This is one big glorious modern sister to Pride and Prejudice. Liz and Jane’s parents are rendered particularly well, the brainless Mrs Bennett with her hoarding tendencies and Mr Bennett showing his characteristic lacerating wit – there is so much more scope for it these days. Austen lovers may be slightly perturbed at the idea of Liz and Darcy becoming shag buddies before even admitting they like one another (is that sound Austen rolling in her grave?) but come on, it is true to form. And nice to see Darcy working for a change, as a neurosurgeon. The bit with Chip and Jane’s reality TV show drags on a little too long but the majority of the book is truly delightful. Sittenfeld nails it.
