Mr. Darcy. How many young women (okay women of any age) have fallen just a little bit in love with him?
He can come across as taciturn, overbearing, prideful among other attributes, but it is hard not to like him. In Mr. Darcy’s Diary, the reader has an opportunity to view the world through his eyes. He is an intensely private man who has a hard time expressing his thoughts/feelings with others. Where else is he going to express himself and explain why he acts as he does?
There were times, especially in the beginning of the book that the author would slip between a 21st century voice and an 18th century voice. This was distracting and until I figured out that this was what was happen it left me feeling as if there was something “off” about Darcy’s voice. As the book progressed, the author did a better job at staying in the correct century, the slip back and forth did not happen as often, or I learned to ignore it. Despite this (initially annoying) trait, I really loved this book. I would recommend this book to anyone, but for the diehard Austen fan give it a chance—Darcy is just such a delicious character.
Nancy
I wondered about this
I wondered about this book. I had a difficult time reading Jane Austen in school. I guess I am weird but Dante's inferno was an easy read for me but Emma was hard. I wondered if this book might give me more insight but glad to read your blog. I actually loved some DVDs we saw based on Jane AUsten's books so maybe I would feel differently today not knowing I had to read it for an exam. I am not sure this book would give me much pleasure with the century switch unless there was a reason for it.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
No reason
I got the feeling that the author was struggling with an 18th century regency voice. After all for Jane Austen it would be the voice of her time and would come easily to her. But for someone today writing as if they lived in an earlier time, it would require some adjusting. Once I got 100 pages into the book I noticed it less. Some of it was because I was becoming acclimated to the switch and some of it was (I believe) because she was using more material from the book, plus practice. I enjoy Austen but pacing, style, use of language was so different in her times. I like some Thomas Hardy and some Dickens, but it can be a challenge to slog through some of their books again because writing style is so different. Without a doubt Harlequin books are anywhere from fast paced to superfast depending on the writer. Their lines revere action, showing the action, moving the reader rapidly through the story by advancing through dialogue. But even other publisher's look to hook the reader quickly and keep them moving through the book. Of course some authors are better at this than others.
Nancy