Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Impulse & Initiative

- Abigail Reynolds -

OMG, it's Pride and Prejudice fan fic in published form.

Once I'd managed to disassociate from Jane Austen's characters and basically pretend this book was about entirely different people with coincidentally similar names, it was't the worse book I've ever read.

As the Darcy & Elizabeth I know from the original of course, it was wildly implausible. I just can't see those characters acting the way they do in this book and more importantly, I wouldn't want them too. One of the most beautiful aspects of Pride and Prejudice is the slow build between Darcy and Elizabeth as they move past first impressions and preconceptions and truly get to know one another. Yes, the implicit attraction is there between them from the start as they converse and disagree, but the way they circle each other and come to know one another with the broader contextual knowledge of each of their circles of families and friends is what makes it such a beautifully developed relationship.
So assuming we are pretending this is just a regency-set romance novel? Eh. As alternate universe Pride and Prejudice fan fic? Gigantic thumbs down.

And finally, all of the above being said, the author completely and 100% lost me with the final few chapters - the most ludicrous pregnancy/childbirth/oh noes, Darcy is scared crap, and totally unnecessary. Ugh.

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