Is Death Comes to Pemberley worth reading? (Book & BBC Miniseries Review)

[@darleehart9782]

I know you mentioned the fact that a character will often claim that some event will never happen and then of course it does. I’ve been meaning to write an in-depth blog about this phenomenon in Pride and Prejudice. Because if you pay attention, the entire plot it’s pushed forward by people saying something will never happen and therefore jinxing themselves and that very thing happened. Examples: Elizabeth says Charlotte would never marry someone with no expectation of ever loving the person or despite the person’s flaws, Elizabeth said she would never dance with Mr. Darcy, someone says Mr. Darcy is definitely not at Pemberley at the moment, Mr. Darcy said Elizabeth is definitely not handsome enough to tempt him, Elizabeth says there’s no way that Wickham could invent such a history, Mr. Bennett says that Lydia is too poor to be an object of prey, Elizabeth says that she knows for a fact that Darcy hates her as much as she hates him, Mr. Bennett says that Mr. and Mrs. Wickham would never be welcome at Longborne, Mr. Collins tells Elizabeth that she’s unlikely to ever get another proposal of marriage, and it goes on and on and on. I think this might be a fun topic for a video. You’d do it way better than me.

[@melissacorbett4180]

I never thought about it that way, but actually this is a really good point!

[@DezMarivette]

You make some brilliant points! I love that!

[@megan2176]

Yes!! Well said! I'd love to see a video on this!! :)

[@hananel5546]

YES!!! Having read the book then watched the 2005 movie and the 1995 mini-series all in barely two weeks, this was one of the details that kept on striking me. Every time someone would say something would never happen, it would end up happening. Please do link us to your blog post if you made a point about this. I would love to read it.

[@chizzieshark]

Wow, I never noticed this!

[@CH-oy5mt]

Lydia was going to crash a ball she wasn't invited to sounds like a very lydia thing to do.

[@EllieDashwood]

Right? Spot on. 😂

[@Andrea_of_AtLastCrochet]

My husband and I watched this mini series and it was really enjoyable. It's a fun possible future for Lizzie and Darcy. Lydia is still ridiculous and so is Mrs. Bennet. It was nice to see a little maturity from Lydia when she thinks she is going to lose Wickham when she admits that Lizzie is stronger and able to deal with reality better than her, short lived as it was.

[@TJAllenwood]

I doubt I will read the book but I will look for this movie. Any period drama will usually do for me.

[@EllieDashwood]

Yay! I hope you’ll enjoy it!

[@birgitpost3675]

I feel the same way that you do about sequels/spin-offs, especially spin-offs of Austen works. I always refused to check out this book and didn't know that there was a mini-series. I will now watch the series on your recommendation. Thanks for that!

[@MegaDmama]

Love it, not because it’s particularly good, but because I need more of Lizzie and Darcy in my life and will take what I can get! 😂. I have also read For Myself Alone, The Darcys of Pemberly and Darcy and Elizabeth, a Season of Courtship with varying degrees of enjoyment.

[@RitGlobe]

I’ve never discussed this book/miniseries with anyone excluding my husband who…doesn’t really care, but he listens and nods appropriately, so I was so excited to stumble upon this video! I agree completely. The miniseries was way better.

[@PeaWade]

I feel so related 😅 discussing about to someone who doesn't care

[@cmm5542]

That's what husbands are for 😂

[@juliakay6204]

As much as I love Anna Maxwell Martin as an actress, she did not embody Elizabeth for me. She played a very somber & dramatic character and none of Lizzie’s wit and cleverness was presented. It probably had to do with the writing as well but I didn’t like that part of the adaptation. Lydia and Darcy seemed much more accurate.

[@a.mariedixon-jenkins]

Darcy is the same, well because he is Darcy. Lydia will probably be same silly, self-centered and spoiled person at 50. Looked at the mother, she is the same. Elizabeth is now a wife, mother and mistress of Pemberley. Most people do change when they get older and have more responsibilities in life.

[@hjpngmw]

I thought that Lizzy's insecurities and all around lack of vivacity were a combination of pregnancy hormones, grief for her dying friend, and stress due to the trial and having to entertain her most trying relatives (Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, and Lady Catherine) all while trying to be a good mother to a toddler and run a large house without her husband's support.

[@profsalam524]

Agreed. She was great in North and South but she was not a good fit for Elizabeth Bennet.

[@antonellakennedy9564]

@@hjpngmw saw

[@michaelplunkett8059]

Too pouty, distracted. Jennifer Ehle managed to ne winsome, charming and engaged.

[@atthebridge]

PD James wrote literary fiction masquerading as genre fiction. As such she's always more interested in the impact of the plot on the characters rather than the plot itself. She's having fun in this book, but it's probably not one of her very best.

[@deborahschuler8826]

It is fan fiction. I know it was written by a well-known author, but it is still fan fiction.

[@gisawslonim9716]

She was also very old when she wrote it...she did see it published and actually went around book fairs advertising it and making appearances which was astounding as she was in her 90s but the novel falls flat and does not really work (not as well as it should).

[@oekmama]

Read the book. I wasn’t a P.D. James fan beforehand, but I loved that it was a sequel. I think your rehash comment reminds me of why the book didn’t stick in my memory. Felt like a book written by assistants then copy-pasted together.

[@EllieDashwood]

I wonder if that was what happened. That would make sense. 🤔

[@ShyyGaladriel]

Question! Have you ever seen the Miniseries Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell? I feel like you would like it.

[@lisabeason6761]

Never had a clue this existed. But now 3 hours later I love the Darcy's more than ever. So glad I fell down a long wormhole to find you. Can't wait to watch all of your content and waiting on future videos!

[@annagrass4619]

One of my favorite riffs on Jane Austen! Right up there with the Seth Graham Smith book.

[@robinbirdj743]

This was neither classic literature nor history, yet I thank you for making this video. You gave enough insight and opinion to let me know that reading Death at Pemberly is not Mycroft of tea, do to speak. But I subscribed, and WILL watch the miniseries, Lord willing.

[@Dianaemanuel]

The finest book I have read regarding Jane Austen spin-offs is Jo Baker's superb 'Longbourn'. Imagine the events of Pride and Prejudice but told by one of the servants, Sarah. The prose is beautifully executed and it is such a refreshing approach. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[@brookedowd7747]

JUST FINISHED WATCHING IT AND LOVED IT AND I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TELL ME ABOUT THE BOOK AND THIS IS PERFECT!! the best part about consuming new ja media is your videos!!

[@BetCsu]

Have you seen the ‘Lost in Austen’ mini series? If so, what’s your opinion of it. I loved it because I think they did a great job paying tribute to Jane Austen’s book.

[@saraharnold6548]

Sorry… I disagree, I reckon it made a mockery of the story!

[@istara]

I loved it, because it's as much a homage to the 1995 BBC version as the book. It's more of a pastiche of that adaptation than the novel itself.

[@mayloo2137]

I enjoyed watching that miniseries. I had watched the actress before.

[@stargirl2477]

Oh my gosh, I read that book. Surprisingly I liked it and thought that it brought something new to Darcy and Eliza's life after the novel, though most of the P&P books I see are either continuations of the story, what if scenarios, or throw in supernatural elements. Wickham and Lydia I felt were very in character from the first P&P novel, especially Wickham and his horrible antics. Eliza and Darcy I felt were in character for the most part of the book- as in I could buy why Darcy did not want to help Wickham given his antics. The book carried over Darcy being nice to his staff, which I liked. Have not seen the miniseries yet.

[@janedoefamily6458]

I didn't like "Death Comes to Pemberley" at all. Jane Austen's characters are real in my head, too. So, I'll just keep rereading the original book instead of trying more fanfiction. :) I still enjoyed your review and might give the miniseries a chance.

[@EllieDashwood]

It’s so true, Austen characters are so hard to capture!

[@kristispangler9435]

I can empathize. It can definitely feel risky, but I would like to recommend The Other Bennet Sister. Perhaps listen to the Audible sample to see if it captures any interest? I was very surprised and extremely pleased with how this author seemed to capture the spirit of these characters and offer a highly plausible next chapter in the story. I would say it's one of my favorites now. If you do give it a try, I'd be interested in your thoughts. :)

[@katesendegeya864]

@@kristispangler9435 Excellent book, though not at all kind to the original "nice" characters. Who would have thought Mr. Collins could be a tragic romantic hero????

[@ellewelle401]

Austen's work is really hard to do justice for someone from our time to write fanfic or a pastiche off. For one, because her characters are very detailed, very fleshed out, for another she was a master of using language - I have never read any other author who could with one simple sentence dig an insult in through your heart and turn it around. One of the factors is also that if you spend you whole life writing five or six novels, without the burden of full-time work to pay your bills or distractions of tv and internet, you have loads of time to hone every word in your novel and what fanfic writers does have the time? Even successful authors usually have to churn out three to four books per year to make a living.

[@cmm5542]

@@kristispangler9435 That was SO good! I usually roll my eyes indulgently at fanfiction, thinking: as a fellow fan, I support you expressing your love of the story any way you wish, but you can't write for beans, honey. But the Other Bennet Sister was so good and insightful - I identify so much with Mary, as an annoying philosophy-quoter always buried in a book except when taking any opportunity to sing in public whether anyone wants to hear me or not - yep, that's me. But I'm still human, so I'm so glad someone took the time to show Mary was too. I did wish the love story had been a bit more unique, but that's a tough call especially if you're trying to be true to another author's style - I couldn't do it at all!

[@Marielusi]

Bit late to the party, but: I read the book and watched the mini series. And to me in the end it didn't matter to me, if I liked the plot and stuff, but what I LOVED was that the consequences of the merriages in the originals were explored. I always found that Austen's outlook was a bit too romantic and living happily ever after. Because wealth doesn't mean freedom, security and independance. Cancelling culture existed back then as well and Darcy risked a lot by marrying Lizzie. (And yes, I loved the series more than the book, because Maxwell Martin and Rhys where amazing. Even if a lot of people still have that perfect image of Keira Knightley as Lizzy and thought Anna not fitted for the role which is just mean an disregards her great acting.)

[@yvettescheiman4991]

Ma Lu Se, I absolutely agree. Maxwell is a wonderful actress and she brought an intelligence and maturity to the role that one would expect after motherhood and marriage experience.

[@chizzieshark]

Perhaps take a broader view next time you re-read "P&P". Yes, the marriages for Lizzy and Jane are romantic, but it's not happily ever after just because they got married - they still have to deal with each other's families, but overall they are happy because they chose the right spouse. Austen's novels are full of unhealthy marriages - in P&P alone, we have Mr & Mrs Bennett, Mr & Mrs Hurst, Charlotte & Mr Collins, Lydia & Wickham. Each one of these couples explores the consequences of making an unwise match.

[@Marielusi]

@@chizzieshark But I was talking about Lizzie and Darcy's marriage. I'm fully aware of all the other marriages with their sadder outcomes. But the repercussions of Darcy's choice had to lead to in high society weren't explored. At the end there was just a short mention of Miss Bingley and Lady Catherine and how indignant they were.

[@billylin5404]

I actually read the book in 2012, so later on when the mini series came out, I watched with some expectations. I agree with your comments about the book and the mini series, and I appreciate how the mini series gave Elizabeth a much more important role since she became the one who played out some of the most essential events that would affect the outcome of the story. And honestly, based on the characters of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in P&P, I could easily see her taking up those actions as portrayed in the mini series instead of Mr. Darcy (as the book described).

[@kimm.7116]

I found your channel yesterday, Ellie, and I'm so glad I did. You are absolutely correct that this is one of the few times a film version is superior to the book. I found the book very disappointing, but the miniseries was very entertaining. I appreciate correct opinions (aka, those that agree with my own ;) ).

[@cmm5542]

Lol.

[@bookmouse2719]

I enjoyed Death Comes to Pemberley miniseries....like a peak into what could happen in another time-line. I didn't like what they did to Coronel Fitzwilliam though.

[@EllieDashwood]

I think that's the number 1 complaint I've heard about Death Comes to Pemberley! Their turning Colonel Fitzwilliam into a villain was an interesting choice. 😂

[@erinobrien8793]

I read it when it was published. I was so disappointed that PD James made Colonel Fitzwilliam to be devious, etc. I thought of all the characters in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, Fitzwilliam was one the kindest gentleman to Elizabeth and genuine friend and champion to Darcy.

[@beabarber4300]

I'm a bit late to this party but .... for what it's worth. There are two authors that imo actually do justice to the Austen spinoff/pastiche genre. One is Joan Aiken - she takes a minor character from one of the Austen works and does a full work up of their backstory and trajectory after the Austen works finish. Notable being her book Jane Fairfax (Emma), but there are several others. The Sense & Sensibility one Eliza's Daughther details Marianne's, and Willoughby's, trajectories is dark but satisfying. Aiken's work can be quite dark but is richly textured and a good read in its own right though it helps to have read Austen. The other one I enjoy is Elizabeth Aston's take - much lighter and frothier but still very good fun and quite plausible. Notable is Mr Darcy's Daughters. Aston concentrates on Lizzy & Darcy's offspring, giving them a mixture of traits from both parents (and their families) - with sometimes hilarious results. The elephant in the room, of course, is Georgette Heyer. I would not call Heyer's books Austen pastiche though.

[@sakurayuki8391]

I have seen the series and I didn't like it. I could forgive that they had Wickham come to Pemberley (something that JA said never happened) or that they made Colonel Fitzwilliam a creep, but the character of Elizabeth was a such a let down. She was meek and so boring.

[@EllieDashwood]

Which is saying something, because compared to the novel version of Death Comes to Pemberley, they had seriously tried to amp up Elizabeth's role in the series. 😂

[@PeaWade]

I didn't like the character of Lizzie either. And I think the actress was not the right one

[@carolelindagonzalez1087]

@@PeaWade Totally agree about the actress being not right to play Elizabeth.

[@perdidoatlantic]

I’ve seen it. Worth it. Very enjoyable. Suggestion: suspend disbelief.

[@cynthiahabetz3585]

Lizzy and Darcy live in my head, too, and I did not like the choice of actor and actress for their parts in the miniseries.

[@renshiwu305]

Matthew Goode was the best Mr. Wickham I've ever seen. A very credible ne'er-do-well but also smooth and charming.

[@KitD2365]

I saw the miniseries before picking up the book. I expected the book to be better and was astonished at all its weaknesses. I guess even P.D. James can get tripped up when writing fan fiction. In fact, I was so frustrated, I stopped reading halfway through. Now I'm curious about those different endings for minor characters that you mentioned... but I don't think it's enough to get me to try reading it again. Love your channel...!

[@ninavaughn8420]

Side question from P&P. Can someone explain to me why there are militias in Meryton and other places? Is this during Bonaparte's exile at Elba? I liked the miniseries. Have not read the book.

[@Roseliptillgirl]

My understanding is that the militia was more like a Home Guard/training regiments who stayed in England keeping the peace, while the Regulars actually went overseas to fight. It's a clue that Wickham isn't as heroic as his uniform made him seem - he gets status with the ladies without having to risk his neck too much.

[@carrie.m]

Ok I am binging all of your videos (I see a lot of people are finding your channel this week! I am glad to be one of them!) and DCTP was the first Jane Austen thing I saw in my life. I wasn't into period dramas when it came out, but decided to watch it anyways and loved it! Ofc it would have made more sense if I had read P&P before, or at least watched an adaptation, but I love murder mysteries so it was great. I am glad this miniseries came out, as it introduced me to the wonderful world of Jane Austen!

[@vineethg6259]

Usually I'm no big fan of fan-factions and spin-offs either. For the same reason I couldn't yet bring myself to watch the _Sanditon_ series eventhough they had Andrew Davies. (It just wouldn't be authentic Austen after those 12 chapters!) But this video really got me interested to try _Death comes to Pemberley_ for a change. Thanks! 👍 There is one other Austen fan fiction idea which I wouldn't mind giving a try if someone were to write a book or make a movie of it. An _Emma_ spin-off that makes Jane Fairfax the central character of the story (making her kind of like CB's Jane Eyre). I know we have had 4 film adaptations of _Emma_ in the last 25 years, but this one would give an interesting new perspective to the story. Jane, Miss Campbell, Mr. Dixon and Frank Churchill become the central characters while Emma and Mr. Knightley become secondary characters in the background. Many of the incidents in the original _Emma_ (like the Box Hill affair, the mysterious pianoforte, or the argument that Frank and Jane has after the Donwell party) could be depicted in a completely different perspective. Also, lets just assume for a moment that Emma wasn't entirely clueless in suspecting a love triangle between Jane, Mr. Dixon and Miss Campbell, and that there were strong reasons why Jane had to leave the Campbells and come to Highbury. 😉 This would be kind of like the interesting narrative structure that George Elliot used in _Middlemarch,_ where rather than having a single protagonist, there were multiple intersecting strands to the story and you get to see the characters in one strand being observed and talked about from a distance by those from another. Perhaps someone has already written such a fan fiction. I'm yet to check.

[@EllieDashwood]

That would be so cool!!! You definitely need to write this fan fiction. I sways wondered about that love triangle possibly being real... I’d love to see all those hidden Jane moments!

[@vineethg6259]

@@EllieDashwood I think to be a good author, one needs two essentials - a gift of imagination and a power over language to translate that into words that endure. I fear I lack both. 🙁 But maybe I'll give it a shot and see how far it'll go. At least I'll know for sure how bad I am at it and whether I have got any future as an author! 😁

[@EllieDashwood]

@@vineethg6259 You can do it!!!

[@bookmouse2719]

I saw Sanditon and was disappointed, not believable. But Death comes to Pemb was a bit of fun. Some of the characters I felt changed though.

[@trembletea]

@Vineeth G The spin-off you describe exists! It’s called Lovers’ Perjuries by Joan Ellen Delman. I thought the author did a good job with imitating Austen’s style and staying true to her characters, but surprisingly, the part of the book that was most compelling for me dealt with some new characters and part of the backstory that we didn’t get to see in Emma. On the other hand, seeing the parts of the story we know from Emma from Jane’s viewpoint wasn’t as interesting as I expected, maybe because you already know what’s going to happen and what everyone’s true motivations are.

[@andreare7766]

Well now you need to review Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (which I actually thought it was better than first thought, at least the first half).

[@eric2500]

YES Pleeeeeze!

[@cmm5542]

I did not believe my vampire-obsessed philosophy professor when he told me that book exists 😄. I was sure he had made it up to toy with me - I'm not into fantasy monsters 😁.

[@HKH-bw9or]

Have you checked out Longburn? A retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of veiw of the servants

[@anaceciliasoares4993]

I'm a huge fan of PD James' Dalgliesh books and also of Children of Men, bit was so disapointed on Death comes to Pemberley that I haven't even tried to watch the series. Might give it a try after watching this vídeo. Thanks Ellie!

[@clarethalvarez4024]

Haha! "delivery people just fall out of the sky"....love that! I feel like those moments make your videos ever so relatable. And yeah, Pride and Prejudice is just perfect. 🥰 No additional interpretations needed.

[@eric2500]

One thing I liked about the book is the cute little "Easter Egg" references to other Jane Austen novels and tie ins with characters from them. And the way she explains the prison system and the assizes is really interesting - though if you want that in video form try the Poldark series- either of them.

[@tessat338]

I was given this book as a gift and have never gotten around to reading it. I might pick it up this summer.

[@nibbleniks2320]

I loved the mini series. I bought the DVD. I'm waiting on the book to be delivered, but maybe not as anxious for it now. I thought the actors in the series were excellent. I only wish they'd have changed Lizzy's outfits. When you consider the dresses we've come to see in this type of program-on say Caroline Bingley--Mrs Darcy was wanting. Still, they told their doubts and worries so well. And Lydia and Wickham were especially charming.

[@sircharlesmormont9300]

Lydia and Wickham were charming! I was surprised that she didn't mention at all how Matthew Goode and Jenna Coleman just completely stole the show and did such amazing jobs. For me, those two absolutely made this mini-series! I didn't like the book at all, but those two actors and the beautiful set and art design made the mini-series worth watching.

[@darylanball7502]

I was glad to read that someone else noticed that she wore the same green dress in every scene except one, and that dress was also green!!! And the dress wasn’t even pretty or well made. I keep hoping she would have on something different!!!

[@DezMarivette]

I’ve had this book sitting on my shelf SINCE it was printed! It was also a gift from a friend who shared a mutual love of Jane Austen with me. I’ve never been able to get through it. I don’t think I made it past the first chapter, so I appreciate hearing how it was for you too. Peaks my interest for the miniseries though!

[@DezMarivette]

@Dexy Nash I do feel like I saved myself time and energy!

[@k.l.8804]

Longbourne by Jo Baker is a great spinoff. Have you read it and if so what did you think? If not, I really recommend it. Would love to know what you think.

[@EllieDashwood]

I think I tried to read it years ago, but could not really get into it for some reason. Perhaps I should try again!

[@EmoBearRights]

I was hooked by the main character berating Lizzie getting her petticoats muddy because she's the maid and has to wash them. I love Longbourn.

[@kayfountain6261]

@@EmoBearRights that was the first of a number of annoying items for me. The author got too many domestic details wrong for the period and that interfered with the plot

[@EmoBearRights]

Fair enough - I literally and unsarcastically bow to your superior knowledge.

[@timothyhelm437]

@@EllieDashwood I tried also, & could not get into it. ~Liz

[@linevelser8888]

Would love your opinion on "The other Bennet sister" by Janice Hadlow 😊 i enjoyed it a lot more than i thought i would.. 😊

[@annetteolson2428]

I enjoyed it, but it did tend to drag on.

[@marthaneale2434]

I loved it.

[@kimberleyjanemcnab5343]

You have confirmed my expectations. I had heard that the book was poor fan fiction but did watch the mini-series. Oftentimes I have considered reading the book since then however I will not be reading this book and will just re-read Miss Austin’s classic.

[@MaySwenon]

Have you read any of the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mysteries by Carrie Bebris? They’re not perfect, but they’re fairly entertaining in a well-researched-highl-quality-fanfiction sort of way. They’ve also got the premise that all of Austen’s characters exist simultaneously. I stopped reading after she brought more supernatural elements in, but have been thinking of rereading the ones I own and snagging the next one.

[@EllieDashwood]

I haven’t! They sound interesting though! And what is with authors trying to put the supernatural in everything. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think it is so cool though to imagine all the character live in the same universe!

[@MaySwenon]

Well, I’ve looked at a review of the first book, and it appears that I don’t remember as much about the series as I thought I did! The supernatural elements are strongly present from the start, and Elizabeth is a psychic of all things. I may have to rescind my recommendation after a re-read!

[@josephlim6854]

Wow! First off, I didn't know there was a sequel to P&P. The title alone somehow reminds me of Rebecca since I recently watched it on Netflix and the estate's name is Manderley (so yes Pemberley reminded me of Manderley and vice versa.) Anyways, that's great Matthew Rhys is in the TV miniseries. I watched all 6 seasons of The Americans and he was great in it! Now I want to watch the TV miniseries of Death Comes to Pemberley!

[@EllieDashwood]

You should! I really like it. There are SO many sequels people have written to P&P it’s kind of overwhelming. But I think this is the only one I’ve see to get it’s own BBC miniseries. And that’s true abound Manderley and Pemberley! They do sound so much alike!

[@josephlim6854]

@@EllieDashwood Thanks I will add it to my watchlist! And yes there was also a death in Manderley hehe

[@josephlim6854]

@@EllieDashwood Thank you for recommending! I just finished watching the miniseries and really enjoyed it overall. Had no idea Matthew Goode was in it (I remember him from the last season of Downton Abbey & the movie.) The Bidwell mother was Mrs Cratchit in Dickensian.

[@EllieDashwood]

@@josephlim6854 Yay, I’m glad! And Yes, it’s definitely one of the “there only like 5 actors England” movies! 😂

[@bookmouse2719]

Oh yes, I liked Rebecca with Joan Fontane and Sir Laurence it was a good one. I rather enjoyed the miniseries of Death Comes to Pemberley, finding out what happens at the end is sort of like Agatha Christy novel I guess.

[@susy7663]

I bought DEATHS COMES TO PEMBERLY in Spanish when I found it in book shop in Argentina..l love it!!!!

[@jancatperson8329]

I love Jane Austen and I love murder mysteries, but.... Nope.

[@jancatperson8329]

Okay, I wrote that before watching the above. I'm 2 minutes in and let me tell you, if somebody murdered Wickham, I'm all in.

[@jancatperson8329]

But no! Oh, well.

[@EllieDashwood]

😂 Sorry that no Wickham dies

[@KevTheImpaler]

I have not read it. Did Denny step into one of Darcy's anti-poacher man traps?

[@josephmayo3253]

It was like Wickham hired the PD James PR firm to spin doctor his tarnished brand. It didn't work for me. As for the miniseries, the only actor whose characterization I enjoyed was Jenna Coleman. She did a great job playing Lydia. I get what they were trying to do with Anna Maxwell Martin's Elizabeth, but again, it didn't work for me. I'm glad you liked it, but really I don't see it being any better than any other fan fiction. But the thumbnail is adorable. 😊

[@TSLamb]

Love this book! Disliked the miniseries for the main reason that they took the humor out of it. In the book they are so loving and have this sense of humor to their relationship. The miniseries doesn't have that.

[@hungryewok1684]

11:13 "delivery people just fall out of the sky" This line gave me such a good laugh. Thanks, I needed a laugh

[@amybee40]

I have already read it, but didn't know there was a miniseries. One does look for additional material after having read most of Jane Austen's works multiple times. (Mansfield Park only once, of course!)

[@kristispangler9435]

Just stumbled upon your delightful channel today. I really appreciated your viewpoints and review. While I enjoyed PD James' addition to the P&P world, it didn't thrill me as much as Janice Hadlow's recent installment, The Other Bennet Sister. Have you reviewed this book yet? I would love to hear your thoughts. Our Moms Read book club was highly diverted & enthralled with Hadlow's development of some of the lesser characters. ;)

[@EllieDashwood]

Thanks for the recommendation! I haven't yet. I just added it to my TBR. 😃 Admittedly, that list is super long at this moment and I may never get through it. But it's there! 😂

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

This was the last book, I believe, PD James wrote before her death. Maybe her editor gave her somewhat of a pass on some things and/or wasn't that aware of Jane Austen's books.

[@Lara__]

I was very disappointed by " Death comes to Pemberley". I strongly think that a successful sequel should contain all those elements that made the original such a classic. At the very least we should get to see all the characters of the first book, however briefly, and how their lives have changed. The shrill mother, the sisters, mr Collins and other characters that we got acquainted with and loved. As a second point, it should have some plot that resonates with the first one. One amazing idea would be to have the children of Lizzy and Darcy experiencing a similar love story as their parents with a misunderstanding and slow burning love story etc. And it would have been so beautiful as the parents would have been able to understand the sub-plot of their children based on their own love story, and even make jokes about pride and prejudice. Instead we get a crime story where Lydia has turned into some murderous evil spy and infiltrates Pemberley to cause havoc utilising means far worse than what Mr Wickam utilised in Jane Austen's novel. In short, they became much worse. And that's not something anyone wished for, for Lydia or thought she would be capable of. The most likely scenario is that she ended up poor and miserable and hating her husband and receiving secret handouts from Lizzy. That's what I would have liked to see... a more realistic follow up. Not some bizarre murder spy story.

[@eric2500]

Thanks for the review. I hope that UPS guy isn't too badly hurt.

[@megan2176]

I remember liking the audiobook, and liked the movie too. I may have watched the movie first, I don't remember. I think I mostly watched it because of Matthew Goode, who is just too good looking, and Lydia is played by Clara from Doctor Who, which is another of my favs. I was going to say that Anna Maxwell Martin was in another Austen adaptation, but I just Googled and I was wrong ... I think she reminds me of an actress who played Anne Elliott, or maybe Jane Eyre. :)

[@EllieDashwood]

Maybe you were thinking of Anna Maxwell Martin when she played Cassandra Austen in Becoming Jane! And she is also Bessy Higgins in North and South, which isn't Austen, but is close. lol. It really does have an amazing cast!

[@eric2500]

To be fair, Mr. Darcy has always been Mister Restraint. He has to be. Only his wife and sister and maybe his cousin/friend can be counted on not to try to manipulate him.

[@kasialeparska2480]

I agree, I liked the mini series very well too! 👍😍🌹

[@anieth]

I find that the language of the spin-offs puts me off. Death is better with the language. I'm so glad to hear that the mini-series is better!! Thanks for this!

[@marshaprice8226]

Thanks for the review. I read the book when it originally came out and I remember that I didn't care for it. I have never heard of the miniseries, but I probably would not have watched it since I didn't like the book. While this review makes it sound more interesting, I still don't plan to watch it if it does become available as I am not generally a fan of adaptations.

[@EllieDashwood]

The miniseries is definitely better than the book for sure. Of course, it doesn't come anywhere near the greatness of Jane Austen's original still.

[@hjpngmw]

I love the mini-series. I have not yet read the book. I thought Col. Fitzwilliam's personality changes were explainable by his having fought in a war AND his sudden inheritance of the earldom due to the deaths of both his father (which is not really mentioned, but the dad is obviously still alive in P&P) and his brother. He didn't become evil or anything. He just became a greyer character. It also seemed odd that Matlock moved from land-locked Derbyshire to what resembles the coast of Scotland.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Considering this series is set in 1803 (they placed the original P&P in 1797 like Joe Wright instead to 1813 and sequel to 1820) there had not been that much fighting yet involving UK in Napoleonic Wars. And the series didn’t say the Colonel had been in Ireland like Wickham. Also his brother dying would leave him with much more wealth. Which would mean he would not need to marry a rich heiress like Georgiana and could marry someone with small drowry (like Darcy when he married Elizabeth). So to me that change made his behavior stranger. But his father can’t be dead, because his father is and Earl, and he isn’t called Earl in the series. Also if he was to become an Earl he probably would be looking someone from aristocracy if what he wants primary is to uphold the family prestige and create connection. Marrying his first cousin who is not from a titled line would not achieve either.

[@Vogelkinder]

I just watched the series, with the sole purpose of watching this commentary afterwards. I really liked both.

[@EllieDashwood]

Wow! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@janiecehamblen933]

Only heard of it through you. The mini series picked such a homely woman to play Elizabeth. And I have a better sequel idea than she wrote.

[@killiansirishbeer]

I've been skipping things related to "Death comes to Pemberley" for so long, I'm glad I finally watched this review. Now I want to watch the mini series 😆

[@MagickalTara]

I watch a lot of long movies and mini series while doing repetitive crafting work, and I just finished Death Comes to Pemberly not too long ago. I really enjoyed the mini series, but I don't think I'd enjoy the book much. It sounds like the writing style is too far from Jane Austen's. I was wildly entertained at seeing Clara Oswald as Lydia Bennet (for any Who fans reading this)!

[@EllieDashwood]

She’s also Queen Victoria! It’s so true that saying “There are only 5 actors in England” 😂😂😂

[@MagickalTara]

@@EllieDashwood It definitely seems like it sometimes! I'm currently watching Little Dorrit and there are so many Doctor Who actors in it!

[@christinewills9097]

much preferred Presumption by Julia Barrett

[@bookladydavina]

I enjoyed the mini series... i honestly can't remember if I read the book or not.. quite likely did.. but.. uhm...maybe not?? (well, ok, i do have some issues with memory, so...) but i do remember the film version... though not well enough to remember what all happens... i like the cast.. and.. i did really like Pride, Prejudice and Zombies... :)

[@Natilra]

I've really struggled with the book, DNF'd it a couple of times, so didn't bother with the miniseries. Will change that soon. BTW, on "the information is all given at the end in dialogue", I've read 3 or 4 of James' other mysteries and they were all like that. You had no chance of solving it because she doesn't let you see all the evidence. Also, have you read the Austen Project books? Val McDermid (another British crime writer) did a take on Northanger Abbey where she riffs on the vampire novel the way Jane Austen was riffing on Gothic novels. And I'd be really interested to hear your take on that.

[@SaraNyaannyan]

What do you think about Pemberley by Emma Tenant? Have you read it?

[@Mei-Ling-Li]

One of my biggest issues with the miniseries was that it's supposed to take place 6 years after Pride and Prejudice. Lizzie is 21 in Pride and Prejudice. So she's supposed to be 27 in the story. The actress who plays her is 36, and they made her up to look even older than that, not younger. I feel like they should have claimed a later setting or at least made up the actress differently. They made her look forty! My other big issue is that I love Colonel Fitzwilliam in P&P and really hated what they did with his character.

[@MandieTerrier]

I have watched Death Comes to Pemberly, on PBS. I want to read the book

[@elizabethrobidoux6611]

Please do Sanditon

[@OlessanYT]

You just convinced me to watch Death Comes to Pemberley :)

[@readinglady239]

Never read Death Comes to Pemberley. However "Wickham's Second Attempt" by Monika Barbara Potocki is definitely worth reading!

[@athag1]

I see you have the same surname. Are you a relative of the author?

[@KathyGraves1]

I did not like the book but I do like the miniseries. I think the actors playing the characters made it enjoyable for me.

[@BrontëChick]

I've never read the book... I've just never liked other authors playing off of someone else's work. I did watch the miniseries and had so many "no's" going off in my head that it was a struggle to watch it all. One time was quite sufficient.

[@qprego6742]

I remember reading this book but i can't remember what happened.

[@bookladydavina]

same here.. well, not sure about reading.. but i know i've seen the film version.. but i don't remember what happens... lol i know i enjoyed it well enough...likely because i liked most of the actors... but apparently not well enough for any of it to stick with me...

[@bookcat123]

I read it for a book club and my reaction was pretty much... meh.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

I watched it because you recommended it here. Personally if I look it as just regency film about investigation of death (can’t exactly say this isn’t a proper murder mystery) it’s interesting (although it has too little court unlike apparently the book). The way upper and lower classes interacted was natural as well and not seen in Austen much. But it didn’t feel it served the older Pride and Prejudice characters well. Elizabeth’s actress was 10 years too old (she was 37 at the time and this takes place 6 years after P&P) and not lively and witty enough which is very clear in the flashbacks. I would say she acts more like Anne Elliot. Darcy’s actor is also tad too old and stiff but this is Darcy lol, and circumstances are serious. But it’s the Georgiana love triangle that’s the real issue. It’s not interesting and Fitzwilliam looks terrible for here (I guess because he was honest in P&P that he didn’t have enough money to marry Elizabeth he is acting very greedy here even after his brother has died and has more money and is chasing his much younger cousin in uncomfortable fashion). I would say if this was more a murder mystery Wickham should have been killed (since he is the one who most have a motive to kill) or if this was more standalone novel it would establish the characters for their own sake and not rely us to care of them due to what we know and then subvert it some.

[@BTScriviner]

I started the book but didn't get very far. I thought it was awfully written and not worth struggling through. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of "Longbourn" by Jo Baker.

[@tonywise198]

Trevor Eve was awesome as Sir Selwyn Hardcastle.in the mini series.

[@katmaresparkles9578]

I had not heard of death comes to pemberly at all before this video.

[@jaysasso4392]

Books are always better somehow, but I would want do do both...

[@kated47]

I love this miniseries so much! I’ve watched it so many times-Matthew Rhys and Anna Maxwell Martin were wonderful. My fanfic loving heart wants another spinoff of this series where we actually get to see the ball at Pemberley.

[@enAicalg]

I wish you would do more of these spin off revives. Have you read Pemberly ? I thought it might be accurate in the sense thats its not all just butterflies and rainbows, that there just is not one happily ever after, there is still uncertenty and hardship. I did not how ever think about the historical accuracy while reading it.

[@Coachgerri]

I loved the mini series!

[@vorkosigrrl6047]

Hi Ellie! I enjoy your videos, although I’ve just started watching them recently. I haven’t read this book, or watched the series. Jane can’t be duplicated, in my mind. However, I’m intrigued by this review and will try watching it. But I probably won’t read the book. A couple questions: why do you think Elizabeth looks like a scullery maid in these clips? Georgiana looks great, but E looks like a harried hausfrau at best. Modern sensibilities? I’m also wondering if reiterating/rehashing parts of P&P are for the benefit of readers who haven’t bothered to read the original. Writers of sequels, whether they are the original author or not, tend to do this. Finally, maybe some of the annoying, random, repeated details were meant to be red herrings, to throw people off the scent in solving the mystery. Just some thoughts. What do you think?

[@candyclews4047]

I absolutely LOVE Death Comes to Pemberley. Very worthy of Jane Austen genre. A lot of well known and well loved British actors so perhaps for Brits it was more interesting?

[@lindadaheim3412]

As a real enthusiast in criminal literature as well as historical literature and - of cause - Jane Austen, I have to agree. The book is neither a good criminal story nor a very good Austen Adaptation. It often felt like it just wanted to rubb shoulders with the the original over and over again, so some of the Darcy Charme would stick to it. Character development is near zero and it lives a lot of what we know about the characters from the Austen-Original, because P D James doesn't much work in giving the figures any character-traits herself. Lizzy f e isn't very "Lizzy like", I got the impression that the Austen-Setting (and the expectation of the readers) often was more of a hinderance to James. Though she obviously put a lot of research in the book to be historically accurate, she did not seem to enjoy the chosen cast of her story. She obviously didn't even find adequate things to do or say for Lizzy - f e the flowers. I was a bit disappointed with the book, because although it was an interesting criminal story, it's historical part was very "explainy" and artificial and the Austen Part was just disappointing. It just did not deliver what it promised and did not make much out of the given potential. I'm very happy to hear that the mini series did and I wish I could see it, but we cannot watch BBC over here in Germany, what really is a pitty.

[@EllieDashwood]

You're so right about the book! And I bought the miniseries from iTunes and it wasn't that expensive (most BBC shows aren't). Do they have that option in Germany?

[@maxineamon]

Read the book. Not seen the series tho. It was a good read, mainly because of the P&P connection. But nowhere near as gripping as P&P.

[@EllieDashwood]

Nothing can ever truly capture the essence of P&P 😭

[@maxineamon]

@@EllieDashwood so true! I have just attempted to watch, once again, the Keira Knightley version of P&P. The changes in dialogue and character were grating. The BBC series was so very close to being immersed in Austen. But reading Austen's actual writing cannot be matched by any imitation, adaption or fan fiction.

[@sometimeswrite239]

I loved the mini series….but I did look at it as if I didn’t know the characters already.

[@thomasplinguidy4588]

All things Considered: I liked the book and the mini-series, but I missed something. I don't want to anticipate the end, just this much: All the characters are, to my mind, beautifully and coherently portrayed in the Jane Austen tradition, from Mr. Bennet's sarcastic remarks to Mrs. Bennet's hysterical fits. You learn more about some supporting characters, such as Darcy's housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds or Colonel Fitzwilliam. What bothers me a bit: the main characters in particular remain pretty much idle. Darcy and Elisabeth do little more than endure the investigation into Captain Denny's death and Wickham's trial, tactfully and with nobility of course. And that doesn't really correspond to both natures, as you know them from "Pride and Prejudice". Actually, the Darcys could have gathered pretty much all the facts that ultimately lead to the right culprit in a single tour of their estate. And that the faithful Colonel Fitzwilliam should be stupid enough to side with Wickham on a matter of honor and hide something from Darcy that he ought to know seems pretty unlikely to me. As a well-written small novel sequel with the question: "How do the residents of Pemberley react to a violent death?" the book is great, it's just a bit of a shame that the main characters of the great novel actually do very little to solve the crime.

[@cbjfan44]

Have you read Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepperd? I found it to be better of a story compared to Death Comes to Pemberley.

[@murielbarker4311]

Not read the book but the film was really good Wickham entered their lives again nearly ruined their love but did not in the end the end was really good at the end for the couple you can buy it off eBay worth getting

[@lindaendres2209]

PD James is one of my favorite authors

[@rachelgarber1423]

The book was absolutely wonderful I love James and she is a great author. I didn’t see the miniseries but I will look for it.

[@leticiajerguson1024]

Hated the book, but after this video would like to give the mini series a go

[@katherinealvarez9216]

I would have liked to have heard Matthew Goode say "He would have been loved."

[@jspyrogram]

Yes! Loved it!

[@jcny11]

This was PD James last book so we have to give her some slack. She was in her 90’s.