The Darcys of Pemberley

The Continuing Story of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

By: Shannon Winslow

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

A sequel faithful to Jane Austen's beloved masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have been married for almost a year, and their heated arguments are a thing of the past. All that passion is now directed into more satisfying pursuits. But how long can the honeymoon last?

The couple's idyllic life together at Pemberley is jeopardized by the secrets they begin keeping from each other, the troubles of their closest friends, and the threat of a villain in their midst. Layers of seemingly innocent deception are building between Darcy and Elizabeth, threatening their relationship. He is conducting some covert business dealings that he's unwilling to share with his wife, and she likewise begins keeping things from him against her own better judgment.

The couple also becomes embroiled in the tribulations of Mr. Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana, and his friend and cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam falls victim to their aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, as the object of her latest scheme to make a noble match for her daughter. The arrangement satisfies the ambitions of the couple's parents, but appears to hold little prospect of happiness for Anne and Fitzwilliam, who each harbor other romantic interests. During this same period, Georgiana runs the gamut of emotions as she comes of age. Her elation at her birthday ball soon crumbles when she learns the man she secretly admires is engaged to another. The excitement of a London season and the attention of two other eligible suitors cannot make her forget her disappointment over her lost first love.

As the story progresses, the menacing shadow of Mr. Darcy's life-long nemesis looms ever-larger. By carelessness and design, Mr. Wickham and Lydia painfully intrude into the lives of the Darcys and the Bingleys, with disastrous results.

The Darcys of Pemberley is the tale of two romances: the continuation of Darcy and Elizabeth's story, and the courtship of Miss Georgiana. For those of us who didn't want Pride and Prejudice to end, this charming novel gives the opportunity to learn what happens after the wedding, to revisit old friends and foes, and to share the next chapter of their lives. Ms. Winslow carries on the saga much as Jane Austen herself might have - true to her style, her sensibilities, and the delightful characters she created.

©2011 Shannon Winslow (P)2013 Shannon Winslow

An excellent story very well told

Would you consider the audio edition of The Darcys of Pemberley to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print edition of _The Darcys of Pemberley_. I found the audio edition to be very well performed and recorded. My only slight criticism of the audio edition is the somewhat predictable difficulty any reader has with voices of the opposite sex. Nevertheless, Ms Hussey is certainly gifted with an enjoyable reading voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Darcys of Pemberley?

I had read Jane Austen's _Pride and Prejudice_ prior to reading _the Darcy's of Pemberley_. To her great credit, Shannon Winslow has woven her plot, characters, and setting quite seamlessly into the world created by Ms. Austen nearly 200 years earlier. The most memorable moments for me, in Ms Winslow's work, were her detailed accounts of the role honor played in nearly all dealings between respectable people. It is, sad to say, a gentility that is all but lost in our current generation.

What about Marian Hussey’s performance did you like?

Ms. Hussey has a voice that seems to belong at Pemberley. She invites you into the story from the very first sentence. That is critical in audio books, and not all professional readers pull it off as well as Marian Hussey.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I was unable to listen to this book in one sitting. But I have a long commute, by bus, to and from work and I was able to finish it in just a few days. I would much preferred to have spent a Sunday afternoon and evening listening to the story, uninterrupted, allowing the verbal images to expand across my imagination.

Any additional comments?

Shannon Winslow obviously has a profound respect for Jane Austen. She would have to in order to meld her "sequel" so completely with Ms Austen's source material. One can almost imagine Ms Winslow sitting down with Jane Austen over tea and discussing Pemberley in great detail before composing this wonderful narrative.It's a great story, extremely well told..

Wonderful

I fell in love with this series many years ago and I am so proud to be able to continue to read about this family. You do a great honor to Jane Austen

Such a fun way to revisit a favorite story

I don’t have any complaints about the book it’s respectable and a continuation of the beautiful Pride and Prejudice story.

Looking forward to the next read. enjoyed this so.

Looking forward to the next read. enjoyed this so much. Return to Longborne is my next attempt

beautiful and personal

although the story line Looks difference the book showed a more personal look at the darcys of pemberley

Lovely

This is such a relaxing listen and an enjoyable addition to the story we love.

No don't do it Elizabeth

Liked it very much had me hoping and happy with the ending. best part spoiler alert Wicky is dead!

Lovely continuation of a great period love Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author continued the same style as Jane Austen in her writing of this book. I also loved how the characters seem true to form, and there wasn’t any undignified, modern interpretation thrown into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Started out fine, unhinged ending

It starts fine and goes in a reasonable direction; however, the author gets desperate near the end and just goes for the soap opera ending. As long as you know that it is a little wild at the end, you may enjoy it.

Truly enjoyed my first audible book!

Listened at every opportunity; narrator was excellent; author captured the characters so well that I could picture the scenes as they unfolded.