Editorial Review:
In this delightful JAFF Pride &
Prejudice Variation Mr. Darcy is in deep mourning. Altogether this has an
unusual opening and touching theme for fans of Darcy. The background to the
story is the impending marriage between Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley, which brings
the Bennet family centre stage of Mr. Darcy’s life. Elizabeth saddened by his
loss soon plans to draw him out of his morose and lonely malady with little
acts of ultra kindness. Therefore research into the rich gentleman’s tastes requires
an amount of diplomacy and secrecy. Who better then than Caroline Bingley and
Darcy’s valet as valuable sources of his choicest passions? What seems impossible
in taking Ms Austen’s original novel and character personas it must be said familiar
context is absent in this reworking of her tome. Who would have guessed Elizabeth
and Caroline would become friends from the start. Significantly the story line
is far-flung from the original Jane Austen plot, and all is forgivable as a P&P
Variation. This is a gentle tale of
friendship between Elizabeth and Darcy which leads to a happy dénouement. The writing is precise, the work
well presented and bears a remarkable Austenesque tone. Therefore Mr Darcy’s Christmas Surprise by Debra-Ann Kummoung, is hereby awarded
the Jane Austen Award.
