Mr. Darcy's Diary

It is a fact universally acknowledged, that once you fall in love with Pride and Prejudice, there is no way to return! I remember reading this novel as a student for the first time in college. With a passage of time, it has become even more relatable to me. I cannot decide whom I love more- the most splendid couple of all times Elizabeth and Darcy or Jane Austen for creating them? 

It is always a pleasure to rediscover, reread this novel. Even a single meme about it delights me. Recently I come across this book- Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange. An idea to see Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's angle  is ever compelling, and I have to admit, I am very pleased! 

Jane Austen is known for creating so many unique personalities, who are so perfect, remarkable, that reinterpreting them is indeed a hard task to do. Mr. Darcy with all his pride, his inner conflict, his evolved personality with time, his reserved exterior, his unique brand of being a gentleman is a constant cause of admiration for all his fans. The author makes him tell his own story. It is intelligent of Grange to use a form of diary writing, which was actually very popular at that time. It helps to connect with Darcy even more intimately.

 Let me list down why I like this book:

1. Hearing, more appropriately, reading more about Darcy and Elizabeth is always very amusing.

2. Amanda Grange has aptly kept the spirit of the original alive. She has not taken any soul crushing creative liberty to ruin P&P for us. 

3. Pride and Prejudice has given us some greatest lines of all times like " It is a fact universally acknowledged…". It is so perfect in each scene, that you can't afford to alter it. Thankfully, Amanda Grange has not done it. You can sense it while reading every entry, in which all major scenes,parts are covered. Even her additions suit well with the original story. 

4. Along with Darcy, Elizabeth, Bingley, Jane, no character is altered in any way. But this is like a second intimate meeting with them, so you get to know them better. I like the happy ending given to Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam. 

5. Most importantly, you get to know all shades of Darcy's personality. A devoted brother, compassionate friend, a respectful gentleman! To read how low he holds everyone at Meryton at first, how Elizabeth and her wits penetrate him from their first meeting is indeed interesting. His inner conflict, his constant holding his emotions back, getting drawn towards Elizabeth more and more, his evolved personality after Elizabeth's rejection or thought of losing her forever.Though hard,he accepts it, and shows real growth. He makes us understand that falling in love with someone after knowing that person well with time is far more thrilling than falling in love at first sight. You get a prequel, actual P&P and a pleasant extended epilogue of their story of "happily ever after".

Amanda Grange 's style is fluid, very natural and instantly connects you to her writing. She manages to give a similar vibe of "Austenian" writing( though not as polished and sharp), that will help young readers to connect with the original story. It starts as a diary, but turns into a separate, original,more of a novel kind of writing towards the end. She covers everything, so you need not to read Pride and Prejudice before to understand this modern retelling( but I'll suggest that you should read before to get a flavor of the original). 

 I can definitely recommend this to all Austen lovers. A well done retelling indeed. You will enjoy it for sure. You will get the same feel of Pride and Prejudice! 

_Neha Jyoti Pradip Joshi

(18- 06-2023)