Rating: 
Summary: "The Bar Sinister" redux
Review: "Mr Darcy Takes a Wife" is a reissue of Berdoll's earlier self-published novel, despite the change in name. As I noted in an earlier review of that edition, it has both strengths and weaknesses.STRENGTHS:
1) The early chapters concerning the newlyweds sexual escapades. They probably wouldn't appeal to an Austen purist, but they're fun nonetheless. 2) The continued prickliness in the early days of their marriage that Darcy and Elizabeth displayed towards each other in "Pride and Prejudice." In this, Berdoll is faithful to the spirit of Austen's original.
3) Lydia's ongoing ditziness and wanton behavior Berdoll takes it beyond what Austen would have, but it's a logical progression to modern eyes. 4) A good long, many-threaded narrative to sink one's teeth into. WEAKNESSES:
1) The intrusion of 21st century sensibilities into an early 19th century setting. Key elements of the plot and the characters' reactions to them are handled in ways that are unfaithful to the spirit of the original. Similar events might have happened within the context of an Austen novel, but the action would have taken place offstage and been handled with more subtlety. 2) Unfelicitous word choices and syntax. To give Berdoll credit, she tries to mimic the syntactical complexities of Austen's work. The problem is that there are too many places where she misuses words and strikes notes that are distinctly off-key. I don't know if any re-editing was done to correct these in this new edition.
3) Uncertainty about just what kind of book Berdoll was writing. At times the book reads like a bodice ripper, at times a comedy of manners, and at times a long, convoluted portrait of a marriage. None of these are bad, but the combination doesn't quite cohere. It's as if she's writing several different novels at once, and eventually the book begins to drag. This said, "Mr Darcy Takes a Wife" has its moments and is fun to read, especially at the beginning. There are far less inspired Austen-based novels. If you're looking for a totally Austenesque experience, this novel probably isn't for you. It isn't great literature, but if you don't mind the liberties taken by the author, you'll probably like it.
Rating: 
Summary: Appalling, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
Review: and step away from the "Purchase" button. Being a die-hard fan of Jane Austen, as well as a person who deeply enjoys looking at Colin Firth soaking wet in the mini-series, please understand that I specifically asked for this book for Christmas.
Fool that I was, I didn't take the time to read the reviews.
Ms. Berdoli prides herself on being the, "horror of Jane Austen purists." I would like to inform the unwitting public that it is NOT her cannon, but her poor grasp of the English language that makes this book unbearable. It's almost as if she wrote the entire book, and then checked each word with the thesaurus to see if there was a more ostentatious term she could use.
And for the love of Darcy, if I hear the word "howbeit" once more...
Rating:
Summary: "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife" - The Library term is 'trash'.
Review: As a lover of English literature, I found this book offensive. Ms. Berdoll has managed to write a book which is on the same level as any sleazy, cheap, paper-back 'romance'. Jane Austen must be spinning in her grave!.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book - Not So Great Sequel
Review: As I first began reading this book, I was a little put off by the grossly obvious intent by the author to mimic the writing style of Miss. Austen. Yes, I know that this is a sequel to "Pride and Prejudice" and it would seem logical to use similar syntax as that used in the original work but the language seemed to be a bit too forced. Then I was a bit put off by the sexual overtones in the book - a.k.a. the first few chapters revolve around sex, and it seems sex only. The whole thing seemed a bit out of character of Darcy and Elizabeth, especially Darcy. Then there were the chapters close to the ending that also didn't seem to fit in with the characters I fell in love with from the Austen novel. The whole war thing was a bit odd ... well, you will discover this for yourself if you read the book. But for not liking it - well, it's not my favorite idea for a "Pride and Prejudice" Sequel, but once I forgot that this was supposed to be a P&P sequel; it was a rather enjoyable book. I find myself, on occasion, picking it back up to read a chapter again, but I've completely disassociated it away from Ms. Austen's superb work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Sequel Does not Provide Justice to Original
Review: As someone who loves Pride and Prejudice and has read it more times than should be allowed, I did not enjoy this sequel at all. The character descriptions and actions deviated immensely from the original author's. The storyline was borderline pornography, and the only thing the newly married couple seems to do is engage in sexual activities. In addition, the author creates history for Mr. Darcy and Bingely that discredits both their original characters. I do not believe that Jane Austen intended for this beloved classic to be continued. Let's hope not to many more are sequelized.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Blame the Author - The Barsinister Reissued
Review: Don't blame the author! "The Barsinister" was self-published and did well - how many people could write such a great first novel, publish it and market it themselves? Its success got the attention of Source Books. They bought the rights, which include the right to change the title. I attended a book signing a while ago and the author told me that in fact she was against changing the title for fear that buyers of "The Barsinister" might buy the book and feel ripped off. But the publisher insisted on it, and there was nothing she could do. It does still say "Pride & Prejudice Continues." A previous critic calling for a boycott of the author is being extremely unfair. Comlain to the publisher if you wish, but don't blame Mrs. Berdoll if you failed to connect the dots - same author, similar title, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: Very fun, though her thesaurus must be aching
Review: I have no problem with the sex, as most of the reviewers have. Look at this book for what it is -- a quasi-trashy romance novel based on Jane Austen's characters -- it's a rollicking roll in the hay. If you enjoy Jane Austen and don't mind her characteres being connected with the utterly profane, this book is for you. However, if you are uncomfortable reading about Eliza's booty being tired after her wedding night, this book is not for you.
Stylistically it's a little amateurish and laughable at times -- Linda Berdoll obviously used a thesaurus extensively in an attempt to inject some less-modern language, and failed to bring it close to Austen's writing. To me, however, Berdoll's fearless plotline, sense of humor, and hot sex scenes (my boyfriend agrees) make it easily worth four stars. She obviously doesn't take herself too seriously at all, which is sympathetic to Austen's core esthetic values.
Rating:
Summary: Reader, I enjoyed it.
Review: I have to say the responses to this book are as funny as the book itself. I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed it. Austen wrote the nineteenth-century equivalent of pulp fiction, and this is the "transliteration" of said pulp--metaphors fully materialized, in keeping with twenty-first century sensibilities. So Darcy and Lizzy like sex. What else is romance about? Isn't that implicit throughout? These prudish reviewers are like so many Mr. Collinses, aren't they? Lighten up. This book was fun. The diction wasn't exactly on target, I admit. I'm a literature professor, and can't help noticing--it is a little strained at the beginning--but once you get into it, it's like Austen meets Fielding, really. Tom Jones and P & P, with a little pulp romance thrown in. This is supposed to be entertainment, not Literature. And I think an early nineteenth-century reader, one familar with Moll Flanders or Shamela, for example, would have appreciated it more than some of these readers seem to. If you don't like the sex, there are lots of great overly-euphemised novels out there. But they won't be as wicked a read as this one. Sometimes I fear that the reading public is just losing its appreciation for irony. Not to mention burlesque. We're a sober lot, this century. Alas.
Rating:
Summary: Beware!!! It is THE BAR SINISTER again
Review: I preordered this book thinking it was a new one. Because the author allowed the atrocity of the publisher changing the name and reselling her old book, there is no way I will ever purchase any of her subsequent books. All of her other previous fans should do the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Tiresome and oversexed
Review: I think the desire to continue the Darcy-Elizabeth romance, and yes, consummate it, is understandable. And since I bought the book, I obviously wanted to read something like this. But ultimately, this book left me flat and I stopped reading it. Sort of a bad bodice ripper with WAAAY too much sex. Not because it's offensive and I'm a prude, but the reason we cared so much about Elizabeth and Darcy was their wit, their chemistry...their longing and sparring. And somehow, reducing them to two energetic sex puppies is just a bit much. Not romantic, just trashy.
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