The Ladies of Longbourn

I love this series. I literally cannot put the books down. Not only do Lizzie and Jane live on, but you become acquainted with thier children, their grand children and great grand children. The story of a close loving family is endearing. The writing is superb and the story line is a real page turner. I just love it! I hope she never stops writing of them. I believe Jane Austin would be very pleased indeed.

Totally hooked on this series! Rebecca Ann Collins has done a wonderful job of continually the saga. Initially I was skeptical but then again one of the really great things about Kindle 2 is being able to get a sample. I love books and this probably sounds really stupid but while once I've started a really good book I will stay up all night, if necessary, to find out what happens next on the other hand, I hate to have good stories end. Collins seems to have tuned in to my compulsiveness to know...and then what? I suppose it's a fairly harmless addiction so enjoy!

Of all the attempts to provide a continuation of the characters and events of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Ms. Collins has done the best job. Her style is more authentic; there is very little adjustment to be made, and she is careful to keep the traditions, the mannerisms and the politics genuine.

A novel which could truly be one of Ms. Collins' finest works, The Ladies of Longbourn is a treasure for any avid Jane Austen fan who adores the beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice. As this lovely, intricate story unfolds - with an enjoyable and convincing narrative - the reader lives vicariously through thee lives of the three heroines of the time, each with their own moving saga to tell. These ladies of Longbourn are unforgettable; the story, touching. Indeed, it can be well said - Ms. Collins weaves a masterpiece that reaches the heart.

Ladies of Longbourn, the fourth book in the acclaimed Pemberley Chronicles series brings us inside the lives of the third generation of Darcys, Bingleys, Fitzwilliams, et al. These are the now grown-up grandchildren of our favorites. And once again, we readers are introduced to a number of interesting new characters who provide additional layers of richness to an already complex story-line. Anne-Marie Bingley is the granddaughter of Jane and Charles. A strong, independent, and seemingly unsinkable young woman, Anne-Marie [deeply impacted by the tragic death of her mother and the odd circumstances surrounding it] is drawn by a number of social and peer pressures into a loveless marriage. Her family and friends are stunned and dismayed but can do nothing but accept her decision. Being an honorable and deeply principled person [like her father and grandfather], Anne-Marie recognizes her mistake, agonizes over its implications, but remains determined to live with her decision. And for a while, outward appearances suggest that Anne-Marie is content. Events transpire which enable her to escape her loveless marriage, but Anne-Marie's honor will not allow her to shake the feelings of guilt and mortification which remain it its wake. She turns for support to the strong, Austen-inspired women of her family and receives it in full measure. Determined to move on with her life, Anne-Marie turns her passion toward community service. She begins lobbying for the building of a public children's hospital. Unfortunately, the political leaders of the time see these institutions as the purview of the church or of private funding. And so despite the full support of her family, it appears that a political champion will be needed to make Anne-Marie's dream come true. Her white knight appears in the form of a young, idealistic new MP [appropriately named Colin] who becomes not only her champion in the halls of Parliament, but also the one who would rescue her from a life of loneliness and self-reproach. As in her previous books, Ms. Collins adds a dose of humor to the Ladies of Longbourn. This time it takes the form of Lydia Wickham in a cameo appearance. 'Lydia was Lydia still... untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless...' In her later years, she has also become thoughtless and greedy. Elizabeth's long-ago wish of 'meeting with another Mr. Collins' is also fulfilled in this book, through the introduction of Mr. Griffin, the lugubrious rector of Netherfield. Ladies of Longbourn is a wonderful continuation of the Pemberley series. It expertly brings the reader along the continuum of changing English society, economics, and politics. And all the while, we remain comfortably ensconced in the rose-colored sitting room with north-facing windows in what could be Pemberley, Netherfield or Longbourn.