26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
This book is only OK, January 30, 2001
After reading Pride and Prejudice, and watching the BBC miniseries, I was simply hooked on the story and wanted more, so I ordered this book. I must say I was somewhat disappointed.While the author certainly did keep the style and tone of Jane Austen's writing, the portrayal of some of the characters seemed awkward, especially Lady Catherine. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy do not have any of the witty "repartee" that I was so looking forward to, and there was none of the gentle humor seen in Pride and Prejudice. And there are simply TOO many characters introduced from other Austen novels, with not near enough details given about the characters I loved so much from P & P. This book concerns Georgiana, Kitty and also Col. Fitzwilliam, and those characters, while fairly interesting, are not the ones that had captured my heart and imagination and left me wanting more. I have not read any other Austen "sequels", so I can't compare this one to any of them, I only know that this book didn't satisfy my urge for more Lizzy and Darcy!! Perhaps I was expecting too much!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely New Fancies with Old Friends, July 30, 2007
This review is from: Old Friends and New Fancies: An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen (Paperback)
I recently read
Old Friends and New Fancies and was delighted with it. The author, Brinton, cleverly used characters from Jane Austen's six finished novels in her story, easily creating acquaintances, friendships, and even romances. Most of our old favorites are included and a good number of characters who remained unattached at the end of their novels play large roles. Brinton focused mainly on Colonel Fitzwilliam, Kitty Bennet, and Georgiana Darcy from
Pride and Prejudice; Tom Bertram, Mary Crawford, and William Price from
Mansfield Park; and James Morland from
Northanger Abbey. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, Captain and Mrs. Wentworth, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ferrars, Mr. and Mrs. Knightley, and numerous other characters make large and small appearances. The setting is mainly Bath, Pemberley, and the Bingleys' estate. Who wouldn't want to go back to Pemberley?
I quite enjoyed reading
Old Friends and New Fancies, not least because I was able to meet some of my favorite characters again and visit beloved places such as the Darcys' estate. In the past, I have been wary of reading Jane Austen sequels for fear that the author has taken liberties with the characters and made them behave as they would not. Rest assured, Brinton did no such thing. Her writing style is rather similar to Jane's and I was always delighted to read lines that sounded so like the great Jane's own. For instance, this exchange between Mr. and Mrs. Darcy seems right in line with what Jane might have written:
Mr. Darcy: ". . . we have got into shocking ways since my wife married into the family."
Mrs. Darcy: "On the contrary, I think I have educated you all admirably."
Or this exchange between the irasible Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Elizabeth Darcy:
Elizabeth: "We have all been enjoying your piece so much. It must be delightful to be able to play like that. My aunt is such a lover of music that she cannot hide her enthusiasm."
"And why should I hide it, may I ask?" demanded Lady Catherine. "My judgment has often been of great service to young amateurs, among whom you might include yourself, Elizabeth."
"Yes, I know," replied Elizabeth, good-humouredly . . ."
That is just how I imagine Elizabeth would get along with Lady Catherine, once Elizabeth had established herself as Mr. Darcy's wife and mistress of Pemberley, and made it clear to Lady Catherine that she would not be trifled with.
Old Friends and New Fancies is full of delightful little moments that remind the reader of Jane's beloved novels. It is amusing to try to figure out who will end up with whom!
I am glad to have read
Old Friends and New Fancies and would recommend it to any Jane Austen fan.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
