Abigail Reynolds is a bestselling author whose Pride and Prejudice variations have hit it big with romance fans everywhere. Now, this fantastic author brings a new book to the world; What Would Darcy Do? is a retelling of Lizzy and Darcy's story from the surprise visit at Lampton all the way to the wedding night. Full of burgeoning romance in Austen's regency era, this classic remake changes a few things but keeps the story that won our hearts intact.
A Regency Romance Novella
Regency England is brought to life in Abigail Reynolds work, the bad thing about reading a novella, is that you don't get a grip for the imagery so much as you ought. Being a talented author of detail, Abigail Reynolds seems sort of forced to color inside the lines by writing a short story variation of Pride and Prejudice. Though the work is still expertly written, a lengthier novel would have done wonders for the story.
Though the little novella is quite good in its own way, What Would Mr. Darcy Do? drives home the point of events happening faster since the characters open themselves up more. What if they hadn't held their emotions in check? What if Lizzy had told Darcy she loved him in Lampton? If Lizzy was to reveal her feelings about Darcy, long before the infamous Lady Catherine De Bourgh episode, things would certainly have happened differently. Abigail Reynolds puts that change of plot into play and moves the story along in a new way. The outcome is still the same of course, but the intricacies of the story are different.
One of the greatest similarities to Jane Austen's original Pride and Prejudice is the language. Abigail Reynolds took sentences and sayings from the classic and placed them in this novella in a remarkable way. Readers will easily remember the original characters and their vexations and prejudices that caused them to remark in so many fascinating ways.
One of the biggest differences in this novel is the passion. In regency era England, breaking any of the proprietary rules was forbidden and the cause of many rushed marriages. Darcy and Lizzy were not the sort of characters you could imagine being improper to that sort of extent, but, they are in What Would Darcy Do? In this novella, the characters can't keep their hands off each other and are caught in all sorts of compromising positions, by many different people.
Lizzy and Darcy of Pride and Prejudice Return
Back again are the classic characters we all know and love, however they are not quite the same in this novella. Lizzy and Darcy hold the greatest change from the way they were created in Jane Austen's work, mainly because of their more passionate natures. Though I don't recall them being mentioned as boring or un-passionate characters, they were certainly not the deeply in love, almost wanton creatures Abigail Reynolds makes them out to be. Don't get me wrong though, I quite like them this way.
Georgiana is another vastly different character in this short story. Having met Kitty and Mary Bennet, Georgiana becomes slightly more like the outspoken Bennets, rather than the quiet, shy girl we knew -her to be. The Gardiners, Lizzy's aunt and uncle, though unchanged for the most part, are given a- larger role in this story and certainly play a more significant part in the lives of Lizzy and Darcy.
This variation is a story you have to ignore Jane Austen's classic to enjoy. Without comparing the two in any way, and simply enjoying the book as a marvel on its own, you will come away pleased with Abigail Reynold's work. What Would Mr. Darcy Do? comes highly recommended for any romance fiction fan, and anyone wanting to dabble in romance but not quite ready to take the full leap required for novels. As it is a short story, it is a great book for summer vacations and won't take too much time away from family and sightseeing.
About the Author
Abigail Reynolds is a physician and lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast. Living in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and two children, the author asked herself “what if?” and created the Pemberly Variations. Having written such works as Mr. Darcy's Obsession, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and To Conquer Mr. Darcy, Abigail Reynolds is fast becoming a household name of all Austen sequel fans.
Source
- Reynolds, Abigail. What Would Mr. Darcy Do? Sourcebooks Casablanca. ISBN: 978-1-4022-4093-5
Jessica Hastings - Jessica Hastings is a published author/poet, professional reviewer, and avid reader. Schooled in journalism and creative writing, she ...
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