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Darcy and Anne

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Lady Catherine will never find a husband for Anne…

When a fortuitous accident draws Anne away from Rosings and her overbearing mother’s direct influence, she is able to think and act for herself for the first time ever. In the society of her cousins Darcy and Georgiana, and, of course, the lively Mrs. Darcy, Anne reveals a talent for writing and a zest for life.

Meanwhile, Lady Catherine is determined to choose a husband for Anne. But now that Anne has found her courage, she may not be so easy to rule.

Anne de Bourgh is a sympathetic character whose obedience and meekness were expected of women in her day. As she frees herself from these expectations, Anne discovers strength, independence, and even true love in a wonderfully satisfying coming-of-age story.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Reviews

Reviews

Living Life and Reading Books Leola Norman
Judith Brocklehurst, the author of "Darcy And Anne" is a wonderful writer. While reading this sequel, I had to keep shaking myself and telling myself that Jane Austen had not written this book. Judith Brocklehurst smoothly writes about the Regency Period and the characters of "Pride and Prejudice" just as, I think, Jane Austen would have done it herself.

Visiting Pemberley all over again was wonderful. At Pemberley, Darcy and Anne are extremely happy. Truly, this is a marriage made in heaven. I think Anne, Darcy’s cousin, wants the same situation for herself. Sadly, during this period a woman saying she wants to marry for more than rank and money mystifies other people. Why marry for love and romance? If it comes along later during the marriage, fine. If it never comes, fine. After all, you have a man to take care of you, a home and friends.

This book is mainly about Anne. Anne proves to be a very interesting character. We see her grow from dependence to independence. Lady Catherine is her mother. In my eyes, a very controlling woman. With the support of friends, Anne speaks out and speaks out again.

Guess who else makes an appearance? Mr. Bennett, Elizabeth’s father. I like him. I especially like him because he loves books shops. I also love him because he is there at Pemberley waiting when Elizabeth and Darcy need him big time. Then, there is Darcy. Darcy is still handsome. He is also full of wonderful character traits. He uses these traits to help his family survive the hardest of times: when there is lively gossip and when there is need of advice.

Along with the characters, there is a bit of history about Barbados and the slave question during that time. Judith Brocklehurst knows this period well. She also knows how to entertain a reader. Thank you Judith Brocklehurst.

One Literature Nut Becky Rhodehouse
This is an extremely short little novel, and one that is easy to fall into. I have read several other books that have included Anne and who she became after Darcy’s marriage, but I really enjoyed reading a book with her as the focus. In a way, it was another side story that rather than tread on any details about Darcy and Elizabeth, focused on Anne and her desires. The one drawback for me, and this could really be seen as quite a positive note to the writer’s story, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. There seemed to me to be a lot of build up to the action presented in the last quarter of the book, and I would have liked a bit more explanation for things that happened between Anne, her mother, and the other characters involved. Overall though, I think it was a sweet little novel, and would be a great, quick read for the Everything Austen Challenge, or just for a clean, fun, light afternoon read.

Historical Novel Society Rachel A. Hyde
Readers of Pride and Prejudice will remember that Darcy had a cousin called Anne de Bourgh, daughter of the formidable Lady Catherine. They will also remember her as a sickly, unattractive little thing that her mother hoped would catch Darcy’s fancy. But suppose she had the opportunity to spread her wings and flourish?

In this delightful sequel to the great novel, Anne gets the chance to do just that. En route to Pemberley for a visit there is an accident that leaves Lady Catherine laid up at an inn. Anne has to get word to her cousin, and thus begins a remarkable transformation leading to love and more. I’ve read other Pride and Prejudice sequels but this is one of my favourites for several reasons. I enjoyed the way in which it concentrated on a minor character rather than the further adventures of the more major ones only, as most of the sequels seem to. Nor does it tell the story we already know from another character’s perspective, but builds cleverly on what is already there and takes it in a different direction. Here, too, is an author who can tell her tale in a suitable voice, and in remarkably few pages while filling those pages up with enough incidents to satisfy the reader. I will be looking out for more from this author, and if you enjoy Regency romances you will surely enjoy this one.

Debbie’s World of Books Debbie Suzuki
This book was a pleasure to read. It’s short but a cute story and was the first I sequel to Pride and Prejudice I read that did not focus on Lizzie and Darcy. Anne was a delightful character and it was wonderful seeing her work to free herself from her mother, Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine herself stayed true to her characterization in the original Pride and Prejudice and was not likeable in any sense.

The only odd thing for me was in the last few chapters after watching the story unfold the author suddenly addresses the reader directly. This just struck me as out of place as it happened suddenly and felt jarring. It might have made more sense if the book opened up with the author addressing the reader and then closing in the same way.

Other than that little thing this was overall an enjoyable read.

A Bibliophile’s Bookshelf Bella McGuire
My great joy in being a Jane Austen fan is not only re-reading her beautiful, timeless tales, but delighting in the many sequels that have been written over the years. Every time I receive a new one, I treat it like a new friend, cherish every wonderful word and delight in the new direction the author has taken with Jane Austen tales.

It is the case that quite often I am thrilled with the results, but rarely is it the case that I am glowing with so much rapture, that as soon as I turn the last page I want to open it up again and re-read it. This is exactly how I felt reading Judith Brocklehurst’s Darcy and Anne.

From the very first page the writing of Judith Brocklehurst takes on a style very similar to the incomparable Jane Austen. It became apparent that readers would be able to read the original Pride and Prejudice and move onto the sequel, Darcy and Anne, with ease.

In Pride & Prejudice Anne de Bourgh is over-shadowed by her demanding mother, Lady Catherine, and we learn very little about her.

Though, it seems, there is much to know. Elizabeth says its best to describe Anne…

“There is more to her than any of us thought.”

Indeed there is. We see a whole different side of her, away from the demanding presence of her mother, Lady Catherine. She blossoms and becomes a confident young woman, with a love for books and writing.

I thoroughly enjoyed how Anne’s character was opened up and developed. Perhaps it is because we knew so little about Anne, that Judith Brocklehurst was able to do so much with her. Anne becomes the kind of character I can relate to, with her love of books and writing, and I suspect one that many Austen fans will fall in love with.

Reading Darcy & Anne, it is obvious that Judith Brocklehurst had a talent for telling a beautiful story. The twists and turns, as Anne tries to weave a path of happiness for herself, are subtle and enjoyable, and the much-loved characters of Pemberley remain true to form, so true that Jane Austen herself would have approved.

While short, at a mere 190 pages, it is a beautiful tale that will stay with me for many years. I highly recommend it for every Jane Austen fan. It was truly a delightful read.

Grace’s Book Blog Grace Loiacana
Lady Catherine’s daughter Anne was never a character I paid any form of attention to. She was not as witty and intelligent as Lizzy, as haughty and obnoxious as Caroline Bingley or as nervous and loud as Mrs. Bennet. When I picked up this book, I was unsure if a character like Anne could carry a book. She was so weak and sickly in Pride and Prejudice and I really couldn’t see how a character of such a weak mentality could keep me interested in a book, however short.

I have always found myself quite a bit curious about the sickly daughter of Lady Catherine. It seemed as if there was a story there and a story that should be told. I am so glad that I got the chance to read this book because Brocklehurst really brings Anne to life. Away from her mother and in an environment where she is cared for, Anne becomes a independent and intelligent woman. I love that she became a writer. It is something that I could see Anne doing. The other characters were treated very well by Brocklehurst. Lizzy was excellent and just as lovely as we would expect her to be. The friendship, bordering on sibling affection, between Darcy and Anne was so sweet. This book, above most of the others, made me love Darcy more and as more than a hunky, hunky hero. All of the new characters were also great, especially Edmund Caldwell. He was the perfect man for Anne.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this book is Lady Catherine. She was just as obnoxious, controlling and haughty as you would expect her to be. The constant friction between her and Anne was really great. This book really delves into their toxic relationship. It is almost like Lady Catherine is sucking the life from Anne. Anne only started to truly blossom when she was away from Lady Catherine. I think this dynamic was one of the best parts of the book and Brocklehurst really portrays it well.

The only flaw that I can think of about Darcy and Anne is that I wish it had been a bit longer and that is really not a flaw at all, is it?

Grade: A-

Genre Reviews Debbie White
This novel is a historical romance set in the world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It’s a "sequel" focusing on Anne de Bourgh’s fate now that Darcy is no longer her intended.

The story was not written in quite the same tone as Pride and Prejudice, but the author stays very true to the characters and timeline of that book. She does occasionally have the characters act in ways I don’t think they would, but that’s more a difference in opinion about certain character’s never-discussed motives than a departure from what was established in Pride and Prejudice.

It was a sweet and amusing tale with a likable heroine. The world-building was good, though I noticed several minor historical details that were off. Still, it wasn’t noticeable unless you’re a detail-freak like me.

The pacing was quick; almost too quick, in my opinion. Anne’s transformation from sickly, dependent girl to healthy, independent woman came about rather quickly, though it wasn’t forced.

There was no sex or cussing. Overall, I’d recommend this novel as "good, clean fun."

Write Meg Megan Snider
After Fitzwilliam Darcy failed to offer for his cousin’s hand in marriage — and went ahead and fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet, that little nobody! — Lady Catherine de Bourgh is less than thrilled with her only daughter Anne’s prospects for betrothal. A strongly-worded letter is sent to Darcy from Rosings, where the de Bourgh women reside, demanding that he come up with some sort of alternate solution for Anne, whom he’s treated shamefully.

Lady Catherine and Anne set out for Pemberley determined to find a husband for the heiress, who has long lived in poor health under the thumb of her domineering, critical only parent. Still mourning for her beloved father, who died when she was a child, Anne holds no ill feelings for Darcy — but desperately does want to find a place in a world of her own creation.

When Anne and Lady Catherine are separated on their way visit Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Anne begins to see — perhaps for the first time — that her isolated, constricted world at Rosings has made her a true prisoner in her own life. And something must be done about it — especially when she meets Edmund Caldwell, the soft-spoken but charming man who shares her dreams and temperament. But has no title — or anything else — to offer an heiress.

Judith Brocklehurst’s take on what happens after Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice has finished is a fun, truly fresh take on many of Austen’s beloved characters. For the first time, Anne is seen not as the dowdy, quiet and forgettable cousin to whom Darcy could never imagine getting engaged — Anne de Bourgh is dynamic, fun, and a writer with aspirations to have work read by the masses (like Austen herself?).

Brocklehurst’s tone seemed to line up perfectly with Austen’s — something I haven’t encountered quite so much in other novels based on her work. Darcy And Anne is both readable and likeable, and at just over 200 pages, I easily gobbled this one up. I loved reuniting with the Darcys — and seeing their family grow! — as Lady Catherine finally got some of her comeuppances. Anne was a warm and sympathetic character, and I loved getting to know her as she started out on her own path.

Austen fans will enjoy this “sequel” which stays true to Austen’s original characters, tone and intent — but adds an entertaining extra chapter to a timeless classic.

4 out of 5!

Once Upon a Romance Marlene Breakfield
Lady Catherine De Bourgh decides that since her daughter, Anne, can no longer marry Darcy, it is only fitting that the Darcys help her find a husband for Anne. Therefore, Lady Catherine sets out for an extended stay at Pemberley, after writing a letter stating her intentions. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine becomes ill on the journey and is forced to stay and recuperate in a small town. When Darcy arrives, it is decided that Anne shall return with him to Pemberley, but Lady Catherine is still to sick to travel. Once Anne is out from under her mother’s "care", her life changes drastically.

Darcy and Anne takes a minor character from Pride and Prejudice and gives her a story of her own. I have always wondered about poor Anne, and Ms. Brocklehurst does a delightful job of telling Anne’s story. The characters seem to act in ways that match my impressions of what Austen might have chosen, save for one—Lady Catherine. In the first part of the novel, Lady Catherine acts in ways that I would expect, but toward the end, she does some things that seem out of character. This book does not have the lightness and humor of Pride and Prejudice but is still enjoyable. It is lovely to see Anne’s character blossom and fall in love.

All in all, Darcy and Anne is a charming book, which Regency fans should enjoy.

A Journey of Books Cinnamon Brown
Judith Brocklehurst has brought us a lovely and humorous tale with DARCY AND ANNE. In this Jane Austen “sequel”, Brocklehurst shows us what happened with dear Anne de Bourgh now that her intended, Darcy is no longer available. This was a lovely story and I was quickly drawn in. Fans of Austen’s will most likely adore DARCY AND ANNE.

Now alone and without even a female companion to help pass the time, Anne is at the whim of her overbearing mother. What’s a girl to do when the woman providing you food and shelter insists that it’s time to be married off? Anne and her husband would of course come back and live with Lady Catherine as the sole purpose of this escapade is to find more entertainment for the odd Lady. Wanting nothing to do with her mother’s schemes but having no way to stop them, Anne is forced to travel with her to the home of Darcy and his new wife, Elizabeth. When Anne is suddenly separated from her mother, however, life shines a little brighter. Anne learns independence and discovers her own spirit, something that will be difficult for her mother to quash once they are reunited.

I found DARCY AND ANNE to be quite entertaining. By page two I had already had a couple laugh out loud moments and the whole feel of the story was light and fun. Watching Anne as she learns about herself and interacts with Elizabeth is great. Brocklehurst has a way of making the character interactions seem very realistic. There were often times when I felt that I was listening to the women talk or watching Anne blush rather than just reading it on the page.

The story of DARCY AND ANNE is just as good as Brocklehurst’s development of the characters. I’m not an expert on the time period so I will refrain from passing any judgment on the historical accuracy, but the story did seem likely and was definitely entertaining. Anne seemed to act like most cases of downtrodden women suddenly asserting their own independence that I have been familiar with. The romance in the story was beautiful in all aspects, even when things got a little awkward.

My favorite aspect of DARCY AND ANNE had to be the humor. We always knew that Anne de Bourgh was a little awkward. Her slightly sickly nature and disastrous mother lead to a great backdrop for Brocklehurst to create Anne’s character and more importantly her character change.

Writing: 8
Interest: 9
Passion: 8
Originality: 8
Characters: 9
Pace: 8
Overall: 50/60 - B

Book Cover: 3/3

I would definitely have to recommend DARCY AND ANNE to lovers of Austen’s world and the characters that she created. Now, these characters may not be exact replicas of the original Darcy and Elizabeth. DARCY AND ANNE was, after all, written by a different author; however, I feel that the flow of the story and the character relationships do closely resemble Austen’s original work. My only wish for DARCY AND ANNE would be that it had gone on a little longer. The book was fairly short and easy to read, but it seemed that the ending may have rushed a little. I would have loved to spend more time with the last quarter of the book.

Fans of Romance and Historical fiction will love DARCY AND ANNE. Grab a warm blanket, a comfy chair and curl up with DARCY AND ANNE as Brocklehurst transports you to another place and time.

Horror and Fantasy Books Trish Ramirez
First on list is the delightful Darcy and Anne by Judith Brocklehurst. This novel is actually the tale of Anne. Not Anne Bennet, but Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine’s niece and the one Catherien had expected Darcy to wed. That is, before Elizabeth came along.

In Pride and Prejudice, Anne was portrayed as dowdy and a thoroughly unacceptable match for the introspective and moody Mr. Darcy. She was more of a footnote or an afterthought, especially considering that every reader was pulling for Darcy and Elizabeth’s love. In Darcy and Anne, we are introduced to the vibrant intelligent woman that was only alluded to before.

The fact of the matter is that Darcy’s betrothal and marriage to Elizabeth really leaves Anne hanging, and at Lady’s Catherine’s insistence, he tries to find a solution to the issue his new engagement has created. Indeed, both Catherine and Anne set out to visit the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, they are inadvertently separated. It is only at this point that Anne truly begins to assess her situation and station in life – in addition, it also when Anne meets Edmund Caldwell. He possesses the physical and personality traits that Anne is looking for in a husband. However, his social status is simply unacceptable for an heiress such as herself.

Alas, such is often the case in Regency period romance novels, and as can be expected, the kinks are ironed out in the end. And, as an added bonus, Lady Catherine is knocked down a peg or two; something that all P&P fans love to read. Additionally, this novel has a delightful tone and pacing that are in sync with Austen’s own, which is sure to enchant true lovers of the original and Austen’s work in general. All in all, this was a four star sequel, and it is guaranteed to satisfy those who recognized that Anne (even if she had been a dowd) was deserving of her happily ever after, too.

Wendi’s Book Corner Wendi Barker
Perfect for : Personal reading, book club read

In a nutshell: Pride and Prejudice was always a favorite of mine, and I always wondered what would happen to Anne, the daughter of Lady Catherine De Bourgh. In Darcy and Anne, Judith Brocklehurst did a wonderful job of revisiting Anne and Catherine to give readers a story for Anne. Lady Catherine de Bourgh always seemed to be bossy and in-charge. While traveling to Pemberly, she suffers an accident and breaks her arm. While she is recovering, Anne is befriended by the Caldwells as she steps out on her own to take care of things, thus spreading her wings for the first time in her life. This really had me grinning. Anne was finally able to do things she wanted, and got to make decisions without having to simply follow her Mother’s wishes and demands. What transpires is a delightful story that allows Anne to discover who she is and what she wants from life. The story also continues the story of Darcy and Elizabeth (now married), and Darcy’s sister Georgianna, among others. I love the gift that Judith Brocklehurst has given to Anne in writing this story!

Extended Review:
Characters: Return to Austen favorites like Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Anne. . . and meet new favorites such as Mrs. Endicot, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell and their son Edmund Caldwell. Additionally, Ms. Brocklehurst was able to capture the pride and authority of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and to use that as a strength in this story.

Story-Line: The story flows nicely and really brings some new and delightful changes for Anne as she gets out from under her Mother.

Readability: A very nice and enjoyable book to read.

Overall: Another great continuation to the original Pride and Prejudice story by Jane Austen. This one still contains some favorite characters, but focuses more on Anne and developing her character.

Ex Libris Sharon Goforth
In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Anne de Bourgh, is a rather unpleasant character. She is sickly and snippy, with little to no personality that anyone (especially Mr. Darcy) would want to be acquainted. Anne’s mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is a horror. In Darcy and Anne, author Judith Brocklehurst shows readers a very different Anne de Bourgh in her pleasant "could-have-been" sequel to Pride and Prejudice.

As Darcy and Anne opens, Lady Catherine has called a truce with Mr. Darcy and has made arrangements for herself and Anne to visit Pemberley with the purpose of enlisting Mr. Darcy’s help in finding Anne a suitable husband. On their way, Lady Catherine suddenly becomes ill and unable to continue the journey for a time. Anne continues on to Pemberley without her and, free from the suffocating presence of her mother, begins to blossom. With the help of Elizabeth and Georgiana, Anne learns what it is like to take an interest in activities, enjoy the outdoors, and make friends. When Lady Catherine returns with her idea of a perfect marriage match for Anne, however, she threatens to undo everything. Will Anne ever find true happiness?

I found Darcy and Anne to be a pleasant surprise and a very enjoyable read. Of the plethora of Jane Austen sequels currently available, I don’t believe there are many devoted to the character of Anne de Bourgh. It is refreshing to see her featured and to be given a completely different perspective of her character. It also had a very interesting plot twist at the end. You will need to read the book to find out what it is, but let me assure you it is worth it!

AustenProse Laurel Ann Natress
Originally self published in 2007 as A Letter to Lady Catherine, this Pride and Prejudice spinoff has a surprising new heroine – Anne De Bourgh! Yes, I heard that collective gasp of astonishment. A whole novel devoted to Mr. Darcy’s sickly, unaccomplished, and henpecked cousin? Indeed! Judith Brocklehurst’s novel may have been given a grand makeover with a new title and prettyish new cover by its publisher Sourcebooks, but can its heroine also be transformed from a minor but memorable character in the original novel, into a heroine that readers can identify with and admire?

Destined from the cradle to be Mr. Darcy’s bride, Anne De Bourgh and her domineering mother Lady Catherine never expected any other outcome than the union of two sisters great families: the De Bourgh’s and the Darcy’s. When Mr. Darcy chooses Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman of inferior birth and no importance instead of her daughter Anne, Lady Catherine vows never to speak to her nephew again. Bored with her daughters company, Lady Catherine is determined to find her a husband calling upon all her social connections to introduce her to an eligible bachelor of either noble rank or equal fortune. Even though Anne has a handsome dowry of £30,000, the combination of officious Lady Catherine as a mother-in-law and the unattractive and sickly Anne as a wife sends prospective beaux’s running. After two years and all of the possible alliances with local families have been exhausted, Lady Catherine does the unthinkable. She writes to her nephew and offers a truce, invites herself to Pemberley, and insists that since he has placed her and her daughter in this untenable situation by marrying another, that it is his duty to find Anne a husband.

Dreading this new scheme, Anne and her mother depart for Pemberley – and then – provenance steps in. Along the road, Lady Catherine is injured and Anne must rely upon the kindness of a stranger Mrs. Endicott to assist her in finding a doctor for her mother and shelter in Burley, a health resort. Anne, who has never made a decision for herself in all of her life, let alone her mother, must make many choices in a town where she knows no one. On her own she begins to depend on herself and discover her own capabilities, writing to her cousin Mr. Darcy for assistance, choosing to stop taking medicine that is making her so ill, and meeting a local family the Caldwell’s who were friend’s of her deceased father many years ago. Amazingly, she is gaining her appetite, building her strength, and enjoying walks – something she has never been able to do all her life. When her cousins Miss Georgiana and Mr. Darcy arrive at Burley to take Lady Catherine and Anne to Pemberley, it is only Anne who departs after her mother’s insistence upon staying under the pretext of dutiful care. In actuality, she prefers the prospect of meeting the Duchess of Stilbury due for the social season over the former Miss Bennet the new Mistress of Pemberley.

Anne travels to Pemberley, and under the care of her cousins discovers that life away from the tyranny of her mother is a whole new world, and, she likes it! Not only does her health improve, she discovers that she also has a source of income from her father’s will that her mother has manipulated away for years, and that her prospects for romance look promising with the Caldwell’s son Edmund, a young man with ambition, honor and intelligence, but no title. Her life is happier than she could ever have imagined – until Lady Catherine has her share of the conversation and the other shoe drops.

With so many Pride and Prejudice sequels, retellings, and spinoffs focused on the relationship of characters Lizzy and Darcy, following a minor character like Anne De Bourgh was delightfully refreshing. Brocklehurst fully understands Austen’s original characters and respectfully advances the story with humor, surprise and suspense. Anne De Bourgh may have been timid and pitiable in the original novel, but her makeover by Brocklehurst has given her more than a bit of the true Darcy spirit.

4 out of 5 Regency Stars

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