“Mr. Darcy’s Complex Courtship” by Kelly Miller

I cannot get enough of Kelly Miller ‘Pride and Prejudice’ variations. They are everything a true Jane Austen fan can ask for and more.

So many times after rereading – yet again – one of Jane Austen books, I was left craving for more. More interactions between the characters, more dialogue where they express their feelings and thoughts, more scenes involving the secondary characters. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are among my all-time favourite book characters. I love them probably more than Scarlett and Rhett Butler. Well, who can really love Scarlett? Only Mr. Butler, but, anyway, I digress. I used to feel deprived after finishing an umpteenth ‘Pride and Prejudice’ reread. A friend of mine gifted me an Austen variation, knowing that I am a huge fan, but it was so disappointing that I never picked up another one. Until I became acquainted with Ms. Miller’s work. From the time I read the first book by this author, I was hooked.

“Mr. Darcy’s Complex Courtship” doesn’t disappoint. It has all the ingredients a Jane Austen admirer wishes to see in her books’ variations. Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy and others feel familiar and the Regency era setting is beautifully portrayed. I love how Kelly Miller balances the plot, mixing the characteristic scenes for that period with twists and turns a modern reader expects to find in a book. A friend once told me that she couldn’t read ‘Pride and Prejudice” since, quoting: ‘Nothing happens there at all.’ Although I ardently disagree with that statement – not discarding her opinion – her words came to my mind in connection with Ms. Miller’s work. A lot happens in her stories! Enough to keep even the most demanding reader turning the pages until the very end.

“Mr. Darcy’s Complex Courtship” is no exception. Dark family secrets get revealed and passions boil behind the stilted facades of the rich and the powerful of London high society. After one question gets answered, the next one arises, and you just cannot stop reading. I finished the book in three sittings.

I liked seeing more of Mrs Gardiner and Lydia in this variation. Also, the London setting felt like a balm to my soul that has recently begun feeling nostalgic pangs due to not visiting the magnificent capital of Great Britain for too long. Mr. Bennet, although one of my favourites, in this particular variation, shows us the unattractive side of his stubbornness, which usually is considered his endearing trait.

I highly recommend “Mr. Darcy’s Complex Courtship” by Kelly Miller to all Jane Austen fans and also to those who are curious about the era.