In this novel, we find a collection of three pieces showcasing Fitzwilliam Darcy:
- Mr. Darcy’s Christmas Carol by Carolyn Eberhart
- Christmas Present by Amanda Grange
- A Darcy Christmas by Sharon Lathan
In the first, Mr. Darcy’s Christmas, Fitzwilliam is visited by three ghosts we remember from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The doorknocker resembles his father, the Ghost of Christmas Past is his mother, the Ghost of Christmas Present is his sister, and the Ghost of Christmas Future is Lady Catherine. Following the lines of the classic tale, each ghost shows Darcy his life in the segment allotted to it. When confronted with Elizabeth’s refusal of his marriage proposal, his own pride, fear, and doubt, Darcy realizes the error of his ways. As he himself admits at the end of this story, “I will say that the vision served to reinforce the wishes and desires I already possessed and gave me the courage to pursue them.”
Christmas Present, by Amanda Grange, opens in the delightfully familiar way the original novel does with a slight twist:
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a married man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of an heir, and Mr. Darcy of Pemberly was just such a man.
This story was a charming tale of the present which arrives for Darcy and Elizabeth, one which made Elizabeth ask, “Is it your Christmas present to me or is it my Christmas present to you?”
The last collection, A Darcy Christmas, is a compilation of stories written by Sharon Lathan. They take us through the intimacy of Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship, complete with passion and three children. My favorite of these was the last, where Elizabeth bestows a bookmark on her husband, one which he had long treasured as it was her first gift to him, embroidered with the verse from Genesis: The two shall become one flesh.
This novel cast a lovely Christmas spirit around two of the most beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice. It would be a perfect holiday read for any Jane Austen fan.
Dolce Bellezza 
I'm never sure what to think of these P&P knockoffs. Fantastic literature in their own right or a way for authors to piggyback off the success of another? Maybe I should just read one and find out. :]
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Jennifer, I know just what you mean. In a way, it seems a rather presumptuous undertaking. If I'm going to read Austen, I'll normally go straight to the source. However, for those who love "all things Austen" I guess this is a way of prolonging the pleasure.
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I always vow not to touch any Jane Austen – based stories/books/follow-ups/mash-ups, but I somehow always do. This sounds like it might be enjoyable for a cold winter night.
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Thank you for the wonderful review! I am sharing this with everyone! Long live the Darcys of Pemberley. 🙂 I truly do appreciate the well thought out review, Bellezza. Sincerely, Sharon Lathan
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This sounds like a charming book, and since I love all things Austen, I'll keep it in mind. These retellings, sequels, etc. could never outshine Austen's originals, but I enjoy them because I just love her characters. When I'm reading them, I don't even think about them as connected to Austen, just read them as if they were stand-alone books.
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I think reading them as if they were stand-alone is the best way to do it. No one, proficient as they may be at writing, can fare as well as the original author.
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Sounds like the perfect stocking stuff for Jane Austen fans!
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