Title: Darcy’s Voyage
Author: Kara Louise
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: September 7, 2010
Paperback: 512 pages
ISBN: 978-1402237300
Genre: Historical Fiction
A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas
In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley’s Promise. She’s prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.
When Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy throws convention overboard in a plan that will bind them to each other more deeply than he ever could have imagined. But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society’s rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive?
My Review:
In Darcy’s Voyage, Kara Louise retells the timeless classic Pride & Prejudice in her own manner, begging the questions of what if fate and time were added to the relationship of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. While Darcy and Elizabeth meet in England, they do not truly become acquainted until they ride the same ship bound for New York. Darcy is headed to New York to escort his sister Georgiana back to England while Elizabeth is off to stay with relatives for a holiday. Louise keeps the characters relatively true to form, but alters the settings so very much that she does indeed rewrite Pride & Prejudice in an entirely new setting. True it begins and ends in England, however a vast amount of pride and indeed prejudices occur on the journey to New York. While I am not usually enthusiastic towards remakes of any novel, Darcy’s Voyage makes for an extremely delightful day of reading. I would recommend Darcy’s Voyage to anyone who enjoys remakes of Pride & Prejudice or who enjoys period novels.
Kara Louise grew up in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. She moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1991 with her husband and son. She now lives just outside Wichita on 10 acres where she and her husband have a big garden, 3 horses, 2 goats, 6 cats, and a dog. Their son is married and lives in St. Louis. She began writing stories based on Pride and Prejudice in 2001 and has written 6 books based on that story.
I received a complimentary copy of Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
I love the classic. Having said that I have, from time to time, enjoyed the “idea” of Pride & Prejudice as presented by various authors, in different settings, stories, with the premise of Mr Darcy & Elizabeth still together in the end. I am sometimes unhappy with the “voice” of such novels, but then there are a few that capture me and bring me along for a “delightful day’s reading”.
I will have to check this one out. I imagine, whether I was transported to the time, the period, the art of society and language, pull out my trusty original Pride & Prejudice to get lost in the original once again. *sigh*
I’m not a fan of the Austen re-tellings I’ve read, so I probably won’t try this one. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I am not often a fan of re-writes of wonderful, classic books. But since you feel similar and yet enjoyed this book, I re-read your review with an open mind. The story certainly sounds interesting. I like that the outline of the setting remains similar, ie., a ship on its way to NY and the characters ends up back in England. I am also glad that Louise keeps the characters true to who they are for the most part. My interest is piqued enough that I want to read this book and discover how I feel about this re-write of one of my favorite books. Who knows, maybe I will find a new “genre” to add to my list!
Thanks for a good & honest review!
~ Amy
I think so may of these books are inspired by the lack of posthumously written book by Jane herself. Found you through The Books of my Life. Stop over when you have a choice.
I meant ‘so many’ not ‘so may.’
This one sounds different than the other P&P retellings, so I’m adding it on my list!
Thanks for the review!
Nice review! I hadn’t heard of this book before but I might pick it up. I am participating in a Jane Austen reading challenge and this book would be perfect for it. I like that it changes the setting and circumstances.