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Friday, May 9, 2008

The Women of Pemberley

The Women of Pemberley
Rebecca Ann Collins
4 Stars

I really loved the first book in this series, Pemberley Chronicles. I thought it was well written and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book in the series. And while I did enjoy this book, I felt it wasn’t as good as the first. I had a really hard time keeping track of the characters, who they were, how they were related, the development of what they liked. I really almost drew myself a family tree half way through the book so I could keep track. (There actually is a list in the back of the book, but I need a tree, not a list.)

Besides the fact that I had a hard time keeping track of the cousins, friends and children, I did enjoy the book for the most part. I did get a little bored with all the political and historical content that the author included. I know this was an important part of time and a big part of their lives, but I would get a history book if I wanted to learn more about this.

I did love how each chapter was about a different “women of pemberley.” I preferred this to just normal chapters. I also thought some of the outcomes were a bit predictable. I rushed through the second half of the book because a book I was excited about reading had just been released. Maybe with more time I could have fallen more in love with the book.

I would totally recommend this book though. I thought it was cute, not as good as the first but a good, clean book and I’m glad I read it.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Debbi, The Women of Pemberley are an interesting lot and though it is a little complicated keeping up with the relationships- the characters are so fascinating and the stories so well told,it's well worth the effort.
My favourites were the beautiful Emma Bingley ( daughter of Charles and Jane) and the feisty Josie Tate ( who marries the son of Darcy and Elizabeth ) and look forward to following the development of their future lives.

Thanks for your reading spot and blog Debbi-it's terrific.

Chris.

Anonymous said...

Dear Debbi,
It's Andrea again and like you,I enjoyed the structure and stories of the Women of Pemberley.
What I like most is the way the author lets us get right to the heart of each character- lovely, loyal Emma Bingley- betrayed by a cruel husband, strong, passionate Cassy Darcy and gentle, compassionate Isabella Fitzwilliam-they all have strong views and warm,loving relationships.
I loved them all and cannot wait to see how they get on with their lives in the rest of the series.
Unlike you, I also loved the historical background, which helps to place these fascinating characters in the right context. It's very different from US or UK society today.
Each of these wonderful women is a product of her social and family background and it adds depth to the novels and helps modern readers understand how and why they acted as they did.
Thanks Debbi and Thanks to Rebecca Ann Collins

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbi,
I'm just passing on a couple of comments-about the Pemberly Series.
I enjoyed very much all three books but must say that my favourite is "Netherfield Park Revisited"- the life of Jonathan Bingley- the son of Jane and Charles Bingley. I was interested from start to finish and it was a truly absorbing,lovely historical romance.
AS in the earlier novels, Miss Collins gives us the true historical background of the characters and takes us back to a very exciting era. I loved it

Jenny