Title: Georgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued
Author: Anna Elliot
Published: April 20th 2011
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency

Skip ahead to section that says review if you don't want to hear me ramble about the preludes of me reading this book. Instead of studying and working on an assignment, I spent my early morning finishing the rest of Georgiana Darcy's Diary. In truth, I started reading this book while on the can so I didn't feel guilty about reading while I was supposed to be earning my grades.

If anyone knows me, I cannot resist a good Regency novel, especially one that involves Jane Austen and her characters. And when I saw that it was free, I snapped it up immediately because well, who cannot resist a free book. (I've got a huge collection of free books on Kobo ever since I discovered the beauty that is BookBub who never fails to update me on new books. Check them out on Facebook and see if you can find a few steals as well)

I won't give away too many spoilers because for one, I can't remember well or am articulate enough to recount the whole novel or give away any spoilers.

Review:

First and foremost, I enjoyed Elliot's take on Pride and Prejudice immensely and I couldn't put it down. Immediately after I finished Georgiana Darcy's Diary, I wanted to read the continuation. Unfortunately, it wasn't free.

I avoid reading Pride and Prejudice sequels mainly because I can't imagine having my most favourite characters in the world ruined by some writer who fails to capture what I imagine Elizabeth or Darcy is like. (My fault but I digress, most of P&P sequels are awfully written) I previously have read a sequel about Mary Bennett and that wasn't too bad so Georgiana Darcy, why not? She was a minor character and could use some imagination (and liberty) to bring her to life. Written in journal/diary format (as the title says), it centers the novel around Georgiana and her thoughts, bringing extreme life to a girl who was so often associated with George Wickham.

1. As with sequels who take minor characters and make them major, I expected that there would be a massive epiphany where they come out of their shells or grow from dowdy ladies to beautiful lilies on a summer's pond. Elliot didn't disappoint where the once shy and pitiful Georgiana bloomed into a fiery, headstrong woman of nineteen in a manner of pages. Of course, I found it pretty hilarious since that is pretty much the guidelines of bringing minor characters to life. You have to make them a round character or there wouldn't be much story to tell. I wouldn't say I am extremely pleased with turning her so sharply into a bold character, it was a necessary move on the part of Elliot.
2. I loved how Elliot turned a minor and shy character into a vibrant young woman that you want to cheer and root for. She took quiet, pitiable Georgiana and gave her some wits and some bravery and some ability to take initiative. It was nail-biting to watch Georgiana grow and battle with her inner shyness. And once she bloomed, it was wonderful to watch her often doubt herself. All in all, Elliot portrayed Georgiana wonderfully and I think a lot of young women who are just coming out of their shells can relate. Although I can't say that Elliot's Georgiana is the role model for shy wallflowers who want to become firehouses but she does show that shyness can be overcome. And that bravery is one of the better qualities to possess
• Not to mention, Georgiana is portrayed as a regular young woman and readers come to associate her with her own characteristics rather than the girl who was conned by Wickham.
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh, although received a brunt of the expected negativity, she was humanised as well. 
3. Elliot made her book accessible. Readers who have never read or heard of (likely story) P&P would be able to pick this book up and read it without being confused. For one, in one of the earlier chapters, Elliot makes it a point to introduce readers to the characters. It seemed a bit odd for me (since I am familiar with P&P) but perhaps to non-Jane Austen fans, it would be a good introduction to the characters.

Of course, I have some grievances which became more prominent towards the end of the novel. It felt like the ending was rushed and things seemed more manufactured (duh, it's a novel) than the chips simply falling into place.

1. Halfway through the book, I realised that something was a bit off with the language in the sense that it was far too modern. Of course, having read way too many Regency-era novels, this isn't too big a problem since it's to make the book as accessible as possible to the public. However, when you consider that it is JANE FUCKING AUSTEN, the extreme modernity of the book is slightly put-offing. I honestly doubt a nineteen year old Regency girl would write like that in her diary.
2. Often times, throughout the book, Elizabeth Bennett is described as playing the pianoforte. To my knowledge, Elizabeth does not play the piano. At all. The pianoforte is Mary Bennett's forte, no pun intended. And if my P&P memory serves me, she has spoken ill of these "supposed" talents that young ladies are supposed to possess.
•  Furthermore, Elizabeth sings. Elizabeth Anne Bennett does not sing. Maybe in private and to Fitzwilliam (Darcy) only but hell no would Elizabeth ever sing in public. Not even to Georgiana, much as she adores her sister-in-law (in Elliot's novel).
3. Somehow, Edward (Darcy)'s trauma from the war seems pretty...mild. Considering that he experiences flashes of the war in ballrooms, suffers from nightmares and doesn't fit in to society, I figured that his PTSD would cause him to react more. Perhaps it is because I am enamoured with Lisa Kleypas' Love in the Afternoon where her hero is in the same place as Edward. His (Christopher Phelan) seems so much more real and poignant than Edward who seems merely to be feigning PTSD.