“Their mother is vulgar, their younger sisters are senseless, and their father is a fool to think his jokes about his family are in any way appropriate. No, they are not worthy of our association.”
“Does my past not prove to you that our own family is not without its flaws as well?”
(from Blame the Mistletoe)
Quick summary: Sarah Johnson’s Christmas novella, Blame the Mistletoe, is a delightful retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in which Georgiana Darcy convinces her brother to pursue Elizabeth Bennet, and the pair, along with Mr. Bingley, return to Netherfield Park for the holiday. An accident on a mistletoe-gathering adventure puts Elizabeth on the path toward thinking she might have misjudged Mr. Darcy, but Mr. Wickham’s presence in Meryton — and his tense interactions with the Darcys — leave her feeling confused. In the midst of holiday preparations, a sleigh ride, and strategically placed mistletoe boughs, can Darcy win Elizabeth’s heart?
Why I wanted to read it: I’ve been in the mood for Christmas stories this year, and I couldn’t resist the Austen connection and the gorgeous cover!
What I liked: Blame the Mistletoe weaves Christmas traditions into a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I loved getting a glimpse of Mr. Darcy helping the Bennets hang a mistletoe bough, and I wished I could have enjoyed the sleigh race alongside the Bennet sisters. Johnson jazzes things up by putting Wickham at a card table with Darcy, Georgiana, and Elizabeth. I also liked how Georgiana pieced together what was bothering Darcy and Bingley and was willing to point out her flaws as a reason for Darcy not to miss out on his chance at happiness. Elizabeth’s encounter with a drunken Wickham in Meryton and the outcome of Mr. Collins’ interference in Darcy’s affairs are scenes that are not to be missed!
What I disliked: I wished that the story had been longer, not because there was anything missing, but because I got so wrapped up in Johnson’s version of events that I didn’t want it to end.
Final thoughts: Readers will enjoy Johnson’s portrayal of Austen’s characters and how she incorporates mistletoe into the story. The pacing is well done, so despite the brevity of the story, the plot doesn’t seem rushed. I read Blame the Mistletoe on a recent day off from work, curled up on the couch with some peppermint tea, our Christmas tree in the background. It was the perfect book and the perfect setting to put me in the Christmas spirit.
Disclosure: Blame the Mistletoe is from my personal library.
© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Sounds like the perfect Christmas adaptation!
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It was such a treat!
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An Austen Christmas book sounds fun!
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I’ve read a few of them this season, and now I wish I had time before Christmas to read a few more!
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got this on my kindle to read
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Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Sounds adorable.
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I think you’d love it!
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Another good one to add to my pile. Sounds delightful – love P&P variations.
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I think you’d really like it!
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Anna, I’m glad you enjoyed Blame the Mistletoe, in the perfect setting!
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At least it looks like Christmas inside my house! Not so much outdoors.
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This sounds just right for reading right now.
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Definitely!
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This is one of those I have read and didn’t review yet Anna. Like you I was drawn to the cover, but it was Mr. Darcy’s achievement in getting the mistletoe that caught me 🙂
The only thing I didn’t like as much in the book was the fact that Darcy was not so proud as I would expect 🙂
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I’m definitely looking forward to your thoughts! It’s been over a year since I read this one, so I don’t remember Darcy being not so proud. Maybe I’ll re-read this one next time.
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