Darcy and Elizabeth, Nights and Days at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll

Darcy and Elizabeth, Nights and Days at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll

Another weighty tome from Linda Berdoll this one comes complete with numerous plots and subplots.

It’s quite a challenge to keep all the different stories moving along side each other.

In the book the bad guys dominate the plots with Wickham very much to the fore front, causing disasters and leaving heartbreak on his wake. As he gets more desperate he becomes more despicable.

The ever vile Lady Catherine also comes to the fore but her plot line is a little strange and not as fulfilling.

Sex is again a big part of this book although at least it starts of fwith about going without.

One of my main annoyances comes about in one of the many sex scenes as Elizabeth and Darcy are romping in a spring fed weir in Derbyshire (which would be seriously cold) then a snapping turtle appears, there are NO turtles in England they could not survive in the climate even if somebody had brought them all the way from America, a tiny detail but so annoying.

Again lots of historical background covering a lot of issues of the day, the corn laws and work houses, lots of color in the dark side of London, Limehouse and the brothels, unrest and discontent on the streets, giving a sombre background to some of the plots. The addition of light hearted moments helps to lift the plots including a naked Bingley hiding in a barrel after being mugged by a mob.

Plenty of unexpected moments that kept me going through a very, very long book, one of the most unexpected was a Georgina so changed from the shy sweet girl of Pride and Prejudice now quite comfortable to lie and deceive to get her own way and a bizarre widow Charlotte Collins.

As usual I don’t want to give away any of the surprises that would spoil the fun.

Pour a generous glass of wine, settle down for a serious session of reading this is not a light read with a cup of tea.

Mr Darcy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll

Mr Darcy Takes A Wife by Linda Berdoll

Gosh where to start, this is an impressive tome at 465 pages of the smallest print possibly ever used in a book and each page has writing right from the very top of the page, so it’s not for the faint of heart, plus you will need reading glasses or even binoculars.

The narrative starts where Pride and Prejudice leaves off and it is packed with passion drama and a lot of history.

Some Austen fans find sex not to their like when it comes to tales of Elizabeth and Darcy, I am not sure you can have a tale about newly weds without including some steamy passion, it is after all a normal part of life.

It is great to think of Elizabeth and Darcy as truly passionate about each other.

Some interesting new characters are introduced and the plots seems to have plenty of twists and turns to ensure you keep turning the pages, drama, tragedy and war are all here, even the French Revolution gets a look in, through the eyes of a young aristocratic lady who escapes the guillotine to become a Courtesan in London, all very well researched and enlightening.

Although this can neither be classed as a light or an easy read and it is certainly very full of colloquialisms of the time and period euphemisms, it is well worth the effort.

The story also deals with the struggle of Elizabeth to produce an heir for Darcy and the loss of her baby, with out losing all humor.

There are still light hearted parts with the warmth and charm that Jane Austen would approve of, although a deeper and darker book in many ways.

By the end of this book I was quite happy to pick up Linda Berdolls next book Darcy and Elizabeth which is another 429 page monster.

Linda I am enjoying your books as I am sure are many, many other Jane Austen fans.