This year marks the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and the fan base just keeps growing! The field of Austentiana keeps expanding as new adaptations in books and films add more twists and adventures for the beloved characters.
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange tells the classic story of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy through the eyes of Mr. Darcy. In this adaptation, Grange uses the character of Darcy to resolve unanswered questions left by Jane Austen. The story begins prior to the introduction of the Bennett family with the events that occurred between George Wickham and Georgiana Darcy. While the story does follow close to the original novel, Grange fills in the moments of Darcy’s life that Austen did not mention; by doing this it better explains how Elizabeth was able to misunderstand his intensions and how Darcy seems so prideful when they first meet. Grange also continues the story after the original tale ends, so that readers are able to see how certain events are resolved, such as the relationship between Darcy and Wickham, how Lady Catherine came to terms with the “unsuitable marriage,” and gives a conclusion to the character of Anne, Lady Catherine’s daughter and the woman Darcy was supposed to marry.
The concept of this story is wonderful because fans of Pride and Prejudice have a chance to see the love story from Darcy’s point of view; however, it does not add much depth to the characters or events. I recommend it as a good, quick read if you have some free time, but nothing more.
Toni Guest