Product Description

The Women of Pemberley follows the lives of five women, some from the beloved works of Jane Austen, some new from the author's imagination, into a new era of post industrial revolution England, at the start of the Victorian Age. Vast changes are in motion, as they were throughout this dynamic century.

The women, like many of Jane Austen's heroines, are strong, intelligent individuals, and the depth and variety of the original characters develop into a series of episodes linked together by their relationship to each other and to Pemberley, which is the heart of their community.

The central themes of love, friendship, marriage, and a sense of social obligation remain as do the great political and social issues of the age.

"The stories are so well told one would enjoy them even if they were not sequels to any other novel."-Book News

"Yet another wonderful work by Ms. Collins."-Beverly Wong, author of Pride & Prejudice Prudence

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90611 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781402211546
• Condition: USED - GOOD
• Notes:
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Customer Reviews

ok, but not great
The second book in a series, this companion book discusses the courtship and marriages of the Darcy children and their cousins. It starts to get a little confusing with so many new names and relationships to track (did everyone have to name their daughter after Elizabeth!?). Following the chronological sequence of the book gets a little difficult, because each chapter focuses on a specific character and can span many years of time. Then the next chapter discusses a new character, and can actual jump back in chronological timing. Like her first book, this one is also political. Darcy comes off as more of a socialist than I would have guessed-starting libraries, hospitals, trust funds and social services for immigrants and the poor- all to demonstrate that he was once proud, but has reformed to a kindly and humble master.

I hardly know what to write but I have even better news!
The saga continues. Our favorite characters return, but this time we see their world through mature eyes - the eyes of parents and grandparents. In Women of Pemberley, Rebecca Collins once again waves her magic wand over the heads of readers - sending them back to 19th century England, into the grimy streets of London; the coal mines and pottery factories of the North; the political morass whose ambitious leaders sent an ill-prepared England to war against Russia; and into the hearts and minds of Irish immigrants, impoverished farm workers; and other vulnerable populations. And once again our familiar cast - now spanning three generations - illustrates the depth of their character in meeting each social challenge that presents itself.

And yet through all of the tumult and all of the changes taking place around them, we see the constancy of Elizabeth and Darcy. We share their joy at each new marriage and birth in the family, and we weep alongside them, as they cope with life's tragedies. We see a couple still very much in love and whose strength and devotion serve as a benchmark for all who know them. The successful relationships of next-generations of Darcys, Bingleys, Gardiners, Fitzwilliams, and Collinses are due in large measure to the standard set by Darcy and Elizabeth.

But for the fact that eight more books remain in this series for me to devour, I would be very depressed that this one had ended. I'm ready for my next course!

Not my cup of tea.
I bought this the same time as Pemberley Chronicles. After trudging through that tedious book, I was ever so reluctant to open the second in the series. I regret that I have had it for over a month and have made it less than half way through. This is a failing indeed, as I am a voracious reader who tends to read a book through in one sitting. Again this novel is strongly set in a political vent, with the Darcy's intermixing with the lower circles more and more. The families all seem to marry within the local families and the entire social sphere seems askew. To enjoy this, one must really buy into the idea that Fitzwilliam Darcy would support The Reformists. In addition, the time-line and the characters are frustrating to keep straight because 1) the names are similar if not the same as other characters, and maybe most damning, 2) the author doesn't write them well enough for the reader to care to know them. It was almost as if I needed a family tree to guide me through each chapter to be reminded of who this character is, and how do they relate to the others. I really hoped this to be a better book than Pemberley Chronicles, because it would give hope for the rest of her series, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this for purchase. It's not the worst I've read but there are many others out that are by fair better (like Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride.) Eventually I will finish this, as a matter of principle, but at present, I'm in no rush.