Pride & Prejudice should never be continued...

I just finished reading Pemberley: Pride & Prejudice Continued... and I feel a sad sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I reread it this past weekend to perhaps flush out the disgusting sensation that I had when I remembered the book.  It only made the feeling worse.  Upon second reading, I find it worse than the first time.  The entire novel is mostly from the point of view of Elizabeth Darcy (formerly Bennet) and features upon her and Mr. Darcy's marriage.  The only conflict in the book despite her mother's horrid manners, Mr Darcy's Aunt's disdain for the marriage and the birth of Jane's second child is mass amounts of no communication.  This is the most uncommunicative marriage on the face of the planet.  Darcy goes around doing things then doesn't even bother to tell his wife what's going on while his wife is running around Pemberly trying to reign in all her guests for Christmas who hate each other and knows nothing of the things her husband is doing!  In his defense, Elizabeth has a great talent for prejudice and jumping to conclusions.  Yet, you'd think a woman would know her husband better than that after a year of marriage!

In the end, Darcy is saved from being a cad and a prideful villian by a bit of communication. When Elizabeth does try to talk to her husband (who always seems to be unavailable for those little chats that make a house such as Pemberly run smoothly) he just wants to get her to the bedroom!  

The only positive thing in this novel was the fact that Darcy smiled and was in good humor a good chunk.  Its nice to think of him being in love with his Lizzy and laughing.  Its nice to think of Eliza as "softening him".  Maybe they should try some couple's therapy in communication.

I'm determined not to think ill of all Pride & Prejudice continued novels, but I must say that my imagination filled in the marital bliss of Mr & Mrs Darcy a lot better than the this novel.

In terms of it being written in Austen's style- again, failure.  There is a review that states that it beams with Austen.  They're greatly mistaken.  Although the narration at times reminds me of Austen, it is grossly modern.  Austen's Lizzie did jump to conclusions, the author continued that trait to a fault.  The sensible Lizzy is gone.  Mr. Bennet would be ashamed.  Darcy's character figures less prominantly in the novel than one would hope but is basically the same, as said above, with some good humored added to him.

On the whole I'm wishing that I had saved my $14 and gotten another Harry Potter book.

Beware readers!  Beware!