The Darcys of Pemberley

The Continuing Story of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

By: Shannon Winslow

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

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 insult to Jane Austen

What was most disappointing about Shannon Winslow’s story?

As a chronic reader of Pride & Prejudice, I was excited to entertain the idea of a sequel to this amazing story.

To my horror, Ms. Winslow managed to flatten Jane Austen's brilliant characters (much like one of those giant asphalt roller things) into one-dimensional dichotomizations. Each character was either:
-"an admirable character" (Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bennet, Charlotte, Jane & Mr. Bingley) -dripping with virtue,
or
-some loathsome, despicable wretch (pretty much everyone else).

Listening to this book was an absolute agony! By the time I got to the third chapter, I couldn't bear it any longer.

It was a complete waste of time and money!

....a tabloid magazine & a crispy cream are more satisfying than this book.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Marian Hussey?

It wouldn't have mattered *WHO* narrated this book. It was the story that was unforgivable.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Darcys of Pemberley?

I would pulp the entire mess -and next time I would be sure to read both books (Pride & Prejudice *AND* this "sequel") before publishing.

Any additional comments?

can I have my money back?

If you're a fan of Jane Austen, avoid this book

I love all of Jane Austen's books and have read a few spin offs and continuations. This was terrible. The book isn't even close to being in the tone or style of Jane Austen. It's a bad book, badly written, with a bad and predictable plot, much like any bad romance book one could pick up.

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..

Not impressed

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

All this was good for was passing time. I don't feel this in any way represents anything Jane Austen would write. Elizabeth is completely wrong. Darcy is completely wrong. No, Shannon Winslow have completely missed the characters of the main characters. All this was good for was passing time. Not worth it at all.

Not only that - I really feel that the narrator is completely miss cast. She was ok for the younger female characters I guess. But Darcy & the elder female characters were horrific.

I've listened through the audible book, but I must say - - I will not ever give it a second thought. I don't like the narrator & I don't like the characters Shannon Winslow has created. What a waste of my time. No one can do Jane Austin as well as Jane Austin. This is a joke or more - - an insult to Jane Austin.

I've been thought to always find something good in something very bad or something bad in something very good. So this is it - - I love "Pride & Prejudice" & have always wanted to know what would happen next. This is for sure not it. This audible book passed about 10 hrs of my time - but that's about it. I don't believe the story anything Jane Austin would ever consider.

What could Shannon Winslow have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not write it. Sorry to say so. This is not a good following to "Pride & Prejudice". OK better answer - - - Elizabeth is strong & full of whit as Jane Austin created her. Shannon Winslow's Elizabeth is everything but. And Darcy - - I don't have words for how stupid she's made Darcy. No, Shannon Winslow should have stayed away from this one.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narrator did ok for young female parts, but she should not read men nor older women. It was a joke. She sounded like a hag.

Did The Darcys of Pemberley inspire you to do anything?

Cancel my audible account - - well almost. It inspired me to write my first review because I want to warn other people who love "Pride & Prejudice" not to listen to it. Didn't take me long to make that decision.

Any additional comments?

I'm really disappointed in this one. Sorry

Finally closer to one of the best stories written

Would you listen to The Darcys of Pemberley again? Why?

I am already listening to it again. There is a lot that happens and listening allows me not to miss anything.

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

Georgianna love for Colonial Fitzwilliam.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Colonial FitzWilliam declares his love for Georgianna.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A great ending to a great story.

Any additional comments?

The Classics can be added to and not diminished.

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

Perfect character growth, excellent story line!

The characters depth is amazing, perfect plot twists but keeping the same mood and atributes from the original story. This and Pride and Prejiduce are my two favorite books! I can't say enough about this book other than you must read it! It won't disappoint!

WOW I've fallen in love all over again with these

What did you love best about The Darcys of Pemberley?

I love how the Author stayed true to characters Lizzy still has her sharp wit and teasing nature and Darcy still has his Noble Aristocratic trait

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

When Lady Catherine de Bourgh was humbled into coming to london to wait on Lizzy

Have you listened to any of Marian Hussey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not had the pleasure of hearing Marian Hussey’s work before this but she did an amazing job

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I would keep the current Title

Any additional comments?

I was surprised at all the sex they were having lol

I enjoyed it. I can't get enough of the Darcy's.

I enjoyed the book. The narrator did a fabulous job. I can't get enough of the Darcy's. So it was very fun.

Austen lovers

When one reads alll Jane Austen and know there aren’t any more left, one looks for fan fiction. Enjoyable read.

Jane Auten Would be Pleased

Would you listen to The Darcys of Pemberley again? Why?

I have listened to this over and over again. Sexy comes to Pemberley. The story is well read following the Darcy, Bingleys and Bennett's.

What did you like best about this story?

Imagining Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Mr and Mrs Darcy in this book makes for an interesting picture!!

What does Marian Hussey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Absolutely everything. She is now my No 1 Narrator. I shall be searching out books read by her. She should be in television, I can see her playing lots of parts very versatile voice!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't say one particular part of the book was any better than another, excellence all the way through

Any additional comments?

Listen to it, Author and Narrator are a marriage made in heaven.

Fantastic continuation of Pride and Prejudice

As a complete fan of Jane Austen's work to have it continued by Shannon Winslow is a total blessing! I love the way she has continued the style/sense of writing as set by Jane Austen and added her own flare as well. A series and author that I am going to continue to follow. The narrator Marian Hussey is brilliant she made the story very easy to listen to and her switch between the characters was flawless.
For any Jane Austen fans this is a must read/listen.

Entertaining but a bit cringe

I am a huge fan of Jane Austen, and Pride and Prejudice has been my favourite book since I was a child. Of course, I’d read some reviews and so I did not expect this to be completely in the style of Jane Austen (who could?). Taken as an interpretation of the authors imagination regarding what may have happened next to The Darcy’s, it’s an entertaining take and certainly holds attention.
There are some errors in terms of turn of phrase (using ‘fall’ rather than ‘autumn’), but there are 2 criticisms I have of this novel - first are the toe curling descriptions of the Darcy’s married life. They are so out of keeping, and don’t sit well within the context (especially as the author tries so hard to be faithful to the Austen style in many other respects). Second, I also felt that the ‘dramatic finale’ was a little OTT.

Dissapointing

This book is an insult to miss Austin and would make her turn in her grave! While there is slight merit in the storyline, it is poorly written and the authors attempt to imitate the style and language of miss Austin's era has failed dismally. This book would lend itself to being severely abridged as it is full of the most boring and unnecessary detail, and gives the impression of being the 'blow by blow' account of what a romantic teenager would imagine the subsequent course of events in the lives of miss Austin's characters would be. The narrator has a 'sing song' manner of execution which is boring and irritating.

Mixed emotions

Easy to listen to. Amusing that death was the way to deal with unfavourable characters.

No regrets about listening

It was a bit slow and too sweet at the beginning but the story developed well later in the book. Now I'm tempted to listen to the next book in the series

Performance

The story was good but the narrator spoilt it her voice is extremely annoying and very bland

Wow!

This could easily have been written by Jane Austin herself! This is the second time I gave listened to it, having done so last year also, and I am amazed how easily I was transported back to Regency England. I loved it!

Dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.

What would have made The Darcys of Pemberley better?

Not having been written at all. But if it had to be then please leave out the coy sex and inject some wit.

What will your next listen be?

Not the sequel.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Marian Hussey?

Anything read by Juliet Stevenson is a joy to listen to.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Darcys of Pemberley?

All of them - but in fairness I only tolerated one hour before throwing in the towel.

Any additional comments?

More of a question - how do I get my money back?

This is weird self-indulgent soft porn...

I had to return this, it reads as some weird and slightly creepy horny fantasy the author had about Elizabeth & Mr Darcy. It's a bit like 50 Shades to Twilight - without insulting P&P by comparison to Twilight.