Monday 3 January 2011

Review: The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy - Mary Lydon Simonsen

Genre: Historical, romance, Pride and prejudice variation
Pages: 384
Published: January 2011 Sourcebooks Landmark

Convinced that the lovely Elizabeth Bennet is her brother's soul mate, Georgiana Darcy enlists her clever and not at all snobbish cousin Anne de Bourgh in ensuring that pride and prejudice aren't able to keep these two hearts apart. All is going according to plan until Lydia Bennet brings scandal on the family by eloping with George Wickham, and Darcy is called away from Elizabeth's side before he has a chance to propose. It will take all Georgiana and Anne's considerable matchmaking talents to ensure that Elizabeth and Darcy are reunited in time to claim their happily ever after.

Plot:
It is Anne who is the matchmaker in this one, after she finds out that Darcy loves Lizzy she puts a plan in motion to get these two together. While Georgiana starts to figure out the clues and later wants to help to see her brother happy.

My thoughts:
I do love my Jane Austen variations, and this one introduces Anne in such a new light. She is quiet, but that is mostly because of her mother. When she is with her cousins she is another woman, but still she is ill and will therefore never marry. I did like this new portrait of Anne. Georgiana was different too, not at all shy but lively and could easily speak with others.

But the rest was just as usual, Lizzy and Darcy were true to the original story, Wickham a scoundrel as usual. One thing happened though and that is that Jane got another suitor. What happened with that you just have to read and find out.

This was a nice variation that kept close to the real story, just that instead of them finding their way to each other we see that someone else is pushing behind the scenes. Kind of made me wish that Anne could find love too, but alas no, she can't. Still she is a strong woman.

Mr Darcy was as lovely as usual, and honestly can anyone be more horrible than Caroline Bingley? That woman drives me crazy.

My final thoughts and recommendation:
Yes for the Austen fans, and for the rest of you too. I liked the fact that this one stayed very true to the course of the story, well fairly close. A 3,5 since it was amusing, sweet, and a good dose of Austen. I enjoyed the tale, and especially Miss Anne de Bourgh.

Reason for reading:
I love JA variations!

Cover:
Not liking it actually

Copy from the publisher


30 comments:

  1. One thing that I love about re-telling of a classic is that, I can see how creative a writer is in spinning off something that's already exist. I have yet to read this one but I've read the first book by Sharon Lathan and absolutely loved it!

    Hoping that I'd get the chance to read this one sometime soon.

    Awesome review, indeed. It is clear that you loved Austen's works here =)

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  2. I haven't gotten into the Austen re-tellings yet, but this one does sound sweet.

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  3. I'm a Jane Austen nut, so this is for sure for me. Great review, as usual! This sounds awesome :)

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  4. Unfortunately the retellings of Jane Austen books don't really appeal to me. I wish they did as I do feel I am missing out on something. I am glad you enjoyed it though.

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  5. I love Jane Austen, and love reading variations on her stories, so this one fell of my radar,must redeem that!

    Great review, it sounds right up my alley!

    BTW Happy New Year!

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  6. I am yet to discover the pleasures of reading novels a la Jane Austen. So far I've preferred the originals but who knows...something deep inside me tells me though that I am most likely to start with the books featuring vampires and zombies...I don't know why...

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  7. I love Jane Austen variations as well and this one sounds pretty sweet. I should give it a try!

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  8. I'm glad it's a good novel, as I am very much looking forward to reading it! I actually like the cover, I think it's very pretty.

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  9. Sounds almost too close to the original for me.

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  10. Yep, another one to add to the wishlist pile! :) I agree, they needed to do something else to that cover. Great review!

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  11. I used to be so into Jane Austen retellings and fanfiction so will keep this one in mind for the future.

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  12. Shy
    Oh cool :) If you have read Lathan then I am sure you will enjoy this one.

    I sure do, and I can't get enough it seems. I keep wanting more and more

    Bermuda
    I just love them, lol, Darcy and Lizzy, I just always wonder if they will get each other

    Melissa
    She sure created something fantastic, thank you Miss Austen :)

    Vivienne
    Too bad, but I do get why you might feel so. And there are many other books out there for you

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  13. Marissa
    Happy new Year :D
    Austen is the best, I can't get enough of these stories

    Ana
    Hihi, I did read the zombie and vamp Austen ones, and I do confess to them being very wicked

    *waves to Chris*

    Amused
    It is a must for every woman :)

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  14. Irena
    It is not that it is bad, I just don't feel it..but then I like heads on covers

    Carol
    Hm, nah, Anne is such a big influence there

    Melissa
    I guess I also don't feel the era with it. Still it is sort of cute

    Jenny
    It made me wanna go watch some Austen movies, I so must

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  15. I love a good Austen spinoff. I'm wondering who Jane's new suitor is.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  16. I haven't read any JA variations yet either (although I have watched Clueless many times), but I think I would enjoy this one.

    Happy New Year!

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  17. This was also one of my fav Austen variations too. Love Anne de Burgh!

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  18. I've never read any of Jane Austen's books... but this sounds like a nice variation from the original =D

    Great review!

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  19. Hmm. I don't think I'd buy this one but I'll see if the library has it!

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  20. I'm reading this one right now and enjoying it!

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  21. Naida
    Hihi, I am not telling ;) It was actually really amusing

    DC
    Oh I love Clueless, such a funny adaptation!

    Jenny
    That girl sure knew what she wanted, and what Darcy needed, go girl :D

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  22. Larissa
    I have actually only read two JA books, so bad of me ;) But hey I love the movies

    Lynette
    The library needs some love too :)

    Staci
    Can't wait for your thoughts!

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  23. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'll be reading it myself, of course. I'm looking forward to seeing how Simonsen transforms Anne!

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  24. Carrie
    I sure need my Austen fic once a month ;)

    Anna
    I hope I never tire of them cos they are all just so fun :D

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  25. I love the idea of all the Austen sequel books but I still haven't gotten to the ones I have. Then another one comes out that sounds good so there's one more for the list.

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  26. Darlene
    I hope you get around to reading those you have. They can be so amusing, witty, cute and more

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  27. Please forgive my late response. I didn't know your review was up. I stumbled upon it while wandering around your blog. Thank you so much for your kind words, and I'm very glad you enjoyed my story. :) Mary

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  28. Mary
    Thanks for stopping by :)
    I did sent the link to the wrong email, so no one knew this was up

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