A Revealing Look at the Generations of Darcy Women Who Lived at Pemberley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel, Multi-generational saga

SETTING: Pemberley – Derbyshire, England (1649 – Present Day)

SYNOPSIS: What if Pemberley was real and there was an extensive legacy of Darcy history and descendants? Everyone knows the story of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, the most popular and beloved romantic couple that Jane Austen immortalized on page. But what is it like to be their great-great-great-great-great-grand daughter? What is it like to live at Pemberley? While readers learn about many different Darcy women in this tale, this story spotlights modern-day descendant, Lady Elizabeth Darcy, who is a single mom living with her sixteen-year-old daughter, Harriet, in an apartment at Pemberley. Lady Elizabeth is proud of her family history and is firm believer in the magic that is Pemberley. And while Lizzy has yet to find her own Mr. Darcy, she may have the opportunity soon as a new film production of Pride and Prejudice is coming to shoot at Pemberley this summer…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Darcy Women: This book is a comprehensive and inclusive look at strong, brave, and intelligent Darcy women throughout history. The main five women featured are: Sophia, who lived during the late 1600s and spent time at court; Elizabeth, who lived during the early 1800s and is part of one of the most famous marriages in history; Mabel, Elizabeth’s only daughter who learns of her parents’ romantic story but struggles to claim her own happy union; Millicent, who lived during the early 1900s and is passionately active in supporting Women’s Suffrage; and Lizzy, who grew up at Pemberley and when her grandfather died, saw it bequeathed to the Historical House Society.

• Also a P&P Sequel: I love that even though this story that spends so much time in present day (and other time periods), there is still plenty of chapters devoted to Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved all the significant glimpses into their marriage – their happiness together, their occasional friction/misunderstandings, the hard challenges they are forced to face. It was moving, revealing, and satisfyingly real. Their steadfast and abiding love is incredibly heartening to witness.

• Lyme Park: Pemberley is a key character in this story – specifically the Pemberley that is Lyme Park. Many of Lyme Park’s features and history are alluded to in this tale such as: Cage Hill, the Dutch Garden, the Lantern, and the famous pond – I loved hearing parts of the estate mentioned that I recognize from my visit there! Fun fact about Sara Smallman, she volunteers at Lyme Park for the National Trust! I’m sure her intimate knowledge about Lyme Park and the families that lived there are woven into this tale in ways I’m not even detecting.

• Lady Lizzy: I don’t want to say too much and spoil the surprises, but I adored Lizzy – she is a strong, engaging, and endearing character.  And I immensely enjoyed following her life – her childhood, the relinquishing of her family home, her relationship with Matthew Wickham, and her journey to finding, understanding, and seizing love.

• Full of Heart, Hope, and Love: This encompassing story displays a myriad of different lives and the various hardships one can face. Whether they be unhappy marriages, tragic deaths, children born out of wedlock, substance addiction, sacrifices, or war. I was greatly impressed with how Ms. Smallman incorporated so many diverse real-life experiences with her characters. And I appreciated her sensitive, caring, and honest depiction of all these situations and emotions.

• Darcy (P&P) Fandom: It is fun to imagine a world where P&P was a true story and Darcy and Elizabeth really did exist. I enjoyed reading about the new P&P adaptation that we being filmed (and how a wet shirt scene had to be included!). And I loved hearing about the various tours held at Pemberley and the nearby attractions of: Lydia’s Teapot, Fitzwilliam’s, and Miss Bennet’s Emporium! I desperately wish I could visit these gift-shops! Also, I wish I could read Most Ardently!

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Remembering All Characters: The one thing this book desperately needed was a list of characters. With so many generations of Darcys being introduced and an abundance of integral characters mentioned throughout the tale, I found myself needed reminders of who each character was, or what relation are they to another character. A family tree or a dramatis personae in the beginning of the book would have been a wonderful tool to reference.

NOTE: This book does contain the use of strong language occasionally and some allusions to intimate scenes (nothing takes place on page). I’d recommend it for audiences over the age of fourteen.

CONCLUSION:

Becoming Lady Darcy is an indescribably compelling and enthralling saga of Darcy family history! Sara Smallman displays remarkable skill, attention to detail, and creativity by retelling this family’s massive and intricate history. Any reader who dearly wishes the Darcys and their magnificent estate, Pemberley, were real should pick up a copy this epic, mesmerizing, and memorable tale!

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