Sep 24, 2009

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini is loosely based upon Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Fitzwilliam Darcy is the youngest judge appointed to the bench of San Francisco and Meryton is not a town in England, but a town outside of San Francisco, California. Elizabeth Bennet is an attorney with Gardiner & Associates, and the lead attorney is not her uncle Mr. Gardiner, but her boss. California has laws about fraternization between judges and attorneys who work on the same cases, and when sparks fly between Elizabeth and Will, it becomes a sticky situation.

"'So, what are you doing during the first two weeks of June?' Jane asked. Elizabeth switched the phone cradle to her other ear and spread the California Bar Journal in the desk before her.

'Um, same thing as usual. Bill ten hours and work fourteen. Go home, eat Lean Cuisine over the sink, and go to bed convinced I'm never going to meet Mr. Right. I blame Mom. Oh, and I'll probably have Lou give me a massage.'" (Page 63 of ARC)

Angelini has a brash style all her own in this modern take on these famous characters, but readers could find the explicit sex scenes and sometimes crass language tough to take if they are looking for the same Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam. However, The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy exhibits the dynamics of modern relationships well, from the frenzied first glimpses of attraction to the obsessive first moments together and more.

Elizabeth and Darcy spar well in the courtroom before they realize their attraction, but attorneys, clients, and readers will cringe at the biting remarks they make to one another in the courtroom following a break from the realities of California.

"'How did it go?' he asked anxiously.

'I've got competition,' Elizabeth replied.

'Lady Boobs-a-Lot?' he asked, referring to Caroline.

'Yep. She's catty too.'

'I know you. You can match her bitch-slap for bitch-slap.'" (Page 251 of ARC)

Readers will enjoy this retelling, though they should expect differences in the characters' personalities from Elizabeth's greater outspoken nature and stubbornness to Lou Hurst, Elizabeth's gay friend and confidante. Jane is in the novel with Bingley--both work at the hospital in Meryton--but their love story is more of a sideline and is derailed less by Darcy and more by Jane's need to defend her sister against Bingley's sister, Caroline.

Overall, The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini could have been its own stand-alone chicklit novel without the references to Pride & Prejudice, but the modern spin Angelini gives to the characters and the plot makes the novel a quick, fun read. A great way to spend a lazy afternoon.



Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing the advanced readers copy of The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy. Stay tuned for a guest post from Sara Angelini on Sept. 28, 2009 with a giveaway.

This is the second book or third item I've completed for the Everything Austen Challenge 2009.



21 comments:

Violet said...

This book sounds so cute, love the cover too.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Very cute! I always shake my head at all the Austen spinoffs, but you have to admit, the plot of P&P is so perfect for a love story. I like that quote. I think I'd like a little foul-mouthed sass between these two!

Veens said...

Oh wow.. sounds really cute... God! the 3rd person to think the same thing :)

Anna said...

Sounds like a fun book. The quotes you posted certainly are entertaining.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Blodeuedd said...

This one sounds so fun :D
I do wanna read it

DCMetroreader said...

The cover reminds me of the character from Legally Blond for some reason (maybe the pink?). Anyway, this looks like a light fun read. Its nice to see a modern twist on Auesten's work.

Julie P. said...

Yay! I'm glad to hear this is a cute one because I have it in my pile!

L said...

I think I'd like this one. I'm finding I'm more into the Austen fan fic that branches out on its own instead of trying so hard to mimic Austen's style and words. That gets old after awhile.
This one sounds new and fresh.
Thanks for the review!

Unknown said...

You have found some great P & P versions! This one sounds fun.

bermudaonion said...

This does sound like a lot of fun!

Laurel Ann (Austenprose) said...

This is an interesting contemporary P&P. Even though it has been very modernized it still sounds like fun. From your review, I think I will enjoy this fresh take on classic.

Andreea said...

I am a huge Austen fan and this books sounds good. Thanks for your lovely review!

The Bookworm said...

This does sound very cute!
I tend to go for anything Austen related.
The bitch-slap for bitch-slap comment is funny!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

sara said...

Wow, I'm so happy that so many of you are interested in my story. Writing this book was sooooo much fun and I hope that comes through for anyone who reads it. I can't compete with Jane Austen, all I can do is honor her with my very tongue-in-cheek homage.
Sara

Pam said...

Oh how fun! The cover reminds me somehow of Legally Blonde...

Pam said...

Just realized someone else said pretty much the same thing...Great minds think alike? P&P is so popular right now! I really like the looks of this modern day version though.

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

This sounds like a fun twist to P&P - I can't wait to read it. Nice review!

Jenny N. said...

This sounds like a nice light romantic read. And who doesnt like sex scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy.

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

Sounds like a fun book-I love retellings of P&P but have become somewhat picky after a few bad ones. Also thanks for the warning about explicit sex scenes-I don't mind but I like being informed.

holdenj said...

I usually like Austen send-ups and this seems to fit the bill. I like that even tho the cover evokes images of Legally Blonde for me, your review does tell of a bit grittier tale! Which is probably good for the 21 century E/D!

Heather G. said...

I've heard good things about this one! Great review and fun blog!