Conviction: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Rating:
Summary: A Refreshingly Good Sequel
Review: As a devoted Jane Austen fan, I have read dozens of sequels to her novels, and unfortunately, most fall far short. Not so with Conviction, the story of Georgiana Darcy's growth and love for vicar Jacob Markwood. Because he is a vicar, there is quite a bit of Christian theology in the book. While this may not be to everyone's tastes, as a hero, Markwood's idealism can melt hearts as much as Mr. Darcy himself.

Inasmuch as Conviction is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, I also view it as a parallel or mirror image to Jane Austen's Persuasion. Just as Anne Elliot relinquishes Wentworth at the persuasion of another, Georgiana struggles with herself as she chooses the man amongst her many admirers whom she loves with conviction.

Rating:
Summary: Who IS comparable to Jane Austen?
Review: Being a huge fan of the characters of Pride and Prejudice and it's author, I was keen to find a novel that could possibly pick up where the love story had ended. I searched Amazon.com for such a book, reading synopses and reviews and settled on "Conviction" as a possibility. I understood from reading the reviews, etc., that the book was not about Elizabeth and Darcy specifically, but about Georgiana Darcy instead. So please know that this was understood. But what I hadn't expected was the story lines to be so disjointed as to switch from Georgiana to several other characters in the story, some of which are new, therefore leaving the reader unattached to Georgiana's feelings as they were attached to Elizabeth's. But being the romantic that I am, I was still swayed by some of the more sentimental excerpts. Conviction is not a bad novel and it is unfair to compare anyone to Jane Austen, but I felt a little let down by the reviews that led me to purchase it.

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes interesting but at times incredibly dull.....
Review: I had high hopes for "Conviction" after having read the earlier reviews of this book. I love Jane Austen's novels and make every effort to read whatever 'sequel' it is that I could get my hands on.

"Conviction" heads off to a promising start. We are re-introduced to Georgiana Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, Caroline Bingley and Kitty Bennet. The story begins with Georgiana and her life after the marriage of her brother Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet. We are introduced to her many suitors including the odious Mr. Davidson and the promising Major Talbot and Jacob Markwood. Georgiana makes her choice early on the the story but starts having second thoughts when her bethroned leaves Derbyshire for Brighton and she gradually falls in love with someone else.

The story and the new characters are, for the most part, interesting. Unfortunately, shortly after the introduction of Jacob Markwood (a vicar), the reader becomes encumbered by the author's decision to let her characters carry on about their 'religious calling' or abolitionist beliefs. These 'rantings' sadly weigh the story down and are incredibly dull and boring. It zaps the life out of the story! Jane Austen was obviously smart enough to avoid this mistake with her characters - even with clergymen like Mr. Collins and Edward Bertram.

Another shortcoming is in the author's use of language throughout the book. At times I wonder if Ms. Burris had done any research on the customs and traditions of the Regency Period. For example, the book is peppered with terms such as "girlish crush" and other modern slang. The British (then and now) do not use the word "crush." It would have been more appropriate to use the term "girlish fancy" instead. Also, anyone familiar with Jane Austen's work would know that only vulgar women (like "Emma's" Mrs. Elton) would address a man without using "Mr." As such, a well-educated and accomplished young lady like Georgiana would never call her older brother "Darcy." Likewise, a vicar would never call Mr. Darcy (his employer and one who is far above him in station) "Darcy."

Fans of "Pride and Prejudice" may be disappointed because characters like Jane and Charles Bingley, Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley are barely in the book. They make 'cameo' appearances but are almost completely absent for most of the story. Early on it becomes clear that Georgiana and one of her specific suitors are the center of the story.

In short, I truly wanted to like "Conviction." There were moments when I liked it but the dullness and predictability sometimes outweighed the good. The tone is solemn and it lacks the humor and wit of Jane Austen's works. The plot is rather thin and the resolution regarding Kitty's romantic potential was quickly patched up. The author leads the reader to believe that a specific suitor is interested in Kitty, then at the last minute he changes his mind and she ends up with someone else (and a character who is barely mentioned in the book)!!

I much preferred Julia Barrett's sequel centering on Georgiana called "Presumption." It is a more coherent, interesting and better written book. "Conviction" is, unfortunately, one of the many mediocre sequels to Jane Austen's works. It had the potential and I truly wish that it had been better.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely a 5-star book!
Review: I have read a number of Jane Austen "continuations," both fanfiction and published. I have to say that this is a brilliant piece of literature, written in the author's own inimitable style. Her prose is both elegant and informative, weaving through the novel showing the hands of a master. I would, indeed, read anything that this author publishes.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant read.
Review: Loved this book, it is mainly about the growing up of Georgiana Darcy after the marriage of her brother to Elizabeth Bennet. It has many of the older loved characters from Pride and Prejudice but also some very good new ones. You could almost feel the pressure Georgiana was under when a young politican comes calling on her, he is so obnoxious but polite Georgiana puts up with him. You can see though this book how close Elizabeth and Georgiana become, as on many occasion Elizabeth sits with her whilst her unwelcome callers are there. Jane Elizabeth's sister has a young son and towards the end of the book Elizabeth and Darcy have a daughter.

Life is not easy for Georgiana as she becomes engaged to the wrong man but eventually all falls into place and she marries the man she loves.

I have read a few other books which have been dedicated to the growing up of Georgiana and found this to be one of the better ones. I can recommend this book to all Jane Austen sequel fans as a must.

Rating:
Summary: Great sequel!
Review: Ms. Burris' and Pamela Aidan's sequels to P&P are my faves! Both are absolutely awesome!

Rating:
Summary: Great sequel!
Review: Ms. Burris' and Pamela Aidan's sequels to P&P are my faves! Both are absolutely awesome!

Rating:
Summary: Conviction
Review: This book was so interesting that I wanted to read Pride and Prejudice. Then I read Conviction a second time and enjoyed getting acquainted with the characters again and loved meeting the new ones. The Vicar, Mr. Markwood, was especially interesting to me. I thought the author presented the characters in a lively way enabling the reader to like or dislike them. The characters seemed very real and for the most part the dialogue enabled me to picture them in my mind and to live with them through the book.

Rating:
Summary: Georgiana Darcy is a Heroine!
Review: What I enjoyed most about this book is that it made Georgiana Darcy a heroine that the readers can enjoy. All other sequels of Pride and Prejudice have made her demure, quiet, and shy. Here we discover another layer to charater, in fact we discover many layers. She is intelligent, brave, witty, and passionate! We are not the only ones, though. Someone in the book itself makes the same dscovery.

It was a very entertaining story not only becuase the reader can admire and love Georgiana as they loved Elizabeth Bennet, they are taken through a very diverting story with all of the old favorites returning from Pride and Prejudice. Not to mention that Kitty Bennet has a nice character development.

Give it a read, I am sure you will like it and not be able to put it down!!