What if Lady Anne Didn’t Die Soon After the Birth of Georgiana?
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Outside-of-canon multigenerational story spanning from 1769-1811 + epilogue
SYNOPSIS: Serving both as a prequel and variation, this story follows the individual paths and relationships of Pemberley’s sons – first with George Darcy and Samuel Wickham, and then their sons – Fitzwilliam and George. And brings not only the Bingleys to Netherfield in the Autumn of 1811, but an extensive amount of Darcy relations as well.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Multi-character/ Multi-storyline: A big round of applause for Elizabeth Adams for this marvelous family saga! She establishes so many storylines and characters that readers grow to care about. This saga illustrates through flashbacks and vignettes the pivotal moments and important scenes of these characters’ lives. I enjoyed the simultaneous and interweaving arcs of this storytelling style, with each scene being its own separate segment and traversing through many characters’ perspectives and time periods. It always left me wanting more!
- Darcy and Wickham: This was a terrific new relationship to explore! The relationship between the fathers – Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham senior. According to reports in P&P, Mr. Wickham was “highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, confidential friend.” And in this story we see what that might have looked like. I loved this relationship – I loved the earnest loyalty between these two men, how they ignored the barriers that separate them, and how they repeatedly save and help each other. Their quiet companionship and firm regard for each other was moving to witness.
- Lady Anne: This strong and exemplary woman is so integral to this story that she deserves to be in the title as well! She is the heartbeat of this tale with her agonizing struggles with childbirth, the inspiring work she does with establishing a school and supporting the local orphanage, and all the ways she shares wisdom, kindness, and love with all the people in her life. Lady Anne is indeed a special and worthy woman, and I loved to see the impact and influence she had on those around her.
- Darcy and Wickham Part Deux: There were some interesting changes with the path of this relationship, and most nearly all of them centered on George Wickham and how he grew up with a hardworking yet distant father and a selfish and grasping mother. It was easy to understand how such a childhood could shape George Wickham, and how the support and love of others can create such a difference in someone’s life. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique and very unpredictable journey for George Wickham.
- Siblings, Cousins, Friends: There are several other fantastic new characters that are worthy of mention such as George’s aunt, Rachel Connelly and Lady Marianne, Mr. Darcy’s closest cousin. These characters are brilliant and I love the close connections they form with George Wickham and Fitzwilliam Darcy, respectively. Speaking of relationships – I loved witnessing several other new relationships explored in this saga. I won’t mention who they are between, but I will say the are surprising, satisfying, and clever.
- Exchanging Correspondence: I love seeing the various sections of letters exchanged between characters – especially Fitzwilliam and Marianne! I love how these letters displayed each character’s unique voice. I would love to see Elizabeth Adams do an epistolary novel one day!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Small Quibbles: With so many characters and storylines that divert our attention elsewhere, it did leave the Darcy and Elizabeth relationship feeling a little anticlimactic. I felt like I wanted just a little more time together to strengthen their attachment. In addition, I think a family tree or character guide of some sort would have been so helpful with all these new characters and Darcy and Fitzwilliam relations.
CONCLUSION:
Sons of Pemberley is a sensational family saga that intertwines the paths of multiple characters as they face hard trials, forge lasting relationships, and find happiness. This is a rich and rewarding Austenesque tale that is not to be missed!
I read and enjoyed this story, also. Lovely review, Meredith.
Thank you, Sheila! I appreciate you checking out my review!
I loved this story! Along with many of the characters! Excluding George Wickham’s mother, who was such a bad influence on him as a child and a really bad wife to Samuel.
Even if the whole book had been dedicated to Elizabeth and her Darcy it would not have been enough for me, so I was at least happy to like other characters very well and especially Lady Anne.
Thank you Meredith for such a great review.
Oh yes! Wasn’t she hateful?!?
LOL! I know how you feel about those two, but I am glad to hear you enjoyed the time with the other characters!
What a delightful review, Meredith. I have this book and just have not read it yet. I must send a search team out and try to find it on that mountain of TBR books that I have. This review made me long to read it. Thanks for the push. I love the rotation of pictures in the blog masthead. They are always so interesting. You really have an eye for pictures.
Lol! Jeanne! I hope your search team helps you out and retrieves this book for you!
Thank you so much! I’m trying to make sure I make to take and share more! I’ve gotten behind!
I enjoyed this one too. I totally agree about the family tree idea. I find them so helpful when reading Philippa Gregory novels.
I saw your fab quote on the back cover, Christina! So glad you loved this one! I was managing well with most of the main characters, but there were a couple relations that were mentioned here and there that I couldn’t quite remember HOW they were related and to who.
What? I did not see the back cover??? I’m headed to amazon now to order print!!!
I totally hear you with the family tree because even with simpler writings sometimes I have a hard time keeping up with family lines unless I have some kind of visual or I write them down. I found a written description helpful navigating through Lady Susan.
I loved this one and especially seeing Lady Anne in the story.
Yes! It is rare to have her be a main character! And she was such a fantastic character in this story!
What a wonderful review.
denise
Thanks so much for checking it out!
I loved this one, Meredith. Great review. I initially balked at the length, at that time needed to escape with a few more short ones, but then when I finished Sons of Pemberley I had the wish it would go on! I wanted more. Something like this would make a great series, if the author of such was so inclined. I know it’s not for everyone. But that doesn’t take anything away from how great a book this is. Kudos to Elizabeth Adams!
I have this book to read and I enjoyed your review. Makes me eager to get started.
That’s wonderful, Brenda! I hope you get the chance to enjoy this one soon!
I’m so glad to hear that, Michelle! It truly is a testament to the writing that we want even more! I agree it would make a wonderful series!
I can’t believe I missed this when it came out! Thank you so much for the Stellar review!
And I do have family trees. I definitely needed them when I was working on it. I put a couple up on my site and had hoped to make a pretty one for the book, but it just didn’t come together.
Maybe I’ll get an artist to make me one and add it in.
Thank YOU for writing such a beautiful and unique story!
Good to know about the family trees! I will be sure to check them out.
I can imagine that might be a tricky bit of graphics work. Lovely idea, though!