Customer Reviews

Conviction: a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Conviction is a lively sequel focused on Georgiana Darcy and, to a lesser extent, Kitty Bennett. Darcy and Elizabeth are supporting players, Jane and Charles Bingham are present, and a few fates are tied up neatly. The character development was well done, except for the repetitive description of the curate. The only thing that drove me crazy was the lack of spell-editing. The author used "bare" for "bear," "waiver" for "waver" and "gate" for "gait." Picky to some, but jarring to people like me. While not the best sequel, it moves along without getting too bogged down in slavishly reproducing Darcy-speak.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it made Georgiana Darcy a heroine that the readers can enjoy. All other sequels of Pride and Prejudice have made her demure, quiet, and shy. Here we discover another layer to charater, in fact we discover many layers. She is intelligent, brave, witty, and passionate! We are not the only ones, though. Someone in the book itself makes the same dscovery.

It was a very entertaining story not only becuase the reader can admire and love Georgiana as they loved Elizabeth Bennet, they are taken through a very diverting story with all of the old favorites returning from Pride and Prejudice. Not to mention that Kitty Bennet has a nice character development.

Give it a read, I am sure you will like it and not be able to put it down!!

Conviction has all the problems of a self-published (and/or print-on-demand, I don't know how Double Edge Press operates, nor do I wish to) book.

The book could have used a professional editor, and the utter lack of editing leads me to believe that Double Edge Press is not a publishing house anyone would recommend. I went as far as spluttering and marking errors in the book with a pen, may book friends everywhere forgive me. In Conviction, a Miss Grant suddenly becomes a Lady Sarah upon her marriage to a baronet, although later in the book she sensibly reverts back to being a Lady Atwood again. There are your/you're and to/too mistakes, Lambton becomes London and vice versa, ready-made dresses are bought from shops, and men break off engagements. In short, better research and (at least some!) editing would have made for a much smoother reading experience.

That said, the plot, while certainly predictable and at times far too drawn out, is readable and Austen's characters mostly recognisable. The original characters are believable and mostly three-dimensional, their actions and thoughts ring true. Ms Burris' style makes for a smooth and pleasurable reading experience with only very few hitches. If you aren't bothered by the above mentioned mistakes and just want to re-encounter the characters from Pride and Prejudice, this book may very well be for you.

As a devoted Jane Austen fan, I have read dozens of sequels to her novels, and unfortunately, most fall far short. Not so with Conviction, the story of Georgiana Darcy's growth and love for vicar Jacob Markwood. Because he is a vicar, there is quite a bit of Christian theology in the book. While this may not be to everyone's tastes, as a hero, Markwood's idealism can melt hearts as much as Mr. Darcy himself.

Inasmuch as Conviction is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, I also view it as a parallel or mirror image to Jane Austen's Persuasion. Just as Anne Elliot relinquishes Wentworth at the persuasion of another, Georgiana struggles with herself as she chooses the man amongst her many admirers whom she loves with conviction.

I always approach the Jane Austen sequels with trepidation. Sometimes, sadly, my lowest expectations are met - but not this time. Conviction is well written and remains true to the characters we already know and love. Ms. Burris also excellently creates a new cast of characters in a manner that makes us care for them just as much as we care for Lizzy, Darcy, and Georgiana. I also loved the fact that, even for the minor characters, she does not leave us hanging. This book tells an entire story without letting us dangle for ages waiting for a "next installment" nor does it plagiarize Ms. Austen as so often happens. I found myself imagining who I would like to see cast in the roles of the new characters. You will not be disappointed in this book.

Loved this book, it is mainly about the growing up of Georgiana Darcy after the marriage of her brother to Elizabeth Bennet. It has many of the older loved characters from Pride and Prejudice but also some very good new ones. You could almost feel the pressure Georgiana was under when a young politican comes calling on her, he is so obnoxious but polite Georgiana puts up with him. You can see though this book how close Elizabeth and Georgiana become, as on many occasion Elizabeth sits with her whilst her unwelcome callers are there. Jane Elizabeth's sister has a young son and towards the end of the book Elizabeth and Darcy have a daughter.

Life is not easy for Georgiana as she becomes engaged to the wrong man but eventually all falls into place and she marries the man she loves.

I have read a few other books which have been dedicated to the growing up of Georgiana and found this to be one of the better ones. I can recommend this book to all Jane Austen sequel fans as a must.

Having read the reviews for this book, I was eagerly looking forward to it. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations.

Georgianna is such a promising character. However, she, and nearly every other character in this story, shows inconsistant behaviour and attitudes. I did not really recognize Jane or Elizabeth. Bingley and Darcy were also erratic, and were faint shadows of themselves. And Kitty Bennett (among others) is a plot device, rather than a character. There were moments when the potential of the story could be glimpsed through the haze. The general idea was good, but the execution left a great deal to be desired.

One thing about the book which became more and more annoying as I read was the misuse of words. One example is that something "peaked her interest." The word, dear writer, is "piqued." Another occasioned gales of laughter - someone could not "bare" some event. One may bare one's soul or one's body, but a burden is something that one "bears". Similar malapropisms abound. The editor failed to do his (or her) duty.

If you want to read an excellent P&P sequel, go with Pamela Aidan's trilogy, available from Amazon - the middle one was a bit weak, but over-all it is far superior to this effort.