The Darcy Brothers in Austen Variations

May 01, 2020 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars: I am only guessing at the date of the first read as I first read this as it was published chapter by chapter and offered the readers a chance to give their opinions as to what should happen next. 5-2-2020: rereading.

This is the only story (for me) in which the readers participated in directing the paths the story would take as each segment was posted on a blog. It was interesting to read the various opinions and reasons for each and the final outcome of the ballots.

As 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars: I am only guessing at the date of the first read as I first read this as it was published chapter by chapter and offered the readers a chance to give their opinions as to what should happen next. 5-2-2020: rereading.

This is the only story (for me) in which the readers participated in directing the paths the story would take as each segment was posted on a blog. It was interesting to read the various opinions and reasons for each and the final outcome of the ballots.

As I read this for a second time I found this story to be a very heartwarming one. Emphasis on the relationship between the Darcy siblings led each to realize aspects of their characters which needed correcting...and aspects of their siblings' characters which they needed to paid heed to and also some which they should emulate and/or acknowledge.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has a younger brother, Theophilus aka Theo, as well as their sister, Georgiana. Another younger brother died due to an accident when the boys were young and the guilt/blame associated with that plays a part in the relationship between Fitzwilliam and Theo. This story begins as Theo and Fitzwilliam ("Prince William" to Theo) are on their way to Rosings. Theo is not usually the one who accompanies his brother, but the Colonel is unavailable. Theo finds his aunt's criticisms and corrections hard much to bear. Ramsgate has already happened and Theo admits he is partly to blame for Wickham's behavior there. You see, Wickham and Theo have been good friends until that point and now Theo has separated himself from that relationship as he realizes that man's intentions were not born out of love for Georgiana. Darcy has also spent time in Hertfordshire and met Elizabeth Bennet. They find Elizabeth visiting the Collinses at Hunsford.

As this tale develops Theo and others come to recognize Fitzwilliam's feelings for Elizabeth Bennet and they all have to "put their finger in the pie" so to speak. However, they soon come to realize that the lady is not of the same feelings as Fitzwilliam so they try to influence her opinion also.

Anne de Bourgh's recovery from her "illness" is based on the discovery that the "medication" the doctor has "prescribed" for her is based on opium and they help to secretly wean her from that. Having been in a drugged state for many years has not given Anne the chance to learn proper behavior among society and so we read of Anne's "improper" acts and speech and her rebellion against her mother's wishes for her life.

Theo has a career, in law, and that comes into play. Darcy finally observes him in action and realizes that Theo is talented in his profession. The story uses those legal talents to solve a family dispute late in the story.

Both Theo and Elizabeth suffer injuries in parts of this story. It was Theo's accident and his aunt medicating him with Anne's medicine that led to the knowledge of that medication's effects. Then when Elizabeth is also injured and a London doctor is called upon to treat her we find Lady C. interfering with his directions to Elizabeth's determent.

There are some new characters in this story. Theo has another friend, Monty, who becomes involved in the action. Wickham's dallying with women comes into play when he elopes and pressure is put upon him to marry Lydia.

I enjoyed this story and recommend it to other JAFF lovers. ...more

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Dec 30, 2014 Ceri rated it really liked it

Shelves: austenesque-no-sex-scenes, 2015-austenesque-lovers-challenge, austen-inspired, historical, austen-variation

This review was first published at Leatherbound Reviews: http://leatherboundreviews.blogspot.c...

Last year, on the Austen Variations website, a serial story was posted, with the authors taking turns in posting chapters. At the end of the chapter there was a poll which gave the readers a choice in the direction of the story. This must have been such a challenge for the authors involved, picking up the threads of the story where somebody else has left it, and having to follow the readers’ choice o ...more

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Jan 28, 2015 Anna added it · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque

Quick summary: The Darcy Brothers is a collaborative retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Monica Fairview, Maria Grace, Cassandra Grafton, Susan Mason-Milks, and Abigail Reynolds. Fitzwilliam and Theophilus Darcy barely tolerate one another but embark on a trip together to visit their Aunt Catherine at Rosings, at the same time that Elizabeth Bennet is visiting her friend, Mrs. Collins, at the parsonage. It’s not long before Theo meets Elizabeth and is entranced, and Elizabeth is su Quick summary: The Darcy Brothers is a collaborative retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Monica Fairview, Maria Grace, Cassandra Grafton, Susan Mason-Milks, and Abigail Reynolds. Fitzwilliam and Theophilus Darcy barely tolerate one another but embark on a trip together to visit their Aunt Catherine at Rosings, at the same time that Elizabeth Bennet is visiting her friend, Mrs. Collins, at the parsonage. It’s not long before Theo meets Elizabeth and is entranced, and Elizabeth is surprised that Theo is much more charming and amiable than his older brother. But even as Elizabeth learns that William is not as proud and arrogant as she initially thought, she can’t help but notice the rift in the brothers’ relationship, and she wants nothing more but for them to reconcile.

Why I wanted to read it: I’ve enjoyed several books by Monica Fairview, Maria Grace, and Abigail Reynolds, so I couldn’t resist. Plus, I’ve heard Theo is a charmer, and I wanted to meet him.

What I liked: Giving Darcy a younger brother who is everything he is not and who immediately captivates Elizabeth puts a wrench in his plans to win her over. The authors’ portrayal of Anne de Bourgh is hilarious, from her outspokenness and her scheming to her ability to perfectly tie a cravat. Theo is a fantastic character, and his complicated relationship with Darcy ensures the novel is not just another romantic retelling of Pride and Prejudice. But what I loved the most is that the narrative is seamless and the voices are consistent, despite having multiple authors.

What I disliked: Nothing, except that I had to say goodbye to Theo before I was ready, and I wanted to know how things played out for Anne.

Final thoughts: The Darcy Brothers is a novel full of misunderstandings and schemes, with the right balance of humor and heaviness. It’s easy to fall in love with Theo, who has the easy charm of Mr. Wickham, the amiability of Mr. Bingley, the goodness and honor of the Darcys, and of course, a touch of mischief. I hope it’s not the last we see of him!

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric

I received a free copy of this book for review. ...more

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Jan 18, 2016 Anji rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-book, z-2016-austenesque-challenge, austenesque-regency, austenesque-pride-and-prejudice

THE DARCY BROTHERS - FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEO ALL OVER AGAIN!!

Like many people in the JAFF community, I first met and fell in love with Theophilus Darcy around two years ago. What is now this novel was being published in weekly instalments on the Austen Variations website. The different authors took a different chapter each week and sometimes even collaborated on the same chapter. If that wasn't enough of a challenge, there was a reader's poll at the end of each instalment to decide where the s THE DARCY BROTHERS - FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEO ALL OVER AGAIN!!

Like many people in the JAFF community, I first met and fell in love with Theophilus Darcy around two years ago. What is now this novel was being published in weekly instalments on the Austen Variations website. The different authors took a different chapter each week and sometimes even collaborated on the same chapter. If that wasn't enough of a challenge, there was a reader's poll at the end of each instalment to decide where the storyline went next, so the authors weren't even sure what was going to happen themselves. By the end, it was hard to remember that canon Darcy doesn't have a brother! I have to say that the authors did a fantastic job then, and also with the final published work. As it's been a couple of years since this was a WIP, it was lovely to read it all as a complete novel instead of waiting for the latest chapter to turn up in my Inbox once a week. I get the impression that the storyline has since been tightened up in places which is no bad thing.

So, what if Darcy had a younger brother? Their relationship isn't at all good at the start of the novel where Theo, not Colonel Fitzwilliam, is traveling to Rosings with his brother. There are tragedies in their family history for which Darcy has unjustly blamed Theo, including the incident at Ramsgate, thus explaining why their relationship is the way it is. The storyline diverges from canon pretty quickly after the start and at one point early on, it seems that Theo may even be a rival to Darcy for the affections of a certain Miss Elizabeth Bennet!

All of the usual suspects are present at Rosings and Hunsford. We get an interesting interpretation of why Anne de Bourgh is like she is and later in the story her change gives rise to some great comedic moments. The action eventually transfers to London and we also meet Theo's friend Monty. The best way I can think to describe Theo is that he's Wickham with all of the bad bits removed. Charming, gregarious and handsome; everything his older brother isn't (apart from the handsome bit, of course!). Wickham and Lydia eventually make their appearance with some tragic consequences.

Enough with the spoilers now though. I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this and falling in love with Theo all over again and I really hope that there may be a sequel one day. Theo's friend Monty could also do with some more page time.

I cane recommend this for all audiences as there's nothing of an explicit sexual nature.
...more

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Feb 11, 2015 Victoria Kincaid rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-variation, austenesque-reading-challenge

Well written. Moves along. Gives Darcy a younger brother who is a great addition -- very interesting character. True to Austen's original characters. Very enjoyable. ...more

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Nov 30, 2014 Deborah marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: ja-read, 2015-austenesque-reading-challenge

I find it astounding that a book written by 5 authors, sometimes numerous authors for the same chapter, can be so cohesive. Add to that the authors didn't choose how the story went. Each author, when it was her turn had a few days to write a portion due to the fact that the readers chose how the story would go. and so, to those who says it doesn't follow canon, it was the fault of those who chose the direction of the story, myself included. It is a fun read with a newly added character, Darcy's ...more

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