Letters from Pemberley / More Letters from Pemberley

I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right, it would indeed seem as if I cannot get enough of all things Austen. You can just refer to me as our resident Austen-ite!

Actually, though I have read (and enjoyed) Pamela Aiden’s Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy which tells the P&P story from Darcy’s perspective, Letters from Pemberley: The First Year and More Letters from Pemberley: A Novel of Sisters, Husbands, Heirs are the first post-Pride and Prejudice novels I have read—and I found them absolutely delightful.

As indicated by the titles, Lizzy and Dary’s story after their marriage is told via letters from Lizzy to her sister Jane mainly. Letters from Pemberley comprise the events of Lizzy’s first year as mistress of Pemberley. As she writes, Lizzie describes her new life of wealth and privilege which understandably produces both anxiety and delight. Jane Dawkins’ second novel, More Letters from Pemberley, follows the Darcy family for another six years, giving readers a glimpse of a more mature Elizabeth Darcy who faces both heartbreak and joy with courage and faith.

In the introduction of Letters from Pemberley, author Jane Dawkins asserts that it is her intention to entertain, a goal she successfully attains. She describes her novels as patchwork quilts, “borrowing” phrases and characters from many of Austen’s other works. In fact, part of the fun of reading the novels was identifying other Austen characters and their respective stories (though under different names).

As I said, I completely enjoyed both novels. So, to all my fellow Austen-ites and enthusiasts of all things Austen, I highly recommend both Letters from Pemberley and More Letters from Pemberley as engaging and charming reads!

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….