth finds herself alone in a room with Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley!
Wasylowski does a great job balancing the lightness of Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s teasing with heavier moments, including Fitzwilliam’s memories of war and women’s lack of rights during the Regency era, highlighted by a widow’s child custody battle. But the humor really stands out and makes Darcy and Fitzwilliam an enjoyable read.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
February 10, 2011
Colonel Fitzwilliam – what do we know of him? In a direct manner, Jane Austen tells us that Colonel Fitzwilliam is “not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman.” In addition, we see his charismatic and genial nature in his conversations with Elizabeth; and can assume that he is responsible and conscientious since he was selected to be Georgiana's guardian. But that is hardly enough, is it? Colonel Fitzwilliam is right up there with Captain Wentworth and Colonel Brandon as one of Jane Austen's most intriguing and dashing military men. And Janeites everywhere have being dying to know more about this captivating, well-bred, and irresistible officer!
In her debut novel, Karen Wasylowski delivers a satisfying sequel to Pride and Prejudice that augments the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam. In this dual plot novel we spend part of the time witnessing Darcy and Elizabeth in their third year of marriage, and part of the time with the celebrated military hero, Colonel Fitzwilliam as he tries to determine what to do with his life. Along the way we encounter an indomitable yet daffy Lady Catherine de Bourgh, a terribly wicked and wanton Caroline Bingley, and small glimpses into the lives of the Bingleys and Mr. Bennet. This novel's central characters are Darcy, Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Lady Catherine, and newcomer, Amanda Penrod.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
In her debut novel, Karen Wasylowski delivers a satisfying sequel to Pride and Prejudice that augments the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam. In this dual plot novel we spend part of the time witnessing Darcy and Elizabeth in their third year of marriage, and part of the time with the celebrated military hero, Colonel Fitzwilliam as he tries to determine what to do with his life. Along the way we encounter an indomitable yet daffy Lady Catherine de Bourgh, a terribly wicked and wanton Caroline Bingley, and small glimpses into the lives of the Bingleys and Mr. Bennet. This novel's central characters are Darcy, Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Lady Catherine, and newcomer, Amanda Penrod.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
March 23, 2019
This is quite a difficult book to review. At times, it had me laughing out loud and at other times I was left wondering who these characters are - Darcy and Elizabeth especially. The first half of the book is about them and we are catching up with them 3 years into marriage as their first born us due. At the start we see a really lovely, playful relationship but this is not maintained. He is a total snob and a bully. She is a screaming mad woman. His credibility is completely undermined by his past where there was a liaison with Caroline Bingley!!
The second part of the book is about Colonel Fitzwilliam. I liked his story a lot. I liked him, and his love interest. The banter between him and Darcy was good and funny. Lady Catherine is also really funny. I also really love the cover - I don't know why this makes any difference as I read it on Kindle.... but I still like a good cover!
There is a lot of great humour in this book - but it has a Bridgette Jones feel about it. The start has a scene with Elizabeth looking at Darcy while he's asleep. The language is very American and the dialect very modern. It's told from the male perspective which is a bit different. It's long as well - almost 500 pages. I found that I struggled to finish this - it didn't really hold my interest. I think I didn't really like Darcy or Elizabeth... but I really wanted to. I think overall this a 3.5 star.
The second part of the book is about Colonel Fitzwilliam. I liked his story a lot. I liked him, and his love interest. The banter between him and Darcy was good and funny. Lady Catherine is also really funny. I also really love the cover - I don't know why this makes any difference as I read it on Kindle.... but I still like a good cover!
There is a lot of great humour in this book - but it has a Bridgette Jones feel about it. The start has a scene with Elizabeth looking at Darcy while he's asleep. The language is very American and the dialect very modern. It's told from the male perspective which is a bit different. It's long as well - almost 500 pages. I found that I struggled to finish this - it didn't really hold my interest. I think I didn't really like Darcy or Elizabeth... but I really wanted to. I think overall this a 3.5 star.
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February 10, 2015The book wins points for originality in that someone finally cares about Colonel Fitzwilliam, but this book would have been better if Elizabeth and Darcy were kept out of it. I read a great deal of Pride and Prejudice fan fiction and I can go along with new imaginings. One of my favorite titles is a fantasy inspired Pride and Prejudice. But Darcy, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam just deviate too far, with no explanation, from established characterizations in Jane Austen's world.
I really needed a little more historical realism to connect with this novel. I was jarred out of the story every time Colonel Fitzwilliam calls Darcy "brat." And it happened nearly every scene they were together in. And how on earth are there 0 repercussions for the author's spin on Caroline Bingley?
This story has many great scenes full of humor, and I enjoyed Lady Catherine (a rarity). Certain elements of the plot were very intriguing, but unfortunately left a few questions. I just couldn't get the feeling I was THERE that I enjoy while reading so many novels of this genre.
If you're a Colonel Fitzwilliam fan, then by all means, give this book a look.
I really needed a little more historical realism to connect with this novel. I was jarred out of the story every time Colonel Fitzwilliam calls Darcy "brat." And it happened nearly every scene they were together in. And how on earth are there 0 repercussions for the author's spin on Caroline Bingley?
This story has many great scenes full of humor, and I enjoyed Lady Catherine (a rarity). Certain elements of the plot were very intriguing, but unfortunately left a few questions. I just couldn't get the feeling I was THERE that I enjoy while reading so many novels of this genre.
If you're a Colonel Fitzwilliam fan, then by all means, give this book a look.
December 6, 2021
Darcy e Fitzwilliam: ma non chiamateli Gentlemen!
Chi legge le mie recensioni sa che non ho mai pregiudizi quando comincio a leggere un libro. Forse avrei dovuto averne, perché mi era stato detto che questo libro conteneva alcune scene erotiche, degne di qualunque romance. Forse avrei dovuto averne, perché è palese che la sua autrice abbia un debole per i bei giovanottoni inglesi, tanto che il suo blog, The League of the British Artists è un piacere per gli occhi di chi cerca tutto, ma proprio tutto quel che riguarda gli attori inglesi di Period Dramas.
Non mi scandalizzo per le scene erotiche, se sono inserite nel momento giusto e nel modo giusto, ci mancherebbe. Non mi scandalizzo per il turpiloquio o per un modo di parlare più sciolto, ma cosa c'entra tutto questo con Pride and Prejudice? Anche se è solo un sequel?
Il linguaggio di entrambi i protagonisti è estremamente disinvolto: francamente non sembra proprio di sentir parlare i personaggi di Jane Austen. So già che la Wasylowsky si è difesa dicendo che alla fine del '700, primi dell'800 esisteva il turpiloquio. Ma non avevamo dubbi! Ma che fosse abituale per Darcy e Fitzwilliam? Bah! Che potesse usarlo il Colonnello Fitzwilliam, ancora ancora ci potrebbe stare, trattandosi di un militare ― ma non dimentichiamo mai le sue origini nobili! ― ma DARCY??? Mr. Darcy? Il gentleman che più gentleman non si può? Impossibile, neanche nel privato più privato!
Poi una confusione coi nomi... d'accordo, Jane Austen non ci ha facilitato il compito, perché uno si chiama Fitzwilliam di nome e l'altro di cognome. Ma all'epoca, era rarissimo che un gentleman venisse chiamato da qualcuno tramite nome di battesimo. Forse solo nell'intimità (e d'accordo che la Wasylowsky ci fa vedere anche quella), ma dubito che Darcy si facesse chiamare William, visto che il suo nome era Fitzwilliam!
Insomma, ci sono scene in cui fra William, Fitz, Fitzwilliam non si capisce chi sta parlando a chi!
E vogliamo parlare di Lady Catherine De Bourgh che ama come una madre i suoi nipoti e ne fa le veci? Lei, che non è materna neanche con sua figlia Anne? E secondo voi Lady Catherine avrebbe tollerato di essere chiamata Aunt Catherine o addirittura SOLO Catherine? Ma forse neanche da Sir Lewis in camera da letto, figuriamoci da quei mocciosi dei suoi nipoti!
Su Caroline Bingley vorrei stendere un velo pietoso, ma non posso astenermi. La Wasylowsky l'ha trasformata in una nave scuola, una cortigiana d'alto bordo che ha accolto fra le sue braccia prima il colonnello Fitzwilliam (probabilmente con tutto il suo reggimento) e poi Darcy. Ma tutto ciò avveniva molti anni prima che Darcy conoscesse Elizabeth, quando era ancora un ragazzino inesperto. Ma... e quanti anni avrebbe questa Caroline baldracca? Una cinquantina? E Darcy con quale coraggio le fa frequentare Georgiana?
La parte relativa alla storia d'amore fra il Colonnello Fitzwilliam e Amanda Penrod è un gradevole romance, che si legge con piacere. In realtà, se la Wasylowsky avesse sostituito i nomi dei personaggi di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio con altri nomi, avrei apprezzato il romanzo molto di più, perché i due protagonisti sono due classici maschi alfa da romance standard, ma non hanno niente in comune con i personaggi di Jane Austen, a cui hanno solo rubato i nomi.
E quindi è d'obbligo la solita considerazione: basta il nome Darcy per far vendere un romanzo, ma qui ci troviamo di fronte alla fan-fiction più sconclusionata e più irriverente nei confronti di Jane Austen.
Potete trovare le recensione completa QUI
Chi legge le mie recensioni sa che non ho mai pregiudizi quando comincio a leggere un libro. Forse avrei dovuto averne, perché mi era stato detto che questo libro conteneva alcune scene erotiche, degne di qualunque romance. Forse avrei dovuto averne, perché è palese che la sua autrice abbia un debole per i bei giovanottoni inglesi, tanto che il suo blog, The League of the British Artists è un piacere per gli occhi di chi cerca tutto, ma proprio tutto quel che riguarda gli attori inglesi di Period Dramas.
Non mi scandalizzo per le scene erotiche, se sono inserite nel momento giusto e nel modo giusto, ci mancherebbe. Non mi scandalizzo per il turpiloquio o per un modo di parlare più sciolto, ma cosa c'entra tutto questo con Pride and Prejudice? Anche se è solo un sequel?
Il linguaggio di entrambi i protagonisti è estremamente disinvolto: francamente non sembra proprio di sentir parlare i personaggi di Jane Austen. So già che la Wasylowsky si è difesa dicendo che alla fine del '700, primi dell'800 esisteva il turpiloquio. Ma non avevamo dubbi! Ma che fosse abituale per Darcy e Fitzwilliam? Bah! Che potesse usarlo il Colonnello Fitzwilliam, ancora ancora ci potrebbe stare, trattandosi di un militare ― ma non dimentichiamo mai le sue origini nobili! ― ma DARCY??? Mr. Darcy? Il gentleman che più gentleman non si può? Impossibile, neanche nel privato più privato!
Poi una confusione coi nomi... d'accordo, Jane Austen non ci ha facilitato il compito, perché uno si chiama Fitzwilliam di nome e l'altro di cognome. Ma all'epoca, era rarissimo che un gentleman venisse chiamato da qualcuno tramite nome di battesimo. Forse solo nell'intimità (e d'accordo che la Wasylowsky ci fa vedere anche quella), ma dubito che Darcy si facesse chiamare William, visto che il suo nome era Fitzwilliam!
Insomma, ci sono scene in cui fra William, Fitz, Fitzwilliam non si capisce chi sta parlando a chi!
E vogliamo parlare di Lady Catherine De Bourgh che ama come una madre i suoi nipoti e ne fa le veci? Lei, che non è materna neanche con sua figlia Anne? E secondo voi Lady Catherine avrebbe tollerato di essere chiamata Aunt Catherine o addirittura SOLO Catherine? Ma forse neanche da Sir Lewis in camera da letto, figuriamoci da quei mocciosi dei suoi nipoti!
Su Caroline Bingley vorrei stendere un velo pietoso, ma non posso astenermi. La Wasylowsky l'ha trasformata in una nave scuola, una cortigiana d'alto bordo che ha accolto fra le sue braccia prima il colonnello Fitzwilliam (probabilmente con tutto il suo reggimento) e poi Darcy. Ma tutto ciò avveniva molti anni prima che Darcy conoscesse Elizabeth, quando era ancora un ragazzino inesperto. Ma... e quanti anni avrebbe questa Caroline baldracca? Una cinquantina? E Darcy con quale coraggio le fa frequentare Georgiana?
La parte relativa alla storia d'amore fra il Colonnello Fitzwilliam e Amanda Penrod è un gradevole romance, che si legge con piacere. In realtà, se la Wasylowsky avesse sostituito i nomi dei personaggi di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio con altri nomi, avrei apprezzato il romanzo molto di più, perché i due protagonisti sono due classici maschi alfa da romance standard, ma non hanno niente in comune con i personaggi di Jane Austen, a cui hanno solo rubato i nomi.
E quindi è d'obbligo la solita considerazione: basta il nome Darcy per far vendere un romanzo, ma qui ci troviamo di fronte alla fan-fiction più sconclusionata e più irriverente nei confronti di Jane Austen.
Potete trovare le recensione completa QUI
August 21, 2011
...tripe...
well. that was a waste of time, frankly. so many things did not make sense. lady catherine??? never... and the characters of lizzy and darcy were a disaster, not like anything they were like in "pride and prejudice". the little story enveloping them (with caroline bingley) was irrelevant at best. useless. and so not necessary as the romance with colonel fitzwilliam was nice enough, getting close to any historical romance with huge hulking men with battle scars and being generally fit - and virile of course. it was nice to have a minor character developed and the story was fitting enough (we all have our own ideas but considering what i had made up around him this was not half bad).
however, there were too many things that were so implausible and would never ever have happened back then so i am afraid i have to give it the one star of "i didn't like it".
also, as an afterthought: why oh why do authors have to tell more than their story? there is no necessity at all to give a glimpse into the future when darcy and fitzwilliam have grandchildren. really - i'm not interested. i'd rather make up my own version.
but then... i really shuldn't read continuation novels. terrible quandary...
well. that was a waste of time, frankly. so many things did not make sense. lady catherine??? never... and the characters of lizzy and darcy were a disaster, not like anything they were like in "pride and prejudice". the little story enveloping them (with caroline bingley) was irrelevant at best. useless. and so not necessary as the romance with colonel fitzwilliam was nice enough, getting close to any historical romance with huge hulking men with battle scars and being generally fit - and virile of course. it was nice to have a minor character developed and the story was fitting enough (we all have our own ideas but considering what i had made up around him this was not half bad).
however, there were too many things that were so implausible and would never ever have happened back then so i am afraid i have to give it the one star of "i didn't like it".
also, as an afterthought: why oh why do authors have to tell more than their story? there is no necessity at all to give a glimpse into the future when darcy and fitzwilliam have grandchildren. really - i'm not interested. i'd rather make up my own version.
but then... i really shuldn't read continuation novels. terrible quandary...
September 15, 2011
Let me first say I am not a big fan of the original Pride and Prejudice and found it mind numbing in parts. So I normally would never read a book like this, but all my friends kept talking about how good Mrs. Waslowski's book was. I caved to the peer pressure and gave it a read. To my surprised I really enjoyed it, I found it had a great deal of humor and was very clever. I assumed Darcy was just mad because he had a girls name, but instead it seems he really has some unresolved issues with his brother. Catherine reminded me a lot of my ex-wife, shall we say a wee bit controlling. Fitzwilliam was a good bit of fun too, I think we should go drinking together.
All in all this was a great spin off of Austen's work, I found it much more fun and interesting read then any of the P & P series. If you are an Austen snob this might not be for you, but if you actually have a sense of humor and can relate with people in the real world you will love her spin on this P & P novel.
All in all this was a great spin off of Austen's work, I found it much more fun and interesting read then any of the P & P series. If you are an Austen snob this might not be for you, but if you actually have a sense of humor and can relate with people in the real world you will love her spin on this P & P novel.
March 15, 2019
I read this when it was first released in paperback but am only guessing at the dates. As it is free on Amazon/Kindle for a few days I now have a Kindle copy and so will reread as I always intended in order to post a review.
April 3, 2012
Did someone say Colonel Fitzwilliam? YES! A minor character is getting and given some love. Did someone say bromance? Yes, A bromance between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I’m sold. Plus the cover is divine. I came, I saw (read), I was extremely satisfied. READ THIS BOOK!
Volume I- Darcy and Elizabeth
I found myself a bit board by the first part of the book, which is no fault of Wasylowski. It has to do with my being sick of reading about Darcy and Elizabeth. They’re everywhere and after a while you grow tired of just one couple and long for other Austen characters to get their day in the spotlight. However, this is a review of Wasylowski’s book and if I put aside my fatigue with all things Darcy and Elizabeth I have to say she has written them well. She gives us a story and not all this mindless sex. Thank you!
Elizabeth is written as the strong woman we grew to love in Austen’s masterpiece Pride and Prejudice, but she has her flaws too. She is slightly insecure in her marriage and when she finds out that Darcy had a brief liaison with Caroline Bingley she flies off into a fit of rage. In regards to her insecurity I think we have to remember that while she is a gentleman’s daughter they were not rich and I believe it is realistic to portray her as insecure in her new role as Mistress of the grand estate Pemberley. Wouldn’t you be intimidated by the expectation of acting like a proper Mistress for a huge place like Pemberley, where one minor mistake could set the servants tongues wagging?
Secondly, is her fit of rage at finding out Darcy had a liaison with Caroline Bingley. I think this would upset any woman. Caroline Bingley makes no secret of her dislike for Elizabeth as she is competition for Darcy’s affections. I think Elizabeth views this as a sort of betrayal, despite the liaison being before her marriage to Darcy, but I also think it has to do with the fact that being from a small country town she has never had to deal with someone openly disliking her. It creates insecurities in her and because she only ever spent her life in the country she is not well versed in what men of the world do. She has been sheltered so it comes as a surprise to her that Darcy has premarital relations and so she questions her trust in him.
Many may not like how Elizabeth is portrayed in this novel, but I think we need to remember that they are human and have faults like the rest of us. I do not think it fair to expect Elizabeth and Darcy to be perfect all the time. Darcy was a man of his time. He was educated and it was not uncommon for them to step out for a nip-and-a-cuddle before marrying. It happens and to think it didn’t is a disservice. Reality is not always pretty.
Volume II- Colonel Fitzwilliam
I adore a man in uniform. This part of the book, staring Colonel Fitzwilliam, was my favorite. It was so touching to get to see Colonel Fitzwilliam really fall in love after years of roughish behavior while serving his country in the Army. When a man like Colonel Fitzwilliam falls in love he falls hard, fast and intends things to work in his favor with military precision. The American widow Amanda Penrod has some fire of her own and disrupts all of his plans. There were some extremely hilarious and heartbreaking moments between them.
Amanda Penrod, a character of Wasylowski’s creation, was a match for Colonel Fitzwilliam. She is a widow with a young son and a monster-in-law. Monster-in-law has custody of Amanda’s son (her grandson) and makes Amanda’s life hell because she believes she is unfit to raise her own son because she is American. A mother’s love is not to be trifled with and there is no doubt that Amanda loves her son. There is also no doubt that Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda are passionately in love.
There are some minor sex scenes between the Colonel and Amanda, BUT they are not explicit and they have a reason to be there. They drive the plot. The first intimate scene between the Colonel and Amanda is beautiful. It is the first time the Colonel has made love to a woman and not just used her for sex. It is the final awaking for him and his decision to make Amanda his wife and spend the rest of his days with her. For Amanda it is the first time she has had real intimate relations (her first husband does not count) herself and it is also a discovery for her into the nature of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
I have to commend Wasylowski here because while she had minor sex scenes, if she hadn’t had them at all I would have had no doubt as to the love and passion between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda. The same can be said about Darcy and Elizabeth who had no intimate scenes in this novel. She was able to convey the love, romance and passion through other thoughts and actions. That is difficult to do and she did is exceptionally well.
Volume III- Family
The final volume brought full circle the first two Volumes. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda, with her son, get a happy ending after the battle with the monster-in-law for custody. Darcy and Elizabeth have a newborn and settle their disagreement in regards to Caroline Bingley. They are family men now. It is beautiful to see these men portrayed as bachelors and then taking on the role as husbands and fathers.
The ending scene of the novel almost made me cry. It cements the bromance between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy which is a prevalent focus throughout the novel. These two men were so different and yet they are two peas in a pod. They complete each other and would truly be lost without each other. Through their trials and tribulations they are there for each other, accepting their flaws and helping each other grow and mature.
It was so wonderful to see the relationship between these two men and from their point of view. Wasylowski writes from the male point of view which is refreshing. The men get a chance to shine. She has done an excellent job of showing how these two men grow together, as individuals and in their relationships. It was a treat to be invited to hear their story.
Lastly, I have to say I found Wasylowski’s portrayal of Lady Catherine to be a delight. Lady Catherine is up there in years, so at times a bit senile, but usually sharp as a tack. We as readers get to understand why she is the way she is. She loves her family and will always protect it. She is still the domineering woman of the original novel, but with a softer side. Lady Catherine provided some of the other humorous scenes. I actually wanted to read more about Lady Catherine. I grew to adore this Lady Catherine and that is not something to be taken lightly.
If you have not read this book you should. Darcy and Fitzwilliam was a wonderful ride that I would gladly take again.
Volume I- Darcy and Elizabeth
I found myself a bit board by the first part of the book, which is no fault of Wasylowski. It has to do with my being sick of reading about Darcy and Elizabeth. They’re everywhere and after a while you grow tired of just one couple and long for other Austen characters to get their day in the spotlight. However, this is a review of Wasylowski’s book and if I put aside my fatigue with all things Darcy and Elizabeth I have to say she has written them well. She gives us a story and not all this mindless sex. Thank you!
Elizabeth is written as the strong woman we grew to love in Austen’s masterpiece Pride and Prejudice, but she has her flaws too. She is slightly insecure in her marriage and when she finds out that Darcy had a brief liaison with Caroline Bingley she flies off into a fit of rage. In regards to her insecurity I think we have to remember that while she is a gentleman’s daughter they were not rich and I believe it is realistic to portray her as insecure in her new role as Mistress of the grand estate Pemberley. Wouldn’t you be intimidated by the expectation of acting like a proper Mistress for a huge place like Pemberley, where one minor mistake could set the servants tongues wagging?
Secondly, is her fit of rage at finding out Darcy had a liaison with Caroline Bingley. I think this would upset any woman. Caroline Bingley makes no secret of her dislike for Elizabeth as she is competition for Darcy’s affections. I think Elizabeth views this as a sort of betrayal, despite the liaison being before her marriage to Darcy, but I also think it has to do with the fact that being from a small country town she has never had to deal with someone openly disliking her. It creates insecurities in her and because she only ever spent her life in the country she is not well versed in what men of the world do. She has been sheltered so it comes as a surprise to her that Darcy has premarital relations and so she questions her trust in him.
Many may not like how Elizabeth is portrayed in this novel, but I think we need to remember that they are human and have faults like the rest of us. I do not think it fair to expect Elizabeth and Darcy to be perfect all the time. Darcy was a man of his time. He was educated and it was not uncommon for them to step out for a nip-and-a-cuddle before marrying. It happens and to think it didn’t is a disservice. Reality is not always pretty.
Volume II- Colonel Fitzwilliam
I adore a man in uniform. This part of the book, staring Colonel Fitzwilliam, was my favorite. It was so touching to get to see Colonel Fitzwilliam really fall in love after years of roughish behavior while serving his country in the Army. When a man like Colonel Fitzwilliam falls in love he falls hard, fast and intends things to work in his favor with military precision. The American widow Amanda Penrod has some fire of her own and disrupts all of his plans. There were some extremely hilarious and heartbreaking moments between them.
Amanda Penrod, a character of Wasylowski’s creation, was a match for Colonel Fitzwilliam. She is a widow with a young son and a monster-in-law. Monster-in-law has custody of Amanda’s son (her grandson) and makes Amanda’s life hell because she believes she is unfit to raise her own son because she is American. A mother’s love is not to be trifled with and there is no doubt that Amanda loves her son. There is also no doubt that Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda are passionately in love.
There are some minor sex scenes between the Colonel and Amanda, BUT they are not explicit and they have a reason to be there. They drive the plot. The first intimate scene between the Colonel and Amanda is beautiful. It is the first time the Colonel has made love to a woman and not just used her for sex. It is the final awaking for him and his decision to make Amanda his wife and spend the rest of his days with her. For Amanda it is the first time she has had real intimate relations (her first husband does not count) herself and it is also a discovery for her into the nature of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
I have to commend Wasylowski here because while she had minor sex scenes, if she hadn’t had them at all I would have had no doubt as to the love and passion between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda. The same can be said about Darcy and Elizabeth who had no intimate scenes in this novel. She was able to convey the love, romance and passion through other thoughts and actions. That is difficult to do and she did is exceptionally well.
Volume III- Family
The final volume brought full circle the first two Volumes. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amanda, with her son, get a happy ending after the battle with the monster-in-law for custody. Darcy and Elizabeth have a newborn and settle their disagreement in regards to Caroline Bingley. They are family men now. It is beautiful to see these men portrayed as bachelors and then taking on the role as husbands and fathers.
The ending scene of the novel almost made me cry. It cements the bromance between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy which is a prevalent focus throughout the novel. These two men were so different and yet they are two peas in a pod. They complete each other and would truly be lost without each other. Through their trials and tribulations they are there for each other, accepting their flaws and helping each other grow and mature.
It was so wonderful to see the relationship between these two men and from their point of view. Wasylowski writes from the male point of view which is refreshing. The men get a chance to shine. She has done an excellent job of showing how these two men grow together, as individuals and in their relationships. It was a treat to be invited to hear their story.
Lastly, I have to say I found Wasylowski’s portrayal of Lady Catherine to be a delight. Lady Catherine is up there in years, so at times a bit senile, but usually sharp as a tack. We as readers get to understand why she is the way she is. She loves her family and will always protect it. She is still the domineering woman of the original novel, but with a softer side. Lady Catherine provided some of the other humorous scenes. I actually wanted to read more about Lady Catherine. I grew to adore this Lady Catherine and that is not something to be taken lightly.
If you have not read this book you should. Darcy and Fitzwilliam was a wonderful ride that I would gladly take again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2019
Their lives are always connected
Long story of both Darcy and Fitzwilliam. An entertaining story where a couple of things do not match, like Caroline and Darcy!!
However, I got to like Lady Catherine very much and Amanda too.
Long story of both Darcy and Fitzwilliam. An entertaining story where a couple of things do not match, like Caroline and Darcy!!
However, I got to like Lady Catherine very much and Amanda too.
October 18, 2011
I rec'd this book as a prize in a give away at English Historical Fiction Authors blogsite. And I was so thrilled because I have had my eye on it for a while as a TBR.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is a P&P sequel, but this sequel though it contains the ladies like Lizzy and Lady Catherine, it focuses on Darcy and his cousin. Darcy's story is about the first few years of his marriage. Fitzwilliam's story is about surviving the war though fragile mentally after the experience and finding his own romance.
The original characters bare some resemblance to those in the book, but there is a refreshing change in most of them that will delight readers who are not of the P&P purist faction. FYI- Wickham and Lydia are mentioned in passing, Lady Catherine is the maternal figure for Darcy and Fitzwilliam. Bingley and Jane are barely mentioned. Mrs. Bennet is given shortshift. Caroline plays a larger possibly more startling role. There are new characters to meet and grow to love.
I think possible the relationship with the two cousins and their aunt was the best part of the book for me. I laughed so hard mostly at Lady Catherine and the Colonel. There are some great lines in this book.
The book can be bawdy and has a modern thinking romance feel to it though the characters are set in the Regency period.
Delightful and leaves a smile on your face. A light romp through the P&P world.
Enjoy for yourself.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is a P&P sequel, but this sequel though it contains the ladies like Lizzy and Lady Catherine, it focuses on Darcy and his cousin. Darcy's story is about the first few years of his marriage. Fitzwilliam's story is about surviving the war though fragile mentally after the experience and finding his own romance.
The original characters bare some resemblance to those in the book, but there is a refreshing change in most of them that will delight readers who are not of the P&P purist faction. FYI- Wickham and Lydia are mentioned in passing, Lady Catherine is the maternal figure for Darcy and Fitzwilliam. Bingley and Jane are barely mentioned. Mrs. Bennet is given shortshift. Caroline plays a larger possibly more startling role. There are new characters to meet and grow to love.
I think possible the relationship with the two cousins and their aunt was the best part of the book for me. I laughed so hard mostly at Lady Catherine and the Colonel. There are some great lines in this book.
The book can be bawdy and has a modern thinking romance feel to it though the characters are set in the Regency period.
Delightful and leaves a smile on your face. A light romp through the P&P world.
Enjoy for yourself.
August 16, 2019
Great book!
I enjoyed this story immensely! It's very well written, it immerses you into the characters' lives. You can almost see the scenes happening before you (you almost duck sometimes).
Very well worth the money and the time.
I enjoyed this story immensely! It's very well written, it immerses you into the characters' lives. You can almost see the scenes happening before you (you almost duck sometimes).
Very well worth the money and the time.
June 10, 2025
I read this book when it first came out and loved it and it quickly became a favorite. When subsequent books in the series were released, I went back and re-read this one to refresh my memory for the rest of the series. I can't recommend this book, this series or this author enough.
August 3, 2014
I barely finished this book. Horrible rendentions of Darcy & Elizabeth. Darcy comes across so badly and his actions don't match any of the growth he experienced in Austen's novel
July 5, 2022
Surprised by the negative reviews
Reviewed in Canada on June 22, 2019
I was surprised by the mixed reviews on this book, especially some of the severe negative ones. I always feel if you want Jane Austen, then re-read the original. I thought this well-written and pleased with the fact that the author can write using good grammar; something often lacking in variations. As to the story, I really loved the banter and humor between the cousins and most of the main characters. The dialogue in this book is very good!Elizabeth’s temper was a bit severe, but I always appreciate that non-canon stories are just that—non-canon, and I enjoy them. Lady Catherine’s personality in this is great. Caroline is nasty. No Wickham or Lydia; just a mention. Yay.
Second read - August 4-5, 2021
I’m so glad I returned to this book for a second read. I’d forgotten how entertaining I thought it was. I just love the bond of these two gentlemen, and not the least offended by their bawdy humour. This is one of my favorite depictions of Lady Catherine—at times one brick short of a load, and other times sharp as a tack. Loved her.
Reviewed in Canada on June 22, 2019
I was surprised by the mixed reviews on this book, especially some of the severe negative ones. I always feel if you want Jane Austen, then re-read the original. I thought this well-written and pleased with the fact that the author can write using good grammar; something often lacking in variations. As to the story, I really loved the banter and humor between the cousins and most of the main characters. The dialogue in this book is very good!Elizabeth’s temper was a bit severe, but I always appreciate that non-canon stories are just that—non-canon, and I enjoy them. Lady Catherine’s personality in this is great. Caroline is nasty. No Wickham or Lydia; just a mention. Yay.
Second read - August 4-5, 2021
I’m so glad I returned to this book for a second read. I’d forgotten how entertaining I thought it was. I just love the bond of these two gentlemen, and not the least offended by their bawdy humour. This is one of my favorite depictions of Lady Catherine—at times one brick short of a load, and other times sharp as a tack. Loved her.
November 6, 2012
This book is called Darcy and Fitzwilliam, but although there is a character called Darcy, it's not Austen's Darcy. Neither is his wife Austen's Elizabeth, she's a bit of an evil tempered, stroppy, petulant room wrecker. I couldn't help but feel that there is just Darcy in the title so it comes up on searches on Amazon!
Having said that, Fitzwilliam I liked very much, I didn't feel he was misinterpreted and since the majority of the story revolves around him it's actually quite an entertaining read. There are a number of bits which are really very funny. If you can just forget that two of the characters are supposed to be Darcy and Lizzy and think of it just as a historical romance then it's worth another star at least.
Having said that, Fitzwilliam I liked very much, I didn't feel he was misinterpreted and since the majority of the story revolves around him it's actually quite an entertaining read. There are a number of bits which are really very funny. If you can just forget that two of the characters are supposed to be Darcy and Lizzy and think of it just as a historical romance then it's worth another star at least.
September 26, 2014
Not one of my favourite Jane Austen spin-offs. The first half of the book is interesting, but the second half bombs with a contrived Mary-Sue plot. Blech! Only for the die-hard Austen fans. Otherwise, not one I'd recommend.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/8023920-...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/8023920-...
February 9, 2011
What is absolutely new in Karen Wasylowski' s spin-off story based on Pride & Prejudice is its being a modern bromance set in the Regency period. This modern term refers to a close but non-sexual relationship between two (or more) men . It is a story of special , close friends which, in ancient times already, Aristotle described as “ those who desire the good of their friends for the friends' sake that are most truly friends, because each loves the other for what he is, and not for any incidental quality”. This is exactly what happens between Darcy and his cousin Fitzilliam .
Reading this novel gives a new point of view, which is entirely male, on the events. It is like being admitted beyond that close door which separated the ladies from the gentlemen during Regency after-dinner private gatherings. It is like being allowed to share the men’s confidential chatting, which Jane Austen usually neglected making us rather follow her heroines’ share of the events. In her novels we are banished from the men’s room and left in the sitting room with all the ladies.
Being Darcy and Fitzwilliam the protagonists of this novel, we are, instead, allowed to make the acquaintance of the secret aspects, jokes and quirks men usually don’t share with women. This is definitely the novelty in this amusing story based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The witty style chosen by Karen Wasylowski becomes even hilarious - if not farcical - at times , which reminds me Georgette Heyer more than Austen. Many scenes might well be part of a Feydeau’s theatrical farce : Darcy and Elizabeth vivacious and continuous arguing in their married ménage or Caroline Bingley “ambushing” her dream man, Darcy, alone in her brother’s house in order to seduce him, or the hilarious meeting of Fitzwilliam and Doctor Anthony Milagros.
The character of Lady Catherine is outstanding, rather different from the original, that is ... incredibly human and understanding - even with Elizabeth - and so patient that she accepts being called “old girl” by Colonel Fitzwilliam, decorated hero in the Napoleonic war, but free and easy even with her, his aristocratic stern aunt. Maybe she's becoming old indeed!
The novel is set into three parts; Volume 1 focuses on Darcy and the continuation of what began in Pride and Prejudice, Volume 2 focuses more on Fitzwilliam and where he is heading in life, and Volume 3 is the conclusion of the two and focuses on the family as a whole.
There are old and new characters and among the latter, two ones are rather peculiar or bizarre: Amanda , a charming widow coming from the new world with a very complicated family situation who succeeds in conquering Colonel Fitzwilliam's heart , and Doctor Anthony Milagros, her handsome close friend.
I had fun reading this book and I think it is a remarkable first attempt at fanfiction, being this a debut novel for Karen Wasylowski. Many authors try to write like Jane Austen, in this case instead , the author managed to capture the essence of Pride and Prejudice but creating a work that has her own voice.
To be totally honest , as I ususally try to be, I must admit that there are things in the book that may offend Austen purists. So if you are among them, I must warn you: you'll find sex scenes between the protagonists and a blunt, rather modern language, so you can have the impression of little attention given to the Regency etiquette or you might even find some twists in the plot improbable. However, I'm sure everybody can appreciate the enthusiasm and love with which Karen Wasylowski approaches the task of writing Austen fanfiction.
Personally, I was amused most of the time and never offended. And if a weakest link in the novel must be found, let it be ... its length to me. I would have cut it shorter, avoiding the third volume. The first one was definitely the best, there's greater control over every aspect of the narration.
Read my complete review on my Austen-dedicated blog My Jane Austen Book Club http://bit.ly/fWJPFk
Reading this novel gives a new point of view, which is entirely male, on the events. It is like being admitted beyond that close door which separated the ladies from the gentlemen during Regency after-dinner private gatherings. It is like being allowed to share the men’s confidential chatting, which Jane Austen usually neglected making us rather follow her heroines’ share of the events. In her novels we are banished from the men’s room and left in the sitting room with all the ladies.
Being Darcy and Fitzwilliam the protagonists of this novel, we are, instead, allowed to make the acquaintance of the secret aspects, jokes and quirks men usually don’t share with women. This is definitely the novelty in this amusing story based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The witty style chosen by Karen Wasylowski becomes even hilarious - if not farcical - at times , which reminds me Georgette Heyer more than Austen. Many scenes might well be part of a Feydeau’s theatrical farce : Darcy and Elizabeth vivacious and continuous arguing in their married ménage or Caroline Bingley “ambushing” her dream man, Darcy, alone in her brother’s house in order to seduce him, or the hilarious meeting of Fitzwilliam and Doctor Anthony Milagros.
The character of Lady Catherine is outstanding, rather different from the original, that is ... incredibly human and understanding - even with Elizabeth - and so patient that she accepts being called “old girl” by Colonel Fitzwilliam, decorated hero in the Napoleonic war, but free and easy even with her, his aristocratic stern aunt. Maybe she's becoming old indeed!
The novel is set into three parts; Volume 1 focuses on Darcy and the continuation of what began in Pride and Prejudice, Volume 2 focuses more on Fitzwilliam and where he is heading in life, and Volume 3 is the conclusion of the two and focuses on the family as a whole.
There are old and new characters and among the latter, two ones are rather peculiar or bizarre: Amanda , a charming widow coming from the new world with a very complicated family situation who succeeds in conquering Colonel Fitzwilliam's heart , and Doctor Anthony Milagros, her handsome close friend.
I had fun reading this book and I think it is a remarkable first attempt at fanfiction, being this a debut novel for Karen Wasylowski. Many authors try to write like Jane Austen, in this case instead , the author managed to capture the essence of Pride and Prejudice but creating a work that has her own voice.
To be totally honest , as I ususally try to be, I must admit that there are things in the book that may offend Austen purists. So if you are among them, I must warn you: you'll find sex scenes between the protagonists and a blunt, rather modern language, so you can have the impression of little attention given to the Regency etiquette or you might even find some twists in the plot improbable. However, I'm sure everybody can appreciate the enthusiasm and love with which Karen Wasylowski approaches the task of writing Austen fanfiction.
Personally, I was amused most of the time and never offended. And if a weakest link in the novel must be found, let it be ... its length to me. I would have cut it shorter, avoiding the third volume. The first one was definitely the best, there's greater control over every aspect of the narration.
Read my complete review on my Austen-dedicated blog My Jane Austen Book Club http://bit.ly/fWJPFk
April 4, 2015
This was a surprising little book. It's cleverly written, at times frustrating, with unexpected bits of humor throughout. There is a decidedly masculine feel to the narrative, a dramatic, soap-opera-esque plot, and a few characters are sort of turned on their heads. Caroline Bingley is a villanous tramp, Lady Catherine is more of an eccentric, amusing matriarch rather than the pompus, overbearing relation who so abused our Lizzie. I loved Darcy's loving/antagonistic relationship with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam (a fanfic favorite of mine, I don't think I could ever read enough books about the Colonel). They are more like brothers than cousins, even to the point of calling each other childish names, "brat" by the Colonel and "Old Bastard" by Darcy. Even Lady Catherine proves to have an irreverent wit, once teasing Colonel Fitzwilliam about one of her elderly maids:
"We often speak of you, you know," Catherine continued, nodding for the wine to be poured. "Yes. When I assure her you will probably one day be hanged, well, it just seems to cheer her so."
The things I didn't like about this book is how hysterical and unbalanced our formerly level-headed Elizabeth is. Granted, being married to and (spoiler alert) impregnated by a man as pig-headed as Darcy has got to be frustrating at times, but I still don't see Elizabeth as the vase-and-trinket-smashing lunatic this book makes her out to be. Poor thing. Darcy might love her, but he's still Darcy, and damn if I would want to be married to him. At least this incarnation of him.
This book probably gave me my favorite portrayal of Colonel Fitzwilliam, painting him as a war hero and celebrity, he masks his dissatisfaction with life and painful memories with a razor-sharp humor and unapologetic sexuality. He's described as a bear, a beast, not handsome like Darcy but an object of desire nonetheless. In fact both Darcy and Fitzwilliam seem to be giving off waves of masculine sensualtiy in every page, like when Fitzwillaim comes to a hotel where he has been "hiding out" so to speak, and is surprised to find that his resourcesful cousin has managed to track him down:
"About halfway into the room, the crowd finally parted, and he beheld the tall, dark, and exceptionally handsome English gentleman, his long legs crossed, his chanpange-buffed black riding boots brilliantly reflecting the flames from the hearth. The dark green superfine coat and subded checkered waistcoat set off his brilliantly white shirt and cravat. One elbow was draped casually actoss the back of his chair while the other hand sensuously stroked the stem of a wine glass resting on the table before him. His eyes never left Fitwilliam's face. He was the very essence of stylish nonchalance.
Except for his eyes. His eyes were the very black depths of hell."
Woah. Did the room just suddenly get super warm? Yes, brace yourself. There is sex in this book, a good deal of it. Normally this puts me off in a Jane Austen spinoff, but not here. It's so well-done, not overly graphic or unplausible, and since this book is centered on men, it feels fitting. I have to take my hat off to the author on that score. If only all romance writers could write sex so well.
If you're a fan of Jane Austen fanfic, I would definitely recommend this book. Parts of it will make you incredibly angry, the epiloge will probably make you roll your eyes a lot, but otherwise it's a great, fun, well-paced read.
"We often speak of you, you know," Catherine continued, nodding for the wine to be poured. "Yes. When I assure her you will probably one day be hanged, well, it just seems to cheer her so."
The things I didn't like about this book is how hysterical and unbalanced our formerly level-headed Elizabeth is. Granted, being married to and (spoiler alert) impregnated by a man as pig-headed as Darcy has got to be frustrating at times, but I still don't see Elizabeth as the vase-and-trinket-smashing lunatic this book makes her out to be. Poor thing. Darcy might love her, but he's still Darcy, and damn if I would want to be married to him. At least this incarnation of him.
This book probably gave me my favorite portrayal of Colonel Fitzwilliam, painting him as a war hero and celebrity, he masks his dissatisfaction with life and painful memories with a razor-sharp humor and unapologetic sexuality. He's described as a bear, a beast, not handsome like Darcy but an object of desire nonetheless. In fact both Darcy and Fitzwilliam seem to be giving off waves of masculine sensualtiy in every page, like when Fitzwillaim comes to a hotel where he has been "hiding out" so to speak, and is surprised to find that his resourcesful cousin has managed to track him down:
"About halfway into the room, the crowd finally parted, and he beheld the tall, dark, and exceptionally handsome English gentleman, his long legs crossed, his chanpange-buffed black riding boots brilliantly reflecting the flames from the hearth. The dark green superfine coat and subded checkered waistcoat set off his brilliantly white shirt and cravat. One elbow was draped casually actoss the back of his chair while the other hand sensuously stroked the stem of a wine glass resting on the table before him. His eyes never left Fitwilliam's face. He was the very essence of stylish nonchalance.
Except for his eyes. His eyes were the very black depths of hell."
Woah. Did the room just suddenly get super warm? Yes, brace yourself. There is sex in this book, a good deal of it. Normally this puts me off in a Jane Austen spinoff, but not here. It's so well-done, not overly graphic or unplausible, and since this book is centered on men, it feels fitting. I have to take my hat off to the author on that score. If only all romance writers could write sex so well.
If you're a fan of Jane Austen fanfic, I would definitely recommend this book. Parts of it will make you incredibly angry, the epiloge will probably make you roll your eyes a lot, but otherwise it's a great, fun, well-paced read.
May 8, 2015
This was...not good. It never quite reached "I want to throw it at the wall" status, so it's probably more like a 1.25 star book, but STILL. The characters are universally awful. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are both enormously controlling "you-belong-to-me" types. At one point, Darcy spends like three pages screaming at a heavily pregnant Lizzy through her locked bedroom door, then kicks the door in, and has the nerve to be offended when she cowers, because he would NEVER hurt a woman. The women, on the other hand, are all shrewish and foot-stampy types who generally go from throwing things and "I never want to see you again" to "I'm so sorry please forgive me for my womanly stupidity" in the space of one kiss. Add in Caroline Bingley as a manipulative individual who's apparently slept with half the ton, and things are looking pretty awful.
The language was frequently just...wrong. Darcy and Fitzwilliam's relationship is supposed to come across as brotherly, but apparently that just means making a lot of fart jokes and discussing their virility. After one such conversation, Fitzwilliam starts referring to his dick as "the South of France", which leads to ongoing boner references. Add in members of the Royal Family shrieking like banshees in public, the use of the word "fanny" to mean "arse" (which led to both hilarity and cringing), and Lizzy's pregnancy leading her to be "much larger horizontally than vertically" (seriously?!), and I was firmly on the Nope Train.
Honestly, I think one of my biggest problems with this was that in the 50-ish% of the book that features Lizzy and Darcy, NOT ONCE do the Gardiners turn up. NOT. ONCE. Which, given that Austen tells us in the final chapter of P&P that they were frequent visitors to wherever the Darcys were living, seems like a MASSIVE oversight. Sigh. Oh, that and the fact that after trying to break up Darcy and Lizzy's marriage - going so far as to con Darcy into coming to Netherfield under false pretences, then getting him drunk and climbing into his bed naked - the only repercussion that Caroline Bingley receives is marrying a rich dude who lives in Edinburgh and being denied the joys of London. Dude. No.
Look, if you're a huge fan of Col. Fitzwilliam, maybe give it a go? But then again, maybe don't unless you want to see the character you previously enjoyed turned into a slightly abusive douchenozzle...
The language was frequently just...wrong. Darcy and Fitzwilliam's relationship is supposed to come across as brotherly, but apparently that just means making a lot of fart jokes and discussing their virility. After one such conversation, Fitzwilliam starts referring to his dick as "the South of France", which leads to ongoing boner references. Add in members of the Royal Family shrieking like banshees in public, the use of the word "fanny" to mean "arse" (which led to both hilarity and cringing), and Lizzy's pregnancy leading her to be "much larger horizontally than vertically" (seriously?!), and I was firmly on the Nope Train.
Honestly, I think one of my biggest problems with this was that in the 50-ish% of the book that features Lizzy and Darcy, NOT ONCE do the Gardiners turn up. NOT. ONCE. Which, given that Austen tells us in the final chapter of P&P that they were frequent visitors to wherever the Darcys were living, seems like a MASSIVE oversight. Sigh. Oh, that and the fact that after trying to break up Darcy and Lizzy's marriage - going so far as to con Darcy into coming to Netherfield under false pretences, then getting him drunk and climbing into his bed naked - the only repercussion that Caroline Bingley receives is marrying a rich dude who lives in Edinburgh and being denied the joys of London. Dude. No.
Look, if you're a huge fan of Col. Fitzwilliam, maybe give it a go? But then again, maybe don't unless you want to see the character you previously enjoyed turned into a slightly abusive douchenozzle...
February 8, 2011
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam are cousins and friends in Pride and Prejudice. While Mr. Darcy is rich, proud and reserved, Colonel Fitzwilliam is the second son of an Earl, poor and lively. In Darcy and Fitzwilliam, this friendship is explored.
Volume I, Fitzwilliam Darcy: A gentleman, the story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth continues directly after their marriage. Colonel Fitzwilliam has come to visit his beloved cousin after returning home from the Napoleonic war. While Elizabeth and Darcy are happy, Darcy is saddened at the breach between himself and his Aunt Catherine. Fitzwilliam helps Elizabeth to understand the importance of Lady Catherine to Darcy’s life, and Elizabeth learns that Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy, and Fitzwilliam are really one big dysfunctional family. They may have more money than the Bennets, but they also have their own faults.
Elizabeth also learns about Mr. Darcy’s unsavory past with Caroline Bingley. Elizabeth grows quite enraged and smashes crockery and ruins furniture. I thought this was quite out of character for her and didn’t really like it.
Volume II is entitled Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam: An Officer. Fitzwilliam has returned from war a celebrated hero. He vows to find himself a rich heiress to wed, but instead falls in love with a lovely American widow named Amanda. Amanda cannot remarry as she will lose the custody of her young son because of the conniving of her late husband and her mother-in-law. Fitzwilliam pursues her anyway and the two try to find a way to be together.
I was annoyed throughout the text by Colonel Fitzwilliam continuously calling Mr. Darcy “brat” for a nickname. It seemed out of character for them both and rather jarring whenever it was put into the text.
I loved the cover of this novel. I thought it was quite a good looking cover, although I can’t really imagine Mr. Darcy running after Colonel Fitzwilliam like that!
Overall, I thought the novel was rather uneven. I really liked some aspects of it, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam’s love story. I also thought it did the best job of any book I’ve read of really humanizing Lady Catherine. On the other hand, other aspects of it seemed very out of character such as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s very spirited fighting and Caroline Bingley’s waywardness.
Volume I, Fitzwilliam Darcy: A gentleman, the story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth continues directly after their marriage. Colonel Fitzwilliam has come to visit his beloved cousin after returning home from the Napoleonic war. While Elizabeth and Darcy are happy, Darcy is saddened at the breach between himself and his Aunt Catherine. Fitzwilliam helps Elizabeth to understand the importance of Lady Catherine to Darcy’s life, and Elizabeth learns that Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy, and Fitzwilliam are really one big dysfunctional family. They may have more money than the Bennets, but they also have their own faults.
Elizabeth also learns about Mr. Darcy’s unsavory past with Caroline Bingley. Elizabeth grows quite enraged and smashes crockery and ruins furniture. I thought this was quite out of character for her and didn’t really like it.
Volume II is entitled Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam: An Officer. Fitzwilliam has returned from war a celebrated hero. He vows to find himself a rich heiress to wed, but instead falls in love with a lovely American widow named Amanda. Amanda cannot remarry as she will lose the custody of her young son because of the conniving of her late husband and her mother-in-law. Fitzwilliam pursues her anyway and the two try to find a way to be together.
I was annoyed throughout the text by Colonel Fitzwilliam continuously calling Mr. Darcy “brat” for a nickname. It seemed out of character for them both and rather jarring whenever it was put into the text.
I loved the cover of this novel. I thought it was quite a good looking cover, although I can’t really imagine Mr. Darcy running after Colonel Fitzwilliam like that!
Overall, I thought the novel was rather uneven. I really liked some aspects of it, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam’s love story. I also thought it did the best job of any book I’ve read of really humanizing Lady Catherine. On the other hand, other aspects of it seemed very out of character such as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s very spirited fighting and Caroline Bingley’s waywardness.
October 24, 2012
I didn't think that this author did a very good job sticking to the personalities of the original characters. Darcy and Fitzwilliam become very controlling, and Lizzy is very angry. Also, women who are pregnant in this book are stereotypical: hormone-crazed, irrational, and eager to pick a fight.
The story of Fitzwilliam, Amanda, and Harry is an interesting twist. The way that situation comes to a resolution was my favorite scene in the book (well, the event that leads to the resolution!).
The epilogue was a bit cheesy with introducing the Fitzwilliam Mob. There didn't seem to be any point to that other than to let people know that the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams continued to go at each other like rabbits after the main story ended.
My favorite characters in the book were Lady Catherine and little Harry Penrod. Harry's interpretations of what Fitzwilliam says are hilarious! And, although Lady Catherine's character seems to jump the shark a few times, she seems to be the only character that becomes fully developed. The reader gets to see why she behaves the way she does, as well as the deep, motherly love she feels for both Darcy and Fitzwilliam.
It was worth a read for the Lady Catherine character, but I probably won't be reading this again.
The story of Fitzwilliam, Amanda, and Harry is an interesting twist. The way that situation comes to a resolution was my favorite scene in the book (well, the event that leads to the resolution!).
The epilogue was a bit cheesy with introducing the Fitzwilliam Mob. There didn't seem to be any point to that other than to let people know that the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams continued to go at each other like rabbits after the main story ended.
My favorite characters in the book were Lady Catherine and little Harry Penrod. Harry's interpretations of what Fitzwilliam says are hilarious! And, although Lady Catherine's character seems to jump the shark a few times, she seems to be the only character that becomes fully developed. The reader gets to see why she behaves the way she does, as well as the deep, motherly love she feels for both Darcy and Fitzwilliam.
It was worth a read for the Lady Catherine character, but I probably won't be reading this again.
April 6, 2011
I had such hopes. Now I have such disappointments. I couldn't make it past 70 pages. Skimmed here or there. Read the epilogue. And I just didn't want any more. I read a review that pretty much said exactly how I felt--in just those few pages! (http://austenprose.com/2011/02/06/dar...)
Others liked it for its originality and the author's own take of "realism" with the characters. But I am very particular about Austen spin-offs. And there is a reason I typically don't do P&P spin-offs! This fit into pretty much every reason why I avoid them. Nothing against the author's writing skills. But these were not the people I hold in my head and heart, and not the direction or the actions I have seen of them before and after the original book. Too, too bad--for I always wanted something good written of Fitzwilliam.
So much more I could say. But you'll just have to talk to me.
Others liked it for its originality and the author's own take of "realism" with the characters. But I am very particular about Austen spin-offs. And there is a reason I typically don't do P&P spin-offs! This fit into pretty much every reason why I avoid them. Nothing against the author's writing skills. But these were not the people I hold in my head and heart, and not the direction or the actions I have seen of them before and after the original book. Too, too bad--for I always wanted something good written of Fitzwilliam.
So much more I could say. But you'll just have to talk to me.
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