The Darcys Give a Ball: A Gentle Joke, Jane Austen Style

One by one, young and old, all fawn over the ultra-posh Pemberley as they arrive for a delightful country weekend that is to be capped by a much anticipated ball. All of our favorite heroes and heroines are present, almost too many from every novel except the juvenilia. (Oh how much wicked fun it would be if Lady Susan pitched up unexpectedly! Sadly she does not.) Now Austen's much beloved famous couples are middle-aged and have fledglings of their own, offspring who carry the same wayward romantic impulses as consumed their elders so many years ago. "Pride and Prejudice" being the most widely read and admired of the romances, the children of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy are central to the novel, as are the issue of the unfathomable but surprisingly workable marriage of Charlotte and William Collins. Over the years so many readers have been moved by Charlotte Lucas and her marriage of necessity to the odious Mr. Collins. It is understandable that a reader would desire to put words into her mouth and use her story as central to a plot as Newark has done. Here Charlotte's strengths of kindness, practicality and astuteness have only grown into mature compassionate wisdom. Charlotte's story follows alongside youthful romance and many pairings are encouraged, thwarted, and hinted upon. Two of the young protagonists have a fascination with insects which I found a bit hard to swallow, but it does make for an amusing denouement. The cover illustration shows dancers in fashions of the Regency period, not the early Victorian era in which the novel is set. The Victorian allusions came across a little clunky, but I imagine it is quite difficult for a post-modern author to create a Victorian world that appears undeliberate. Thankfully Newark does not do anything hateful to the characters, unless that character was a villain in the original. The novel has an Austenian feel in that like her predecessor Newark writes into existence a world of certainty where everyone who hasn't fallen short of common decency marries their perfect match and enjoys a largely untroubled happily-ever-after. That fairy tale quality is one of the primary attractions of great romances and Newark's novel dances enjoyably along until its ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek conclusion. A sunny addition to the Austen sequel mania.

There may be a better sequel to Pride & Prejudice than this book, but if so, it has not yet made itself known to me. This one is pure and simple delight! It's a smallish book -- 156 pages, but not an excess of words on any page, and a fair share of these pages with almost no words at all, even if they are quotes from the goddess herself -- Jane Austen. Of course these are delightful, but not more so than those employed by the author in this cleverly crafted tale that includes the children of all the families created by Ms. Austen. In addition to the Darcys, there are the Bingleys, and the Brandons and the Ferrars (both branches!) and the Wentworths and the Fitzwilliams and the Knightleys, plus two of the Collins family. For the most part, the story happens over a weekend. But what a weekend! Juliet Darcy is turning nineteen, and Henry, the younger of her two older brothers has not yet been presented to Society, while the oldest brother, Fitzwilliam, is expected to ask for the hand of the beautiful Amabel Bingley, with which he will certainly be granted. Why not a celebratory party at Pemberley? Although Mr. Collins is highly desirous of the visit to Pemberley, at the last moment, his gout flares up, leaving his wife Charlotte to shepherd their two youngest children, Jonathan and Eliza to the ball. Henry had, a bit earlier in the year, reacquainted himself with the inhabitants of Longbourne while on a cross-country trip home from Cambridge, and considering the long-standing friendship of his mother with Mrs. Collins, the invitation for the ball at Pemberley was a forgone conclusion. Fortunately, the acceptance was, as well. There are several unexpected developments during the weekend, but as an earlier British writer once said, "all's well that end's well" and you will surely be enchanted with the outcome. The chapter in which Eliza rescues Juliet will cause most unladylike laughter, but is easily forgiven, for its sheer audacity and enjoyment! A weekend at Pemberley? Irresistible. Entirely.

Jane Austen's familiar characters, & plot similar to Pride & Prejudice's Bennet family. Names have cute connections. Needs more details & depth with some characters, other have the delicious tid-bits we've grown accustomed to with Austen's work. Elisabeth Newark write's not with Jane Austen's artistic flare, but creative & close enough to keep you turning pages for the next surprize! Another take on what could've happened "if" Jane Austen had continued more with these wonderful characters! Exciting read & twists! Looking for more books in the future, from Elisabath Newark! This one was a joy reading!

A previous reviewer was correct. This is a newly republished and differently titled version of Consequence: Or Whatever Became of Charlotte Lucas. There are 15 reviews there currently so some of you may find those helpful as well. I enjoyed this sweet and gentle little book as a continuation of Pride and Prejudice. It is a quick read and there are references to the offspring of other Jane Austen characters as well. I most enjoyed the insight into Charlotte's character, however, and how her life ended up. I think that is where the "gentle joke" of the title comes in. This may not be the most ground-breaking or original of all the Pride and Prejudice sequels out there, but it is certainly an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone who cannot get enough Austen (and that includes me!).

This really is a light read, but it's sweet. Not as satisfying as some of the others, but it was fun to see the next generation of EVERY couple in all of Austen's books. If you love this genre, then this is a good rainy afternoon book, or a good beach read.