123 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sometimes interesting but at times incredibly dull....., August 15, 2004
I had high hopes for "Conviction" after having read the earlier reviews of this book. I love Jane Austen's novels and make every effort to read whatever 'sequel' it is that I could get my hands on.
"Conviction" heads off to a promising start. We are re-introduced to Georgiana Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, Caroline Bingley and Kitty Bennet. The story begins with Georgiana and her life after the marriage of her brother Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet. We are introduced to her many suitors including the odious Mr. Davidson and the promising Major Talbot and Jacob Markwood. Georgiana makes her choice early on the the story but starts having second thoughts when her bethroned leaves Derbyshire for Brighton and she gradually falls in love with someone else.
The story and the new characters are, for the most part, interesting. Unfortunately, shortly after the introduction of Jacob Markwood (a vicar), the reader becomes encumbered by the author's decision to let her characters carry on about their 'religious calling' or abolitionist beliefs. These 'rantings' sadly weigh the story down and are incredibly dull and boring. It zaps the life out of the story! Jane Austen was obviously smart enough to avoid this mistake with her characters - even with clergymen like Mr. Collins and Edward Bertram.
Another shortcoming is in the author's use of language throughout the book. At times I wonder if Ms. Burris had done any research on the customs and traditions of the Regency Period. For example, the book is peppered with terms such as "girlish crush" and other modern slang. The British (then and now) do not use the word "crush." It would have been more appropriate to use the term "girlish fancy" instead. Also, anyone familiar with Jane Austen's work would know that only vulgar women (like "Emma's" Mrs. Elton) would address a man without using "Mr." As such, a well-educated and accomplished young lady like Georgiana would never call her older brother "Darcy." Likewise, a vicar would never call Mr. Darcy (his employer and one who is far above him in station) "Darcy."
Fans of "Pride and Prejudice" may be disappointed because characters like Jane and Charles Bingley, Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley are barely in the book. They make 'cameo' appearances but are almost completely absent for most of the story. Early on it becomes clear that Georgiana and one of her specific suitors are the center of the story.
In short, I truly wanted to like "Conviction." There were moments when I liked it but the dullness and predictability sometimes outweighed the good. The tone is solemn and it lacks the humor and wit of Jane Austen's works. The plot is rather thin and the resolution regarding Kitty's romantic potential was quickly patched up. The author leads the reader to believe that a specific suitor is interested in Kitty, then at the last minute he changes his mind and she ends up with someone else (and a character who is barely mentioned in the book)!!
I much preferred Julia Barrett's sequel centering on Georgiana called "Presumption." It is a more coherent, interesting and better written book. "Conviction" is, unfortunately, one of the many mediocre sequels to Jane Austen's works. It had the potential and I truly wish that it had been better.
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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never judge a book by it's cover!, June 25, 2007
Never will I again judge a book by it's cover! I have bought up every Pride and Prejudice book out there and have avoided buying this one because the cover seemed a bit "amateur" to me. Yes, I know that is terribly shallow but I admit, I was deterred. After reading a recommendation at Derbyshire Writer's Guild, I found my way to Amazon to purchase the newly released, Conviction. I am so glad I bought this book! It rivals Pamela Aidan's Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy and Helen Halstead's Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride. The characters are honestly written and solidly Austenesque... the new characters as compelling... the storyline thoughtful and well-researched. I loved this Georgiana Darcy more than any others out there as she too is thoughtful, virtuous and youthfully romantic. Darcy and Elizabeth take a back seat (as this isn't really their story) to Georgianna and sometimes Kitty Bennett, but when they do appear, their characters are beautifully written, too. I loved this book! And am so glad to own it! I look forward to reading it again and again. I'm just sorry I waited so long to buy it.
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44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasurable Pasttime, October 10, 2006
As a Jane Austen fan, I read CONVICTION, a sequel to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, with few positive expectations. The last sequel I had read to any book was SCARLET, and I found it sadlly lacking in plot, character development, and similar Mitchell style. CONVICTION, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. Burris, with few flaws, adopts the style of Austen's time period in her well-written story whose plot is not dependent upon first reading PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
For those who enjoy this period in history, Burris has included both scheming ladies and crafty suiters who seek to wed into wealth as well as the very few who yearn only for true love. Although it is the latter that places this book in the romance genre, the story also delves into elements of morality and faith that are lacking in Austen's novel. This inspection is accomplished not in a pedantic manner but as a by-product of exploring the characters while they progress through the story. The major characters, throughout their changes, remain believable to the reader.
Although not a rapid read, it is certainly a most enjoyable one.
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