Review: Darcy's Voyage

Darcy's Voyage: A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas by Kara Louise

Publication Date: September 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback, 512 pp
ISBN-13: 9781402241024
ISBN: 140224102X

Synopsis (Courtesy of Amazon):

In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship, Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with a handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.

When Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy throws convention overboard in a plan that will bind them to each other more deeply than he ever could have imagined. But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England will their love survive?

Thoughts:

This is only the second Jane Austen variation I've read and I'm really enjoying them. It's interesting to see other people's take on what could have happened or what should have happened. I am especially intrigued by variations of Pride & Prejudice, my favorite Jane Austen novel. In Darcy's Voyage, Kara Louise allows Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to meet under different circumstances which doesn't change the outcome of the story, but the setting and events leading up to the conclusion. I found the addition of a sea voyage very interesting and I loved the way author made you feel as if you could almost feel the spray of the sea on your face as you read the novel.

Louise uses a writing style that is very descriptive and allows the reader to really see what is taking place in their mind's eye. The characters remain true to Jane Austen's original work. They are still the same Elizabeth and Darcy we have come to know. Elizabeth, head strong and unconventional, while Darcy remains steadfast and quite handsome. We see again, Darcy's honorable qualities as he tries to make Elizabeth comfortable during her illness on board the Pemberley's Promise. Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves once again unable to resist the things they love about each other.

Kara Louise uses her research to guide her in making the sea voyage realistic and believable. I think the author has done a remarkable job of staying true to Jane Austen's vision for Darcy and Elizabeth but she has infused it with new life and adventure in this variation. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Jane Austen and also to readers who have never tried a variation of her work. I think you will be surprised at how satisfying it is to find new ideas of how things could have been...

Darcy's Voyage is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I am giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




Here is some additional information about Kara Louise.

Originally from Los Angeles, Kara Louise now resides just outside Wichita, Kansas with her husband. She began writing in 2001 and has written six novels based on Jane Austen's, Pride & Prejudice. In addition to writing, she works at her church doing the publications. She has a married son, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri.