The Other Mr. Darcy: Did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin? [Paperback]

Monica Fairview (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I commend Monica Fairview for waving her magic wand and cleverly transforming Caroline Bingley into a human being worth knowing! (Laurel Ann Natress AustenProse 20090915)

Settle down to enjoy some excellent descriptions of house parties, carriage travel, balls and of course the company of most of the characters from the original novel. More, please! (Rachel A. Hyde MyShelf.com 20090921)

"Fairview's effort falls squarely in the good category. This will appeal to Austen and Regency romance fans alike." (Jane Jorgenson Library Journal 20090923)

There's something about this couple that just works... Definitely recommended for those that can't get enough of Pride and Prejudice. (Becky Laney Becky's Book Reviews 20090924)

[A] worthy addition to the growing body of works that continue the stories begun in Pride and Prejudice. (Gayle Surrette A Curious Statistical Anomaly 20091001)

Devoted readers of Pride and Prejudice can expect a beautiful tale, one with the old characters they love and some new additions to fall in love with, and an ending to leave you with your toes curling! (Bella McGuire A Bibliophile's Bookshelf 20091005)

So elegantly written, the reader would think they are reading Jane Austen. (Barbara Davis Everything Victorian 20091005)

f you have any tender thoughts for Jane Austen, then you simply must read this book... Rollicking fun! (Marie Burton The Burton Review 20091016)

Fairview is able to make Caroline a likable character, after all her scheming in Pride and Prejudice, while still keeping her original characterization intact. (Trin Bloody Bad Books 20091016)

A pleasant read and an enjoyable love story. (BlogCritics.org 20091019)

The Other Mr. Darcy is an enjoyable sequel to Pride and Prejudice... a worthy tribute to Austen. (Marlene Breakfield Once Upon a Romance 20091026)

Simply fantastic! Ms. Fairview wrote an endearing and beautiful tale that will banish your dislike of Caroline Bingley. (Meredith Esparza Austenesque Reviews 20091110)

Fairview has shed a new light on Caroline and you really get to see a different side. Truly worth the read! (Tracee Gleichner Review from Here 20091124)

I most heartily recommend The Other Mr. Darcy... This novel is a delightful example that there are still excellent new Regencies around! A Desert Isle Keeper Review, A+ (All About Romance 20091130)

One of the best follow-ups to Pride and Prejudice that I have ever read. (Laura Gerold Laura's Reviews )

Very creative plot turns (wait 'til you read what happens to Mr. Wickham!), the story keeps moving at a good pace... A fun read! (Mary F. Burns Historical Novel Reviews )

About the Author

As a literature professor, Monica Fairview enjoyed teaching students to love reading. But after years of postponing the urge, she finally realized what she really wanted was to write books herself. She has lived in Illinois, Los Angeles, Seattle, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Boston as a student and professor, but now lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140222513X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402225130
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

If I had to admit to a real life, I would say that for years I taught students to love reading, so that eventually (note my grand and devious plan) they would enjoy reading my novels (once I got round to writing them). Part of my plan was to develop a wide-spread audience, so I lived in as many places as possible, from sea to shining sea: LA to Boston, Texas and Colorado to Oregon and Seattle WA. Now I'm in England, making new friends and gathering foes.

If you happen to be passing through Surrey and hear mysterious maniacal chuckling (Jane Eyre style) you'll know it's me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caroline Bingley Transformed Before Out Very Eyes, October 18, 2009

By 

Meredith "Austenesque Reviews" (Wilmington , NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Other Mr. Darcy: Did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin? (Paperback)

Whatever became of Caroline Bingley? After her dreams of being Mistress of Pemberley were dashed, how did she recover? Did she rebound quickly after her disappointment of losing Mr. Darcy or was her heart deeply broken?

At the end of "Pride and Prejudice" the future looks a little bleak and uncertain for Caroline Bingley. She has just lost the man she spent years pursuing to an unsophisticated and unconnected country maiden, she has the unfashionable Bennet family as in-laws, and to top it all off, she is approaching an age where she will soon be labeled a "spinster." Does this arouse any sympathy or compassion in you for "bad girl" Caroline Bingley? If not, then reading Monica Fairfiew's new novel, "The Other Mr. Darcy," will surely do the trick!

Can there be another Mr. Darcy??? No, definitely not, but Fitzwilliam Darcy does have an American cousin who shares the same last name. However, beyond the same name and some attractive physical attributes, Robert Darcy shares little in common with his English cousin. In contrast with the reserved and proud Fitzwilliam Darcy, Robert is more open, charming, and amiable. He does not concern himself with social proprieties and gentlemanly etiquette. In addition, he is delightfully flirtatious and provoking!

On the day of the Darcy's and the Bingley's wedding, Robert unintentionally witnessed Caroline Bingley's humiliating and unladylike display of emotion. When Caroline discovers she was observed, she chastises him for invading her privacy and takes small comfort in the fact that she may never see him again. However, Robert Darcy appears in her life ten months later, informing the Bingleys that Elizabeth Darcy is unwell and entreating them to travel to Pemberley. Jane and Charles depart immediately for Pemberley, leaving Robert behind to convey Caroline and Louisa Hurst in a couple of days. Caroline soon finds herself in numerous complications and moments of perturbation because of this disagreeable and ungoverned man...

Ms. Fairview has brilliantly and plausibly transformed Caroline Bingley before our very eyes. It turns out that Caroline is not the detestable snob we thought she was. Ms. Fairview creatively provides an explanation for Caroline's behavior and character. Furthermore, she capably answers questions such as: Why did Caroline fawn and flatter Mr. Darcy? What was it about Mr. Darcy that attracted Caroline the most? Who instilled the importance of being a proper lady in her?

I simply loved how one of my favorite has antagonists has become a likable and admirable protagonist! I took great pleasure in delving deeper into Caroline's psyche and I loved witnessing her moments of introspection and realization. In addition, I enjoyed the sparks and tension created between Caroline and Robert, it seems the course of true love will never run smooth for the Darcy men!

In short, "The Other Mr. Darcy" by Monica Fairview was simply fantastic! Ms. Fairview wrote an endearing and beautiful tale that will banish your dislike of Caroline Bingley. I only hope that Ms. Fairview continues to write more stories in this vein and spotlight other minor characters as cleverly and gracefully as she did Caroline Bingley.

Austenesque Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars P&P sequel in which Caroline Bingley gets a make-over & a romance, September 30, 2009

By 

Laurel Ann "Austenprose" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Other Mr. Darcy: Did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin? (Paperback)

The Other Mr. Darcy is a new Pride and Prejudice sequel with a unique premise. Spotlight Caroline Bingley, a minor character who we all loved to hate in the original novel, and somehow make her into a likeable heroine. Impossible you say! And so it would seem. Add into the mix Robert Darcy, the unconventional American cousin of Mr. Darcy, and you have an intriguing concept that could challenge the most accomplished writer. Let's hope author Monica Fairview's fairy godmother mojo is stronger than Caroline's predilection to snark.

After attending the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet, the distraught Caroline Bingley uncharacteristically breaks down. Unbeknownst to her, she has a witness to her emotional outburst, Robert Darcy, Mr. Darcy's American cousin. Shocked and embarrassed to be seen in such a state, their first meeting gets off to a very bad start. When they meet again a year later, Caroline is horrified to see him. Will he keep her secret, or use it against her? As they travel together from Hertfordshire to Derbyshire, complications delay their journey in Nottingham and their party takes refuge at a local estate. While there, Caroline will receive two surprising marriage proposals. One from Colonel Fitzwilliam who she suspects is motivated by her dowry, and the second by the last man in world she would be prevailed upon to marry, Robert Darcy. To save her honor, he has gallantly stepped forward offering a fake proposal to quell rumors of her engagement to the wealthy and distinguished Sir Cecil Rynes, the one man she truly aspires to marry. Dumbfounded and numb with shock, the proper Caroline has no choice but to temporarily play along with the scheme to save her own reputation. Also included in the ensemble are many familiar characters from the original novel: The Bennet's, the Bingley's, Louisa Hurst, Lydia Wickham, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, all ready to offer help or hindrance to the couple.

Cleverly crafted and humorously engaging, The Other Mr. Darcy will delight Austen fans as they travel with Caroline Bingley on a journey of self discovery to Pemberley and her heart. Monica Fairview is a skilled storyteller, creatively continuing Jane Austen's characters, presenting a captivating but un-haughty version of the iconic Mr. Darcy in his American cousin Robert Darcy, and a Caroline Bingley who clings to her structured propriety sparking brisk repartees between them. Surprisingly, this Caroline has evolved beyond that snobby and gossipy "mean girl" that we remember in the original. I did not object to her change in attitude, but I think it would have been a tad more interesting if Caroline was that "mean girl" at the beginning, and grew away from it with new experiences. Despite this small quibble, I commend Monica Fairview for waving her magic wand and cleverly transforming Caroline Bingley into a human being worth knowing!

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, October 1, 2009

By 

B. Davis "crazy about books" (Beautiful Northwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Other Mr. Darcy: Did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin? (Paperback)

Caroline Bingley is overwhelmed and heartbroken over the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. But soon, at a very awkward moment, a mysterious gentleman enters her life--Mr. Darcy's cousin from America. Tension immediately develops between the two as Caroline shows contempt for her American acquaintance. Although, Robert Darcy falls in love with Caroline, their worlds are very different and far apart.

This book is so elegantly written, the reader will think they are reading Jane Austen. I knew from the very beginning this was going to be an excellent book. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.