Death comes to Pemberley - P D James

[naomi24]

I spotted this book on the shelf in Waitrose today - and simply on the strength of being an avid Jane Austen fan, bought it. Has anyone read it - and if so, your thoughts?

[Zacs-Master]

Generally terrible is the conclusion of over 3000 reviews here:
http://www.goodreads....th-comes-to-pemberley

[DaisyNonna]

Not read any reviews but I enjoyed it.

[nungate]

I've read it - It was OK, not the best book I've read but I did enjoy it

[annettek]

Read it a few weeks ago, I would suggest P D James sticks to what she does best . Jane Austen certainly has no competition from P D James for her period drama novels.

[zebo]

Contrived describes it perfectly I think, especially where she drags in other Austen characters, from different books, as well.

[Buenchico]

It's not exactly popular with reviewers on Amazon!
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[naomi24]

Thanks everyone. I've started it - and my initial impression is that Ms James has put a bit of a wonky slant on Lizzy's character. We shall see how it progresses.

[Canary42]

I've read it - very disappointing and somewhat contrived. PDJ didn't need to promote herself on the back of Austen's reputation - perhaps she's losing it a bit.

[Inverdon]

The premise is great, the story is slow, slow. PD James falls into the trap of having her characters ruminate over everything in 6 different styles...a major error in emulating Jane Austen's work. Her people were never so concerned with working out the motives or actions, it all happens smoothly with a quick aside to smooth out the rough spots....not so here. I have been both trying to listen to it on audio and read it and I'm really struggling. There are moments when you think the story is going to move along a pace and once in a while you catch a glimpse of the continuation of the Pride & Prejudice we all want to read more about.
The new characterisations aren't very pleasant...even the ones we love like Elizabeth and Jane. Darcy is stiffer than ever and Lydia is out of character, resenting Elizabeth rather than portraying the blithe unconcern we expect from her...Drama Queen...yes but we expect silly and careless, not vicious.
Honestly I am really struggling with the novel. I did read another one which I really enjoyed and thought caught the flavour of J A's world, about the daughters of Charlotte Lucas & Mr Collins...I can't remember the title unfortunately.

[quizzywig]

I particularly disliked the fact that P D James wrote that Elizabeth had married Darcy because he was rich but in P & P she married him for love and he just happened to be rich. P D James made the characters very flat. Not a book I'd recommend, especially to a Jane Austen fan!

[woofgang]

what Inverdon and quizzywig said....

[naomi24]

As I said, my initial impression was that Ms James has put a bit of a wonky slant on Lizzy's character. Still haven't read much of it so can't really comment further at the moment.