Darcy's Journey: A Pride and Prejudice Variation in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Apr 15, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars

Debbie B. did an excellent job in her review of giving the reader an outline of this story; so do read that. Plus you can read the book description and the Sample on Amazon.

I stayed up until 1 AM because I thought I could just read a chapter or two before going off to bed the night before last…naïve or just stupid? I had read Debbie’s statement that she couldn’t put this book down and since I so like most of the same stories as she does, I really should have taken 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars

Debbie B. did an excellent job in her review of giving the reader an outline of this story; so do read that. Plus you can read the book description and the Sample on Amazon.

I stayed up until 1 AM because I thought I could just read a chapter or two before going off to bed the night before last…naïve or just stupid? I had read Debbie’s statement that she couldn’t put this book down and since I so like most of the same stories as she does, I really should have taken that into my decision. So you, too, are warned. I did get up to 25% but had to immediately pick up where I left off over breakfast the next morning.

The Darcy in this tale is ever the gentleman. Yes, he is the protector: resourceful and wary. After hearing that no one has heard from Elizabeth and that there is a cholera epidemic, he travels to Italy to get Elizabeth out of a household in which she is being held…and he is sure it is against her will, and then they journey in haste to escape members of that same household and additionally, to avoid entanglements due to Napoleon’s return to power after his escape from Elba. And, of course, in her mind set that she knows what is best for her, Elizabeth makes Darcy’s role as protector even more difficult as she rebels. You will be on the edge of your seat as many things go against them. At one point Darcy’s money is even running short and he has to attempt to contact his bank in London for more Letters of Credit. How’s that for a new problem for Darcy?

As ODC and the various people they meet or pick up along the route are among so many others fleeing the possibility of a French invasion they must scramble for accommodations food and even clothing. Find a carriage? Good luck. And the lack of communications is a niggling worry. They haven’t heard from any of her family and don’t know if the letters they sent to both their families have gotten through.

There is an abundance of angst in this story; if you, like me, enjoy that sort of slant in a novel. But the one thing I have to complain about is the lack of any real romance. Darcy kisses Elizabeth one time and that is near the end of this novel. I wanted more kissing, embraces, touches, more mention of sexual attraction, that chemistry which makes one realize this is the one. For example, ODC is forced to sleep in the same room as there is nothing else available at one point. There is one bed and a bathtub. They argue over who will sleep where and finally agree that they can both sleep on the bed…fully clothed. Now that is a perfect time in the tale to have them at least wake up in each other’s embrace…right? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS NOVEL.

We read much about Elizabeth’s discovery as to what the Hunsford letter from Darcy would have told her, that letter that she refused to read, and in addition to her discovery of how wrong she was about him she has the knowledge about his help in the Lydia situation. So she is piling coals of guilt on her own head and pushing Darcy away as she feels unworthy…he deserves better.

We read a detailed narrative about the Battle at Waterloo and I found that very interesting. We also read about many of the horrors associated with that, as with any battle. One detail here, author – in accepting the care of an orphaned newborn I read no mention of finding a wet nurse for the child. No way was he going to survive a trip to the coast, across the Channel and to his grandparents without a wet nurse.

The end of this novel comes with an epilogue. I found it very nostalgic and melancholy. It is 10 years after the fact and we find closure with family members but we also hear of the family, who by embroiling Elizabeth in their own plans, caused the need for the whole journey.

All-in-all this is a story with no resemblance to canon after the Hunsford proposal took place. So if you like variations I do believe you will truly enjoy this. ...more

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Apr 10, 2016 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff, kindle-unlimited

This is one of those books that grabs you by the arm and propels you into the middle of a thrilling adventure.

Darcy has not seen Elizabeth since leaving Rosings and she refused his letter. That was several months ago. She has traveled to Italy with friends, but he learns that her letters have mysteriously stopped.

A sense of the gothic emerges when the story shifts to Venice, where Sir Ambrose Havers suffers from cholera, and the household of his Italian wife with whom Elizabeth currently resid This is one of those books that grabs you by the arm and propels you into the middle of a thrilling adventure.

Darcy has not seen Elizabeth since leaving Rosings and she refused his letter. That was several months ago. She has traveled to Italy with friends, but he learns that her letters have mysteriously stopped.

A sense of the gothic emerges when the story shifts to Venice, where Sir Ambrose Havers suffers from cholera, and the household of his Italian wife with whom Elizabeth currently resides is far less charming than when she first arrived. The family physician has insisted that the ladies remain in the house. None of Elizabeth's letters home have received responses. Gabriele Carandini, the rude, humorless, condescending brother-in-law of Sir Ambrose, admires Elizabeth despite not understanding her wit in the slightest, and his mother and sister, Signora Claudia Carandini and Regina, are promoting the match. He is obsessed with music and requires Elizabeth to rehearse with him exhaustingly, noting and criticizing every slight flaw in her pianoforte performance while he plays the violin.

Consumed with worry over Elizabeth, Darcy journeys with Edward Havers (brother of Sir Ambrose) to Venice.

Thus begins an event-filled plot. Darcy must coordinate a daring rescue of a laudanum-drugged Elizabeth, with Gabriele and his associates in hot pursuit. He and Elizabeth slowly make their way through Europe, trying to avoid discovery and also deciding to avoid the more direct route through France when they receive the news that Napoleon has escaped from Elba and returned to power. The pair acquire and leave behind various traveling companions who give much-needed assistance along the way.

The circumstances require them to pretend to be married, a situation filled with irony. Although Elizabeth loves Darcy, she feels herself too unworthy to become his wife and continues to hold him off because she believes it is in his best interest.

Eventually they find themselves in Brussels and believe themselves safe, as they are now protected by British troops, including Colonel Fitzwilliam. Unfortunately, Napoleon does the unexpected and the war comes to their doorstep.

Obviously, the story is a total departure from canon. Considering the length of the book, many of the best-known characters are relegated to little more than cameo roles in favor of all the new characters introduced during this flight through Europe. This is a wonderfully heroic Darcy; he takes charge and protects Elizabeth with every new challenge that presents itself. She proves herself to be a capable partner as the laudanum wears off and her intellect and energy improve. The historical elements incorporate seamlessly into the book, and the writing is stellar.

I loved this even more than Darcy's Trial by the same author. Interestingly, in that book it's Elizabeth who takes charge in a situation where Darcy has very little control. Both are wonderful pieces of JAFF adventure for those who enjoy leaving the comparatively safe environs of Longbourn, Hunsford and Pemberley. ...more

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Apr 14, 2016 Mary rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016-books

Dear reader,

This P&P variation centres around the journey Darcy takes when he comes to the aid of Elizabeth being held against her will on foreign lands.

It is truly a great adventure story recalling the trials and tribulations that Darcy and Elizabeth must face together in order to return safely to England.

The fact that Elizabeth realises she loves Darcy and that he still loves and wishes to marry her is sweet and what any reader would want!

However having said that,I would dearly have loved t ...more

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Jun 18, 2016 Talia rated it it was amazing

loved it.

Reread: This is a great variation. Loved it.

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Apr 11, 2016 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Incredible Journey!

Wow. This is a very different P&P variation. It starts out much later in the year after the failed proposal and Lizzy never goes on a summer tour with the Gardiners. So she never meets Mr Darcy again and no second chances, yet! Lizzy does meet an Italian young lady who she befriends and as a result goes to Italy with her and her husband. This is where the story takes off. Lizzy seems to go missing, with no letters to Longbourn and Darcy hears and is worried so he contrives a w ...more

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Apr 22, 2016 Eliza Baum rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-and-austenesque, library-kindle-unlimited, austenesque-challenge-2016

I loved this book! There were times when I was almost overwhelmed by the names, places, and the sheer history of it all, given that I'm not a history buff. (Okay, who am I kidding? I'm, like, the anti-history buff.) But even the healthy dose of historical information wasn't enough to dim my enjoyment of it. It was all woven in seamlessly, and I loved seeing Elizabeth and Darcy integrated into it all.

This is one of those stories where the progression of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship is prett ...more

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Feb 07, 2022 Teresita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

A gripping adventure

It keeps you reading non-stop always eager to know what comes next. An out of the ordinary setting, it takes us to an historical event and the aftermath. A worthy read.

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Apr 16, 2016 Tamra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen-fan-fiction, regency

A fulfilling P&P variation.

That's the best way to describe how I feel after reading this variation! There are so many variations out there that are either too short or not a complete story so you have to wait for the next volume. Darcy's Journey was a complete story and so much more! For that reason, I give this 4.5 star book 5 stars. I appreciate the author giving us a real history lesson in the process. I've read many historical fiction stories where I skim over the Battle of Waterloo but not ...more

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May 03, 2016 Don Jacobson rated it really liked it

Good, although the villain in the book (the cray-cray Italian brother) vanishes about mid-way leaving the only problem to be Elizabeth's self-doubt. ...more

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