A Tale of Unchartered Love on the Seas.....
"In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.
But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive?"
(from the publisher)
my thoughts:
Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise was a very pleasant surprise. I haven't read too many Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels, but only a few that I have read have been charming and original enough to stay on my keeper shelf. (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James and Monica Fairview's The Other Mr. Darcy) Darcy's Voyage joins the ranks of well-written retellings of P&P featuring the lovely Elizabeth Bennett with her shining eyes and the handsome and enigmatic Mr. Darcy.
The story is based on the chance meeting between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in a public carriage ride. (Darcy's carriage needs repairs and he is forced to hire a carriage which he shares with Elizabeth.) During the course of their stilted and uncomfortable small talk, each does not make a very good impression on the other. However, each is struck by something unique about the other, and they go their separate ways.
Two years later, they have another chance encounter, this time aboard Darcy's ship, Pemberley's Promise, as they set sail for America, each with their own separate purposes. I adored this part of the story as it vividly described the harsh and meager existence aboard ship, and realistically portrayed the daily hardships of sickness and tedium, especially for those traveling in steerage as Elizabeth was. Meanwhile, Darcy is annoyed at the contstant pursuit of the young ladies and mothers on board who are anxious to make his acquaintance. When Elizabeth becomes seriously ill during the voyage, Mr. Darcy devises a plan to help her become isolated from the other sick passengers for a better chance at recovery, and he hopes also to put a stop to the fawning young ladies...just what this plan is, and all the complications and intrigue that develop, is the delightful tale of Darcy's Voyage. A charming love story for Regency fans.
**Note: This book was originally published as Pemberley's Promise.
4/5 stars
Title: Darcy's Voyage
Author: Kara Louise
2010
Sourcebooks
503 pages
genre: historical romance
9 comments:
Hmmm, I may have to give this one a try.
Hi, Avid Reader - I'm particular about P&P fanfiction, and this one was well done. Hope you enjoy it. :)
I loved this one. I read it years ago as a fanfic on the JA sites I used to frequent. It was called "Pemberley's Promise" back then and was posted in serial form. It was one of my very favorites! Glad you liked it!
Hi, Julie! Yes, you're right -- there was an author's note about its original title and I should have mentioned that. I'll go back and add that note. Good hearing from you!
I'm very particular about Jane Austen spin-offs, too. What other ones do you recommend? I enjoyed Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange, as well as Susan Kay's None but You.
Hi, Avid Reader -- I enjoyed The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and The Other Mr. Darcy (I have reviews of both of these on my blog and they were both simple, charming books.) Have you considered reading one of Stepanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries? She is often a speaker at the Jane Austen conferences and very particular about Regency details and Austen facts in her books. In the right side bar there is a picture of Stephanie... if you click on it and it will take you to her website. Hope this helps!
Thanks, Joanne. I have read the Syrie James book, which I liked, and the first two of the Stephanie Barron Jane Austen mysteries, which I also liked. I'll keep my eye out for The Other Mr. Darcy.
Turns out I have The Other Mr. Darcy on my Kindle. Sourcebooks had a promotion a couple of weeks back in celebration of Jane Austen's 235 birthday - they provided the e-copies of several of their Jane Austen spin-off books free for download for a day or two!
Oh, good, Avid Reader! I thought The Other Mr. Darcy was unique in that it focuses on Caroline Bingley and makes it work. Enjoy!
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