Jane Austen Sequels- Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, by Joan Aiken
In this sequel to Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Joan Aiken, Lady Catherine is true to form in not wanting to see her nephew wed Elizabeth Bennet and being willing to do what ever it takes to stop such a wretched event from taking place. She suddenly she finds she has less time to worry about their nuptials as life takes a few unexpected turns. Lady Catherine has harbored the intention of having Fitzwilliam wed her daughter Anne for decades, although life suddenly gives her more than a few road blocks to achieving her goals. Several mysterious visitors who arrive during a spring snow storm which finds Lady Catherine and her family getting involved in some drama and intrigue. The main characters in this particular story are Anne de Bourgh and Maria Lucas. With Mrs. Bennet already deceased, Mr. Bennet soon follows leaving the Longbourn Estate in the hands of the bumbling Mr. Collins.
Aiken invites you to get to know the young girls on a much more personal level. Anne is all of 19 years of age and enjoys taking long walks. She is portrayed as a defiant yet compassionate soul that befriends a gardener along the way, ignoring the differences in their social status. Maria is sensitive, sensible and very musically adept becomes her friend and confidant.
There are mixed reviews about this particular work of Ms. Aiken’s, although most of the negative reviews have come from Pride and Prejudice purists who prefer their sequels to adhere more closely to canon. People do not generally care too much for the mean spirited character of Lady Catherine, although it is most satisfying to finally see her get her just desserts. And, also, just as true is that most prefer all of the original characters are still living rather than deceased. For those who yearn for more Darcy and Elizabeth, rather than the development of more minor characters, this is not the story for you. It is a different pace than the traditional Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam love story, although it does have its romantic moments and is a satisfying read for most Pride and Prejudice fans.
The story has a few twists and turns you may not see coming as the grand Lady is caught off guard while relaxing at her estate of Rosings Park. There is a surprising Spring blizzard, a carriage accident and some unexpected guests that all seem to bring disruption to the Lady’s wedding plans for Anne, much to her increasing vexation. Fans of the original work have mostly agreed that this author does keep to the style of writing that is similar to Ms. Austen’s own, albeit in her in her own unique voice. If you have enjoyed her other works, you should also greatly enjoy reading this book.
Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.
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