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Nice work if you can get it
Sep. 28th, 2011 07:54 pmPD James has written a new novel. It’s a murder mystery. It’s also Pride and Prejudice fanfiction. Courtesy of the Guardian, I give you Death Comes to Pemberley.
As the press release puts it: "The year," runs the press release, "is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome and healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered."
Faber and Faber say, “the brilliance of both the idea and the execution on this occasion is simply breathtaking”. I don’t know about you, but I am dazzled by the originality of the premise, both the genre mix and the plot summary. Who could have thought it? (I’ve never actually read any James - keep meaning to and it keeps not happening – and she is reviewed as a very good writer, but a quick Google has found both Darkness at Pemberley (by TH White!) and The Phantom of Pemberley, and that’s without even looking at non-commercial fanfic.) Or maybe I should stop bitching and finish something myself.
On another note, I observed the Doctor’s comment on last week’s Doctor Who apropos kissing:
“Bit out of practice, but I’ve had some wonderful feedback.”
What with the evening dress complete with top hat and cane with gadget in the top, is Matt Smith/Stephen Moffatt making a bid for a new set of Wimsey adaptions? Excessive height notwithstanding (though he’s only got two inches on Peter*), it would be an intriguing prospect, just as long as they get me to do the script editing.
*That said, I think an argument can be made that Peter’s five foot nine is like my five foot seven, that is, over generous.
As the press release puts it: "The year," runs the press release, "is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome and healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered."
Faber and Faber say, “the brilliance of both the idea and the execution on this occasion is simply breathtaking”. I don’t know about you, but I am dazzled by the originality of the premise, both the genre mix and the plot summary. Who could have thought it? (I’ve never actually read any James - keep meaning to and it keeps not happening – and she is reviewed as a very good writer, but a quick Google has found both Darkness at Pemberley (by TH White!) and The Phantom of Pemberley, and that’s without even looking at non-commercial fanfic.) Or maybe I should stop bitching and finish something myself.
On another note, I observed the Doctor’s comment on last week’s Doctor Who apropos kissing:
“Bit out of practice, but I’ve had some wonderful feedback.”
What with the evening dress complete with top hat and cane with gadget in the top, is Matt Smith/Stephen Moffatt making a bid for a new set of Wimsey adaptions? Excessive height notwithstanding (though he’s only got two inches on Peter*), it would be an intriguing prospect, just as long as they get me to do the script editing.
*That said, I think an argument can be made that Peter’s five foot nine is like my five foot seven, that is, over generous.