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An Unequal Marriage
This is a sequel to "Pemberley", which itself was a sequel to Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". The novel finds Darcy and Elizabeth's children putting a strain on their no-longer idyllic marriage.
Paperback
First published October 6, 1994
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About the author
Emma Tennant
81Ìýbooks35ÌýfollowersSince the early 1970s, when she was in her mid-thirties, Emma Tennant has been a prolific novelist and has established herself as one of the leading British exponents of "new fiction." This does not mean that she is an imitator of either the French nouveaux romanciers or the American post-modernists, although her work reveals an indebtedness to the methods and preoccupations of some of the latter. Like them, she employs parody and rewriting, is interested in the fictiveness of fiction, appropriates some science-fiction conventions, and exploits the possibilities of generic dislocation and mutation, especially the blending of realism and fantasy. Yet, although parallels can be cited and influences suggested, her work is strongly individual, the product of an intensely personal, even idiosyncratic, attempt to create an original type of highly imaginative fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 15, 2010
I seriously doubt this author had read the actual Pride and Pejudice or any other Austen’s work. If she has, may be she might have been thinking about another galaxy when she did or may be she got the original idea from Ms. Bingly and Lady Catherine.
She cannot have read it with any understanding or insight into the characters, because her Elizabeth and Darcy bear no resemblance to Jane's in anything but name. I'm glad I read a library copy so didn't contribute anything to her coffers or encourage her in any way to trash any more of Austen's work.
She cannot have read it with any understanding or insight into the characters, because her Elizabeth and Darcy bear no resemblance to Jane's in anything but name. I'm glad I read a library copy so didn't contribute anything to her coffers or encourage her in any way to trash any more of Austen's work.
June 12, 2017
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader who has finished reading must be in want of more.
After re-reading Pride and Prejudice for class, I was absolutely smitten with Jane Austen and the characters she had created. I wanted more. Since a sequel by Jane Austen was out of the question, I was super excited when I spotted An Unequal Marriage in the library. My school librarian has impeccable taste, so it didn't even cross my mind An Unequal Marriage might be bad. Lesson learned. Jane Austen is Jane Austen, and no one can truly capture her writing style ever again. The thing that made Jane Austen so, well, Jane Austen wasn't just that she wrote a cute love story with wit, but that, underneath it all, she had something to say.
At least I didn't read Tennant's first book. Do yourself a favor and don't even bother with this. If you're desperate, you canprobably find better fanfiction on the Internet.
After re-reading Pride and Prejudice for class, I was absolutely smitten with Jane Austen and the characters she had created. I wanted more. Since a sequel by Jane Austen was out of the question, I was super excited when I spotted An Unequal Marriage in the library. My school librarian has impeccable taste, so it didn't even cross my mind An Unequal Marriage might be bad. Lesson learned. Jane Austen is Jane Austen, and no one can truly capture her writing style ever again. The thing that made Jane Austen so, well, Jane Austen wasn't just that she wrote a cute love story with wit, but that, underneath it all, she had something to say.
At least I didn't read Tennant's first book. Do yourself a favor and don't even bother with this. If you're desperate, you can
May 7, 2010
I loathed this book.
None of the characters are Austen's. Elizabeth is suddenly an impossibly perfect Mary Sue; Darcy is suddenly a classist snob. The entire plot centres around a pathetic Big Misunderstanding that wouldn't even be possible if every character didn't act like an idiot. Lizzie becomes a strident, screeching stereotype of a feminist after she and Darcy have big fight and she stomps out, suddenly hating all men. Stops being a feminist instantly once shown that the Big Misunderstanding was totally her fault. Unfortunate implication: feminists are extremely stupid idiots who hate men.
None of the characters are Austen's. Elizabeth is suddenly an impossibly perfect Mary Sue; Darcy is suddenly a classist snob. The entire plot centres around a pathetic Big Misunderstanding that wouldn't even be possible if every character didn't act like an idiot. Lizzie becomes a strident, screeching stereotype of a feminist after she and Darcy have big fight and she stomps out, suddenly hating all men. Stops being a feminist instantly once shown that the Big Misunderstanding was totally her fault. Unfortunate implication: feminists are extremely stupid idiots who hate men.
April 11, 2010
An attempt to provide a sequel to Pride and Prejudice but it misses the mark.
After finishing Pride and Prejudice with Darcy and Elizabeth starting their life together and Darcy having lost his pride (when it comes to Elizabeth)this book seems to take a step backwards. I did not believe the charaterization of Darcy at all.
The only good thing I can say is that it is a very short book so it was quick to read.
After finishing Pride and Prejudice with Darcy and Elizabeth starting their life together and Darcy having lost his pride (when it comes to Elizabeth)this book seems to take a step backwards. I did not believe the charaterization of Darcy at all.
The only good thing I can say is that it is a very short book so it was quick to read.
March 10, 2008
Emma Tennant is too depressing for me... I believe that Elizabeth is smarter than this and that Mr. Darcy would share a bit more info with the love of his life.
November 4, 2010
I didn't like how Lizzy and Darcy's marriage was portrayed. I don't know why, but it just didn't ring true to me, like they fell out of love. Perhaps it's just me, but I couldn't get into it.
August 2, 2017
If I hadn't been 30,000 feet up in the air without anything else to read, I wouldn't have finished this book.
May 1, 2024
I really have mixed feelings about this book. I picked it up, thinking it a continuation of the classic story. However as I read on, my heart broke a little bit more. Told predominantly from Elizabeth‘s point of view, there were a few chapters of the excessive silliness of Mrs. Bennett, the Lucas’s and Mrs. Long. As the story proceeds, it seems that Elizabeth devolves into a suspicious and uncaring and almost adulterous individual. Darcy is portrayed with prejudice and very few meaningful exchanges in the novel. While, we do hear a bit about Miranda and Edward, everything comes across in a very dysfunctional way � which is inconsistent with everything I have come to know and understand about Darcy and Elizabeth. Needless to say, I was very disappointed by how I progressively felt worse as I read this story where all aspirations of meaningful personal connections and where love can conquer all were destroyed. A feeble attempt to resolve things was present at the end, but it was too little too late. I think the writing was acceptable and appropriate for this time. Still, I would not recommend this novel for anyone who is hoping for the, happily ever after that a Pride and Prejudice story used to promise. Author intent for the book probably with 4*’s, but my pleasure reading was 2*’s at most, thus my 3*rating.
November 22, 2018
The premise of this book is plausible, a continuation of "Pride and Prejudice". The "happily ever after" story. Tennant's writing style is good, a good-enough approximation of Austen's. The characters, however! Nothing like Jane Austen's! Elizabeth, who is smart, independent, and admirable in P & P, becomes a suspicious, anxious, angry wife and terrible mother? Not believable! Mr. Darcy, who overcomes his pride and prejudice to fall madly in love with Elizabeth Bennet, reverts to being a classist snob after marriage? Again, unbelievable.
The children, Miranda and Edward, are types, not rounded characters. Miranda is smart, winsome, and conscientious. Edward is a reckless gambler and rogue. Would Elizabeth Bennet really have raised such a son? No! The actions and personalities of all of the characters irritated me. This book is not worth reading.
The children, Miranda and Edward, are types, not rounded characters. Miranda is smart, winsome, and conscientious. Edward is a reckless gambler and rogue. Would Elizabeth Bennet really have raised such a son? No! The actions and personalities of all of the characters irritated me. This book is not worth reading.
January 23, 2021
Sorry, not a good book. It was a dreadful boring book and the characters bore as much resemblance to the original ones in Pride and Prejudice as a bad back. I must admit I bought it by mistake having read P D James Death comes to Pemberley several years ago which I found excellent but I misread the title and when I saw 'author or Pemberley' thought it was by the same author. A big mistake. I felt if I read one more line about Elizabeths ''dazzling beauty'' I would scream. Save yourself some disappointment and leave this on the shelf.
February 19, 2019
First half of the book was confusing and hard to get into. Last half was ok. Definitely NOT Austen quality
March 6, 2023
No. Just no- it was awful.
June 4, 2013
silly little me decided to check both books anyway, I didn;t finish either one, actually I gave up so fast (before you can say "are you trying to tempt me, Mrs. Robinson?")
but I stille feel the need to warn the lost souls out there; please, I beg you, do not read this book if what you're looking for is a continuation of . it is not.
just read all over again or another of books, it's better this way, trust me on this.
June 5, 2012
I should have read these reviews before reading this book. The character's personalities in this book did not fit the end of Pride and Prejudice at all. I feel like the author never wanted Darcy and Elizabeth to marry. It also bothered me that the author never mentions Georgiana. The worst P&P based book I have read.
December 22, 2008
A sequel to Pride and Prejudice this would today be referred to as Fanfic. It follows the lives of Darcy and Elizabeth and their children, the dissolute Edward and the almost-perfect MIranda.
Not as good as the original, it echoes Jane Austen but fails to reach the bar.
Not as good as the original, it echoes Jane Austen but fails to reach the bar.
December 22, 2011
This is likely the worst Pride and Prejudice sequel I've read. The character of Elizabeth Darcy nee Bennet in this story is whiny and not at all credible. The story itself is also far from credible. It's all very disappointing, indeed.
October 31, 2008
A sequel to Pride and Prejudice. I didn't feel it was very true to Darcy's character, although the style fit well with Jane Austen's books.
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March 10, 2009Not poorly written, but not my idea of Austen.
May 8, 2016
Very disappointing and uninteresting. The author has totally failed in trying to adopt Austen's tone and depth of character or plot. Don't waste your time.
March 4, 2009
Extra 1/2 star.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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