Compulsively Mr. Darcy, by Nina Benneton – A Review
11 February 2012 by Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Guest review by Kimberly Denny-Ryder
I’ve often wondered what modern day psychiatric medicine would say about some of my favorite literary characters. Are they bi-polar? Do they suffer from ADHD, depression, or a form of autism? Author Nina Benneton explores what a modern day Darcy would be like, suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder in her debut novel Compulsively Mr. Darcy
Benneton’s tale is a break from tradition right from the start, as we find our beloved characters in Vietnam, with Darcy and Bingley traveling to help their good friends, the Hurst’s, finish an adoption via an agency run by Miss Jane Bennet . All is running well until Mr. Bingley takes a fall and suffers a broken leg as he humorously attempts to ride a bike. After being taken to the local hospital, Darcy decides that he will accompany his good friend, yet will not enter the hospital building itself. Darcy is incredibly frightened by the sight of blood and is unable to deal with germs, making a hospital a difficult place for him to be. Enter Dr. Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy, sick of waiting outside for Bingley, storms into the hospital and determines Elizabeth has been helping other patients for far too long and demands help for Bingley. His outburst on Bingley’s half causes Elizabeth to assume that he and Bingley are a couple. Before Elizabeth has a chance to respond to his outburst, he sees the blood on her smock from a recent surgery and passes out.
After this less than perfect first meeting, Darcy and Elizabeth are thrown into each other’s company after Elizabeth is hired to work as the doctor for their resort. Thinking she is safe from any type of relationship (since she assumes Darcy is gay) she feels free to be herself and begins spending more time with him. The two grow increasingly fond of each other and quickly strike up a friendship that may turn into something more. Although a relationship with this man is the farthest thing from Elizabeth’s mind at the moment, a surprising chemistry and connection forms between the two, leading to quite the romance. What will happen when Elizabeth finds out Darcy isn’t gay? Will his OCD come between them?
I’m always amazed at how many new situations authors can drum up to place Elizabeth and Darcy in. Even with all these new ideas, Benneton’s story tops my list of most creative. Giving Darcy OCD makes complete sense to me. In the original Pride and Prejudice Darcy takes it upon himself to feel guilty over everything that Wickham does and he also feels the need to protect Bingley from fortune hunters. Not only this, but he is also under a tremendous amount of stress that the running of Pemberley and guardianship of his sister causes. It doesn’t surprise me that our modern-day imagining of Darcy would have OCD with that load. What’s fascinating about giving Darcy OCD is the amazing side of Elizabeth that comes out. Sure she still makes rash assumptions at first, but the unconditional love she has for Darcy (ALL of Darcy) is inspiring. She looks beyond Darcy’s OCD to see the man deep inside who isn’t riddled with an incessant need to wash his hands and control everything around him, and loves him. She accepts him just the way he is, a trait hard to find in people sometimes.
Not only does Compulsively Mr. Darcy give us a peek into what life with OCD is like, but we get to experience new cultures! I for one had not a clue what life in Vietnam was like, whether it be about their cuisine, fashion, or rituals. Benneton does a great job at infusing tidbits of knowledge about these things into the storyline in an intriguing manner, making the reader want to pick up a book and study the culture more. (I’ll also admit that her descriptions of the landscapes and landmarks there have made me add Vietnam to my bucket list of must visit places)
Benneton’s unique and inventive story is a wonderful addition to the Jane Austen fan fiction world. However, Compulsively Mr. Darcy is definitely not for the Austen purists out there. A more mature audience will appreciate this romantic, sensual new retelling of our favorite duo, Elizabeth and Darcy.
4 out of 5 Stars
Compulsively Mr. Darcy, by Nina Benneton
Sourcebooks (2012)
Trade paperback (352) pages
ISBN: 978-1402262494
Nook: ISBN: 978-1402262500
Kindle: ASIN: B006IBFYGU
Kimberly Denny-Ryder: is the owner/moderator of Reflections of a Book Addict, a book blog dedicated to following her journey of reading 100 books a year, while attempting to keep a life! When not reading, Kim can be found volunteering as the co-chair of a 24hr cancer awareness event, as well as an active member of Quinnipiac University’s alumni association. When not reading or volunteering, Kim can be found at her full-time job working in vehicle funding. She lives with her husband Todd and two cats, Belle and Sebastian, in Connecticut.
© 2007 – 2012 Kimberly Denny Ryder, Austenprose
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Posted in Book Reviews, Jane Austen Contemporary Inspired Book Reviews | Tagged Book Blogger, Book Reviews, Books, Compulsively Mr. Darcy, Fiction, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Sequels, Nina Benneton | 6 Comments »
Midnight in Austenland: A Novel, by Shannon Hale – A Review
8 February 2012 by Christina B.
Guest review by Christina Boyd
Best-selling author of Austenland, and soon to be motion picture of same, Shannon Hale, takes us on another retreat to England in her latest offering, Midnight in Austenland.
When the nice American Charlotte Kinder married a nice man named James in a nice wedding, later giving birth to and raising two nice children, it surprised everyone when she started her own web-based company and was also discovered to be a clever, successful business woman. Her picture perfect world soon turns topsy-turvy when her husband divorces her for another. One particularly “thin and drab” weekend when the children are away with their father, she finds temporary solace, and even heart pounding sensations long forgotten, while reading Jane Austen’s masterpieces. Seeking further escape from her non-fiction life, Charlotte flies to England in retreat to a country manor house catering to the total immersion of a Jane Austen experience, “Pembroke Park, Kent England. Enter our doors as a houseguest come to stay two weeks, enjoying the country manners and hospitality—a visit, a dance or two, a turn in the park, an unexpected meeting with a certain gentleman, all culminating with a ball and perhaps something more…” p.12. No one would suspect that Charlotte Kinder was about to become the heroine of her own life.
After completing a questionnaire declaring Pride and Prejudice her favorite novel, but also a particular enjoyment in Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, Charlotte’s total immersion Austen vacation seems tailored specific to her whims and desires, complete with an affectionate brother, a jovial Colonel and even her own brooding handsome gentleman of mystery. Although she is fully aware that everyone is playing a role, including herself, the lines between reality and fiction quickly become gossamer thin. But when a spontaneous hide-n-seek like game called Bloody Murder is suggested, Pembroke Park’s promise of a possible flirtation is not what initiates Charlotte’s heart to pound. “Lightning filled the window, piercing the room with an X-ray flash. And she saw. It seemed to be… it couldn’t be but it sure looked like… a hand.” p.91. Obvious parallels to Northanger Abbey leave Charlotte questioning her own sanity as she attempts to accept the fantasy and play along. Because what could be wrong with a little, harmless flirtation? But is all of this intrigue and horror real or just part of the story line?
Shannon Hale does a capital job of weaving an intricate web of Charlotte’s past realities with her current situation (or is it imaginings?) at the Park. Each new chapter begins with a memory or instance of her former self before stepping into this make-believe Regency England, endearing to Charlotte’s real life anxiety and disappointments from almost the beginning. Charlotte’s journey from sad, cuckolded creature to a strong, vibrant Incomparable is heart warming and enchanting. I was cheering as she finally opened her eyes to all she is and what she had not seen in her marriage. So was the mystery and romance she experienced at Pembroke Park real? I would not tell you for the world. But let’s just say Midnight in Austenland left me with a happy heart and wondering where do I make a reservation? Perfect escape for the blahs of winter, I totally accepted this blatantly contrived happy ending—because we all know, happy endings were one of Jane Austen’s specialties.
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Midnight in Austenland: A Novel, by Shannon Hale
Bloomsbury USA (2012)
Hardcover (288) pages
ISBN: 978-1608196258
NOOK: ISBN: 978-1608196401
Kindle: ASIN: B006WXUK3Q
- Read Christina’s review of Austenland
Christina Boyd lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her dear Mr. B, two youngish children and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Bibi. She studied Fine Art at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Salisbury University in Maryland. For the last nine years she has created and sold her own pottery line from her working studio. Albeit she read Jane Austen as a moody teenager, it wasn’t until Joe Wright’s 2005 movie of Pride & Prejudice that sparked her interest in all things Austen. A life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, visiting Jane Austen’s England remains on her bucket list.
© 2007 – 2012 Christina Boyd, Austenprose
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Posted in Book Reviews, Jane Austen Contemporary Inspired Book Reviews | Tagged Book Reviews, Fiction, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Sequels, Midnight in Austenland, Shannon Hale | 15 Comments »