What do you think?
Rate this book
This new sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice spirits the reader away to Regency England, beginning as Darcy and Elizabeth arrive at Pemberley on their honeymoon. But Elizabeth had captured the heart of more than one man...what will that man's swift arrival at Pemberley mean for the Darcys? Lady Catherine de Bourgh is intent on capturing a husband, with or without his heart, for her daughter scorned by Darcy; and Caroline Bingley, also rejected by Darcy, is intent on achieving greater importance in the world through marriage to an aristocrat-yet who is that tall, dark man attracting her gaze who is "not quite a gentleman"? And who is it that Lydia's eyes...and feet...are following? Kitty is turning into a woman, and her fine dark eyes are turned towards one who is out of her reach, while Jane and Bingley who had achieved perfect happiness on their marriage begin to find it retreating from their grasp. Mary, meanwhile, stakes her happiness on a union of true minds, only to learn that learning alone is a cold companion. As this Pride and Prejudice sequel moves in interwoven stories from the end of 1812 to the end of 1815, new light is shed on much loved old characters, and new characters are introduced who will make thousands of friends.
314 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2016
8 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 11, 2017
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
It was very interesting to revisit this sequel to Pride and Prejudice after my last read-through over 3 years ago. I'd forgotten how very Regency-esque the language is, and how interesting the various storylines are. Darcy-and-Elizabeth and Bingley-and-Jane, while they're the pivotal characters to whom all the others are related in one way or another, are not really the focus here. We have Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley, Kitty Bennet, Mary Bennet and Lydia Bennet, each with their own story, though they frequently overlap and interweave together.
It is made clear in the early pages that Colonel Fitzwilliam carries a torch for his cousin's wife. Awkward! I was a little disturbed to realize that, though he remains very likable, he doesn't behave particularly honorably throughout the book, starting with telling Elizabeth directly that she holds his heart. That's only the first of several ungentlemanly actions. Despite his sketchy behavior, you can't help rooting for him, and he fares very well in this story.
Lady Catherine's displeasure with her family increases with the events in this story. As much as she disapproves of their marital choices, she decides she must stay involved in their lives so she can dispense her special brand of wisdom.
Now that Darcy is no longer available for Caroline Bingley to wed, she adapts a kind of ennui about marriage. In a very intriguing twist, she has a choice between a very advantageous match with a man for whom she has no warm feelings (Sir Henry Mallinger) compared to a man with no title or great wealth for whom she feels a strong attraction (John Thorn). Who will she choose?
I especially enjoy the trajectory of the three unmarried Bennet sisters' stories, although I find Kitty's character the most altered from canon. She benefits greatly from the time she spends with the Bingleys and Darcys, especially the access to their fine stables. Not only does she become an accomplished horsewoman, but she learns all she can possibly absorb about horse grooming and medical care. Developing the attributes of an "accomplished" lady isn't nearly as interesting to her.
Poor Mary! There are spots where her character strikes me like Sheldon of the U.S. TV show The Big Bang Theory. She has a lot of book smarts, yet she's clueless about relating to other people. She finally meets a man who seems to appreciate her thirst for knowledge. Unfortunately, things with him don't turn out the way she hopes.
Lydia (and Wickham) are just exasperating. You want to reach into the book and smack both of them. Neither of them are evil here, but they're self-centered moochers who frequently take advantage of their relations. Their interaction with each other embarrasses everyone in the same room. Poor Jane is constantly horrified at her younger sister's behavior and yet continues to be certain that she's going to mature. (Yeah, RIGHT!) Lydia's fate at the end is far better than she deserves, and yet it suits her to a T.
All of the other P&P characters show up in supporting roles, so you can be sure you'll find Mrs. Bennet dithering away about something to Mrs. Lucas or Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Bennet hiding in his bookroom, Mr. Collins sucking up to Lady Catherine, Charlotte Collins corresponding with Elizabeth, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner being enjoyable, sensible relations. There are some new names introduced, especially with Darcy running for a seat in Parliament's House of Commons.
The sequel to this book, Devotion, has just been released (a sequel to the sequel!), and I confess a burning curiosity to learn how these various characters are faring in the future. Ms. Kerr's writing is just exquisite, and I anticipate another great reading experience.
FYI, the Amazon link for Experience has changed from the one listed on GoodReads. It is now: https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Con...
It was very interesting to revisit this sequel to Pride and Prejudice after my last read-through over 3 years ago. I'd forgotten how very Regency-esque the language is, and how interesting the various storylines are. Darcy-and-Elizabeth and Bingley-and-Jane, while they're the pivotal characters to whom all the others are related in one way or another, are not really the focus here. We have Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley, Kitty Bennet, Mary Bennet and Lydia Bennet, each with their own story, though they frequently overlap and interweave together.
It is made clear in the early pages that Colonel Fitzwilliam carries a torch for his cousin's wife. Awkward! I was a little disturbed to realize that, though he remains very likable, he doesn't behave particularly honorably throughout the book, starting with telling Elizabeth directly that she holds his heart. That's only the first of several ungentlemanly actions. Despite his sketchy behavior, you can't help rooting for him, and he fares very well in this story.
Lady Catherine's displeasure with her family increases with the events in this story. As much as she disapproves of their marital choices, she decides she must stay involved in their lives so she can dispense her special brand of wisdom.
Now that Darcy is no longer available for Caroline Bingley to wed, she adapts a kind of ennui about marriage. In a very intriguing twist, she has a choice between a very advantageous match with a man for whom she has no warm feelings (Sir Henry Mallinger) compared to a man with no title or great wealth for whom she feels a strong attraction (John Thorn). Who will she choose?
I especially enjoy the trajectory of the three unmarried Bennet sisters' stories, although I find Kitty's character the most altered from canon. She benefits greatly from the time she spends with the Bingleys and Darcys, especially the access to their fine stables. Not only does she become an accomplished horsewoman, but she learns all she can possibly absorb about horse grooming and medical care. Developing the attributes of an "accomplished" lady isn't nearly as interesting to her.
Poor Mary! There are spots where her character strikes me like Sheldon of the U.S. TV show The Big Bang Theory. She has a lot of book smarts, yet she's clueless about relating to other people. She finally meets a man who seems to appreciate her thirst for knowledge. Unfortunately, things with him don't turn out the way she hopes.
Lydia (and Wickham) are just exasperating. You want to reach into the book and smack both of them. Neither of them are evil here, but they're self-centered moochers who frequently take advantage of their relations. Their interaction with each other embarrasses everyone in the same room. Poor Jane is constantly horrified at her younger sister's behavior and yet continues to be certain that she's going to mature. (Yeah, RIGHT!) Lydia's fate at the end is far better than she deserves, and yet it suits her to a T.
All of the other P&P characters show up in supporting roles, so you can be sure you'll find Mrs. Bennet dithering away about something to Mrs. Lucas or Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Bennet hiding in his bookroom, Mr. Collins sucking up to Lady Catherine, Charlotte Collins corresponding with Elizabeth, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner being enjoyable, sensible relations. There are some new names introduced, especially with Darcy running for a seat in Parliament's House of Commons.
The sequel to this book, Devotion, has just been released (a sequel to the sequel!), and I confess a burning curiosity to learn how these various characters are faring in the future. Ms. Kerr's writing is just exquisite, and I anticipate another great reading experience.
FYI, the Amazon link for Experience has changed from the one listed on GoodReads. It is now: https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Con...
March 2, 2024
This is a paperback I read shortly after it was published but before I began to post reviews. I have now reread it in order to post an accurate review. I am only guessing at the dates I first read this. I have to say that this book ends in such a manner that one does not expect a sequel. The author, while not using an "epilogue" chapter writes of how each life, each couple fared in the future. However, having read Devotion I know that there is much more in store for the characters in this book, even if of a minor nature for some.
This book is a continuation (a sequel) to Pride & Prejudice and we read about all five Bennet sisters, their husbands, Colonel Fitzwilliam and about Caroline Bingley. Lady Catherine has a small part as do Charlotte and Mr. Collins.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, early in this story, admits to Darcy and to Elizabeth that he had fallen in love with her back in Kent and questions whether Elizabeth would have accepted him if he had proposed to her. He had (as in canon) related that he must marry with regards to fortune and connections as the second son of an earl. However, as he witnesses the success Darcy makes in his marriage to a woman without fortune or connections he begins to wonder if he, too, could make a go of marrying for love. THEN he meets Kitty and is struck by how much she resembles Elizabeth. On the other hand, however, Lady Catherine has been broadcasting his "engagement" to her daughter, Anne.
Then there is Caroline Bingley who seems destined to marry now more for exactly those reasons: connections, class status, estate and fortune, the latter of which she brings with her dowry. When her fiancé's mistress shows up and Caroline learns that he has four children by her and expects to continue to live with her in Venice part of each year, Caroline has to resign herself to living with the consequences of a marriage without love; even though a John Thorn has shown some interest in her. But he is in trade and Caroline will not have that.
Lydia has not changed. Her marriage is as you would expect. The couple falls out of "lust" with each other and both form other attachments, flirtations and affairs. But as Lydia follows Wickham to Belgium and Waterloo come into play there, her life takes a complete turn about. Lydia is forced to put away all that fluff and roll up her sleeves.
Mary marries an older man and expects to have a role as an intellectual helpmate and thus is greatly depressed when he demands her obedience that she take care of household matters, visiting the parish members, offering charity and giving him attention at tea daily. She, then, becomes interested in politics and animal rights.
Jane and Bingley suffer due to the fact that they are not blessed with any children. Darcy and Elizabeth while sharing care of Kitty with the Bingleys DO have several children.
This was a long story considering all the lives it described for us. It kept my attention. I do recommend it to any who want more about JA's characters from P&P.
This book is a continuation (a sequel) to Pride & Prejudice and we read about all five Bennet sisters, their husbands, Colonel Fitzwilliam and about Caroline Bingley. Lady Catherine has a small part as do Charlotte and Mr. Collins.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, early in this story, admits to Darcy and to Elizabeth that he had fallen in love with her back in Kent and questions whether Elizabeth would have accepted him if he had proposed to her. He had (as in canon) related that he must marry with regards to fortune and connections as the second son of an earl. However, as he witnesses the success Darcy makes in his marriage to a woman without fortune or connections he begins to wonder if he, too, could make a go of marrying for love. THEN he meets Kitty and is struck by how much she resembles Elizabeth. On the other hand, however, Lady Catherine has been broadcasting his "engagement" to her daughter, Anne.
Then there is Caroline Bingley who seems destined to marry now more for exactly those reasons: connections, class status, estate and fortune, the latter of which she brings with her dowry. When her fiancé's mistress shows up and Caroline learns that he has four children by her and expects to continue to live with her in Venice part of each year, Caroline has to resign herself to living with the consequences of a marriage without love; even though a John Thorn has shown some interest in her. But he is in trade and Caroline will not have that.
Lydia has not changed. Her marriage is as you would expect. The couple falls out of "lust" with each other and both form other attachments, flirtations and affairs. But as Lydia follows Wickham to Belgium and Waterloo come into play there, her life takes a complete turn about. Lydia is forced to put away all that fluff and roll up her sleeves.
Mary marries an older man and expects to have a role as an intellectual helpmate and thus is greatly depressed when he demands her obedience that she take care of household matters, visiting the parish members, offering charity and giving him attention at tea daily. She, then, becomes interested in politics and animal rights.
Jane and Bingley suffer due to the fact that they are not blessed with any children. Darcy and Elizabeth while sharing care of Kitty with the Bingleys DO have several children.
This was a long story considering all the lives it described for us. It kept my attention. I do recommend it to any who want more about JA's characters from P&P.
July 25, 2017
My Rating: 3.5* rounded up to 4*
I love sequels that takes us back into the lives of Jane Austen's characters from Pride & Prejudice. I like to see how an author imagines Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Mr. & Mrs. Bingley living their new lives together. I also enjoy seeing how they expand on the lives of the rest of Bennet family, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, the Hursts, Miss Bingley and Wickham. Oh, and lets not forget Mr. and Mrs. Collins!
I must say I wasn't disappointed in this sequel. Ms. Kerr starts her story with the last chapter of Pride & Prejudice and builds on from there. The writing is in a style most pleasing and incorporates throughout, background on each character from the original, along with certain passages that are very familiar. She has also created some new and interesting characters. The novel takes place over a three year period with each chapter indicating the month, year and location of whose home you are in. The only thing I will say, is that this book doesn't delve deeply enough into our characters' emotions and reasoning as I would like. Only the surface has been scratched.
For me, the most interesting person, was Kitty. She is sent to Netherfield to live with Jane and Charles so she can be in better society and improve in essentials and then on to Pemberley. I loved that she was 'horse mad' and a bit unconventional. She learned the rules but knew how to fly under the radar. Her love story was my favourite.
Mary's journey was more difficult as she always felt she was more knowledgeable than her sisters. She has a very rude awakening after she is married.
"He remembered her as a rather spirited girl, but this young woman was pale and drooping like a flower that has been picked and then carelessly left in a dry jar."
Lydia, well, as she was married to Wickham, she was as determined a flirt as ever...though one person saw something in her that he felt was worth fighting for.
Miss Caroline Bingley is being encouraged by her sister, Louisa Hurst, to engage the attentions of a Mr. Henry Mallinger. He is in line to a baronetcy. However, he is not the only one interested in Caroline. A Mr. John Thorn, a manufacturer in Manchester, is greatly interested...hints of North South here. For me, her story was the saddest of all.
But let's not forget Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she must have her share in the conversation! She is like a mosquito that just wont go away until she has drawn blood...
There was much I enjoyed in this story, the history, the letters, the poetry and the imagination of the author in expanding my favourite novel. There were some quick jumps within some of the chapters from one character to another that would have me re-reading a line, but overall minimal issues. I look forward to reading "Devotion" which gives us a more in-depth look at Georgiana.
I love sequels that takes us back into the lives of Jane Austen's characters from Pride & Prejudice. I like to see how an author imagines Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Mr. & Mrs. Bingley living their new lives together. I also enjoy seeing how they expand on the lives of the rest of Bennet family, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, the Hursts, Miss Bingley and Wickham. Oh, and lets not forget Mr. and Mrs. Collins!
I must say I wasn't disappointed in this sequel. Ms. Kerr starts her story with the last chapter of Pride & Prejudice and builds on from there. The writing is in a style most pleasing and incorporates throughout, background on each character from the original, along with certain passages that are very familiar. She has also created some new and interesting characters. The novel takes place over a three year period with each chapter indicating the month, year and location of whose home you are in. The only thing I will say, is that this book doesn't delve deeply enough into our characters' emotions and reasoning as I would like. Only the surface has been scratched.
For me, the most interesting person, was Kitty. She is sent to Netherfield to live with Jane and Charles so she can be in better society and improve in essentials and then on to Pemberley. I loved that she was 'horse mad' and a bit unconventional. She learned the rules but knew how to fly under the radar. Her love story was my favourite.
Mary's journey was more difficult as she always felt she was more knowledgeable than her sisters. She has a very rude awakening after she is married.
"He remembered her as a rather spirited girl, but this young woman was pale and drooping like a flower that has been picked and then carelessly left in a dry jar."
Lydia, well, as she was married to Wickham, she was as determined a flirt as ever...though one person saw something in her that he felt was worth fighting for.
Miss Caroline Bingley is being encouraged by her sister, Louisa Hurst, to engage the attentions of a Mr. Henry Mallinger. He is in line to a baronetcy. However, he is not the only one interested in Caroline. A Mr. John Thorn, a manufacturer in Manchester, is greatly interested...hints of North South here. For me, her story was the saddest of all.
But let's not forget Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she must have her share in the conversation! She is like a mosquito that just wont go away until she has drawn blood...
There was much I enjoyed in this story, the history, the letters, the poetry and the imagination of the author in expanding my favourite novel. There were some quick jumps within some of the chapters from one character to another that would have me re-reading a line, but overall minimal issues. I look forward to reading "Devotion" which gives us a more in-depth look at Georgiana.
November 20, 2011
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I must start with saying this is the first "sequel" to Pride & Prejudice that I have read, so cannot make any comparisons to others.
I really really enjoyed this book. The tone and writing style was very similar to P&P.
I read that some people felt it was just a reworking of the last chapter of P&P. I agree, but in a good way. It was nice to get more detail on the lives of the Bennet girls. Who they became and what became of them. I believe that Chapt 61 of P&P was just a guide for the author to come out with this story.
It was fantastic, and a must read for anyone interested in sequels or continuations of classic stories.
I really really enjoyed this book. The tone and writing style was very similar to P&P.
I read that some people felt it was just a reworking of the last chapter of P&P. I agree, but in a good way. It was nice to get more detail on the lives of the Bennet girls. Who they became and what became of them. I believe that Chapt 61 of P&P was just a guide for the author to come out with this story.
It was fantastic, and a must read for anyone interested in sequels or continuations of classic stories.
July 19, 2012
I was very pleased with the majority of this story, especially Kitty's. I liked how when the story is the focus of the secondary character's we weren't peppered with details about Elizabeth and Darcy. I think Meg Kerr did an excellent job of turning them into secondary characters.
I did find that the story dragged a bit, especially concerning Mary's storyline, but I did enjoy her characterization, as well as the characterization of other characters that we only had a glimpse at in the original work.
I did find that the story dragged a bit, especially concerning Mary's storyline, but I did enjoy her characterization, as well as the characterization of other characters that we only had a glimpse at in the original work.
April 11, 2016
The only reason I gave this book two stars is because I was not appalled enough to set it aside unfinished. But I was close and found it extremely lacking. The word that keeps emerging in my mind to describe this continuation is dry. I was very annoyed with the author having the wives referring to their husbands by their last names, very impersonal and not fitting with the time period.
March 21, 2011
Loved it!!!! The book pulled me in right away to the life of Elizabeth and Darcy and the whole Bennet family. I absolutely recommend it to everyone who loves Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice!!
Christy
Christy
April 28, 2011
Picking up during the last chapter of Pride and Prejudice, we follow Darcy and Lizzie back to Pemberley for the beginning of the rest of their lives together. Shortly after their arrival, the holidays come, and with them brings the visit of Col. Fitzwilliam to Pemberley. We find out that Fitzwilliam is madly in love with Lizzy and decides to express himself to her fully, not concealing his previous wish to ask Elizabeth to marry him. After discussing the issue with Elizabeth and then Darcy, it is decided that the best course of action for all parties is that he leave Pemberley and return only when he has mastered his emotions. Upon his return several months later, he is introduced to Elizabeth’s sister Kitty, and falls madly in love with her. On top of this, we come to find out that Charles and Jane Bingley have been unable to conceive a child which has led to a bit of depression on Jane’s part. Mary has found herself claiming the attentions of an older gentlemen who seems to respect her for her mind and eventually asks Mr. Bennett for her hand in marriage. However, all is not well, as Mary soon realizes upon arriving in her new home. Will Mary be able to survive this sudden turn of events? Will Kitty accept Col. Fitzwilliam’s advances? Will Jane and Charles ever be blessed with a baby of their own?
The most common complaint most Austen fan fiction readers have is the exceedingly different language that the modern sequels are written in. I can proudly say that Experience is the closest thing you can find to an original Jane Austen novel. Kerr needs to be praised not only for her mastery of Austen’s language, but for her willingness to learn the intricacies of 18th/19th century language. It’s stunning similarity to Austen’s own pen was the biggest enjoyment factor for me. I looked at my husband at one point while reading it and said, “I feel like I’m reading a long-lost Austen novel”, to which he replied “It must be pretty good because I’ve never heard you say that before.” For once, Todd was right, I felt that the writing alone could have drawn me in, but Kerr is a talented author and her strong characterizations also kept me tuned in.
Kerr stays true to the characters that Austen originally introduced us to. What’s commendable about this is that she stays true to even the characters that we only get to see a skeleton of in Austen’s work. These minor characters that make strong impressions on us originally got another chance at seeing the light of day in Kerr’s work, as she features them in the prominence that they deserve and that Austen may have eventually intended them to be in. Such minor characters actually carry the novel, with strong storylines being attached to Kitty, Mary, and Col. Fitzwilliam. And while Darcy and Lizzy are still prominently found in the novel, you find yourself drawn to the storylines of these characters as they have their moments in the limelight that Kerr provides them.
My only complaint with the novel was that some of the characters’ storylines weren’t expanded upon as much as I thought they would be. Georgiana and Caroline Bingley’s storylines I felt could have used some more work. They both had great potential, but I was left wanting. Although after speaking with Meg yesterday, I know that she is working on another novel, one with more attention paid to Georgiana. I’m all anticipation for this and you can gladly add me to the list of people who will be reading it!
All in all, I truly enjoyed Kerr’s extension of Austen’s original work. I felt that her realistic writing style, combined with a fleshing out of Austen’s original minor characters combined to form an excellent novel. I highly recommend it to those of you who always wonder what happened to the Bennet sisters past the last chapter of Pride and Prejudice, as well as those who love the beautiful language that Austen uses in her works.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-mV
The most common complaint most Austen fan fiction readers have is the exceedingly different language that the modern sequels are written in. I can proudly say that Experience is the closest thing you can find to an original Jane Austen novel. Kerr needs to be praised not only for her mastery of Austen’s language, but for her willingness to learn the intricacies of 18th/19th century language. It’s stunning similarity to Austen’s own pen was the biggest enjoyment factor for me. I looked at my husband at one point while reading it and said, “I feel like I’m reading a long-lost Austen novel”, to which he replied “It must be pretty good because I’ve never heard you say that before.” For once, Todd was right, I felt that the writing alone could have drawn me in, but Kerr is a talented author and her strong characterizations also kept me tuned in.
Kerr stays true to the characters that Austen originally introduced us to. What’s commendable about this is that she stays true to even the characters that we only get to see a skeleton of in Austen’s work. These minor characters that make strong impressions on us originally got another chance at seeing the light of day in Kerr’s work, as she features them in the prominence that they deserve and that Austen may have eventually intended them to be in. Such minor characters actually carry the novel, with strong storylines being attached to Kitty, Mary, and Col. Fitzwilliam. And while Darcy and Lizzy are still prominently found in the novel, you find yourself drawn to the storylines of these characters as they have their moments in the limelight that Kerr provides them.
My only complaint with the novel was that some of the characters’ storylines weren’t expanded upon as much as I thought they would be. Georgiana and Caroline Bingley’s storylines I felt could have used some more work. They both had great potential, but I was left wanting. Although after speaking with Meg yesterday, I know that she is working on another novel, one with more attention paid to Georgiana. I’m all anticipation for this and you can gladly add me to the list of people who will be reading it!
All in all, I truly enjoyed Kerr’s extension of Austen’s original work. I felt that her realistic writing style, combined with a fleshing out of Austen’s original minor characters combined to form an excellent novel. I highly recommend it to those of you who always wonder what happened to the Bennet sisters past the last chapter of Pride and Prejudice, as well as those who love the beautiful language that Austen uses in her works.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-mV
November 7, 2011
My favorite quote in this book is something Mary Bennett said: "There is no more lovely friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage and that that marriage halves our griefs and doubles our joy." This is the sense of the novel that Darcy and Elizabeth are enjoying a marriage of contentment and bliss that is implied but not elaborated on.
Interesting sequel to P&P as it goes into depth of what happens to each of our sub-characters from P&P such as Caroline, Lydia, Mary and Kitty especially! The one thing that I really wanted from this novel that it lacked was witty, loving dialog between Darcy and Elizabeth. Even though you are meant to realize that they love each other and they're excited about Lizzys pregnancy, the focus of this sequel is on the lives of the sub-characters. I really enjoyed the start of the novel when Darcy's cousin Fitzwilliam comes to visit and opens his heart to Elizabeth - admits that he loves her (realistically would that have happened??)and has to leave to work out his feeling. It gave me some of the dialog that I was wanting from Elizabeth and a bit from Darcy but not as much jealously from Darcy as I would have liked to see and the discussion Lizzy has with Darcy on this is implied but not written (would have loved to read that!) However, the novel shifts to Fitzwilliam's return and his attraction to Kitty. True to Jane Austen, there is no writing of intimacy within a marriage (only one kiss is mentioned in passing between Darcy and Elizabeth). I don't know if 2 of Lizzy's sisters re-marrying was a realistic portrayal of what would really happen but its interesting.. and I wasn't convinced that Lizzy and Jane would be visiting Longbourn without their husbands (typical of the time certainly but not of the relationships we know they have with their husbands). Jane was still a good-natured, think well of everyone woman even though Bingley was getting annoyed with Lydia and Wickham repeatedly. I thought Bingley would have gotten involved in Caroline's engagement more than he did. And what I couldn't believe is that Georgiana would stay single and her reasons for doing so were not true of her character from what we are led to believe in P&P.
Interesting sequel to P&P as it goes into depth of what happens to each of our sub-characters from P&P such as Caroline, Lydia, Mary and Kitty especially! The one thing that I really wanted from this novel that it lacked was witty, loving dialog between Darcy and Elizabeth. Even though you are meant to realize that they love each other and they're excited about Lizzys pregnancy, the focus of this sequel is on the lives of the sub-characters. I really enjoyed the start of the novel when Darcy's cousin Fitzwilliam comes to visit and opens his heart to Elizabeth - admits that he loves her (realistically would that have happened??)and has to leave to work out his feeling. It gave me some of the dialog that I was wanting from Elizabeth and a bit from Darcy but not as much jealously from Darcy as I would have liked to see and the discussion Lizzy has with Darcy on this is implied but not written (would have loved to read that!) However, the novel shifts to Fitzwilliam's return and his attraction to Kitty. True to Jane Austen, there is no writing of intimacy within a marriage (only one kiss is mentioned in passing between Darcy and Elizabeth). I don't know if 2 of Lizzy's sisters re-marrying was a realistic portrayal of what would really happen but its interesting.. and I wasn't convinced that Lizzy and Jane would be visiting Longbourn without their husbands (typical of the time certainly but not of the relationships we know they have with their husbands). Jane was still a good-natured, think well of everyone woman even though Bingley was getting annoyed with Lydia and Wickham repeatedly. I thought Bingley would have gotten involved in Caroline's engagement more than he did. And what I couldn't believe is that Georgiana would stay single and her reasons for doing so were not true of her character from what we are led to believe in P&P.
April 17, 2011
I just finished reading Experience by Meg Kerr and I have to say, I was blown away. Meg is a modern author writing effortlessly in the style of Jane Austen. I absolutely loved it. I got to spend time with some of my favorite characters again in a totally new way. I may have actually enjoyed this more than the original... it is a strong possibility.
Where Pride & Prejudice was mainly focused on Elizabeth Bennett, Experience gave you a little bit of EVERYONE. Some of the characters that served as background fixtures in Jane Austen's novel were brought front and center in Meg Kerr's sequel.
We get to know Kitty a great deal better than we had previously. And we find that without Lydia around as a "bad influence" she is actually an incredibly charming character. Lydia seems as shallow and flirtatious as always (and quite scandalous). And at one point I ACTUALLY felt sorry for Caroline Bingley. But only for a minute. Lady Catherine is as pompous as ever and Mrs. Bennett is completely frazzled and seemingly at her wits end every time we meet her.
Within the first few paragraphs I was already chuckling. Experience is funny. Not in a belly - laughing "Can you BELIEVE it" kind of way. But in a subtle way that's littered throughout the book. It kept me amused the entire time I was reading.
There were definitely frustrating points (nothing to do with the writing but with the way the characters were acting) where I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but still hoped for the best. And Meg definitely didn't disappoint. Everything was beautifully written. It was the type of book where you don't WANT to read it fast because you want to be able to soak everything in. Instead of a run or a jog it was more like a nice leisurely stroll through a peaceful quiet park.
I definitely recommend this book to absolutely anyone. Jane Austen fans, even people who've never read Pride & Prejudice, who may have only seen the movie (whatever adaptation). It's an outstanding book and is definitely a new favorite of mine.
Where Pride & Prejudice was mainly focused on Elizabeth Bennett, Experience gave you a little bit of EVERYONE. Some of the characters that served as background fixtures in Jane Austen's novel were brought front and center in Meg Kerr's sequel.
We get to know Kitty a great deal better than we had previously. And we find that without Lydia around as a "bad influence" she is actually an incredibly charming character. Lydia seems as shallow and flirtatious as always (and quite scandalous). And at one point I ACTUALLY felt sorry for Caroline Bingley. But only for a minute. Lady Catherine is as pompous as ever and Mrs. Bennett is completely frazzled and seemingly at her wits end every time we meet her.
Within the first few paragraphs I was already chuckling. Experience is funny. Not in a belly - laughing "Can you BELIEVE it" kind of way. But in a subtle way that's littered throughout the book. It kept me amused the entire time I was reading.
There were definitely frustrating points (nothing to do with the writing but with the way the characters were acting) where I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but still hoped for the best. And Meg definitely didn't disappoint. Everything was beautifully written. It was the type of book where you don't WANT to read it fast because you want to be able to soak everything in. Instead of a run or a jog it was more like a nice leisurely stroll through a peaceful quiet park.
I definitely recommend this book to absolutely anyone. Jane Austen fans, even people who've never read Pride & Prejudice, who may have only seen the movie (whatever adaptation). It's an outstanding book and is definitely a new favorite of mine.
May 18, 2011
2 stars- it was really just OK for me..
I'm drawn to, but also leery, of books based on Austen. A few (A Jane Austen Education and the Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy) have been really good and enjoyable, but most are disappointing (Jane Austen in Scarsdale, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies..) Experience, unfortunately, falls under the latter category for me. If you are going to write a novel based on Austen, then you set yourself and your book up to comparison with Austen and her works. This book falls short of Austen's wit and talent. Kerr has turned Pride and Prejudice into a soap opera with fast romances, scandal, and a small circle of characters falling for each other. I think she would have done better creating her own characters.
I'm drawn to, but also leery, of books based on Austen. A few (A Jane Austen Education and the Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy) have been really good and enjoyable, but most are disappointing (Jane Austen in Scarsdale, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies..) Experience, unfortunately, falls under the latter category for me. If you are going to write a novel based on Austen, then you set yourself and your book up to comparison with Austen and her works. This book falls short of Austen's wit and talent. Kerr has turned Pride and Prejudice into a soap opera with fast romances, scandal, and a small circle of characters falling for each other. I think she would have done better creating her own characters.
May 3, 2011
Warning. Don't read the prologue. It pretty much told you everything that would happen in the book. As a result, I found the book highly repetitive. I enjoyed the story that she created, but I think too much time was spent tying in politics and current events. And the letter writing got a little old. I mean, when you have Lizzie say "I must write my sister and explain every aspect of our trip" instead of just incorporating it into the story, it breaks up the flow of the book. It was almost as if the author wanted to justify her writing this sequel by proving there was evidence it all happened from letters that surfaced. In general, good story, love the characters, but the style didn't work for me.
May 6, 2011
I entered to win this book in a giveaway and was psyched when I won. Well, my excitement quickly faded. I just found the prose and premise of the book extremely dull. Perhaps its just not my cup of tea. I suggest you peruse the book and read a few pages to see if it captures your interest before buying it.
October 11, 2011
I was told not to read the prologue. I did. Opps. Reading the prologue was pretty much reading the entire book. I felt that the story kept repeating itself which was extremely annoying and I could not wait the story to end.
Want to read
March 20, 2011This is EXACTLY the kind of book I was hoping for after I read Pride and Prejudice a few months ago! I soooooo hope I win this giveaway! (Though either way I'm going to read it...)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews