Jane Hayes is a woman obsessed with the idea of Mr. Darcy, especially the version of Darcy portrayed by Colin Firth in BBC’s Pride and Prejudice. And really, haven’t we all been there? I re-watch Pride and Prejudice once a year, constantly imagining myself in Elizabeth and Darcy’s world. The dresses, the countryside, the witty banter! Shannon Hale has created a way for her characters to actually enter this world – an English resort where you can shed your 21st century attire and mannerisms and be swept off your feet by a Darcy of your own.
Jane’s inheritance from her great-aunt Charlotte is three weeks at Pembroke Park – a chance to find her own Darcy, or to give up the fantasy all together. Jane’s not entirely sure which one she wants, a decision further complicated by all the acting taking place. Who is real? Who is fake? Just when Jane thinks she has it all figured out, she finds herself more confused than before.
I love the premise of this book. I think there’s a piece of every Austen lover that would love to live in her world for awhile. The plot is plenty twisty and turny to keep you intrigued, even though it’s a relatively slow-paced book. I was cheering Jane on, but I wasn’t entirely sold on any of the male characters. Some of that may be brought on Jane’s confusion. I could never get a handle on who a character really was because – just like Jane – I didn’t know when they were acting and when they weren’t. This book is a fun read for any Austen lover. It’s not a book I fell in love with, but it was still a good escape and an interesting take on all the Austen-related material out there.
Jane’s inheritance from her great-aunt Charlotte is three weeks at Pembroke Park – a chance to find her own Darcy, or to give up the fantasy all together. Jane’s not entirely sure which one she wants, a decision further complicated by all the acting taking place. Who is real? Who is fake? Just when Jane thinks she has it all figured out, she finds herself more confused than before.
I love the premise of this book. I think there’s a piece of every Austen lover that would love to live in her world for awhile. The plot is plenty twisty and turny to keep you intrigued, even though it’s a relatively slow-paced book. I was cheering Jane on, but I wasn’t entirely sold on any of the male characters. Some of that may be brought on Jane’s confusion. I could never get a handle on who a character really was because – just like Jane – I didn’t know when they were acting and when they weren’t. This book is a fun read for any Austen lover. It’s not a book I fell in love with, but it was still a good escape and an interesting take on all the Austen-related material out there.
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