"Literature in Series": First Impressions' review

The following review was written by Amanda, from "Literature in series" blog. This is not the complete text. If you wish to read the original, it's on http://www.literaturaemserie.com/2015/01/eu-li-primeiras-impressoes.html #more

This is a story inspired by "Pride and Prejudice". Fans of Jane Austen know that "First Impressions" was the original title of this classic novel, before it was officially published. LRDO already introduces us to her great ideas by choosing this particular title.

The vast majority of characters are still called the same. However, one can not read this book thinking that you'll find a faithful/modern adaptation of the classic. The author used all her talent to create her own story, using her [and my] favorite book as an inspiration.

I think I can talk about the plot without fear of spoling anything because this plot is already well known. I won't reveal anything that could jeopardize one's reading, but I will openly refer to some major aspects.

Liz is graduated in Literature from Boston University. Her parents own hotels in Brazil, with two other partners. She has three sisters: Jane, Maria and Lídia (Kitty is not present in this book). Jane went to Law School in the United States and Liz's best friend, Charlotte, also studied with them abroad.

The three decide to spend the holidays in Buzios, where are located the family's hotels. Parallel to this, two American friends are looking for a location to open a restaurant. The guy who will make the investment is called Charles and he tries to convince his friend, Fred, it will be a good deal. Along with them is Caroline, Charles' sister.

I confess that I began reading imagining I would find all the details from the original story. I figured that I'd read something faithfully translated into the twenty-first century. And to my pleasant surprise, it was not quite what happened.

Many different situations are described by Laís. The troubled relationship between the main characters is narrated quite differently, but it pleased me greatly. Although the characters' names and personalities are pretty similar to the original, Liz Benevides and Frederick Darcy are Laís' characters, not Jane Austen's.

The story has a lot in common with "Pride and Prejudice", but it has its own charm. So, I must stop here my comparisons. This work deserves undivided attention, thanks to the author's delicious way of writing.

Best Quotes: Chapter 1

 

"Are you sure about this, Charlie? This is, after all, a third world country!"

 

 

Lizzie didn’t waste her time dreaming with prince charming.

 

 

The only thing Lizzie was sure of was that she couldn’t call Frederick Darcy an ugly man.

 

 

He’d just been introduced to the beautiful Jane, but Charles was already enchanted.

 

 

Frederick Darcy was exactly how he seemed to be the moment he’d arrived at the party. Unpleasant, severe and taciturn.

 

 

“Charles is wonderful. Almost too good to be true, Lizzie.”

 “Usually, when someone seems to be like that, it really means he’s too good to be true, Jane.”

 

 

“You must’ve had real fun, Charlie. But, honestly, you danced with the only beautiful woman in the party.”

 

 

First Impressions by LRDO

Soon available on Wattpad

 

 

Why do we love Mr. Darcy?

The question may seem stupid, because I'm talking about every woman’s favorite male character for more than two centuries! However, if we study Mr. Darcy’s personality rationally, we find that our attraction to him cannot be explained casually.
A severe, taciturn and antisocial man. Not only the first impressions of Elizabeth Bennet. He’s really like that sometimes. Even though he gets better in matters of his pride and initial prejudice, no one can describe the miserable-half-Pemberley owner as friendly, charismatic or - much less - cute (as his best friend, Charles Bingley, sure is).

 

So, why the hell are we all eternally in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy, and sigh every time he appears in Austen’s wonderful novel (or in the 2005 movie, or in the BBC’s TV series, or who cares where else)?

 

Certainly, I cannot answer for all of us, but, after much thought, I came to a few key factors to his irresistible charm. First, he has something we look for in any life partner: loyalty. Darcy is loyal to his friends, his family, and mostly, to his beloved. And his faithfulness does not require reciprocity: even after being rejected by Lizzie, he spares no effort to help her younger sister, the clueless Lydia. His integrity is so strong that he even makes everyone involved in the case swear absolute secrecy, probably in order to avoid making Lizzie feel obligated to return the favor. Is there any better prove of love?

 

Oh, Darcy ...

Another appealing feature is his full dedication to his family and close friends. And, unlike the idea we have of him in the beginning, he has great respect and consideration for those in inferior conditions. Nothing better to know the true nature of someone than to observe how he treats his subordinates. And Darcy’s admire him affectionately.

Finally (as if I needed to say anything else), he’s a very discreet man, something incredibly rare, especially in the internet and social networks Era. Now, ex-boyfriends expose their former loved ones in terrible – and most intimate– ways, posting everywhere nude pictures taken when the couple was happy (or worse, sometimes those were taken without the girlfriend’s authorization

I believe, therefore, that we love - and will always love - Mr. Darcy because we are in an eternal and arduous search for someone with his character. Of course it feels amazing to go out with a cute, hot, fun, popular and spontaneous guy. But raising a family? Sharing a life? Being best friends forever (and for real)? For those, we require a Mr. Darcy.