Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer by Karen WasylowskiPublication Date: February 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Jane Austin Fiction
ISBN-13: 9781402245947
ISBN: 1402245947
(Received for review from Sourcebooks)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Books-A-Million, IndieBound
If you live in Morehead, KY or the surrounding area:
Purchase from our local independent bookseller: CoffeeTree Books
Borrow from our local library: The Rowan County Public Library
Karen Wasylowski on the Web: Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter
Excerpt from Darcy and Fitzwilliam
Book Trailer:
Synopsis (Book Blurb):
a gentleman
cannot survive without
his best friend...
cannot survive without
his best friend...
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam couldn't be more different. Darcy is quiet and reserved and carries the weight of his responsibilities on his shoulders. His affable and vivacious cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a confirmed bachelor whose military feast have made him a hero, and whose devil-may-care personality hides the torment within. Cousins, best friends, and sparring partners, Darcy and Fitzwilliam have always been there for each other.
Then life gets complicated with unrequited love and unresolved deeds from the past raising their ugly heads, and family difficulties threatening even the most steadfast friendship. Will these two strong personalities find a way to align, or will the vicissitudes of life and love tear them in different directions and destroy the family they have always worked together to protect?
Thoughts:
Karen Wasylowski's latest novel, Darcy and Fitzwilliam gives the reader a clear picture of the relationship between these two men that was only hinted at in Jane Austen's masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. Wasylowski is able to take a very minor character and give him, his own story with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lovers of Jane Austen and Austen inspired fiction will love this rendition of a perfect friendship though now without it's ups and downs.
Mr. Darcy has found the love his life, Elizabeth Bennett. He has begun his life with her, but it is not without it's challenges. Elizabeth is determined and unafraid to speak her mind, which sometimes has Darcy with his head in his hands. Darcy has always turned to his close friendship with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam to lighten his mood and bring things into perspective. But, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a soldier and he has seen much in his life. He always used a happy-go-lucky personality to hide his faults and fears. When he falls in love with a beautiful American woman, named Amanda everything changes. Darcy and Fitzwilliam must weather the storms of love and devotion to family. Will there friendship survive?
I have become increasingly interested in Jane Austen fiction. There are so many possibilities. I really enjoyed Karen Wasylowski's portrayal of the friendship between Darcy and Fitzwilliam. She gives readers a glimpse into the life of a character that Jane Austen said very little about. Colonel Fitzwilliam seems to be a very world weary man. He has seen a great deal on the battlefield and he has always hid behind a mask of being the life of the party. Now he is older and wants to settle down, but he's unsure of himself. Darcy always his hid behind his own mask of arrogance before he met Elizabeth. I found it interesting how these masks affected their lives.
The author also gives us more of Darcy and Elizabeth which is something most Austen inspired fiction fans really enjoy. We learn more about what their life is like after Pride and Prejudice. How they start their life together. The pitfalls and challenges of having two very passionate people in a relationship. It makes for some interesting reading to be sure. Their fights are almost as firery as their passion for each other. I liked this aspect of the story as well.
I think Wasylowski shows friendship in very endearing way as well. Even though Darcy and Fitzwilliam are friends, they also share the bond of family. Being cousins they have spent a great deal of their lives protecting their family together and not there are things driving them apart. Friendship is not always a bed of roses and I liked that the author did not show it in that way. There are ups and downs as in anything and sometimes friendships cannot stand the pressure we put on them.
A very interesting take on a great story. I believe the author did an excellent job of taking Jane Austen's characters and telling a very different story. Austen fans and fans of Austen inspired fiction will not want to miss this one.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is available now from your favorite bookseller.
I am giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Karen Wasylowski is a retired CPA. She and her husband spend their free time volunteering with charitable organizations that assist the poor. They also are actively involved with Project Light of Manatee, providing literacy instruction to immigrants and to members of the community. Karen and her husband live in Bradenton, Florida.
Then life gets complicated with unrequited love and unresolved deeds from the past raising their ugly heads, and family difficulties threatening even the most steadfast friendship. Will these two strong personalities find a way to align, or will the vicissitudes of life and love tear them in different directions and destroy the family they have always worked together to protect?
Thoughts:
Karen Wasylowski's latest novel, Darcy and Fitzwilliam gives the reader a clear picture of the relationship between these two men that was only hinted at in Jane Austen's masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. Wasylowski is able to take a very minor character and give him, his own story with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Lovers of Jane Austen and Austen inspired fiction will love this rendition of a perfect friendship though now without it's ups and downs.
Mr. Darcy has found the love his life, Elizabeth Bennett. He has begun his life with her, but it is not without it's challenges. Elizabeth is determined and unafraid to speak her mind, which sometimes has Darcy with his head in his hands. Darcy has always turned to his close friendship with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam to lighten his mood and bring things into perspective. But, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a soldier and he has seen much in his life. He always used a happy-go-lucky personality to hide his faults and fears. When he falls in love with a beautiful American woman, named Amanda everything changes. Darcy and Fitzwilliam must weather the storms of love and devotion to family. Will there friendship survive?
I have become increasingly interested in Jane Austen fiction. There are so many possibilities. I really enjoyed Karen Wasylowski's portrayal of the friendship between Darcy and Fitzwilliam. She gives readers a glimpse into the life of a character that Jane Austen said very little about. Colonel Fitzwilliam seems to be a very world weary man. He has seen a great deal on the battlefield and he has always hid behind a mask of being the life of the party. Now he is older and wants to settle down, but he's unsure of himself. Darcy always his hid behind his own mask of arrogance before he met Elizabeth. I found it interesting how these masks affected their lives.
The author also gives us more of Darcy and Elizabeth which is something most Austen inspired fiction fans really enjoy. We learn more about what their life is like after Pride and Prejudice. How they start their life together. The pitfalls and challenges of having two very passionate people in a relationship. It makes for some interesting reading to be sure. Their fights are almost as firery as their passion for each other. I liked this aspect of the story as well.
I think Wasylowski shows friendship in very endearing way as well. Even though Darcy and Fitzwilliam are friends, they also share the bond of family. Being cousins they have spent a great deal of their lives protecting their family together and not there are things driving them apart. Friendship is not always a bed of roses and I liked that the author did not show it in that way. There are ups and downs as in anything and sometimes friendships cannot stand the pressure we put on them.
A very interesting take on a great story. I believe the author did an excellent job of taking Jane Austen's characters and telling a very different story. Austen fans and fans of Austen inspired fiction will not want to miss this one.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam is available now from your favorite bookseller.
I am giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
Karen Wasylowski is a retired CPA. She and her husband spend their free time volunteering with charitable organizations that assist the poor. They also are actively involved with Project Light of Manatee, providing literacy instruction to immigrants and to members of the community. Karen and her husband live in Bradenton, Florida.
2 comments:
Thank you so much Debbie for writing such a wonderful review and showing my video!! That was a surprise. I loved what you said about the masks Darcy and Fitz both wear to survive but with each other they can let their guard down, even if it's to fight. Thanks again.
Your welcome, Karen... I really enjoyed the book and your video. I noticed it on your website and thought my readers would really enjoy it...
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