Letters from Pemberley: The First Year

by Jane Dawkins

In this continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, one of the best-loved novels in the English language, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself in a very different league of wealth and privilege, now as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and mistress of Pemberley.

Writing to her sister, Jane, she confides her uncertainty and anxieties, and describes the everyday of her new life. Her first year at Pemberley is sometimes bewildering, but Lizzy's spirited...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402209061
• ISBN13: 9781402209062
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Charmingly reminiscent of Austen's Pride and Prejudice

I couldn't put this book down. I've always longed for more of the P & P characters, and now have finally found them in Letters from Pemberley. In her introduction, Ms. Dawkins professes not to be Jane Austen but she comes very close, in my humble opinion. I've read most of the "sequels" to P & P and this is the closest in characterization and writing that I've seen in a long time. There is perfection here in a mirror-image of Lizzy and Darcy's world and what their first year of marriage would be like. I would recommend Letters to all Austen fans who yearn for more!

a wonderful sequel

I have loved Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice for years. But I have never bother reading any sequel to this book, because in the back of my mind, I know that no one can really write a sequel for this book except Jane Austen herself. However, one day, when surfing through this site for some books, I accidentally came across this book. At first I was just surprised to know that so many Jane Austen fans find this so-called Continuation of Austen's P & P enjoyable. Reading your reivews just tempted me to buy and read this book too. And now, I am done reading this sequel and I must say that, yes, I agree with all of you, I like this book too. The author of this book can really capture some of the writing style, language usage and essence of Jane Austen's. Another good thing about this book is that it really can enhance one's imagination. To be honest, I am sure anyone who truely love Darcy and Lizzy will wonder, or will like to find out more about what their married lives will be like, especially how Lizzy adapted herself to the new society. I am quite sure that fans of Pride and Prejudice will find this book very satisfying. One drawback though, let me warn you beforehand, you will sure want to read some more of their stories after you finished this book, especially after what you found out in the last chapter. Very sweet!

Enjoyable

After reading many of the reviews of this book, I decided to see for myself. I disagree with those people who said it was boring. It is, after all, written solely from Lizzy's perspective so all the thoughts are hers. Jane doesn't write any letters that we can read; we only know she answers Lizzy by Lizzy's subsequent correspondence. If you're looking for passion and the shrillness of Mrs. B, you won't find it here. Lizzy is new to marriage, exploring her household and relationships. The fun part is in learning how Ms. Dawkins integrates characters from other Austen novels into this one. I found it true to Jane Austen and highly enjoyable to read.

An entertaining sequel you will not be disappointed with.

Based on the other reviews I decided to purchase Letters from Pemberley. I actually got chills to discover that there was such a sequel. I could not put this book down once it arrived at my doorstep. Since it is written in the same sytle as Pride and Prejudice, it flows right from the original story. You would not realize much time has lapsed since Jane Austen wrote P & P. I had a lot of fun picking out the other characters from Jane Austen's other works. The name changes won't fool anyone if you are familiar with certain "Personalities" from the other books. At times though I did need to research certain ones just to be sure. I am anxious to read Presumption: An Entertainment by Julia Barrett as well. I always felt Georgiana merited her own story. But, as for Letters from Pemberley, you will fall in love all over again, this book is a must read for anyone who always wanted a continuation of the Darcy's and Bingley's lives.