The Darcys Go to Bath
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel, Jane Austen Novels Mash Up
THE PREMISE: After Elizabeth’s recent pregnancy loss, the Darcys decide to seek the spirit-lifting and healing benefits of Bath. Settled in with their stay at Camden Place, the Darcys (which include Georgiana and Kitty) are quick to make many new acquaintances! Some of which will be quite familiar to readers who have read other Jane Austen novels…
WHAT I LOVED:
- The Darcys in Bath: It feels more common to see Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley or London (and Longbourn or Rosings occasionally). So a sojourn to Bath for an extended stay is exciting and novel! And the location of Bath fits perfectly with their individual needs – the younger unmarried sisters can seek entertainment and marriage prospects, and Elizabeth can distract her mind and restore her health.
- Bath Is Bustling: How fun to encounter so many familiar faces in Bath! The Darcys are renting the very residence where the Elliots lived, they befriend other visitors such as the Eltons and Churchills, they develop closer relationships with the Brandons, Mrs. Smith, and the Wentworths. I loved all the clever and creditable ways these characters were utilized and brought together. A lot of the behaviors and circumstances felt very natural and plausible.
- A Musical Club: This is the musical club of my dreams. Imagine almost all of Jane Austen’s most musically gifted characters meeting each other?! It would be my dream – Georgiana, Marianne, Anne Wentworth, Jane Churchill… I love that this happened, but I wanted/needed more. What were the specific pieces they were playing? What musical discussions did they have?
- Is Love in the Air or in the Water?: Bath is a marriage market indeed! A lot of new matches are forming quite naturally in Bath. And while I don’t think Mrs. Darcy or anyone else could take credit for them, I loved these clever pairings and the abundance of them. Whether they be flirtations, elevated alliances, friendships, or love matches there was a diverse variety of matches being made. And maybe one that will be made in the future – this story tees up the sequel – Pemberley to Dublin.
WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:
- A Lot of Telling/Retelling: In general the writing style felt heavy with narration and occasional long speech passages. The reader is told more than they are shown. And because these new friends are newly acquainted, they often have long passages recounting their histories. Which, while helpful for readers who never encountered these characters, were very unnecessary for others who have. And maybe felt a little superfluous, like Mrs. Darcy’s nearly ten page recounting of all the events of Pride and Prejudice to Mrs. Smith…
- Some Quibbles: Some characters’ speeches felt a little stilted and unnatural. And a few, felt out-of-character – Mr. Darcy, post-marriage, would never assume such chauvinist superiority towards Elizabeth! Characters often repeated themselves – Dr. Baldwin was so helpful to Sir Walter, Mr. Darcy wants a better than a second son for Georgiana, etc. Georgiana was spelled with two N’s, and sometimes Bennet was spelled with to T’s.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
🙌🏼 An excellent choice for readers who love seeing Jane Austen’s characters inhabit the same world, interact with each other, and form new relationships.
💍 Despite Lydia’s assertions, Bath – not Brighton – appears to be the place to go to get husbands.
📖 While I did have some issues with the writing style, there was a lot I loved about the clever ideas, the creativity, and the constructs of this story.
