And This Our Life
Title: And This Our Life: Chronicles of the Darcy Family: Book 1
Author: C. Allyn Pierson
Pages: 236
Published: 2008
“Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, ends with the marriage of the Bennet sisters to their hard-won fiances, but the story of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life together is only beginning.
And This Our Life is an affectionate and historically accurate sequel that chronicles the lives of the Darcys during their first year of marriage. In addition to learning to be the mistress of Pemberley, the Darcy estate, and overcoming the preconceptions of her new relatives, Elizabeth must help her young sister-in-law, Georgiana, find her way to womanhood through the maze of ritual, tradition and marital politics that is Regency-era England.
Often snubbed by the first circles of society, Elizabeth strives to gain acceptance with the same grace and wit that attracted Mr. Darcy, while helping Georgiana acquire the confidence she needs to find true love and happiness, no matter what obstacles are placed in their way.”
And This Our Life is a wonderful sequel to Pride and Prejudice, especially for readers who don’t enjoy all of the bodice-ripping that has plagued other sequels. The story immediately picks up where Pride and Prejudice ends with the Bingleys and the Darcys settling into married life. Society is both curious and distrusting of Mr. Darcy’s new bride, a plot line I think would have been more accurate than other sequels where everyone falls under Elizabeth’s charm. Georgiana matures in a believable fashion and her marriage to her cousin, Fitzwilliam, a move I’ve never quite liked, made me change my stance.
The story could have benefited from a bit more drama — the Darcys’ life is a bit too idealistic and perfect. Darcy comes across as completely perfect, although he all know he has his faults, and is given his own story line when he is sent to chase after the Prince’s letters from his secret wife, which was my least favorite part about And This Our Life. But Pierson’s knowledge of the Regency period if very obvious, and I will make sure to snag the second book in this series.
Rating: 4
Balance of Opinion: Austenprose
I enjoyed this book also, and exactly the same reactions as you! It is a solid debut for this author. I hope the next in the series arrives soon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. – Laurel Ann
I’ve never read a P&P sequel because I’m afraid of reading a bad one and tainting the excellent picture I have of Darcy and Elizabeth. You’re so brave.. how many sequels have you read at least??
@ Laurel Ann: Like you, I’m hoping the sequel to her sequel will arrive soon, if for no other reason than to find out whether or not they have a little girl or boy.
@ Clarie: I understand your reservation. I have the same fear before I was given Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife for my birthday. Since then I’ve read at least fifteen sequels, not including ones on fanfiction websites that really deserve to be published. (For example, I read Abigail Reynold’s stories before they were published.) But my list has 63 on it, so I have a ways to go.
Wow that is a lot. I think I would do this with Arthur and Camelot.. read other retellings. Maybe one day, one day I’ll pick up a P&P one!