Darcy's Decision (Given Good Principles #1) in Austen Variations

Apr 16, 2013 Ceri rated it liked it

There are a lot of different styles of Austenesque novel out there and I wasn't sure at first what this short novel was, whether it was a prequel or a prequel what-if, and if so whether characters and occurrences would be the same as canon or differ. I would say that it's a look at how things could have been prior to Darcy first coming to Hertfordshire if he'd started his character development sooner. He says in Pride and Prejudice that he was given good principles but allowed to follow them in ...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Anna added it · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque

Darcy’s Decision is Volume 1 of Maria Grace’s Given Good Principles series of Pride and Prejudice variations. The first book in the series is a prequel to Pride and Prejudice that focuses on Fitzwilliam Darcy. Elizabeth Bennet is nowhere to be found in this book, but she will certainly make an appearance soon, as this novel follows Darcy until just before he and his friend, Charles Bingley, travel to Hertfordshire — where the Bennets live — to check out an estate Bingley wants to lease there.

Gra Darcy’s Decision is Volume 1 of Maria Grace’s Given Good Principles series of Pride and Prejudice variations. The first book in the series is a prequel to Pride and Prejudice that focuses on Fitzwilliam Darcy. Elizabeth Bennet is nowhere to be found in this book, but she will certainly make an appearance soon, as this novel follows Darcy until just before he and his friend, Charles Bingley, travel to Hertfordshire — where the Bennets live — to check out an estate Bingley wants to lease there.

Grace introduces readers to a younger Mr. Darcy, the new master of Pemberley, a man struggling to fill his father’s shoes. He is still learning what is expected of him as a landowner, the operator of a grand estate, and as a man in high society. Much to the disappointment of his relatives, he has sought the guidance of John Bradley, a curate who soon is given the living that the gambler and womanizer George Wickham insists was promised to him by Darcy’s father. Bradley is a good man who has had his share of heartache and who loves Darcy like a son. He helps Darcy see how being a good person sometimes means going against society’s dictates for a man in his position. For instance, Bradley teaches him the importance of appreciating the hard work of his tenants, rather than viewing them simply as a means to increase his wealth.

As the son of George Darcy’s steward, Wickham grew up with Fitzwilliam, and Fitzwilliam has long wondered why his father gave in to George’s every whim yet treated him sternly. Chaos erupts when Wickham comes to Pemberley, asking Darcy for money and attempting to turn Darcy’s teenage sister, Georgiana, against him.

In Darcy’s Decision, Grace imagines how difficult it was for Darcy to take the reins at Pemberley and how Wickham came close to ruining his sister. She creates numerous original characters, from the wise Bradley to Mrs. Cooperton, who attempts to show the stiff and arrogant Caroline how laid back life is supposed to be in the country. Grace touches upon some heavy themes like forgiveness and mercy, but there are lighter, more amusing moments as well.

I especially liked Grace’s writing style, which is more modern than Jane Austen’s but incorporates phrases and manners of speech that transport readers back to an earlier time. I enjoyed the inclusion of older slang and appreciated the few footnotes being on the same page so I didn’t have to flip to the back to find out what these sayings meant. I enjoyed getting to know a younger Darcy and meeting his parents’ friends, who comprised the support system that helped Darcy move on after their deaths. Even though, at just over 100 pages, the secondary characters are not as well developed as Darcy and Bradley, I liked that the book read quickly.

Darcy’s Decision takes a tender approach to the grieving Darcy and the repentant Georgiana, and I can’t wait to see how Grace handles the Bennets.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric

I received a free copy of this book for review. ...more

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May 07, 2014 Sheila Majczan rated it liked it

I own many paperback and kindle stories, most having to do with P&P in either "What-if" form or as sequels. There are maybe half a dozen having to do with other of JA's stories and several modern versions of her stories. Having read the third of this series by mistake first I then read the other two before posting this review. I found too many footnotes, as did other reviewers, and in being new to Kindle couldn't not find where the meanings are listed. I did like the addition of the spiritual ad ...more

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Oct 11, 2013 Erika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen

I loved this book, while reading it, I remembered that I had read a part of it while on one of the JAFF websites, but never finished it. I have read this and the following 2 books all in one day since I couldn't put them down!!! A must read for any JAFF fanatic!!! ...more

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Apr 17, 2019 Michelle David rated it liked it · review of another edition

Interesting

An interesting prequel inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. This story has no Bennett’s and tells of just before they arrive in Meryton.

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