Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Helen Halstead Paperback - 320 pages; (28 May 2007) Ulysses Press; ISBN: 1569755884 amazon.com amazon.co.uk amazon.ca

Was previously published as

A Private Performance A sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Paperback - 309 pages; (1 September 2005) Random House,Australia; ISBN: 1741660505

"The Mistress of Pemberley is not likely to be anyone we know."
But, we know her.

"Slighted my Lizzie, did he?"
We see the new Elizabeth Bennet Darcy. Assured and even more confident.

"You can treat the mention of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule" Elizabeth now is not so rushed to judgment. She is not so quick to condemn.

"I fear I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers."
Darcy is still chasing the words he would wish to use... the humour he wants to have

"I believe we must have some conversation Mr. Darcy."
Elizabeth and Darcy now can have this wished for conversation without any impediments unless they put them there

A book to relive the experience.

Halstead writes with such homage and authenticity that you find yourself easily slipping away into the timeless splendour of Jane Austen’s world. The language and prose are genuinely authentic and her style natural and sincere.

Lizzie and Darcy’s relationship and marriage are developed and rounded out as they grow to understand one another and themselves as partners in life. The beauty of their love is developed and enhanced as they grow to truly understand what it means to be married to each other.

The intriguing – sometimes hilarious - story lines and fulsome development of all the old favourites; Jane, Bingley, Miss Bingley, Georgiana, Lady Catherine, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Kitty et al and the introduction of the London artistic and aristocratic set are just wonderful and true to the essence of Jane Austen’s P&P.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly. It was immensely satisfying to have a view to how it might have been if only...

However, “A Private Performance” by Helen Halstead is an exception. Rather than repeating stories from Jane Austen’s own life, or that of her relatives, Halstead continues the story of Lizzie and Darcy in an imaginative way and in a style still consistent with that of JA herself. The characters stay true to their Pride and Prejudice heritage and they don’t take on that overly modern feel that some Austen sequels seem to have.

I found myself reading faster and faster, trying to find out what was going to happen next. "A Private Performance" is enjoyable, not only as a continuation of P&P, but as a great book in its own right.

Of course, there's beautiful Elizabeth Bennet. She blossoms in her role as Mrs. Darcy and disarms everyone with her wit and charm… yes, everyone. Her feisty spirit sometimes frustrates Darcy but never fails to make him love her more. The book makes one believe in love again. It makes one fall in love again.

The Gardiners, Miss Caroline Bingley, the Hursts, Miss Georgiana Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam (here named Henry) travel to Hertfordshire for the wedding. The Wickhams do not. Along with the Bennets and the de Bourghs, these characters are present through a good deal of the book.  Kitty Bennet spends time in Derbyshire and her behavior improves. However, she does not make an immediate and radical change which I find very plausible. Georgiana remains shy and only comfortable with her immediate family. Mary Bennet remains a pious know-it-all. Mr. Bennet makes unexpected visits to Pemberley. I am happy to report that I found no strangers among those names that are so familiar from Pride and Prejudice.

After the wedding, the Bingleys return to Netherfield and the Darcys travel to Pemberley. However, they meet again in a few months when they all go to London for the Season. Lady Catherine tries to insure that Elizabeth is not received in society; she fails. Although a few acquaintances snub her, most are enchanted by her wit and vivacity. When Elizabeth becomes a favourite of Lady Englebury, she becomes the toast of the Season.

Because I do not have high expectations for sequels, I am fairly easy to please. I must say,  this book far exceeds my expectations! Jane Austen's characters are very little changed. I sometimes laughed and I even cried! I was kept in suspense about the fate of some characters for most of the story. There is happiness, sadness, misunderstanding; all events that make a compelling story. If I were forced to voice a criticism, I might say that Elizabeth is too witty and too teasing, but not so much that it is objectionable.

This is one of the best sequels that I have encountered and I highly recommend it.

I am afraid I did not like this book very much I felt she made Mr Darcy out to be sulky spoilt and not at all understanding to his wife.

When they go to London Lady Catherine has tried to give Lizzy a bad name amongst the ton but she is introduced to the most infulencing woman of the ton and taken under her wing.

At first Darcy seems all for this then he notices that many men start to take note of Elizabeth and he becomes sulky, jealous I would have put it but she used the word sulky.

Once the season finishes they go to Netherfield for a short time and Lizzy who by this time is expecting looses her babe. What upset me was that her Darcy does not seem to have an understanding bone in his body. Not at all like the Jane Austen Darcy. As the time goes on they go back to Pemberley where Kitty stays with them.

It is an interesting read but not one I would have gone out of my way to buy if I wasn't such a big fan of sequels. I have read better fanfiction than this book.

        Written by Linda (3/6/2005 6:47 p.m.)
I liked it! IMHO, this is one of the best sequels that I have read.

I like that Mr Darcy does not become perfect; that he is uncomfortable with some of Elizabeth's social conquests. In many sequels that I have read, Mr Darcy becomes a one-dimensional saint. I am happy that this author chose to leave him some shortcomings.

Also, Kitty's behavior improves but she does not, overnight, become mature and sensible, but remains a bit flighty and self-centered.

I guess that readers will have to decide for themselves after reading our widely disparate opinions ;-)

I still love Darcy, and think he is very much still Jane's main man!

Of course the characters develop, it would be boring if they didn't, but they are still the genuine real deal