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aftaerglows's review against another edition
2.0
i wonder if i read the same book as everyone else. i thought this was problematic in a lot of ways but i may be wrong in some cases. at first i was enjoying the story but at a certain point i couldn’t help but notice how it was slowly going downhill — compared to the original pride and prejudice, the story takes a really different turn, and as a result the characters are not the same. elizabeth lacked the independence and fierceness she had in the original novel while darcy was, in my opinion, unreadable and unrecognisable.
let us speak about the problems i had with the novel because i began to feel uncomfortable. on the first wedding night, when she says “stop” he answers “can’t” and went on with his business??? i’m sorry what? and the second time she used the term “tender assault” to describe what he did to her.
their relationship often felt a little toxic to me. these are some of the quotes i highlighted.
“he could go upstairs right now, this evening, and make his demands, like he did more nights than not. he was her husband, after all. it was his right. right?” NO DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT.
“mutual love-making be damned” chills... literal chills.
and then finally came “i’m sorry, very much so, for assaulting your person when i kissed you. it was unforgivable, and i want to reassure you that it will never happen again.” WE CELEBRATE EVERY WIN IN THIS HOUSE!!!
overall was it entertaining? yeah. do i ship georgiana and richard? i mean yeah. would i recommend the book? honestly it’s not bad per se and i think you could give it a try.
let us speak about the problems i had with the novel because i began to feel uncomfortable. on the first wedding night, when she says “stop” he answers “can’t” and went on with his business??? i’m sorry what? and the second time she used the term “tender assault” to describe what he did to her.
their relationship often felt a little toxic to me. these are some of the quotes i highlighted.
“he could go upstairs right now, this evening, and make his demands, like he did more nights than not. he was her husband, after all. it was his right. right?” NO DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT.
“mutual love-making be damned” chills... literal chills.
and then finally came “i’m sorry, very much so, for assaulting your person when i kissed you. it was unforgivable, and i want to reassure you that it will never happen again.” WE CELEBRATE EVERY WIN IN THIS HOUSE!!!
overall was it entertaining? yeah. do i ship georgiana and richard? i mean yeah. would i recommend the book? honestly it’s not bad per se and i think you could give it a try.
rosemarieshort's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a great fan of re-tellings. If you've read any of my reviews before, you probably know that this is because I spent a massive part of my teenage years reading Fanfiction. To me, re-telling is the highest form of worship which can be given...however enter at your own peril. It can sometimes go very, very wrong. This, a Depression era version of Pride and Prejudice, is a quick, sweet and entertaining tale. However for me it bore far too little resemblance to the original.
I liked the characters, sure - however if he weren't called Darcy I would never equate William Darcy here to the Fitzwilliam Darcy of the original. Their characters are not alike enough to draw that connecting dotted line. Nor are a great of host of characters even partially imbued with their original counterpart's traits. It's a re-telling, I hear you shout. Yes - but surely a re-telling should harken ever so slightly more to the original?
The other thing I struggled with was the era. I was expecting something a lot harsher and grittier than what I got. This was, I won't lie, a disappointment. I occasionally lost a grasp on the era this was supposed to be, as whole sections went by with no indication that characters were in the harsh times of Prohibition America. There were some great glimmers of hardship, but they were quickly forgotten when Pemberley came onto the scene; early and eclipsing all other locations.
Saying this; I did enjoy 1932. It was a really fun romance, quick to read and rewarding. Yes, there were too many endings (although if it's good enough for Director Peter Jackson...!) but overall there's lots to like here. My difficulty is that I think I would have enjoyed it even more, had it been an original story instead of a Pride and Prejudice re-telling.
I liked the characters, sure - however if he weren't called Darcy I would never equate William Darcy here to the Fitzwilliam Darcy of the original. Their characters are not alike enough to draw that connecting dotted line. Nor are a great of host of characters even partially imbued with their original counterpart's traits. It's a re-telling, I hear you shout. Yes - but surely a re-telling should harken ever so slightly more to the original?
The other thing I struggled with was the era. I was expecting something a lot harsher and grittier than what I got. This was, I won't lie, a disappointment. I occasionally lost a grasp on the era this was supposed to be, as whole sections went by with no indication that characters were in the harsh times of Prohibition America. There were some great glimmers of hardship, but they were quickly forgotten when Pemberley came onto the scene; early and eclipsing all other locations.
Saying this; I did enjoy 1932. It was a really fun romance, quick to read and rewarding. Yes, there were too many endings (although if it's good enough for Director Peter Jackson...!) but overall there's lots to like here. My difficulty is that I think I would have enjoyed it even more, had it been an original story instead of a Pride and Prejudice re-telling.
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Great Depression strikes the Bennett family and forces them to leave their life in Chicago and dreams of the future behind for a rural Kentucky farm and starting over providing the backdrop for an opposites attract romance that brings to life this modern historical retelling of Jane Austen's classic.
The biggest and most obvious difference between classic and retelling is this is a post wedding courtship romance.
The 1932 characters were edgier and more intense. This William Darcy had a bit of Bronte's Rochester in him and this Lizzy is both more stubborn and more sensitive. Together, they are a sultry couple both emotionally and physically. They had all the difficulties of an arranged marriage pair even though William married her for love. But, there are a few exquisite moments that foreshadow a deep love if they can just hang with it and grow past their mistakes. I still picture the dancing scene and have those romantic songs playing as I type.
For much of the book, the conflict is mostly the romance with a little of it going to the Bennet's struggle financially. It's only in the last third that a conflict that began before this book and thought to be in the past rears its ugly head and makes things rather exciting and culminating about the same time the romance crisis hits its peak, too. The end really came on strong and I adored that epilogue that brought a few happy tears to my eye.
I've always appreciated the care this author takes over her characters and their inter-personal relationships including the romance. This debut book in her career shows that this gift has always been there and I was glad to read this updated anniversary edition.
Whether one is familiar or unfamiliar with the classic upon which 1932 is based, it won't matter. It will only matter if the reader enjoys an emotionally evocative sensual historical romance of opposites.
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of the book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
The biggest and most obvious difference between classic and retelling is this is a post wedding courtship romance.
The 1932 characters were edgier and more intense. This William Darcy had a bit of Bronte's Rochester in him and this Lizzy is both more stubborn and more sensitive. Together, they are a sultry couple both emotionally and physically. They had all the difficulties of an arranged marriage pair even though William married her for love. But, there are a few exquisite moments that foreshadow a deep love if they can just hang with it and grow past their mistakes. I still picture the dancing scene and have those romantic songs playing as I type.
For much of the book, the conflict is mostly the romance with a little of it going to the Bennet's struggle financially. It's only in the last third that a conflict that began before this book and thought to be in the past rears its ugly head and makes things rather exciting and culminating about the same time the romance crisis hits its peak, too. The end really came on strong and I adored that epilogue that brought a few happy tears to my eye.
I've always appreciated the care this author takes over her characters and their inter-personal relationships including the romance. This debut book in her career shows that this gift has always been there and I was glad to read this updated anniversary edition.
Whether one is familiar or unfamiliar with the classic upon which 1932 is based, it won't matter. It will only matter if the reader enjoys an emotionally evocative sensual historical romance of opposites.
My thanks to the author for providing a copy of the book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
mcsangel2's review against another edition
3.0
A nice what-if story based on the scenario where Lizzy considers Darcy's proposal based on the needs of her own family; set during the Great Depression. Also a rare read where the setting is not in the Regency era nor present day.
I felt there was actually room for the story to be expanded (characters, plot)into a longer book should the author ever decide to do so.
I felt there was actually room for the story to be expanded (characters, plot)into a longer book should the author ever decide to do so.
meshell's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This could have been so great, but it wasn't.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual assault
Minor: Classism, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
kmc3050's review against another edition
2.0
2.5. I liked it enough, but I wasn't expecting the writing to be only slightly better than fanfiction. I was also surprised by the sex scenes. Other than that, it's still a fun read for Pride and Prejudice fans.
stardewluna's review against another edition
2.0
i wonder if i read the same book as everyone else. i thought this was problematic in a lot of ways but i may be wrong in some cases. at first i was enjoying the story but at a certain point i couldn’t help but notice how it was slowly going downhill — compared to the original pride and prejudice, the story takes a really different turn, and as a result the characters are not the same. elizabeth lacked the independence and fierceness she had in the original novel while darcy was, in my opinion, unreadable and unrecognisable.
let us speak about the problems i had with the novel because i began to feel uncomfortable. on the first wedding night, when she says “stop” he answers “can’t” and went on with his business??? i’m sorry what? and the second time she used the term “tender assault” to describe what he did to her.
their relationship often felt a little toxic to me. these are some of the quotes i highlighted.
“he could go upstairs right now, this evening, and make his demands, like he did more nights than not. he was her husband, after all. it was his right. right?” NO DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT.
“mutual love-making be damned” chills... literal chills.
and then finally came “i’m sorry, very much so, for assaulting your person when i kissed you. it was unforgivable, and i want to reassure you that it will never happen again.” WE CELEBRATE EVERY WIN IN THIS HOUSE!!!
overall was it entertaining? yeah. do i ship georgiana and richard? i mean yeah. would i recommend the book? honestly it’s not bad per se and i think you could give it a try.
let us speak about the problems i had with the novel because i began to feel uncomfortable. on the first wedding night, when she says “stop” he answers “can’t” and went on with his business??? i’m sorry what? and the second time she used the term “tender assault” to describe what he did to her.
their relationship often felt a little toxic to me. these are some of the quotes i highlighted.
“he could go upstairs right now, this evening, and make his demands, like he did more nights than not. he was her husband, after all. it was his right. right?” NO DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT.
“mutual love-making be damned” chills... literal chills.
and then finally came “i’m sorry, very much so, for assaulting your person when i kissed you. it was unforgivable, and i want to reassure you that it will never happen again.” WE CELEBRATE EVERY WIN IN THIS HOUSE!!!
overall was it entertaining? yeah. do i ship georgiana and richard? i mean yeah. would i recommend the book? honestly it’s not bad per se and i think you could give it a try.
melarsen57's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one in one sitting - couldn't put it down. It is a P&P sequel set in the early 1930's in Kentucky. The author's rendition of Darcy and Elizabeth is excellent, the story line is wonderful and her portraits of other P&P characters is creative and believable. The history, the setting and people of this book ring very true and draw you in immediately. I hope this author writes more! Lovely way to spend a few hours!
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
A Pride and Prejudice variation set in 1932 America.
When Dr. Bennet loses his job in Chicago, the now poor family move to the Longbourn farm in Kentucky owned by his brother-in law Gardiner.
Knowing the poverty of her family what does Elizabeth do when a rich landowner, Darcy, asks to marry her.
My second read and an enjoyable one.
When Dr. Bennet loses his job in Chicago, the now poor family move to the Longbourn farm in Kentucky owned by his brother-in law Gardiner.
Knowing the poverty of her family what does Elizabeth do when a rich landowner, Darcy, asks to marry her.
My second read and an enjoyable one.