The Ladies of Rosings Park

A Pride and Prejudice Sequel and Companion to The Darcys of Pemberley

By: Shannon Winslow

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

At first glance, Anne de Bourgh doesn’t seem a promising heroine. But beneath that quiet exterior, there’s a lively mind at work, imagining how one day she will escape her poor health and her mother’s domination to find love and a life worth living.

Now Anne finally gets the chance to speak her mind. But Lady Catherine demands equal time. Even Charlotte Collins and Mrs. Jenkinson get into the act.

Chapter by chapter, these ladies of Rosings Park take turns telling the tale from the moment Elizabeth Bennet sets foot in Hunsford, changing everything. Is Anne heartbroken or relieved to discover Mr. Darcy will never marry her? As an heiress, even a sickly one, she must have other suitors. Does Lady Catherine gracefully accept the defeat of her original plan or keep conniving? Will Anne’s health ever improve? And what really happened to her father? 

Complete in itself, this work expands The Darcys of Pemberley series laterally, beginning during the timeline of Pride and Prejudice and carrying beyond to reveal the rest of Anne’s story. 

"When a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way." - Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

©2018 Shannon Winslow (P)2018 Shannon Winslow

NOT Jane Austen

I’m always looking for good books along the lines of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and was encouraged by the positive reviews-this isn’t one of them. The biggest critique I have is having so many chapters given to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her point of view. I believe Austen knew what a strong character she was and knew a little went a long way. We know what she is-hearing her go on and on does not move the story forward. She is an overbearing bully, we get that, why not develop the other characters? The point of view of the other female characters would have been interesting and creative and I feel they are overlooked because of so much time given to Lady C. The narrator does an excellent job-but so much time is spent on Lady C., it begins to grate on one’s’ nerves. Another hallmark of Jane Austen’s style is the witty dialogue-you won’t find any here (I can’t get “If he were blind, then I was blinder”) out of my head.... As for plot-in Pride and Prejudice we know who is going to end up together in the end-everyone is happy, but the scenery along the way was delightful. In this story, the ‘big secret’ isn’t one, and a minor character’s death...ehhhh. It is all predictable and not very interesting. If you are looking for a good story, I suggest sticking with the original.

Great companion to Pride and Prejudice

I really enjoyed this book. Kept me smiling a great deal. The interaction between the two main characters was constantly entertaining. Shannon Winslow keeps me in Jane Austin territory and I am grateful to her for that. She is quite talented in my opinion. I always enjoy Marian Hussey as a narrator. I look for her name when I select a book.

At last Ann DeBurgh has a voice!

This story tells about life at Rosings Park! It made so much sense and was beautifully written. If you are a fan of the Pride and Prejudice variation books than this one will make you smile. There are no hot and heavy romance scenes, which Jane Austen would have disapproved of, just a gentle view of what Ann's life would have been like if she found the right doctor.

Too fun

I love this story and am glad someone has written this continuation of P&P. No, it isn’t high literature, but it is entertaining and helps me pass the time during my long hours on the road.

excellent fan fiction

I am usually suspect about Jane Austen fan fiction because I am deeply respectful of her integrity as an author. I was very surprised and delighted to find this story. It is very well written(although no one can compare to Jane herself!) and the story and characters were well thought out and in the style of Austen's time. There is some truly horrible Jane Austen wanna-be's out there, but this book is a joy. And beautifully narrated.

Loved this one!

I absolutely loved this book! It was so much fun! Ms. Hussey did an excellent job! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

A very interesting take.

I liked this very much and, together with all but The Darcys' of Pemberley is, I think a very fair collection of "apres" Jane Austen. Lady Catherine is every bit as autocratic as Jane A's grand dame, and all the other usual characters are very well expressed. I will say Marian Hussey's narrative has very much improved since The Darcys of Pemberley or maybe I do her an injustice and it is the recording timing seeming to leave a half a beat longer than necessary making it a trifle awkward. By far one of the most impressive and enjoyable Jane Austen follow-ons I have read. PS The name of Hiram did strike a bad note - very American which is the reason for 4 stars on the Story line.

Review

An enjoyable book but I found it to be the least engaging of the series.