Review: The Plight of the Darcy Brothers

Author: Marsha Altman
Publisher: Source Books, August 1, 2009
Genre: Fiction, historical
Paperback 368 pages

From Amazon.com:

In this lively second installment, the Darcys and Bingleys are plunged into married life and its many accompanying challenges presented by family and friends.

With Jane and Elizabeth away, Darcy and Bingley take on the daunting task of managing their two-year- old children. Mary Bennet returns from the Continent pregnant by an Italian student promised to the church; Darcy and Elizabeth travel to find the father, and discover previously unknown—and shocking—Darcy relations. By the time Darcy discovers that there's more than one sibling of questionable birth in the family, the ever-dastardly Wickham arrives on the scene to try to seize the Darcy fortune once and for all.

My Thoughts:

This is Altman's second book in her Pride and Predjudice Continues series. It does pick up from her first book, The Darcy's and the Bingleys. You can read my review of that one here.

I really enjoyed this entertaining story. The storyline is inventive and expands upon Austen's beloved characters. The book begins with a loss in the famil whihc the Darcy's are having a difficult time dealing with. Therefore, when a situation arises with Mary Bennett it creates the ideal distraction for the Darcy's, and the perfect story for the rest of the book.

The Darcy's make some interesting discoveries on their trip to the Continent, that I think tie in nicely with Austen's original story. Some P&P purisits may find the premise scandalous, but the Darcy family couldn't have been completely perfect. Humans are flawed after all, and thinking back on their described behaviors, it makes sense. What better way to hide your mistakes than being holier than thou? (Dying of curiosity, aren't you?)

The characters are less rigid and formal than Austen's originals and that is what makes these books so great in my opinion. Austen wrote these characters true to her own time and social conventions and Altman modernizes them a bit, yet keeping the original intent. I love picturing Mr. Darcy chasing his son around, like real parents do. Darcy and Elizabeth speak openly and honestly to each other, like most married couples do or at least try to. When I read Altman's books I feel as though I am sitting down chatting with old friends. It's fun and comforting.

Isn't that what good stories are supposed to do?

As far as the secondary charaters go, the Bingleys and the Maddoxes had their own little adventures in this story. Altman has made Caroline Maddox (nee Bingley) a very likable character. So much so, that one can see a little past her treatment of the Bennetts in the original. You could say that Caroline has been humbled by her own experience with love and marriage. She gets it now.

My Rating: 95/100. Overall this was a delightful book. I totally enjoyed it. I can see myself reading these books again in the future. Probably after I re-read Austen :)

Challenges Met: The Everything Austen Challenge

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget! Next Monday, August 3rd, I will have a guest post/interview with author Marsha Altman. Make sure you stop back because there is an awesome giveaway involved.

EDIT: 7/29 Sorry but I forgot to mention a big thank you to Danielle from Sourcebooks for providing me the review copy and the future giveaway.