Pemberley Revisited
Sequels to Jane Austen's novels are often greeted by fans of Austen's works with a variety of reactions, which can range anywhere from curiousity and enthusiasm through distain and resentment.
P.D. James (or Baroness James of Holland Park, to use her official title) is one of a few well-known authors to publish a sequel of one of Jane Austen's books. P.D. James is one of Britain's best known detective fiction authors. She has published 19 novels, most of which feature policeman Adam Dalgliesh.
In Death Comes to Pemberley, she continues the story of Pride and Prejudice, revealing the six years between the end of that book and the beginning of this story in the Prologue. I think Austen fans will particulary enjoy this part of the book, as it is quite "Austen-esque".
The story itself begins on the eve of Lady Anne's Ball, with Jane and Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and the Bingleys' friend Henry Alveston all visiting Pemberley. Just as they are about to retire for the night, a chaise arrives driven quite unexpectedly. As the galloping horses come to a stop, a hysterical Lydia Wickham throws herself out of the carriage and screams that her husband Wickham has been murdered in the Pemberley woods. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Alveston soon set off, only to discover Wickham over the body of Captain Denny crying "He's dead! Oh God, Denny's dead! He was my friend, my only friend, and I've killed him! I've killed him! It's my fault". Has Wickham really killed Denny?
Publishing a sequel to such a enduring classic is not done lightly, paricularly by a well-respected author. P.D. James discusses her motivation for writing this story in a interview with the Telegraph and in this video interview, which took place in her home in October 2011.
Quite a number of reviews of this book have been written, including in the New York Times and Globe and Mail. The Toronto Public Library also has it available in audiobook format.
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2 thoughts on “Pemberley Revisited”
I find the review in NYT… limited… the reviewer seems to never to have read a Jane Austen spin off ? There are so many and some are really quite enjoyable (a few are listed in your related posts). As far as mysteries go American author, Stephanie Barron, uses Jane Austen herself as the sleuth. I’m looking forward the latest installment of Austen spinoff industry especially as it’s written by the noted author Baroness James.
Thanks for the comment Jana. I enjoyed Stephanie Barron’s books too. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Death Comes to Pemberley. I certainly did.