Customer Reviews

Master Under Good Regulation

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read "Master Under Good Regulation" as fan fiction. When it was published I knew I had to add it to my book collection. It is a delightful retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is Reggie,Darcy's dog, who relates the events leading up to the ultimate happy ending. Kara Louise's stories are all enjoyable, I have yet to read anything of hers that has not delighted me. This is a must buy for the Austen addict.

I was a little leary of this book: A dog's point of view?! BUT, I thought it was very well done and, once again, showed a different side of Darcy and his past that we can only conjecture. I strongly recommend this to add to anyone's collection who is still in love with Mr Darcy.

I truly enjoyed this spin-off of Pride and Prejudice. It gives the reader a concrete, realistic idea of what shaped Mr. Darcy as he was growing up and made him the man he became as well as what motivated his behavior all seen through the eyes of his faithful companion, Reggie. Anyone who has had a special dog-friend can identify with this point of view. (Sometimes I think dogs understand humans better than we understand them.) There are moments in this story when you will just laugh out loud and others where you want to cry. Very poignant. It is also a "safe read" as there are no "peeping tom" incidents in it which is akin to the original story. It also follows the original story plot pretty faithfully; and, personally, I enjoy the "old" language. It makes the read more seamless with Jane Austen's book, although I did not find it heavily done here. Hope you like it as much as I did!

I have eagerly devoured the rest of Kara Louise's books, so I figured this one would be just as delightful. I was disappointed to find I had a hard time finishing this novel. It moves slow and is rather choppy, the transitions fail to ease together and it jumps from bask story to back story. All in all, a bit confusing (esp. considering I do most my reading after a long day of teaching).

Flow of the novel aside, the plot was wonderfull. I easily fell in love with Reggie and even shed a tear at the end of the novel on his behalf. I would rate it a G rating, as to the explicit content (or lack there of), I would feel comfortable giving a young adult this book and letting her read it.

All in all, I rate it 3 stars. I am glad I read the novel, for the experience of it. However, I am not pleased enough with it to keep it in my personal library.

This was an exceptional way to communicate how Fitzwilliam Darcy was formed as the man we meet in Pride and Prejudice. A real insight into the man and very entertaining.

This book is absolutely delightful! I wasn't sure I was going to warm up to it like I did, but I found it a wonderful story to read, and you can even envision the dog's British speech as you read this book. The story begins soon after Fitzwilliam's mother's death when he was 15 years old and the story continues over the next 14 years. Kara Louise is a delightful author...I have read her other "Pride & Prejudice" "what if" books..."Pemberley's Promise", "Assumed Engagement", "Assumed Obligation"...all of them are just delightful to read and enjoy! I am looking forward to her newest book of "what ifs" coming out in 2010...and for anyone that wants to enjoy a good story and not worry about sexual contents tainting the story of your favorite hero and heroine, this is one of the few authors that you can trust in not adding unnecessaries in order to write a story for all to enjoy! Highly recommend all these books I have listed.

Unlike a lot of books about the story of Pride and Prejudice, this one actually follows the plot of the book rather than alternate versions from movies or TV. By using the dog as a narrator, the author can concentrate the story on the things that Jane Austen left out and just give a quick summary of incidents that are in the original. This makes the story more interesting than if it was too exactly like the original book. My only objection to this book is that the author should have used modern English rather than using phony Regency language like "whilst" over and over.

OK, disclaimer, I'm related to the author and I know Reggie.

That said, this is one of my top ten Regency Romance Novels. If you haven't read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen you will want to read that first. Then come back to this book as it is a great retelling of a classic novel.

Reggie is Fitzwilliam Darcy's dog. He acquires Reggie while he is a boy and Reggie is a puppy. They grow up together. If you have ever owned a dog you know that they have an uncanny sense of being able to tell your mood. I live with Reggie and can attest that the dog knows when I am sick, knows when I am happy and knows when I am concerned about something.

As such, you will love the story of Pride & Prejudice as told by Reggie. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I agree with some of the other reviewers, this is must add to your Regency Romance Novel Library.

I'm not a dog fan, so remember that as I tell you that I love all of Kara's books. This would have to be my least favorite, just because of the animal angle. However, she does to an excellent job of convincing you that Reggie really is a dog and that he is by Darcy's side. For those of you who can't get enough of the back story of Darcy, you will love this. It starts a fair way back into Darcy's childhood when he initially picks out Reggie. So there is a lot of talk about Darcy and his father, how they related to each other, and the horrible day when Mr. Darcy Sr. died. You also get to see Elizabeth, but not for some time. It is great to see more of Georgianna and how Wickham was with the Darcy's as a child. Reggie (Darcy's doggie) even gets to talk about Bingley's dog and how she isn't as well bred, but becomes his favorite companion (besides Mr. Darcy, that is). And yes, there is a bit of doggie love.
Though much of the P&P story is the same, it is delightful to hear Darcy talk to his dog. To tell Reggie things he would never tell another human being.

If you are a Darcy fan and love dogs, you're going to adore this book. If you aren't that hot on animals, just be prepared. I am not upset that I chanced reading it. I wouldn't have wanted to miss Reggie's tale.

I really liked this variation. You got the P&P story but from a totally different perspective...Mr. Darcy's dog! I know it sounds stupid, but it was actually very entertaining to see things through "Reggie's eyes". I actually almost teared up in spots...give it a chance!