

|
Loading... Duty and Desire (2004)by Pamela Aidan
None. I know no one seems to like this one as much as the first and third books in the series, but I really liked it. I liked getting to know Georgianna better and hearing more of her story. Still loved Fletcher. I'm also a sucker for The Scarlet Pimpernel, so of course I loved Dy. No Elizabeth in it, but it's explaining time between when they don't see each other so I didn't have a problem with that. ( )This is the part of the series when he is trying to forget Elizabeth and is more Gothic than romantic and is the least favorite of the 3 books in the series. I had to remind myself the Gothis novels were popular. Couldn't resist it, and just had to get stuck into book 2. This volume is based on the gap between the dance at Netherfield and Darcy visiting his Aunt Catherine, and the result is rather Gothic. Accompanied by his valet Fletcher, Darcy goes to the country to a rather strange house. There is a local curse, family secrets and women in search of husbands, all of which lead to a cracking plot. With so much going on, it would be easy for Darcy to forget all about the Bennetts, but luckily Fletcher is on hand to keep them in his mind. The lost months of Darcy intrigue all readers and it is entertaining to see how Pamela Aidan filled in the dots, though this may shock Pride and Prejudice fans who are not familiar with Northanger Abbey. I look forward to book number 3. After Darcy and the Bingleys leave Hertfordshire, what does Darcy do to try to get over his fascination with Miss Elizabeth Bennett? Answer? Silliness and pomp. Okay, so the first book follows the Austen story from Darcy's point of view and is an okay light read that I enjoyed. This one is pure tripe, has no connection with the Pride and Prejudice story, and is just the author's attempt to draw out a series that really should have only ever been one book. In fact, if you are interested in reading these, just read the first and third as this middle book adds no real value and is easily missed. Of course if you're determined to read about Darcy's search for a wife among those of his own society, and about his adventures with a bitter, twisted and evil irish spinster who dabbles in love potions and superstition, then by all means include this one. The one saving grace is again Darcy's valet, Fletcher, who I am enjoying more and more. I want a Fletcher of my very own. The second book in the "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" series starts pretty much where the first one left off. The Bingleys are in London, and Darcy is on his way to Pemberley for Christmas, and to see Georgiana. Since this is the time period in Pride and Prejudice where the Bennets are in Hertfordshire, Jane visits London, and not much is said of the Bingleys or Darcys, Aidan could more fully explore her character, his thoughts and actions, and his fashionable set. The result was a bit more mixed for me than the first book. I thought her character's actions and thoughts were completely believable. Georgiana, too, is excellently fleshed out in the beginning of the book; she is shy, but has left behind her depression as a result of her companion, Mrs. Annesley, and her new-found faith. Darcy sees this change in Georgiana, and must choose between this and a decidedly darker path, one that appears to me (and in all honesty, this may be my partly due to ignorance of the time period in which the book is set) far too black and white, good or evil. There is a mystery introduced about halfway into the story, but in all honesty I was never in doubt about the ultimate cause, only ignorant of the particulars. All this being said, I enjoyed the story thoroughly, read it quickly, and am looking forward to reading the next one. no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0743291360, Paperback)³There was little danger of encountering the Bennet sisters ever again.² Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice is beloved by millions, but little is revealed in the book about the mysterious and handsome hero, Mr. Darcy. And so the question has long remained: Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy? Pamela Aidan's trilogy finally answers that long-standing question, creating a rich parallel story that follows Darcy as he meets and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet. Duty and Desire, the second book in the trilogy, covers the "silent time" of Austen's novel, revealing Darcy's private struggle to overcome his attraction to Elizabeth while fulfilling his roles as landlord, master, brother, and friend. When Darcy pays a visit to an old classmate in Oxford in an attempt to shake Elizabeth from his mind, he is set upon by husband-hunting society ladies and ne'er-do-well friends from his university days, all with designs on him -- some for good and some for ill. He and his sartorial genius of a valet, Fletcher, must match wits with them all, but especially with the curious Lady Sylvanie. Irresistibly authentic and entertaining, Duty and Desire remains true to the spirit and events of Pride and Prejudice while incorporating fascinating new characters, and is sure to dazzle Austen fans and newcomers alike. (retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:31:55 -0500) A retelling of the life of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" character, Fitzwilliam Darcy, that exposes Darcy's private struggle to overcome his attraction to Elizabeth while fulfilling his roles as landlord, master, brother, and friend. |
Google Books — Loading...Popular coversRatingAverage: (3.51)
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||