The Darcy's & the Bingley's

The other P&P sequel I recieved for Christmas was The Darcy's & the Bingley's: A Tale of Two Gentlemen's Marriages to Two Most Devoted Sisters by Marsha Altman. This title was a bit of an easier and faster flowing read than Mr. Darcy's Decision. What struck me most about this novel was the humorous tone that flowed throughout it and that the characters displayed a sense of humor! Even stoic Darcy, had some great lines. In fact, there were laugh out loud moments in this one that made the novel fun, even if the plot was lacking and a bit outlandish. (Caroline Bingley actually finding someone who would marry her & then he turns out to be a fake? Really? Darcy & Bingley each possessing a copy of the Kama Sutra? Of note about that is that the book's back cover uses that device as a selling ploy, but the book itself doesn't focus on it that much.)

One of the best lines, that is often repeated by numerous characters and found me thinking of the movie "Clue" when the butler tries to explain everything and all of the other characters say together "We know." Or something to that extent. In this instance, when people introduce Darcy they introduce him as, "Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire." And sometimes an "all that" is added to the end of the line. Sometimes Darcy adds a snide, "Yes, yes" or "of Pemberley and Derbyshire" himself. It turns quiet comical. At some point just about every character repeats it.

So while the plot was a wee bit outlandish (including a wild kilt wearing Scottsman), it was enjoyable. 3 and a half bonnets!