An Excellent Deviation That Could Be More Deeply Explored
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
If you have encountered Maria Grace’s books before, then you know she isn’t afraid to come up with wholly unique variations and implement new situations, personalities, and histories for Jane Austen’s characters. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Grace’s extensive creativity in her stories – and I was excited to learn about the inventive twists in her latest Pride and Prejudice variation – Fine Eyes and Pert Opinions. In this latest original take, there is a combination of unique alterations – Mr. Bennet is the vicar at Kympton under the Darcy’s patronage, Elizabeth has lived near Pemberley for ten years and has developed strong friendships with both Mr. and Miss Darcy, and the Bennets and the Darcys have close ties and longer history together – including Mr. Darcy’s parents.
One of the elements I deeply loved about this variation, and something that makes it wonderfully unique, is that it borrows some elements from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park! How interesting to see (arguably) Jane Austen’s most beloved work blended with (dare I say it?) her least loved work! To see a blind Mr. Darcy who relies on and craves counsel from his opinionated friend yet doesn’t recognize her worth, to see an Elizabeth Bennet who hides her affections and admiration for him because she is aware she doesn’t meet his expectations, and to see a house party assemble at Pemberley with a worldly set of siblings who introduce drama, theatricals, and mischief were all fresh and intriguing twists that many will recognize from Mansfield Park.
Another aspect of this premise I loved was seeing a house party take place at Pemberley. The purpose of the house party was to help Georgiana prepare for her entrance in society, and the guests in attendance produced a lot of interesting interactions and developments. Especially Ms. Grace’s original characters – the flirtatious baronet playwright, Sir Alexander and the much sought-after heiress, Miss Blanche Garland. The Pemberley house party proves to be an eventful one with picnics and archery contests, musical exhibitions and flirtations, unexpected morning encounters and surprising secrets. It was quite a riveting series of events!
While I thoroughly loved and appreciated all the new and inventive twists Ms. Grace implemented in her story, I wished each was explored a bit more deeply. I loved seeing Elizabeth and Darcy as friends, I loved the new characters that shake things up, I loved the alluded to (personal) challenges that both Mr. and Miss Darcy face, and although it feels a little incongruous, I loved seeing an Elizabeth exhibit the same fragility and insecurity as Fanny Price. However, many of the developments that took place often felt a bit abrupt (Blanche’s machinations, Sir Alexander’s affections) and underdeveloped (Georgiana’s storyline, Darcy’s realization and actions). I feel like the story could have been more plausible and satisfying had some of these excellent premises and twists been fleshed out a little bit more. In addition, there were some scenes where the dialogue felt a little too unreserved, open, and in one case, suggestive for this time period.
However, despite my quibbles I found myself absorbed and entertained by this latest variation from Maria Grace! This book is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy stories with strong departures from the Pride and Prejudice canon, who are intrigued by a story with echoes of Mansfield Park, and who appreciate detailed depictions of Regency life and times.
I really don’t like Mansfield Park and it took me a while to realise the link. Saying that I do love stories about Darcy and Elizabeth! I have read parts of this as it was posted and I look forward to seeing how Darcy finally comes to see that he needs Elizabeth as part of his life.
It is subtle, which is great for people who aren’t that keen on MP. I really enjoyed this new dynamic between Darcy and Elizabeth, but be forewarned Darcy experiences the same frustrating blindness as Edmund!
I’ve also reviewed this book today and it’s very interesting to see the points in which we agree. I loved the cozy feeling this book brought with most scenes happening at Pemberley, Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship (even if the reader needs to let go of canon to appreciate it) and the new characters who were very interesting additions in the first part of the book. Like you I would have liked to understand them a little better, but overall I really loved the feeling this book brought me 🙂
Your review was, as always, excellent Meredith!
Thank you, Rita! That is funny that we shared our reviews at the same time! So glad to hear this book brought you such cozy feelings! I really enjoyed the Garlands…they were a stirring duo!
I’m glad to read your review of Fine Eyes and Pert Opinions. After reading the blurb, I was intrigued by the premise – I do like a good departure – and I appreciate having a better understanding of what it is about. It’s on my (very long) TBR list.
Hope you get the chance to read it soon, Lucy! Thanks so much for checking out my review!
I let myself get way behind this week. And I really was looking forward to your review of Maria’s new book. Nice review! Makes me really want to read it. And I might have decided to give it a pass based on the MP crossover or modeling or whatever.