Netherfield Park Revisited

January 22, 2009
This third installment in the series (see Book 4, below) centers on Jonathan Bingley, son of Charles and Jane. Jonathan has grown into a fine man, father, and politician who has made an unfortunate choice of a wife, Amelia-Jane Collins (yes, the daughter of Charlotte and the pompous William Collins). This sobering story of a crumbling marriage set against a background of political and cultural change will captivate readers, although the original P&P characters are little more than bit players.-Jeanne Bogino, New Lebanon Lib., NY

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2008
Its hard to keep track of all the various Jane Austen knockoffs and sequels. This one is part 3 of the Pemberley Chronicles, which follow the Bennet sisters postPride and Prejudice. The focus here is on Janes son Jonathan, now 42 years old and married to Amanda-Jane, daughter of Elizabeths old friend Charlotte Collins. Jonathan wants to pursue a career in politics, but Amanda-Jane feels neglected, and matters are made worse when she objects to hispurchase of Netherfield Park, the housethat broughtMisters Bingley and Darcy into the Bennet sisters orbit so many years ago. Meanwhile, Jonathan finds himself drawn to the artistic and attractive Anna Faulkner. Readers looking for the sparkle of Pride and Prejudicewill find insteada Victorian earnestness, butCollins deserves credit for not straying too far from the original characters and story. Buy for readers who love the Austen continuation subgenre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)