Title: Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star
Author: Heather Lynn Rigaud
First published August 31, 2011
432 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781402257810 (ISBN10: 1402257813)
Rating: 3.51
Overview
Fitzwilliam Darcy is the lead guitarist of the hottest rock band in town. With his charming looks and unmatched talent, he has made his way to the top of the charts.
However, when their opening act cancels at the last minute, Darcy and his bandmates are left scrambling to save their much-awaited summer tour. That’s when they meet Elizabeth Bennet, the fearless lead singer of Long Borne Suffering.
Along with her sister Jane and friend Charlotte, Elizabeth jumps at the opportunity to join the tour. As the music gets louder and the nights get longer, Darcy realizes that Elizabeth is not just another opening act.
She’s about to rock his world in more ways than one. Get ready for a summer of love, music, and wild adventures in Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star.
About the Author
Meet Heather Lynn Rigaud: a multitasking wife and mother of two, with an insatiable curiosity for almost everything. She’s a jack-of-all-trades who enjoys cooking, sewing, writing, singing, knitting, Geo-Caching, soap-making, collecting perfume, and painting silk – but tends to overthink every project.
Despite her busy schedule, Heather Lynn has a lively personality and a great sense of humor (even if it’s a bit bawdy). Growing up in world-renowned Woodstock, NY with Republican parents, she knows what it’s like to feel like you don’t quite fit in.
While this used to bother her, she’s now embraced her unique perspective and enjoys “marching to the beat of a different drummer”.
In her free time, she indulges in her love of reading, fine food, and wine, as well as art. With degrees in music and education (though not specifically music education), Heather Lynn and her family call Kingston, NY their home.
Editoral Review
In Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star, Heather Lynn Rigaud brings a contemporary spin to a classic character in literature. Published in August 2011, this novel offers a fresh take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by transporting Mr. Darcy into the 21st century and making him a rock star.
Rigaud is an American author who has written several other books, including a sequel to Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star. As a work of fan fiction, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star takes on a genre that has been growing in popularity in recent years.
Fan fiction, which involves creating stories based on characters and worlds from existing works, allows readers to reimagine beloved stories or add new elements to them. Rigaud’s novel falls into the subgenre of “modernizations” or “retellings,” which update classic stories by placing them in contemporary settings.
The novel follows the romantic and musical journey of Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is a member of the British rock band Slurry. When the band tours the United States, Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet, a music journalist who is initially unimpressed by him.
As Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship forms, they must navigate the challenges of fame, family, and misunderstandings. The novel takes place in various settings, from concert venues to country estates, and explores themes such as identity, class, and love.
One of the strengths of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star is its ability to reimagine Austen’s characters in a modern setting while staying true to their personalities and motivations. Rigaud’s Darcy retains his brooding, standoffish nature, but she adds new layers to his character by making him a musician who is grappling with the pressures of fame.
Elizabeth Bennet is equally complex in this retelling, as she is portrayed as a feminist who is navigating a male-dominated industry. Rigaud’s attention to character development is impressive and makes the story feel both fresh and familiar.
However, the pacing of the novel can be uneven at times, which may cause some readers to lose interest. While the buildup to the climax and the resolution are well-done, the middle parts of the novel may drag for some readers.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters are not given as much attention as they deserve, which can make their actions feel less impactful than they should be. Despite these flaws, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star is a compelling read that offers an entertaining twist on a classic story.
Its exploration of themes such as fame, identity, and love makes it a relevant read for today’s readers. Fans of Austen’s work will find much to enjoy in this retelling, while readers who are new to Pride and Prejudice will appreciate the accessibility of the novel.
Overall, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star earns a solid four stars out of five for its well-crafted characters, contemporary setting, and thematic exploration.
