I have had the pleasure of reading work by both authors previously (Beau North wrote Longbourn’s Songbird and both writers collaborated on a story in the Meryton Press anthology ‘Then Comes Winter’) so I was looking forward to reading this latest novel. Here's the blurb:
“He could no longer claim to be Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire, brother to Georgiana, master of Pemberley. In that moment, he was but a man. A man filled with more frustration than most souls could bear. A man torn asunder by his desperation, his fruitless dreams and desires.”
After Elizabeth Bennet rejects his marriage proposal, Fitzwilliam Darcy finds himself in the most unusual of circumstances. At first believing the extraordinary turn of events has granted him an inexplicable boon, he is eager to put the humiliating proposal behind him.
He soon discovers that he is trapped in the same waking dream with no end in sight and no possible escape. All that he holds dear—his name, his home, his love—remains ever out of reach. How will he find his way back to his normal life? Will one mistake haunt the rest of his days? It will take all of his fortitude to weather the storms of his strange new fate, and all of his courage to grasp the promise of his future.
* * *
The story begins at Netherfield, with Fitzwilliam Darcy vacillating between attraction towards Miss Elizabeth Bennet and the urge to run away from her as a person unsuitable to bring into his family. I really enjoyed the romance of his yearning feelings, which built over time:
‘He felt it imperative to spend his days fully occupied with estate business for when he allowed his mind to wander as it did now, it always found its way back to Elizabeth Bennet. Like a loyal dog, he thought bitterly.’
TMLoFD is a variation on Pride & Prejudice with a paranormal twist. Any ‘what if’ story take a glimpse at an alternative reality – the different route the story might have taken if one aspect was changed, but here we get multiple bites at the cherry as Mr Darcy becomes stuck in a ‘Groundhog Day’-style loop of the same Sunday – the day he chose to propose (or not). I had read a story with a similar premise previously and this book actually chose the same day for Darcy to have to relive over and over again. There are such interesting possibilities for this day that choosing the day after the proposal wouldn’t have.
Obviously, from Darcy’s point of view, being the only person who remembers his humiliating rejection is somewhat consoling, but as time goes on he wishes to escape Kent and return to his sister, Georgiana. He tries playing out the day in a variety of ways, from a scientific approach studying variables, to hiding away and licking his wounds, to practical jokes, information-gathering exercises and even some evaluation of his character and self-improvement.
This is very much a book focusing on what is going on in Darcy’s head which means that there isn’t a lot of page time between our dear couple, but on the flip side, Darcy’s head turns out to be an interesting place to spend time!
I enjoyed the varying approaches he took to the day and appreciated the way that he picked up on hints and inferences to work out things which I thought was a nice touch as Darcy is described by Austen as a clever man. Although Darcy doesn’t spend much time interacting with Elizabeth we see him interacting with both Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne de Bourgh, which I liked:
“Every day is the same day for you? And nothing you do in one day has consequences in another?”
“Correct.”
Fitzwilliam’s eyebrow quirked up. “And it never once occurred to you to plant Collins a facer?”I have to admit, that thought occurred to me!
I loved the poignant run up to the proposal, where you know that Darcy is deluding himself and heading towards disappointment, and then the variety and invention of the repeated day. Being a big softie I would have liked a bit longer happy ending to bask in after the emotion early on in the book, especially as there was a epilogue that was bitter-sweet. However, I very much enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it. This was a 4½ star read for me.
* * *
About the authors
Beau North is the author of Longbourn’s Songbird and a contributor to the anthology Then Comes Winter. Beau is a native southerner who now calls Portland, Oregon home with her husband and two cats. She attended the University of South Carolina where she began a lifelong obsession with Literature. In her spare time, Beau is the brains behind Rhymes With Nerdy, a pop culture podcast and website, and a contributor at the San Francisco Book Review.
• Facebook • Instagram:Miznorth • Twitter • Newsletter • Podcasts • Blog (coming soon) • Goodreads • Amazon Author Page •
Brooke West is a contributing author to the anthology Then Comes Winter. Brooke has a naturally creative soul that pulls her into myriad artistic endeavors. While writing fiction always has been her life's passion, Brooke also finds joy in silversmithing, sculpting, and costuming. Between projects, she runs and practices yoga. She lives in South Carolina with her fiancé, son, and three cats.
Giveaway Time!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Since this is a blog tour there are plenty of other posts for you to enjoy. Please visit some of the other stops on the tour!
October 8/ My Jane Austen Book Club/Launch Post & Giveaway
October 9/ Just Jane 1813/Interview with Beau and Brooke
October 10/ Pemberley to Milton/Book Review & Giveaway
October 11/ A Covent Garden Madame Gilflurt's
Guide to Life/Guest Post
October 12/ Austenesque Reviews/ Excerpt & Giveaway
October 13/ Margie's Must Reads/ Book Review & Giveaway
October 14/ Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review & Giveaway
October 15/ The Calico Critic/Excerpt & Giveaway
October 17/ Diary of an Eccentric/Book Review & Giveaway
October 18/ My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and
Prejudice/ Book Review & Giveaway
October 19/ More Agreeably Engaged/ Fitzwilliam Vignette
October 20/ So Little Time... So Much to Read/ Excerpt & Giveaway
In addition, there has been another fun giveaway associated with this tour. Readers have been putting forward their faces of Fitzwilliam Darcy. It's too late to put forward any more faces, but the entries have been whittled down to these three... vote for your favourite!
To vote for your favorite image of Fitzwilliam Darcy from the images shown above, go to The Many Faces of Fitzwilliam Darcy Contest Link. The winning image and the winner will be announced on October 20, 2016, at our last blog stop, So Little Time… So Much to Read.
 |
| From left - right: Richard Maddon, Henry Cavill, Eduardo Verastegui |
To vote for your favorite image of Fitzwilliam Darcy from the images shown above, go to The Many Faces of Fitzwilliam Darcy Contest Link. The winning image and the winner will be announced on October 20, 2016, at our last blog stop, So Little Time… So Much to Read.
Thank you to the authors, Beau North and Brooke West, for bringing the blog tour here for a visit and providing me with a review copy of 'The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy' to enjoy and for sponsoring such a lovely giveaway, and thank you to Claudine of JustJane1813 who has put in all the hard work of organising the blog tour!
Thank you for your thoughtful review, Ceri. I am glad you enjoyed spending time inside of Darcy's mind... it's a pleasure to share this story with your readers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claudine!
DeleteThanks so much for hosting us, Ceri! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this rather unorthodox trip into Darcy's head!
ReplyDeleteI think he has the potential to have an interesting mind and I liked the different approaches to the day that he tried out. I particularly enjoyed the scientific approach.
DeleteHa! I forgot about that part with the Colonel that you quoted. There were some fun lines in this one along with the unique Ground Hog Day story.
ReplyDeleteNice review, Ceri!
There were some fun lines, and I thought that Anne de Bourgh was unexpectedly interesting, which I liked.
DeleteYour review has seriously peaked my interest. What would he have done differently if he knew that Elizabeth wasn't expecting or wanting his proposal. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's an interesting idea. I really enjoyed the variety in what Darcy decided to do each day.
DeleteThanks, Ceri, for having us. Glad you enjoyed the story!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by!
DeleteI watched "Somewherein Time" this week (or listened to) while painting my salmon platter order-- and the Epilogue came to mind. Poignant!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a great word to describe it, Christina :)
DeleteJust dropping by to say I read and loved this book. Looking forward to learning who wins the new Darcy poll.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it too, Sheila!
DeleteWonderful review. I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it when you read it, Becky
DeleteWhat a fantastic review, Ceri. This one intrigues me the more I read about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm another one looking forward to seeing who wins the poll. My vote went for Richard Madden, I have to say. I loved him in Game of Thrones.
I will vote for Henry Cavill, I think Anji, I like my Darcy to have a nice strong jawline!
DeleteLoved this book! Looking forward to seeing who wins this! No opinion on who would make the best Darcy!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the book, Leah!
DeleteLooking forward to reading this one way or another!
ReplyDeleteBut if these are the best MR Darcy faces, I choose
NONE OF THE ABOVE. Sorry, nope.
I hope you enjoy the book when you read it, teaguide :)
DeleteDon't care for the Darcy options, but the book sounds wonderful! Would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the book when you get to read it, Jo's Daughter.
DeleteGlad to see you enjoyed this one, too! That epilogue nearly did me in!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, the epilogue wasn't quite what I was expecting!
DeleteCeri,this was such a beautiful story! I just finished reading it last night,posted a review on GR and gave it 5*!!
ReplyDeleteAll Ausyen lovers should read it,Yes,it's that good!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it that much Mary, it's such a treat to read a five star book!
DeleteYes, every time I think about the ending/epilogue I get teary eyes - need tissues, for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt was an unexpected take on an epilogue, that's for sure.
DeleteLove the review. I love spending time in Darcy's head. He's such a complex guy...
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think of all the responsibilities he had on his shoulders at that time. I can't imagine a 28 yr old now a days being that responsible, most are immature.
Oh no, just saw your comment Sheila... ending/epilogue and needing tissues! I love a good scene!
That such a good point, Dung, he is complex, and that is one of the things that was explored here, as he takes many different approaches to the day, and he worries about whether he will ever see Georgiana again.
DeleteDon't worry about the epilogue too much, it's from an unusual perspective, but there is a happy ending :)