Posted by Cassie M. on June 24, 1997 at 19:42:43:
Desire and Duty, by Ted and Marilyn Bader
MHO, offered in deference to the above publication that masqueraded as a P&P Sequel. I though the plot itself had potential (even if it was more about Georgiana than E and D) but the execution was clumsy and amateurish. If you do not want to read a negative and long-winded whine fest about this book, ignore this message!
1. Relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth – It seems that a lot of writers (save the horrible Tennant) are afraid to touch the depth of emotion between these characters. I thought the book was good in portraying a compatible marriage but it did not seem to dare plumb the depths of the relationship. And I did not like that huge gap between the birth of the twins and the children being school aged. Pardon me, but as a woman, I wanted to know how Lizzy fared during the second pregnancy.
2. Flooding - I felt like I was being lectured at by Mrs. Gardner. Couldn’t there have been another way to handle the pregnancy? IMHO, if you have to stop the story to explain to the reader what is going on then you’re doing something wrong. Plus, the illness set up a stressful family situation for an extended period of time without allowing for there to be moments of tension and frustration. Everything was hunky dory for the several months that Lizzy was forced to bedrest. As active as Lizzy is supposed to be, she should have been climbing the walls and tearing her hair out!
3. Characterization - Georgiana got the best treatment and I liked the gentleman she ended up with. But as annoying as Lady Cathering is, I had a hard time believing that she was evil enough to rage at Elizabeth on her deathbed and cause Georgiana to lose the man of her dreams via a sex scandal. I also thought that Darcy and Elizabeth’s dismissal of the poor tutor was uncharacteristic. These are two people who require proof to change their minds, not just the word of a maid (who admitted to working for Lady C.) As for Georgiana practically asking Thomas to marry her via Darcy, I doubt if propriety and her shy nature would have allowed this to happen. There were gentler, more romantic ways to have handled their reunion.
4. Religion - This is always a tough subject to handle in fiction. Georgiana’s questioning of her beloved’s religious beliefs did not seem in character. It may have been truly an issue at the time but it would seem like bad manners would it not to question a friend. The first time it was brought up, I figured it was because it was a sign of the times. The second time it was brought up, I figured it was because they were picking the right tutor for the kids. After that, I felt like I was being preached too. Frankly, I just plain resented it.
5. Writing - We have better fiction on our fanfic page. At best, these two needed a good editor. At worst, they should have gotten a ghost writer.
That’s all for now (its enough, right?) I’m sure I will remember more things as I read your comments.
Cassie M.
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