Kathleen P. (kathleenmaciver) reviewed Duty and Desire (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, Bk 2) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I'm going to post this review for the whole trilogy for all three, since they are all three one story.
I love them. Yes, the story is VERY long, and there are a few aspects of Pamela Aidan's writing style that I don't care for... but I think she did an EXCELLENT job of making these books mesh with Pride and Prejudice. I've got P&P virtually memorized, and they flow so well, it's amazing.
I love the way Darcy's full character comes out, as well as how much more we see of Elizabeth. It is totally understandable why Darcy falls in love with her! The transitions that Darcy goes through between disinterest, to interest, to infatuation, to a lighter love, to anger, to a deeper and truer love are portrayed very, very well, too. I also love the way she brought out the characters of Georgiana, Col. Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Bingley. I like her new characters, too. They fall totally within the bounds of what a man of Mr. Darcy's station was likely to encounter.
Some people criticize the totally new (and slightly wild) plot line in Duty and Desire. I agree that it's out there, but Ms. Aidan had to create some sort of something... some story of what Darcy went through in trying to put Elizabeth from his thoughts. And in this, she did well. I love the way she portrayed what he went through.
Enough said... if you're a P&P fan, read these!
I love them. Yes, the story is VERY long, and there are a few aspects of Pamela Aidan's writing style that I don't care for... but I think she did an EXCELLENT job of making these books mesh with Pride and Prejudice. I've got P&P virtually memorized, and they flow so well, it's amazing.
I love the way Darcy's full character comes out, as well as how much more we see of Elizabeth. It is totally understandable why Darcy falls in love with her! The transitions that Darcy goes through between disinterest, to interest, to infatuation, to a lighter love, to anger, to a deeper and truer love are portrayed very, very well, too. I also love the way she brought out the characters of Georgiana, Col. Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Bingley. I like her new characters, too. They fall totally within the bounds of what a man of Mr. Darcy's station was likely to encounter.
Some people criticize the totally new (and slightly wild) plot line in Duty and Desire. I agree that it's out there, but Ms. Aidan had to create some sort of something... some story of what Darcy went through in trying to put Elizabeth from his thoughts. And in this, she did well. I love the way she portrayed what he went through.
Enough said... if you're a P&P fan, read these!
Beth G. (BethG) - , reviewed Duty and Desire (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, Bk 2) on + 108 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book in Ms. Aidan's trilogy, following Mr. Darcy's side of the story in Pride and Prejudice. And there is a lot to fill in, since he is absent from Austin's book for a good deal of the story.
This particular volume follows his story when he is out of "Pride and Prejudice" entirely.
I have to say I found this story a disappointment because the tone and events were so unlike P&P. This feels like a Regency romance that turns into a Gothic romance.
This was not a mistake, rather the author states that she wrote in the style of a Gothic romance as a kind of homage to "Northanger Abbey," so I suppose it is a matter of taste. However, it certainly didn't work for me. I found the extreme difference jarring and the inflation of Mr. Darcy's importance unnecessary.
When I could read the book as an independent work with characters who simply happened to share names with characters in P&P, it was somewhat entertaining. But the differences from P&P in tone, actions, and characters bothered me greatly.
Still it is a great deal to ask someone to live up to Ms. Austen's prose. In the end it is entirely a matter of personal taste.
This particular volume follows his story when he is out of "Pride and Prejudice" entirely.
I have to say I found this story a disappointment because the tone and events were so unlike P&P. This feels like a Regency romance that turns into a Gothic romance.
This was not a mistake, rather the author states that she wrote in the style of a Gothic romance as a kind of homage to "Northanger Abbey," so I suppose it is a matter of taste. However, it certainly didn't work for me. I found the extreme difference jarring and the inflation of Mr. Darcy's importance unnecessary.
When I could read the book as an independent work with characters who simply happened to share names with characters in P&P, it was somewhat entertaining. But the differences from P&P in tone, actions, and characters bothered me greatly.
Still it is a great deal to ask someone to live up to Ms. Austen's prose. In the end it is entirely a matter of personal taste.
Rhonda D. (superdupar) reviewed Duty and Desire (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, Bk 2) on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The first book in the series covers Pride and Prejudice through the Netherfield Ball and Christmas of that year. This second book covers the time between Christmas and Darcy's trip to Rosings Park. This covers a time when Darcy and Elizabeth do not see each other at all.
In the story, Darcy decided he needs to search for a suitable wife (to distract him from the thoughts of Elizabeth). The story takes him to the estate of a friend and a party of acquaintances and strangers. After a short time of infatuation with a young lady, the events take a tragic turn for the party.
The story didn't fit in with the Darcy I see in the original story. Some of the events, while not completely out of character, seem out of another time period. Aiden states she was imitating other Austen work, like Northanger Abbey. It really never seemed to work with Darcy's character.
Although I liked the first book, this one strayed too far from the original subjects for me. The only positive was that we do see how Darcy could come to the conclusion that character of a lady outweighs her position in life. The is never entirely clear in the original.
In the story, Darcy decided he needs to search for a suitable wife (to distract him from the thoughts of Elizabeth). The story takes him to the estate of a friend and a party of acquaintances and strangers. After a short time of infatuation with a young lady, the events take a tragic turn for the party.
The story didn't fit in with the Darcy I see in the original story. Some of the events, while not completely out of character, seem out of another time period. Aiden states she was imitating other Austen work, like Northanger Abbey. It really never seemed to work with Darcy's character.
Although I liked the first book, this one strayed too far from the original subjects for me. The only positive was that we do see how Darcy could come to the conclusion that character of a lady outweighs her position in life. The is never entirely clear in the original.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the first book of the series, but was very disappointed with this book!! I honestly wouldn't recommend reading this book, it had many twists and turns that to me seemed very unrealistic and out of character.
Rhonda D. (superdupar) reviewed Duty and Desire (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, Bk 2) on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The first book in the series covers Pride and Prejudice through the Netherfield Ball and Christmas of that year. This second book covers the time between Christmas and Darcy's trip to Rosings Park. This covers a time when Darcy and Elizabeth do not see each other at all.
In the story, Darcy decided he needs to search for a suitable wife (to distract him from the thoughts of Elizabeth). The story takes him to the estate of a friend and a party of acquaintances and strangers. After a short time of infatuation with a young lady, the events take a tragic turn for the party.
The story didn't fit in with the Darcy I see in the original story. Some of the events, while not completely out of character, seem out of another time period. Aiden states she was imitating other Austen work, like Northanger Abbey. It really never seemed to work with Darcy's character.
Although I liked the first book, this one strayed too far from the original subjects for me. The only positive was that we do see how Darcy could come to the conclusion that character of a lady outweighs her position in life. The is never entirely clear in the original.
In the story, Darcy decided he needs to search for a suitable wife (to distract him from the thoughts of Elizabeth). The story takes him to the estate of a friend and a party of acquaintances and strangers. After a short time of infatuation with a young lady, the events take a tragic turn for the party.
The story didn't fit in with the Darcy I see in the original story. Some of the events, while not completely out of character, seem out of another time period. Aiden states she was imitating other Austen work, like Northanger Abbey. It really never seemed to work with Darcy's character.
Although I liked the first book, this one strayed too far from the original subjects for me. The only positive was that we do see how Darcy could come to the conclusion that character of a lady outweighs her position in life. The is never entirely clear in the original.