Unleashing Mr. Darcy

November 4, 2013
Pride and Prejudice’s love story gets a lighthearted update, setting Elizabeth Scott and Donovan Darcy’s relationship against the backdrop of the modern-day dog show world. Elizabeth is about to turn 30 when she is unfairly suspended from her ritzy Manhattan private school teaching job. She throws herself into showing her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, and at one show she meets (and, Elizabeth Bennett–like, butts heads with) wealthy and arrogant English breeder and philanthropist Donovan. Two wealthy Brits hire Elizabeth to help with their dogs, whisking her off to London, where she and Donovan continue to encounter each other. Their attraction grows despite her pride and his prejudice, though the obstacles to their romance are flimsy. Wilson wisely avoids repeating Austen’s plot or attempting to emulate her sharp satire, but she manages to get in more than a few bits of homage, including a clever tip of the hat to Colin Firth’s famous swim in the BBC production. Devoted Austen fans will find much to enjoy in this fun contemporary rendition.

November 15, 2013
Wilson's enchanting debut mixes dollops of Jane Austen into a modern fairy tale shaped by the British mania for dogs and dog shows. After losing her teaching job, American Elizabeth Scott is hired by British dog-show enthusiast Sue Barrow to help with her border terrier show dogs. Since Elizabeth hopes her own Cavalier King Charles spaniel will win awards one day, she sees working for Sue as a step forward. In her first show, the feisty Elizabeth verbally spars with judge Donovan Darcy, a Cavalier breeder. Consequently, she's surprised to find that Donovan lives across the street from Sue in London. Although it is love at first sight for both of them, Donovan must wine and dine Elizabeth, and she must reject him because they come from such different socioeconomic backgrounds. While their relationship is blessed by Donovan's best friend, Henry, and Elizabeth's beloved older sister, it is thwarted by Henry's sister, who is besotted with Donovan, and Donovan's disapproving aunt. Dog lovers and readers who love Austen pastiches will savor this latest showing of the famous couple.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)