“Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”
Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s famous line from Pride & Prejudice has echoed over the last 200 years in the ears of readers who have picked up, and been disappointed by, one of the myriad sequels to that enduring classic.
The latest author to pick up Austen’s mantel could be the first to make it a comfortable fit: P.D. James, one of England’s best known crime novelists. Like Austen, her works have often been imitated and adapted to film; unlike Austen, her writing career has been quite long and prolific. With Death Comes to Pemberley, James brings readers back into the lives of the Darcys and Bingleys when everyone’s favorite brother-in-law, Wickham, is accused of murder. We asked James a few questions about the new book—and whether it might be the first of many. Check out her answers in the full Q&A.
Then come back and leave a comment saying who you think would make the better husband—Darcy or Bingley—and why, and you’ll be entered to win your own copy of Death Comes to Pemberley. We’ll choose a winner at random from the responses we’ve received by 6 pm CST on Sunday, December 18.
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, George! He considers Darcy the more interesting husband, and Mr. Bingley “would be a reliably even-tempered husband, perfect for mild-mannered Jane, but not for Lizzy.”
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
I think Mr. Darcy will make the better husband. Mr. Bingley seems too led by his sisters who are not all that enamored with his marriage to Jane. Mr. Darcy’s character is improved by his marriage to Elizabeth. They make more of a “power couple.”
I’m going to reply to my own message. Actually, it was Caroline Bingley and Mr. Darcy who led Mr. Bingley astray.
I’m so excited to hear about this book. I love James’s writing. It will be interesting to see Austen’s characters in the hands of a contemporary pro.
I think Bingley would be a delightfully dutiful and dull husband. But when it comes to overall awesome, hottie husbandness, Darcy wins, hands down.
I feel My Darcy will make a better husband because he seems to truly be more invested and care more.
Mr. Darcy will make the better husband given his fine character.
This is so appropriate because I’m currently reading “Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife” by Linda Berdoll. I find it quite fun but there are reviews I’ve read that Austin lovers are just horrified. Whatever! Anytime I can picture Colin Firth sans knickers I’m happy.
With that said – Darcy would make the better husband! I think he has more passion (which this book is totally proving). I was never terribly crazy about Bingley and I liked Elizabeth much more than Jane. So I think everyone deserves just what they have.
Mr. Darcy for me. I love to see all sides of issues and I think Darcy would much more interesting in those discussions than Bingley. Give me Darcy any day.
I’d take Darcy over Bingley any day. Darcy may be snobby but at least he knows his own mind. Bingley is too worried about what his friends think.
Jane & Bingley make a quite nice vanilla puddin’ couple. I prefer a little spice
Mr. Darcy – he has much more substance to him!
I think Mr. Darcy would make the more constant, fiercely devoted husband. Bingley, while sweet and enamored of Jane, has proven he needs the approval from everyone to do what he feels is right. He could be too easily swayed to not take Jane’s side.
Darcy! He has much more patience.
Mr. Darcy has depth and is interesting and vital.
i think mr darcy! as he has a more matured and fine character , who has patience and understanding of things, the qualities needed to be a good husband. a lovable person
My wife says Mr. Darcy is the much better husband. More of us men should be like him!!!
I have heard my wife speak of her excitement to get this book. I hope by winning a copy I can give it to her as a Christmas present. She is such a fan of Mr. Darcy! Thank you for the opportunity to get one!
I think Mr Darcey as well. Its been a long time since I read the book (Highschool) I’ll have to refresh my memory. I can’t wait to read this book, on my must read list for 2011 (which will carry over to 2012)
I think Mr. Bingley would be lovely and sweet, but Mr. Darcy would be far more interesting. Definitely Mr. Darcy!
Mr. Darcy would make the better husband. He expresses his opinions, but obviously appreciates and values Elizabeth’s intelligence While Mr. Bingley is an ideal match for Jane, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are a much more dynamic and interesting couple.
While Bingley is a nice enough fellow,Darcy would make for an exceptional husband-smart,principled and not without a sense of humor and willingness to learn from his mistakes.
better husband? probably Bingley cause:
- he’s so easily controlled (by Darcy, by his sisters, by convention), and after the bells ring, Jane
- he’s easygoing (as opposed to smoldering Mr. Darcy)
- he wants to please (as Mr. Bennett points out)
Oh Darcy’s more dashing and romantic (and when played by Colin Firth, sexy), but I could see Darcy getting into a duel or running off to war. unless he nice-guys himself into getting in trouble, Bingley’s got the goods to go the distance with fewer bumps in the road.
I have to say Bingley. Yes he was persuaded to leave but he is the one who was ready and willing to show his emotions.
I think both Bingley and Darcy would make good husbands. But I think Darcy would have more excitement and passion than Bingley and therefore he would be my choice!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Mr. Darcy, of course! Bingley is pleasant enough, but always strikes me as boyish and too easily influenced by others. Darcy, on the other hand, is mature, confident, and knows his own mind…yet can still admit when he’s made a mistake.
Mr. Darcy of course, Bingley just doesnt have the same impact and his name doesnt run off your tongue as nicely as the name DARCY.
Oh, Darcy, by far. Bingley would do if a woman only wanted a man who always agreed with her and never, ever challenged her. How dull would that be?!
I adore P.D. James and I suspect (pardon the pun) that this is a great read.
Darcy thinks for himself and doesn’t let others interfere with what he is about.
I think Darcy would make a better husband because he is more mature. Although Bingley has very good qualities, he is always influenced by others.
Of course,Darcy would be the best,in everything he did to help Elizabeth’s family(silly sister)without her knowing and loved her so much,they complimented each other and the attraction was there from the start.Love to have this book.
Definitely Darcy! Bingley always seemed a bit too “wishy-washy” to me, not enough of a backbone to stand up to his sisters (or Darcy). And we saw a lot of character improvement in Darcy throughout the novel, he learnt to let down the walls and take Lizzie in… definitely wins hands down!
I think Darcy suited Elizabeth ,just took her time to see it…he needed a strong,intelligent lady with or without money,with a crazy family he was amused & fond of.He’d make the best husband for all the right reasons.Love,honorable and lots of money…
Darcy! Because if you look like Colin Firth — it’s all that matters!
I think they would both make great husbands to their respective wives. The couples compliment each other. Now if I was choosing for myself, it would be Darcy any day! He’s honest and passionate.
Darcy is, in my mind, ruggedly handsome and attractive, and therefore the ultimate winner.
Why, Darcy of course. He’s a man of principle and, er, obviously rather attractive.
Mr. Darcy is the more interesting husband. Mr. Bingley would be a reliably even-tempered husband, perfect for mild-mannered Jane, but not for Lizzy.
It would be Mr.Darcy for me. He is a intelligent,good looking man that at times can be romantic.
P.D. James is one of my all time favorite
authors. I read everything she publishes.
Although I’m sure Mr. Bingley is a fine husband, I would prefer Mr. Darcy. He seems so much more exciting and appealing to me.
Mr Darcy. I think he has more flexibilty righting his personal wrongs to people and he has strong character traits. Mr Bingley is to easily swayed and lacks as far as I am concerned backbone.
I think Mr. Darcy would make the better husband because of how totally awesome he looks in a wet shirt. No, wait. That was Colin Firth. Well, Colin would make a nice husband too. For me, that is. Not for Elizabeth. She’s about 200 years too old for him. Whereas I am just right.
Hands down, Darcy. The marriage would never be dull, routine. He’d always keep things lively.
I think Darcy. I picture him tall and handsome and kind
While Bingley is nice and seems like he would be an attentive husband, we learned in P & P that he is too easily influenced by others. Darcy, a man of his own mind, would be a much better husband, as long as he wasn’t too bossy!
I’m going to have to go with the majority and say Mr. Darcy. Seems like he would be more interesting, and much more fun for her.
misteedawnw at aol dot com
I’d pick Darcy. He’s swoon worthy and thinks everything through.
Mr. Darcy would be the better husband because his love for Elizabeth didn’t come easy, but once he decided he loved her, his love overcame many obstacles.
Definitely Darcy, because PD James says so, and she knows what she’s talking about.
Most definitley Darcy. Bingley strikes me as that popular HS jock that just goes with the flow of what his popular friends tell him, not thinking for himself. Darcy just smolders, has passion, and a strong tie to protecting his family.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy would be my better husband of choice. He is not only older, wiser, handsome, intelligent, and very wealthy, to be able to get past his aloof demeanour would be a special privilege.
Where Charles Bingley is fickle and too easily influenced by others, Mr. Darcy has more substance, resolve, and I think, more trustworthy qualities. I suspect he’s the type the man who would love more deeply that Mr. Bingley.
Darcy would be the husband of choice, but he could take a lesson or two from Bingley. Darcy needs a bit of levity in his personality.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Laura Hartness
CalicoCritic at gmail dot com