Customer Reviews

Memory: Volume 2, Trials to Bear: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice

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

 

 

This volume picks up right where the first ends. It follows the beginning of Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage. Throughout the volume, Darcy and Elizabeth continue their journal entries. I really like that aspect, because it allows for their inner thoughts and fears.

Elizabeth probably grows the most. She moves from a shy, insecure girl that is always within Jane's shadow to a woman worthy of the title 'mistress of Pemberley'. She receives great encouragement from Darcy, Georgiana, the Fitzwilliams, and her Gardiner relatives.

Jane begins to redeem herself in this book. She's not quite so selfish. Still not one of my favorite characters, but Linda Wells offers a valiant attempt to humanize her.

As with the first volume, there's a lot of material to read, but if you love Darcy and Elizabeth and their love story, yet allow the author some flexibility to modernize the story (somewhat), its enjoyable.

The second volume brings you into the Darcy's marriage, pregnancy, and Pemberley. Once again feeling like the fly on the wall. The Darcy's family and inner circle of friends are further developed. Of course, the villians are still present. Once back in London, Wickham rears his ugly head with devastating results. The idyllic world of Darcy and Elizabeth is shattered. Several characters from the original P&P have changed and forged different paths. I love that they have different dimensions and are an integral part of this story. The Bennet daughters, with the prodding of Darcy, are sent to school by Mr. Bennet. Each daughter has a storyline all her own. Some situations are better than others. Once again I like that you are given the information and eventually know what happens to the sisters. If you are someone who is an Austen purist this may not be for you. The only characters that do not change are Wickham, Caroline, and Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet is far worse than any other stories I have read.

The second volume of Memory gives us the story of the first years of Darcy & Lizzy's marriage. Lizzy grows from an insecure girl to being Mistress of Darcy House and Pemberley. Darcy is more secure in his role as Master and as head of his extended family. His care is not only for Lizzy and later their first child but also for the Bennet family. Where Mr. & Mrs. Bennet failed their daughters Darcy steps in. He does not accept misbehavior if it reflects on the Darcy name. In doing so he starts to reform Mr. Bennet.

Darcy, the scared-to-death-of-his-wife's-pregnancy-fool, as his cousin Richard calls him must face the very special situation when Lizzy gives birth to their first child. Then they have to find their own way to take care of their child, not following the rules of society. Again being an example for those who follow.

Several characters find their destiny. Some find happiness and love. Others..... Wickham's lot is more grim but well deserved. He brings a lot of trouble to the Darcy's. He understands what could have been when it is all too late.

Trust is important and if it is violated by someone you love it hurts the most. Georgiana gives Darcy and Lizzy some situations to deal with. They do, but find it hard because the disappointment is great. Georgiana has her own growing up to do.

This book is above all about love and caring for all around you. The way the extended Darcy/Fitzwilliam family and friends support each other is beautiful to see. There are a few new characters to enjoy and above all, the one who calls Darcy "papa".
I am happy to know this is not the end, yet. The story continues in "How Far We Have Come."

because there really were things I liked about this. I am actually annoyed with myself for buying the last one. What I DID like - the stories of some of the secondary characters. What I DIDN'T like - Darcy and Elizabeth just being so emo and sloppily over the top in love. The whole breast milk, breastfeeding thing - ewwww. The "love" scenes - enough already. Don't need to read about them endlessly and on and on. Darcy - how many damn hickeys can you give Elizabeth for goodness sake? It just took Darcy and Elizabeth way too far out of the boundaries of the original characters, and turned them into someone else completely. But the secondary characters were for the most part, very well done.

This book starts immediately after the first ends, and chronicles the growth of Elizabeth and Darcy and their marriage. We have expansion of the characters from the previous book, plus some new ones. Many of the extended family find happiness, although the road to get there is often rocky. Ms. Wells is able to keep you reading and wanting for more, even though the book is long (which is great!). This book also focuses more on Darcy's past and development, especially reflected in his father's journals.
I highly recommend the series and her other books.

Some of this book is fascinating, and I, like many devoted readers of Jane Austin, really want to follow my favorite romantic couple (Elizabeth and Darcy) as they continue life together. SPOILERS MENTIONED AHEAD. I can handle some explicit sexual description of the passionate love between these newlyweds...until it goes on and on...and beyond silly. I cannot imagine Darcy flouting convention as much as he does in this book. Drinking breast milk? Making a total fool of himself over his wife...like, constantly? I almost laughed at the section where both the Darcys has sustained life-threatening injuries...and still wanted to "spoon" in bed with each other? C'mon here...Darcy is vomiting and Elizabeth is bleeding...the hygenic side of this boggles the mind. Despite their love, these two proud people would never flout convention to the point that is described in this book. Darcy loves Elizabeth, sure---but to "cuddle" her as she pretends to sleep while he chats with the gentlemen? Plus, several characters are totally destroyed beyond what is called for, i.e., Jane, Wickham...and even Mrs. Bennett. I'm happy to see many of the characters from Pride and Prejudice move on to happier lives (Charlotte Lucas, for one!). However, I honestly wish that this novel would have been centered around new and original characters rather than those we have loved so much for so long.

****SPOILERS****** I should have learned my lesson long ago. Don't buy an expensive series unless you REALLY like the first book. But no, what do I do? I read the glowing reviews of the first book & buy the whole series. I read the second book hoping for an improvment. My hope was in vain, unfortunately. Take my advice & beware. This series has NOTHING to do with a Regency period novel. The characters have really NOTHING to do with P&P. Their personalities are drastically different. I found if I could imagine these were characters whose names just happened to be Darcy & Elisabeth I could get through it simply thinking it was another romance novel. Now I like my romance novels, & I'm not squemish reading about a couple having sex. However, I probably would have liked this book better if the many references to Darcy drinking from Elisabeth's breasts were cut out. I mean REALLY!!! In one scene he berates his baby - in essence, "leave some for me". EEWWW, YUCK YUCK!!!!
This author would have benefited from a better editor. The chapters are still WAAAY too long. Sorry, can't recommend it.

At first I thought that in the first book the authors portrayal of Elizabeth was not really the Elizabeth that I know as strong minded and quick witted, however, Elizabeth's history explains why she is the way she is, and how she grows into the character I love, which is a little different but an outstanding story all the same.

What I loved the most about this series is the new character's (and the old) and how they all fit in and grow together. There really are quite a few. I thought Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam's antics were hilarious and clever, and kept in line with why Col Fitzwilliam is one of my favourite characters. The Bennet girls and Georgiana were represented with interesting tales of their own.

I also love how the author lets the characters conversations tell the story instead of it being narrated like some others. Of course the diary entries of Elizabeth and Darcy gave some insight to their feelings and thoughts.

I wasn't fond of the love scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy but it really didn't take anything away from the fantastic story. Wickham and Aunt Catherine were their wicked selves and the author really did them justice.

So I liked the first book but fell in love with the series during the second, and have read them twice so far.

these books were great reading did not even want it to END hope she writes again SOON about Darcy & Elizabeth you felt that yu were there at the time

These three books are my all time favorite Lizzy and Darcy what if books. Compelling,well written and breathtakingly romantic. Humorous,passionate,sad,unexpected encounters,witty interplay and revealing story lines.Emotional interactions between the characters had me in tears or angry at insensitive characters.Ms.Wells pulls the reader into the story and shows why Darcy,Lizzy and the other main characters are who they are and why. How they grow and change. I found nothing wanting in these three books. Keep them coming Linda Wells and I will keep purchasing and reading these wonderful books over and over again and remain impatient to read the next.