Mr. Darcy is Confined to Longbourn!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: A couple of days after Jane’s and Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Jane Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and all the usual suspects…
THE SYNOPSIS: Mr. Darcy is thrown from his horse by a near-collision with Elizabeth’s errant cat, Cassandra, and breaks his leg. Unable to be transported, Mr. Darcy must spend the next 4-6 weeks convalescing in Longbourn’s parlor. What will the Bennet’s do with such an august and unpleasant guest under their roof?
WHAT I LOVED:
- A Mad-Cap Romp: The first couple chapters of this story are pure comedic genius! Such a hullabaloo! First Darcy is injured, then the Bingleys arrive for dinner and Caroline faints from the sight of blood. Darcy is given brandy and then later laudanum for the pain, and some interesting things happen as a result… Then not more than forty-eight hours later the Bennet household is besieged by Darcy’s concerned relatives, including Mr. Collins’s very esteemed patroness…Lady Catherine de Bourgh! Oh! The havoc! The humor! Very Heyer-like!
- Staying Close to Home: Lately I’ve been loving it when the bulk of the story takes place at Longbourn. I love seeing the bustling and boisterous Bennets about their business! It was a refreshing change to not travel into Kent, London, or Derbyshire and spend some quality time with all the Bennets in Hertfordshire! (I’m such a home-body, even with literature!)
- The Improving of the Bennets: Not only do I love spending more time with the Bennets, I love seeing them lose some of their foibles and flaws! Mr. Darcy and his relations seem to be a good influence on the Bennets. I especially loved witnessing how each sister had their own special relationship with Darcy and how he was able to form a connection with each one (even Lydia!) I also enjoyed seeing the development and improvement of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
- Mr. Darcy: I loved Mr. Caldwell’s characterization of Mr. Darcy. It was interesting to see Mr. Darcy as an invalid – immobile and needing attending to. He is so honorable and responsible, such a contrast from the other male characters in this story! I enjoyed seeing him put Mr. Collins in his place (reminded me of the “Drop. Your. Sword.” scene with Westley from The Princess Bride. *swoon*), show concern and care to all the inhabitants of Longbourn, and defend his actions to the quick-to-judge and prejudiced Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth!
- The Epilogue: So clever! Don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say that a very interesting alliance is formed which left me laughing at how perfect fate can be sometimes!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Not Enough Darcy and Lizzy: I would have loved to have seen more of Darcy and Elizabeth together. Especially near the end, which seemed to progress at a much faster pace. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to witness a proposal scene, declaration, or wedding between Darcy and Elizabeth. I would have loved to see more of Darcy and Lizzy’s courtship and private discourse, and maybe even a stolen kiss or two! (Sorry, the romantic in me just wasn’t fully satisfied!)
CONCLUSION:
Playful, witty, and full of satire – Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner is excellent choice for readers looking for some light-hearted and clever fun! As always, I greatly enjoyed and appreciated Jack Caldwell’s prose, creativity, and humor and found much to love and admire in this story. (Even though it is nearly devoid of soldiers and cowboys!) 😉
Sounds like a great story! I admire anyone who can include all the sisters. That is a lot of characters to develop!
Very true! I liked how each sister was unique and distinct.
This is a great book! Very well written and the way he does Darcy is perfect!
I agree! Darcy was wonderful!
I love Mr. Caldwell’s books and this one is just fun. I love (as usual) the canon words being spoken by a different character.
Definitely! It was interesting to see Jane Austen’s famous words used by a different character or situation. Lot of fun!
Admittedly, I bought this book by accident (clicking on the wrong button in the Kindle store and not noticing till the credit card bill arrived!) but I’m so glad I did.
For me, there were quite a few laugh out loud moments, especially the brandy and laudanum scene mentioned above and later on Darcy dealing with Mr. Collins.
The review above is an excellent summary of the book. Give it a go, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Oh my goodness! That is a funny story, Anji! What a great accident! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hoping to read this one soon as I loved ‘The Three Colonels’. Thanks for the review Meredith!
Me too, Carole! Happy reading! Hope you get to read it soon!
I´ve enjoyed your review as if I had read the novel! 🙂
I love the sense of humour in “Pride and Prejudice”, we need to laugh! and I love the cover, it´s so cozy with that charming and naughty cat!. Cassandra is the perfect name for Elizabeth´s cat.
You are so kind Teresa, thank you! Yes, Cassandra is the perfect name! I loved how Cassandra would sit in Darcy’s lap, he was so sweet with her! 🙂
I love the highlighted points you ‘ticked’ off your list about the book. All good things. I look forward to it especially since I’ve read his other books.
Thank you, Sophia! I thought those points were the most important to bring up. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed Caldwell’s previous novels, so I must read this one, too. You’ve made me curious about his Darcy and all the comedy at the beginning.
I think you will definitely enjoy it, Anna! The beginning is full of LOL’s! 😀
This sounds like such a fun read, Mr Darcy an invalid and stuck at Longbourne I’m laughing already! Great review Meredith.
LOL! It definitely is that! I think you will love it, Tamara!
I think I read this at A Happy Assembly, but I plan to read the published version too. If it’s the same it has some very funny parts with Darcy having a sing-song after taking laudanum. I love a bit of humour 🙂
Yes, that part is still in, Ceri! Love Darcy’s choice of song and love everyone’s reaction to it!! 🙂
I really loved this book and enjoyed many laugh out loud moments! Have already reread it. Such fun!
There were so many, weren’t there! Loved the funny drawing of Lydia and Mr. Darcy too!
It is a great story! Loved it!
Yay! So glad to hear that!
I really look forward to reading Mr Darcy Came to Dinner. I love a good laugh! When Longbourn and residents are viewed in comparison to, say Rosings and Lady Catherine, there really is a lot of love as well as good intentions.
Yes, very true! Much more warmth and heart! 🙂