Genre: Romance
Published: Nov. 2009, 352 pgs.
ARC
Review: 3.5/5 stars
Most Jane Austen "sequels" that I've ever seen are about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Willoughby's Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistable Temptation continues the story of Marianne and Colonel Brandon. As the title suggests, Willoughby comes back to the neighborhood and stirs up a little mischief for Marianne. The story is predictable and a little cliched at times but I enjoyed it. I wish that Eleanor had played a bigger part in the book but it was fun to get to know Margaret and Marianne a little more (as seen through the eyes of Jane Odiwe). Marianne has matured and grown a little more sensible but she is still very much the old romantic Marianne. If you like Jane Austen sequels, this one would be a fun choice.
Reading this story about Marianne and wishing that there was more about Eleanor made me wonder about what other people think about these characters. When I read or watch Sense and Sensibility, I'm all about Eleanor and Edward. Marianne is just a side story that I don't care about very much. She kind of bugs me, to be honest, but I love everything about Eleanor. What do you think about Marianne and Eleanor?
Rating: 1.1.1 Very clean read
6 comments:
Ha! I am so with you on this one. Marianne drives me nuts. She is a 'Lydia' type character, but not half so annoying. I do have some sympathy for Marianne and none at all for Lydia. I also really like Colonel Brandon, so that makes me more bugged at silly Marianne :-)
I love Eleanor and Edward's story.
I think i'll check this book out though, it sounds like a light, fun read. Thanks!
I have never read any of the Jane Austen sequels. As for Marianne and Eleanor, I like them both. For me Sense and Sensibility was about both sisters, and I could relate to both, whereas in Pride and Prejudice, I liked Lizzy and felt it was very much her story and Jane was the side story. I could not relate to Jane's quiet character as I am an extrovert. Funny, huh?
I haven't read an Austen sequel either. There are so many! I may need to check this one out as my first Austen spin-off.
I don't remember Marianne bugging me but I do remember not taking her very seriously.
I totally relate to Eleanor. She is so much more like me than Marianne although in Pride and Prejudice, I relate better to Elizabeth because Jane is too quiet and reserved. It's a puzzle.
Hi everyone!
I just thought I'd pop by to say hello - I wanted to add that I love Elinor and Edward too, but of course, as a writer characters that have flaws are much more fun to write about. For me, Elinor and Edward have the perfect marriage and I wanted to leave it there. Marianne, I thought, would encounter more struggles along the way to perfect happiness!
Also, Willoughby's Return has Margaret's very romantic love story running alongside, which is just as important to the whole plot!
You may be interested to know that my next book is a Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana - Mr Darcy's Secret - out in Spring 2011.
I relate to Elinor much more than Marianne, but that might be my own "sensible" personality speaking. Marianne does aggravate me to no end in S&S, and I don't know how I feel about her "ending up" with Col. Brandon, who is probably too good for her. However, I like how both sisters change to be a little less unbalanced - becoming just a little more like the other!
Do para-quote some Austin critic I read, I think Marianne steals the show in the book. She makes me laugh more than she annoys me. I love her despite her flaws.
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