Comments on Constance Reader Writes Her Own Story: Death Comes to Pemberley, by P.D. James

I finally had a chance to read the book, and then ...

2012-01-26T18:21:57.606-08:00

I finally had a chance to read the book, and then I came back and read your review, and I am nodding and agreeing with every point. Some of the reviews on Goodreads call this the worst fanfiction ever, to which I say dudes, you obviously have not read enough fanfiction, published or amateur. At least James knows how to spell the names properly, and to not have Lizzy and Darcy behave as 21st century Americans accidentally transported to the Regency era.

But yes. None of them DID anything, and I hatehatehate mystery resolutions that only come by a confession from the murderer - I want my detectives to SOLVE the mystery, not sit around fretting until the guilty party confesses!

There were several effective red herrings, though, and the bit about Charlotte did make me think (her method of managing Mr Collins, as described by James, is hysterical), and I thought that her Mr Bennet was perfect. As for the rest of it - entertaining enough, but honestly kind of plodding, both as a mystery and a P&P sequel.

I liked it too, not loved it... A book I wanted to...

2012-01-13T12:36:38.497-08:00

I liked it too, not loved it... A book I wanted to read not for the plot but to be with Darcy again!!! Nasty me! :)

At some point I need to actually read and finish s...

2012-01-10T12:23:05.367-08:00

At some point I need to actually read and finish some of Austen's novels to fully grasp (hopeful) why they are so loved. I at least kinda know who the characters are based on the movie versions I've seen. I had to look up Georgiana Darcy because I always forget that that character even existed.

Maybe I should make that a resolution for this year, to read at least one of her novels and finish it.

Louie, Louie, Louie, Lou-iiiiiiii! Is it running...

2012-01-09T20:59:44.130-08:00

Louie, Louie, Louie, Lou-iiiiiiii!

Is it running in your head too, Jenners? :)

More than anything, this made me want to watch Lou...

2012-01-09T16:54:27.781-08:00

More than anything, this made me want to watch Louie.

I have hard SO much about this book lately! I'...

2012-01-09T13:55:57.325-08:00

I have hard SO much about this book lately! I'm embarrassed to admit (yet again) that I have never read a single word written by Jane Austen, so this book would be lost on me. I do have Emma sitting on my shelf,though - perhaps 2012 will be the year I finally read it!

Sue

Book By Book

Bah, L.A., sorry to hear you're having problem...

2012-01-09T13:02:40.693-08:00

Bah, L.A., sorry to hear you're having problems with it, too!

I am reading this right now and finding it a bit o...

2012-01-09T10:51:02.841-08:00

I am reading this right now and finding it a bit of a slog. I usually stay away from Jane Austen re-dos (preferring to re-read the originals!), but having loved James's Children of Men and knowing her reputation I gave this a try. I'm going to finish, I'm 2/3 of the way through, but I'm not loving it.

Chris: you are HILARIOUS. I am still laughing over...

2012-01-09T10:25:59.763-08:00

Chris: you are HILARIOUS. I am still laughing over "Law and Order: Pemberley Unit."

I agree with your review, that the Epilogue was a slog. It was as if James realized that she hadn't actually addressed any of the issues left over from P&P and had to do it all really fast in the last five pages.

I am really glad I am not the only person who didn't like this book, though. I had a feeling I was going to be tarred and feathered after posting this review. Jane Austen fans mean BUSINESS.

Yes, I did review this before Christmas: http://...

2012-01-09T10:11:14.481-08:00

Yes, I did review this before Christmas:

http://www.chrisbookarama.com/2011/12/death-comes-to-pemberley-by-pd-james.html

I don't think I liked it as much as you did but I found myself agreeing with all the points you make. It felt like Darcy was there to report the trial to us and little else.