Death Comes to Pemberley: A Review

For the last 200 years, Jane Austen has been an increasingly popular literary icon. The 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley reinvigorated interest in the 19th century author, along with other film adaptations of all of her works within the last decade. Austen-inspired spoofs and modern day interpretations have popped up on occasion, too, including three exceptional vlogs. And that only covers the film side. There are countless books about all of Austen's characters, ranging from sequels integrating Austen heroines from different books to the retelling of Elizabeth Bennet's life as a zombie hunter. Most of these tales are adequately done, with a few exceptions, but few measure up to Austen's style and wit.

When the BBC announced the film adaptation of a Pride and Prejudice sequel, I was surprised. Of all the literary sequels that have been released, I never expected to see a film adaptation. Being the dedicated Austen addict that I am, I ordered a copy of this sequel from Amazon in order to read it before the film adaptation aired on BBC America. Even though I am not usually a fan of mystery novels, never before was I so impressed by an Austen sequel in my life. And to be honest, the producers of the film adaptation created something just as remarkable.

The Book

Death Comes to Pemberley is the literary masterpiece of mystery novelist P.D. James. The novel takes place a few years after Darcy and Elizabeth are married. They have one child and are the epitome of marital bliss. Georgianna is unmarried, but has two worthy suitors seeking her hand. On the eve of Lady Anne's Ball, an event which coincided Darcy's mother's birthday, Lydia Wickham arrives at Pemberley screaming incoherently (in a very Lydia fashion) that Wickham has been shot. Upon further investigation, Wickham is found in Pemberley's woods, crying over the body of his best friend, Captain Denny. Thus ensues the investigation, trial, and, eventually, the truth behind the mysterious death of Captain Denny.

P.D. James is brilliant -- but not in the way that most modern authors try to be brilliant. The storyline of this novel is possibly one of the simplest in modern literature. After the death occurs, the investigation is (outwardly) straightforward and the trial is conducted quickly. The motives behind how the characters acted is what gives the novel depth and makes the story interesting. James explains Regency Era judicial practices flawlessly, and uses only the resources and logic that early 19th century investigators had at their disposal.

But none of these reasons account for James' brilliance. Death Comes to Pemberley is magnificent for one reason: James understands Austen. The writing style in Death Comes to Pemberley mimics Austen's style perfectly. Many Austen sequels say that the author has a style like Austen's, and this is rarely true. But reading James' writing truly feels like you're reading an Austen novel. The other part is James' understanding of the characters. Mr. Bennet makes clever remarks; Mrs. Bennet complains about her nerves. Jane provides comfort; Lydia loves pretty dresses. Wickham is a scoundrel. Darcy and Georgianna both struggle to balance their duties with their emotions. And Elizabeth is a beautiful mixture of wit, curiosity, and kindness. Never once did I think, "Oh Lizzy would NEVER say that" or "Darcy would never do such a thing." All of the characters come to a similar ending as Austen envisioned in Pride and Prejudice. Good characters have good endings, and the wicked pay for their deeds. Austen would be proud.

The Adaptation
 
With any film adaptation, I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Since I always read the book first, I have certain expectations and certain ways which I envisioned the characters and setting. If the BBC produces the adaptation, I have no doubt that it will be excellent. If the adaptation is American, I know that it won't live up to my expectations. (The two 2012 adaptations of Great Expectations is a prime example of this.) The film adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley is no exception.

The film adaptation sticks primarily to the book. The only major way that it deviates is to give Elizabeth a larger role in discovering the truth behind the murder of Captain Denny. Otherwise, the differences are miniscule. Truthfully, this adaptation does a better job at using the original text than any other film adaptation that I have watched. The casting was fantastic -- Anna Maxwell Martin makes a fantastic Elizabeth, and Jenna Coleman deserves an award for her performance as Lydia. My only (slight) irritation was Mr. Alveston's proposal to Georgiana. Another disheveled proposal scene? Didn't we already see that with Mr. Darcy?

If you are an Austen fan, I highly recommend both the book and the film adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley. Both are extremely well done, and worth your time and energy. If you aren't an Austen fan, I suggest reading and watching Pride and Prejudice before looking into this sequel in order to fully understand all the references and character back story. Few adaptations or sequels can measure up to the standard that Austen set, but this one would make her proud, without a doubt.

The Grass is Greener on the Bourbon Side

For the past two years, I have traveled to Louisville, Kentucky with my aunt and uncle for a car meet. I always joke that a more accurate description of these events is a drinking club with a car addiction. It's a ton of fun; we go places during the day and drink and talk in the evenings. But apart from all the car related stuff that we do, we always try to visit a few distilleries. We make the "annual pilgrimage" to Buffalo Trace, where they recognize us now, and choose another distillery in the area that we haven't visited before or for several years. Last year, it was Heaven Hill (which I only saw half of the premises because I was feeling ill) and Wild Turkey. This year, it was Barton's.

Now, those of you who know me know that this is heaven on earth. Bourbon has always been my drink of choice, and I highly doubt that will ever change. And the more I learn about it and try new brands, the more I realize that it's not just the taste of bourbon that I love. It's the whole experience. So here's a few reasons why I drink bourbon, and why you should too.

The warehouse at Buffalo Trace, Frankfurt, Kentucky.

Bourbon is universal. Bourbon isn't like wine or brandy, where you take a sip and you instantly feel a cut above the company (boxed wine excluded). But it also isn't like cheap beer, which instantly gives off the impression that you don't have very good taste in alcohol. I can drink Bourbon out of a flask at an outdoor party (which I do; I have had Wild Turkey 101 in my flask constantly for over two years) or I can sip it out of a glass at a high class event where I'm dressed in heels and an evening gown. At neither event do people look at me oddly because bourbon in universal. It's like your favorite pair of shoes that you can wear with anything and it looks fantastic. Bourbon is never out of place.

Bourbon is mature. Drinking bourbon shows that you're an adult. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person ever who wanted to turn twenty-one so I could visit distilleries and sip Eagle Rare on the back porch. Now, if you're drinking to get drunk on a regular basis, then you probably aren't mature and don't want a mature drink. But if you're out of college and finished playing beer pong, you probably want a drink that doesn't taste like sewage. If you aren't to that stage yet, I assure you, the grass is greener on the bourbon side. Bourbon shows that you are a cultured human being who is more interested in the alcohol than getting drunk. I get carded more when I order wine then when I order bourbon. Why? Bourbon isn't the typical choice for an underage drinker at a bar.

Bourbon is classy. As much as I can drink bourbon anytime and anywhere, it is still a classy choice. Actually, any whisky is a classy choice. If you're drinking Jack, I will question whether you like your liver, but any other whisky - bourbon, scotch, rye - automatically shows that you are an educated individual with educated taste. Does something mixed with vodka give off that impression? Unless you're using vodka to make vanilla, I'm going to guess that it doesn't. With bourbon, you demonstrate your taste without being overly pretentious. And women, let's face it. You look like a boss when you're drinking bourbon.

Bourbon is interesting. You don't make the bourbon interesting, the bourbon makes you interesting. Here's what I mean by that: I can walk into a bar and order a Bloody Mary, which I've been known to do on occasion, and the bartender mixes the drink then goes to the next customer. Or, alternatively, I can walk into a bar and order Knob Creek on the rocks and the bartender raises an eyebrow. Truthfully, bartenders have high-fived me before for ordering bourbon. I've had conversations about whisky with people twice my age, and they are generally impressed by my knowledge and interest in trying different types of hard liquor. Now, am I an interesting person without bourbon? That's up for debate. But when you drink bourbon, most people are intrigued by your choice, especially if you're under forty.

Bourbon is unique. If you have never tasted bourbon, you might have a difficult time following this point. Bourbon is one of those drinks that you can taste the intricacies of the distilling process and the passion of the distiller. It's like craft beer; you know that the person who created this masterpiece devoted all of his energy to its perfection. But unlike beer, the aging process is completely unique. During our recent trip to Buffalo Trace, the tour guide was discussing how anything and everything affects the end result of a barrel of bourbon. For example, they have been experimenting with their barrels and seeing a different taste from two barrels made from the same tree! A number of other factors apart from age affects the taste, too, including climate, location, and construction of the warehouse. Every barrel that a distillery produces is unique, which means that there are endless combinations for distinct creations. Maker's Mark and Four Roses will always taste different, even though they use the same distilling and aging process.

Bourbon is eco-friendly. That's right. Stop rolling your eyes because it's true. During our tour of Buffalo Trace, I was amazed at how many of the byproducts are reused. After distilleries take the parts of the grains that they need, the leftovers go to local farmers to feed to their livestock. Then, after the aging process is complete and the barrel is empty, the barrels are shipped worldwide to age scotch, tequila, wine, beer, and maple syrup, just to name a few. After the barrel has been used for a few decades (believe it or not, a bourbon barrel really could be used for decades) then it is retired as a planter. I doubt there are many other industries that recycle key elements of their product to that degree.

I could probably vocalize half a dozen or more reasons why everyone should drink bourbon. It's an excellent choice for any occasion, no matter who you are. Not everyone likes whiskey, or even alcohol in general. But if you do enjoy a drink every now and then, try bourbon. There are hundreds of options, all different variations of the same distilling process, all different results. If you prefer mixed drinks or something less overpowering, many of the distilleries are now producing liquors (think Bailey's) and I have not tried a bourbon liquor that I didn't like. I haven't tried everything, but I have tried all of the bourbons that I mentioned in this post, plus a few extras. And if you don't like it, try something else. Every bourbon is different; find the one that you love.

And always remember, the grass is greener on the bourbon side.