Recollections of Rosings: The acclaimed Pride and Prejudice sequel series (The Pemberley Chronicles)
The eighth of Rebecca Ann Collins' sequels to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice revolves around the children and grandchildren of a secondary character from the original book. The narrative begins with a fire at Rosings, the estate of the late Lady Catherine de Bourgh. John Adams, the somewhat mysterious curator of the estate, must handle calamity while trying to impress his love interest Lilian Harrison, the fragile daughter of Catherine Harrison and Dr. Harrison, and granddaughter of Mr. Collins. Dr. Harrison takes ill and dies shortly after the arrival of Mr. Frank Burnett, the former librarian at Rosings, now returned to help restore the estate's treasures. As Catherine reads her old diaries, she recalls she and Mr. Burnett were once quite friendly, and eventually discovers the late Lady Catherine's interference in that friendship. Interwoven into these meanderings is the story of Becky Tate, Lilian's aunt, who lives in London. Though Catherine and Lilian center the story, various and sundry Darcys, Collinses, Bingleys, and Bennetts are constantly referenced, often in a trivial manner that proves difficult to track. Stylized yet methodical-almost plodding-writing results in a slow read, likely to appeal only to staunch fans.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.