Review: Colonel Brandon's Diary

by Amanda Grange
publisher: Penguin Group
date published: July 7, 2009
format: NOOK ebook
pages: 167
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N
challenges: Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge; 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge; The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Reading Challenge 2011

From Goodreads:

A vibrant retelling of Sense and Sensibility, Grange's sweeping epic breathes new life into another of Austen's best-loved novels.

At the age of eighteen, James Brandon's world is shattered when the girl he loves, Eliza, is forced to marry his brother. In despair, he joins the army and leaves England for the East Indies for the next several years. Upon his return, he finds Eliza in a debtor's prison. He rescues her from her terrible situation, but she is dying of consumption and he can do nothing but watch and wait. Heartbroken at her death, he takes some consolation in her illegitimate daughter, who he raises as his ward. But at the age of fifteen, his ward goes missing. Devastated by the thought of what could have happened to her, he is surprised to find himself falling in love with Marianne Dashwood. But Marianne is falling in love with the charismatic Willoughby...

What I Thought

I have been looking forward to reading Colonel Brandon's Diary for quite a while. Colonel Brandon is actually my favorite male Austen figure, so I was very excited to read more about him and get his viewpoints on the events that take place in Sense and Sensibility. I had heard good things about Amanda Grange's diaries, so I was anticipating reading this book even more.

The book begins with Brandon's return home from Oxford for a visit, at which time he is greeted by Eliza, whom he is in love with and hopes to marry. As the events Brandon described to Elinor in Sense and Sensibility unfold, we find out just how negatively Brandon was affected, as well as his motivations for joining the army. As he experiences hope and then heartbreak, we learn that he is resolved never to love again... until he meets Marianne Dashwood. As the story continues to unfold, we learn about the ordeal that is his ward, Eliza's, disappearance and his discovery as to the identity of her seducer, as well as how that revelation will impact Marianne, the depth of Brandon's feelings for Marianne are examined in more detail than was found in Sense and Sensibility. The fresh perspective that is Brandon's point of view allows for a more in-depth examination of the people and events surrounding him.

Amanda Grange's portrayal of Brandon was very well written and she came very very close to capturing the essence of Jane Austen's writing voice. There was just enough difference to give Colonel Brandon a voice of his own and he was more compelling for it. The only thing that threw me off was the rapidity in which Marianne recovered from her illness and transferred her affections to Brandon. It seemed a little rushed. Even in the diary format it seemed that not many days passed between Marianne's illness and her newly found feelings for Brandon. I think the book could have done with a few more pages to draw things out a bit more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the fresh perspective on Sense and Sensibility and Grange's writing was shown to advantage within. I look forward to reading more of her diaries and novels. I give Colonel Brandon's Diary 4 hoots.