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The Private Diary Of Mr. Darcy (2009)

by Maya Slater(Favorite Author)

3.16 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0393336360 (ISBN13: 9780393336368)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

W. W. Norton & Company

review 1: I wish that Slater had created original characters for this story rather than attempting a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Her characterization of Anne is excellent, but the remainder of the book is disappointing and weak.There is a definite protest against the sexual exploitation and mistreatment of women throughout the book. But, Slater weakens her own argument by making Darcy and Bingley such weak characters. Including Byron also does very little for the book. Fitzwilliam Darcy is an idealized, iconic hero. Slater should not have changed his character so dramatically. He disapproves of Byron's insatiable appetite for sex and sexual extremism. He loathes Wickham for his rapacious attacks. He is clearly disgusted by Edward Hurst's adultery. But, Slater misses h... moreer opportunity to use Darcy as a champion in defense of women. She turns him into a hypocritical coward. He is willing to visit 2 different prostitutes and isn't squeamish about having an affair with Nellie, a maid at Netherfield. Darcy is definitely cowardly; he doesn't stand up to Wickham or Byron even though he is presented as a man of wealth and influence. He pays Wickham's extortionate demands when there were ways that he could have silenced Wickham. He doesn't even attempt to hobble Wickham by ruining him socially.
review 2: I didn’t like it. And it wasn’t good enough to merit much of a review. Of course, the usual caveat applies: I generally don’t think well of books done in diary format.But my dislike goes beyond format. The whole purpose of this type of format is to introduce the reader into the characters psyche, and yes that includes some deep dark secrets. But this was just, well, well all wrong.Ms. Slater’s Darcy is a lecher–but a lecher with a softer side. On the one hand he diddles the help on the other he catalogs his vast library by creating, wait for it, a card catalog. He is supposedly dearest friends with the poet Byron and while he doesn’t “approve” of Byron’s general behavior, he ends up in the midst of an orgy at Byron’s manner.The rest of the characters are off as well–Bingley is utterly spineless, much more so than the original would imply and yet he ends up with more moral character than Darcy. Understand, I am intrigued by the whole dark side potential of the brooding Darcy, but this isn’t it.I just don’t have much more to say. It’s boring. The writing is weak. Darcy is weak. Save yourself some time and money. Pass. less

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