Searching for Pemberley [Paperback]

Mary Simonsen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using a literary mystery rooted in Jane Austen's inspiration for Pride and Prejudice, Simonsen's debut novel brings resonance to the story of a love-torn American girl in post-WWII London. Young and eager for adventure, Maggie Joyce has left her jobless Pennsylvania coal-mining town for a typist position overseas. In London, she discovers two love interests as well as connections to the real-life Londoners rumored to have been the basis for Pride's Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Learning to disregard her prim and proper instincts, Maggie becomes closer to her very own version of Darcy, as well as the families of the original Darcy and Bennet, from whom she receives old diary entries and letters. Simonsen is clever and evenhanded, maintaining an unhurried pace in both the Austen adventure and Maggie's love life. Fans of historical fiction and Austen should savor this leisurely read. (Dec.)
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Review

In this sweet and nostalgic novel, Simonsen borrows from Pride and Prejudice to create her own post-World War II love story. (Amanda Woytus The Romantic Times 20091123)

This was such a sweet, lovely read, with such rich characters and it was with much regret that it had to end. (Bella McGuire A Bibliophile's Bookshelf 20091130)

An exceptional Austen-Inspired novel that combines history, romance, war, and "Pride and Prejudice." (Meredith Esparza Austenesque Reviews 20091201)

A story that brings new insight, meaning, and possibilities to an old favorite that is sure to fascinate Austen fans. (Barbara Davis Everything Victorian and More 20091208)

Unlike any other Jane Austen sequel I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. (Grace Loiacano Books Like Breathing 20091209)

Searching for Pemberley is without a doubt a must read for any fan of Pride and Prejudice or simply a fan of people finding one another, beating the odds, and falling in love. (Cholla The Long and Short of It 20091216)

Well done and rich in emotional and physical detail, showing Simonsen's deft research and keen eye. (Serena Agusto-Cox Savvy Verse & Wit 20091216)

It delves into a world where every reader can get excited about the possibilities of what might have been. (Laura Johnson The Book Tree 20091217)

A great historical debut. This novel is rich in history. (Wendy Rucci Once Upon a Romance 20100108)

A wonderful mystery, a nice heap of romance... a book well worth any Jane Austen fans' time. (Suzanne Levin Chicks with Books 20100108)

Searching for Pemberley grabbed me from the first pag... Simonsen did an admirable job moving between the Regency, Great War, and World War II settings. (Anna Horner Diary of an Eccentric 20100108)

Filled with historical details, and packed with everything that Austen fans are looking for... Jane would be proud! (Libby Neas Libby's Library News 20100122)

I lost myself reading this story, and empathized with each and every character, along with their trials and tribulations. I just wanted to make them all a cup of tea. (Jennifer Ritter Jenny Loves to Read )

Written with respect for Jane Austen and a passion for history, Simonsen has combined two genres into a bittersweet war-time drama . (Laurel Ann Nattress AustenProse )

Fascinating... an amazing book. (Shoshana Ashley This Book For Free )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402224397
• ISBN-13: 978-1402224393
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great twist on the P&P story, December 2, 2009

By 

Austen lover - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Searching for Pemberley (Paperback)

The book is not a direct retelling of P&P but uses the book as a back drop for the love story between Maggie, Rob and Michael. It is set post WWII and follows the "real" family history that the JA novel was based upon.
It is a compelling read and keeps you interested. The other reviews gave detailed descriptions of the plot that I will not recreate here, but they are accurate.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wished to read JA inspired romances, rated PG. I want to know what happens to the characters and am hoping for a sequel.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and full of information, April 15, 2010

By 

Anne Keenan (Burlington, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Searching for Pemberley (Paperback)

I just finished this book and I absolutely loved it. It reads much more like a real life story and puts Elizabeth and Darcy and the relatives into better perspective. It helped put all the other sequels I have read into perspective as well. I found the book great fun and couldn't put it down.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The History of Pemberley, November 22, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Searching for Pemberley (Paperback)

On a trip to England, after World War II, an American woman, Maggie James, sets out to investigate a rumor concerning Jane Austen's writing of literature's famous Pride and Prejudice. The history of Pemberley begins to open as she meets the residents of a beautiful stately mansion in the countryside. Was this the actual home of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy? Through reading a series of old documents, Maggie begins to unravel the history and personalities behind one of the most beloved romances in literature.

The author's writing flows with ease from page to page, making it an easy, fast read. It's a story that brings new insight, meaning, and possibilities to an old favorite that is sure to fascinate Austen fans.