Editorial reviews bear a clear and precise non partisan assessment outlining the key elements of the plot, its structure, dialogue, characters, story development, formatting, readability of the work, and literary merit. < erudite as opposed to pretentious, no sloppy disregard for nuance of chosen historical period >
Each award receives an ID code.
With a poignant story line and colourful array of characters, young Mr Gardiner is the central figure in this prequel to Pride and Prejudice. He bears the stamp of a principled young man of honour, whose caring nature endears him to strangers. Without exception a young boy in need accedes to understanding reflected within Gardiner’s kindly eyes, and later becomes his protégé. In like spirit a young woman’s written words captivate Gardiner’s imagination and lead to a romantic entanglement and untold drama. Indeed, a mysterious and romantic thread runs throughout this novel with literary prose and natural dialogue. Ms Everly’s work demonstrates a commanding hold on narrative and history, and fans of JAFF novels will surely submerge themselves in the early days of the young Mr Gardiner. The occasional cameo appearance of much loved characters from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice adds extra nuance of the Bennet family. And last, but not least, the Jane Austen Award is hereby bestowed as a symbol of literary merit.
The novel begins with a teasing glimpse of Lizzy Bennet’s childhood at Longbourn, and a rather sad episode turns into a fairy tale plot beyond the impressionable girl’s imagination. She is the chosen niece to whom an aunt and uncle bestow great affections and instruct Elizabeth in the advantage of prudent investments. A school for young ladies in London provides introduction to Georgiana Darcy, and a variation on the original P&P is a certainty. Mid book Elizabeth’s return to Longbourn heralds her fortunes as much improved, her sisters little changed. Now a variation on P&P begins, and proceeds to a rather abrupt ending mid-stream with Elizabeth’s final word as a suspenseful strap-line (?) Book 2 presumably is a continuation of the former. Ms Rachel has an excellent command of history, good dialogue, and good characterisation. The narrative however weaves from formal to informal, and the paragraph structure is essay thesis format. The Jane Austen Complimentary is hereby bestowed for historical merit and unique prequel and amusing P&P variation.
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Ladies.
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