Cute little sequel to P&P. It dragged in a few places and was not in any way Jane Austen-ish, but if you go in with low expectations and just enjoy it for what it is, it's a fun read. I give it 3 1/2 stars. ( )

I haven't read the precursor to this book, The Other Mr Darcy, so I don't know how they fit together or how having read the one would have influenced my opinion of the other. I do know that having Caroline Bingley as a character -- even a minor one -- put me on guard, which was sort of funny.

Beyond that, where to begin? I was very excited to see that this story expands on two of the women I wanted to know more about in P&P, Anne de Bourgh and Georgiana Darcy. They were both so shy and retiring, such complete wallflowers, but you knew there had to be more to them. Georgiana is the focus of this story (as well as her American cousin, Clarissa), but Anne certainly has her part to play. I enjoyed this, and thought Fairview did an admirable job of breaking them out of their shells believably.

Fairview mimics Austen fairly well, both in language and style, and follows her storylines (and patterns) to an extent that I at first thought I was going to be irritated -- that it was simply going to be a case of the same story with different names, which irritates me. This wasn't the case. Many similar things to occur, but in a way that show the differences between Georgiana and Lizzie. This makes sense, as they have two different characters, and it was fun to see different reactions and ways of acquiting themselves in social situations.

The story is predictable, of course, but not necessarily in a bad way. I love banter, and I enjoyed myself reading it; it was full of those little moments that I love where something is on the verge of happening, but doesn't. I think layering these in a story lays the groundwork for what is coming, but keeps it from coming too soon and losing it's power. It's a teasing game that keeps the reader engaged and looking for the next flirtation with the inevitable, and it's one of the things I loved in Austen's romances -- of course you knew where they were headed, but it never bothered you just sitting back and watching it get there, no matter how long it took. It even has me curious to read The Other Mr Darcy and find out how Caroline is able to work herself into my good graces. And that's saying something. ;p ( )

Monica Fairview continues to delight in this tale of Miss Georgiana Darcy’s coming of age. With her brother and Elizabeth settled into married life and welcoming a baby she finds herself falling behind in the step that society expects of her: marriage.

“The fate of unmarried sisters had befallen her. For while she did not for one instant feel unwelcome her place had shifted in the household and she now occupied the role of an outsider looking into a happy family circle.”

Visiting Lady Catherine de Bourg at Rosings, who is as pompous and meddlesome as ever, they are joined by their American cousin, Miss Clarissa. Her lively, unconventional, alluring, and fashionable manner impress Georgiana. Fueled by her annoyance at her brother continuing to treat her as a child and overhearing Mr. Percy Channing, a handsome man, if somewhat worldly, that she finds very charming, describe her as a bore she decides to rebel.

Continue reading: http://novembersautumn.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/book-review-the-darcy-cousins-by... ( )

This is author Monica Fairview's second Pride and Prejudice sequel and the first I've read. I expected that I would enjoy it, based on the synopsis, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. In short, Monica Fairview has a new fan in this reader.

Ms. Fairview's writing is warm, engaging and utterly captivates the reader. I was transfixed by the story from the opening paragraph until the last line. Ms. Fairview takes Jane Austen's existing and much beloved characters - - Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana - - and even those a little less beloved - - Caroline Bingley, Lady Catherine, Anne deBourgh and Mr. Collins - - and entertwines them with new characters Robert Darcy, Clarissa Darcy, Frederick Darcy, Percy Channing and Henry Gatley, among others.

What I loved most about these new characters is not only how vividly Ms. Fairview sketches them out but how I could easily imagine them being Jane Austen's own creation. In this way, Ms. Fairview stayed true to the essence of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen's vision.

In Pride and Prejudice, Georgiana is very much a secondary character who is primarily given life through her brother's story and personality. In The Darcy Cousins, Georgiana very much comes into her own and I thoroughly liked her. She is an enjoyable person, both a socially proper young lady of wealth and status and a determined and spunky fighter.

Her American cousin Clarissa Darcy is a pleasing addition to the roster of Austen inspired characters. The fact alone that she raises Lady Catherine's ire makes her a real jewel and I got a chuckle out of how many of her missteps and faux paus were attributed to her American upbringing. Clarissa's backstory made for an interesting read and I hope that Ms. Fairview will continue her writing with a book on Clarissa's continued story.

Henry Gatley was a wonderful hero and I was happy with the parallels between Mr. Gatley in this book and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Throughout the book I was rooting for Mr. Gatley and hoping that all the fictional characters would like him (even love him) as much as I did.

If there was any part of The Darcy Cousins that I would change it would be Elizabeth's personality, which I felt was a bit underdeveloped and missing that wit and verve that was so spectacular in Pride and Prejudice. However, Georgiana and Clarissa being major characters and so well developed eradicated any true disappointment I may have had.

All in all, I devoured this story and hated for it to end. It was a joy to read and I often found myself lost in this incredibly good book for a splendid week. Has any producer thought to snap up film rights because in my opinion, The Darcy Cousins would make a fun and entertaining miniseries.

I would highly recommend The Darcy Cousins for anyone who appreciates not only Jane Austen sequels but also historical fiction. ( )

The Darcy Cousins by Monica Fairview is a very humorous and delightful story about the goings on in and around Rosings Park, London and Hunsford, among other locations. With familiar characters as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter Anne. Added to this mix of colorful characters are the American Darcy cousins, Robert and his sister Clarissa. Clarissa scandalizes from her first day at Rosings Park. Georgiana and Clarissa become fast friends and is a refreshing addition to the Darcy family... this story is almost a comedy of manners and how the lack of communication between characters male and female can result in various misconceptions and misunderstandings.
I liked the way the author wrote this sequel, it was fun to read and I had a hard time putting this book down. I have read a few other Jane Austen sequels and they were kind of stuffy and boring to read, whereas this one was a joy. I especially liked the character of Anne, who at first appeared to be weak and sickly, but later showed that she had spunk and went after what she wanted which was to be away from her mother and not get married just because society said she had to. I hope the author is planning on a sequel to this sequel as there is a lot more story to tell her I would think...one can hope anyway. I rate this book 5/5.. ( )