From the Bookshelf of Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016…

Darcy's Journey: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

M.A. Sandiford

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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

22 likes · Like · see review

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

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2016 J. W. Garrett marked it as to-read

Shelves: era-6-regency-1811-1820, jaff-pride-and-prejudice, source-own

1 like · Like

Aug 09, 2016 Sara rated it liked it

Shelves: jaff

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