TWO SHALL BECOME ONE: MR. & MRS. FITZWILLIAM DARCY

Author: Sharon Lathan ISBN: 9781402215230 3/2009 HISTORICAL Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS

This new Austen sequel is heavy on the romantic overtones! It is a look into the first few months after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet get married. Of course, they are deeply in love with one another, and Sharon Lathan has given readers a very affectionate and devoted couple. They have their trials and tribulations, but their love and relationship continues to grow. Many of Austen's other beloved characters make appearances, adding to this sweet new tale of everyone's favorite couple!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Jane Austen fans the world over wonder what happened to her delightful characters after her stories ended. It’s a natural thing to want to know more about characters who are as well-loved as hers are. For example… have you ever wondered just what happened between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth after Pride and Prejudice closed? I know I have. MR. & MRS. FITZWILLIAM DARCY shows just what may have happened. Sharon Lathan’s continuation of the famous novel is an interesting peek into the life of the couple. Highly entertaining, this story gives readers a bit more time with the Darcys.

The story opens just after the wedding, with Mr. Darcy being grateful their engagement has ended and their marriage is finally behind them. He looks over at his sleeping wife and the reader feels, right from the first page, the depth of his emotional attachment. This is, undoubtedly, a love story. the reader sees firsthand what marriage in the early 1800s entails; what obligations and duties fall to the partners and what sort of social constraints put each in his or her own place. This is a story of passion, but also of friendship. While the Darcys are definitely madly in love, they also share an openness that is enchanting. I still smile when I recall Lizzy’s appraisal of her husband in their bedchamber. She is, of course, appreciative of all his attributes but comments on his “nice” feet. So sweet and innocent, and makes the point that Lizzy was an inexperienced young woman learning how to love her new husband.

I raced through this book. I felt fully immersed in the time period, thanks to the author’s attention to detail. It is a real credit to Ms. Lathan that her storytelling style is in keeping with the author of work that inspired this novel. Well done!

Kay James