This is not the first compilation of stories based on Jane Austen's great novel "Pride and
Prejudice" that I have found lacking. But it is perhaps the most disappointing, mainly
because included in the trio of authors writing about Regency Christmas celebrations is
the fabulous Amanda Grange, who has done a series of masterful diaries by the male
heroes from several Austen novels. This work is way beneath Grange's usual standard.
The first story is written by relative newcomer to the genre Carolyn Eberhart, and while
her contribution is the strongest, the story itself is derivative. Eberhart chooses to write a
twist on the classic "A Christmas Carol" story by Victorian writer Charles Dickens. In this
version, it is Fitzwilliam Darcy, heartthrob hero of "Pride and Prejudice" who is visited by
the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The point of the visitations is that he
should marry Elizabeth Bennet, the woman he falls in love with in the Austen novel, but
who is saddled with a family that would make any prospective bridegroom blanch, not
only because of their lack of money and social status, but also because of their lack of
restraint and decorum. The story ends happily, but a reader of this collection needs to
gather up courage to go any further.
The second part of the holiday tribute to Jane Austen is written by Amanda Grange. It
involves Elizabeth Bennet, now Mrs. Darcy, having her first child around Christmas
time. Mr. Darcy is traumatized out of fear for his wife due to the memories he has of his
mother and her difficulty in childbirth. Doesn't sound like this tale is filled with Christmas
cheer, but at least it includes a cast of characters with whom most P & P fans are
familiar - like Lady Catherine de Bough, Mr. Collins, the Bingley's, and of course
Elizabeth's meddlesome mother. A true Austen fan can read it and enjoy it, but should
absolutely put the book down after this.
The third short story, written by Sharon Lathan, is an interminable read and impossible
to follow. It is the worst of the 3 stories in this Christmas collection, and is written in a
manner that I hate - where Lathan takes the original characters from P & P, and adds
generations, meaning that the reader needs pen and paper nearby to keep track of all
the new additions to the Darcy and Bingley clans. Lathan gives Elizabeth and
Fitzwilliam Darcy not just one or two but a pile of children, and then adds to the
confusion by giving those children lovers and children of their own. The Bingley's are
also included in this name-fest, which seems more like an exploded Baby Name Book
than a cohesive story. I find it tedious to try to keep track of who belongs to whom, when
none of the characters is well delineated and the writing is sooo out of synch with
Austen's own style. Lathan's sexual innuendos seem out of place when the style she is
basing her work on was so innocent and restrained. Basically, it took me 5 weeks just to
finish this boring story before the book was due back at the library. Just terrible. I
wouldn't have finished it at all if I hadn't had to write this review! Avoid at all costs.
Submitted by Gerti
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