Rosings Park: A Story of Jane Austen's Fighting Men Paperback – November 5, 2020

I did read the other books in this series. However you could probably read this as a stand alone although Jack Caldwell writes so well...why miss out on some good stories?As another review stated Jack likes to blend history into his stories. Thus, this story educates us about the most catastrophic volcano in history...one which affected the entire world as its ashes blocked out the sun and affected growing seasons. This, in turn, led to reductions in crops, food shortages, income shortages, etc. As England entered the Industrial Age many left farming to apply for employment in industry hoping for better income. Unrest ensued and acts followed which politicians handled poorly as they often used violence to put those down.We also have a flashback to the time when Sir Lewis de Bourgh was alive and there was a challenge to his inheriting of Rosings. The relative who does not accept that is not one to let time temper his feelings of resentment. We also read of a man, a thief, whose punishment leaves his wife and son without any income except what she can take in by her sewing skills. As the son grows he turns out to be of low intelligence and only able to take on simple tasks here and there to earn money. He and his mother have no choice when they are forced to abet in further criminal activities.The main characters in this story are the Bufords (John and Caroline nee Bingley), the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys. They are all in Kent where Richard and his wife, Anne, are now in charge at Rosings. Richard seeks some help from Darcy but at the same time after hiring a steward does NOT follow up in overseeing that man's implementation of plans. Darcy does ride out ( as per his habitual activity at Rosings) and finds some problems but Richard is not at all happy to have his management questioned. Lady Catherine has moved into the dower house but continues to usurp Anne's position, i.e., changing orders at the butcher's. Mr. Collins has backed Anne de Bourgh which places him in opposition to Lady C.The new steward does back modern plans such as crop rotation but cannot account for the vegetable garden's failure even as manure is worked into the soil. I was delighted to read of Collins' interest in agronomy bringing forth clues as to what that problem entailed.Lydia Wickham is not part of the story. She has remarried and sailed off to India. However the three Wickham daughters are now being reared by three of the Bennet sisters. Chloe is with Darcy and Elizabeth. Does Darcy hold against her the sins of her father? Then there is Richard Fitzwilliam who would as soon have killed off Wickham. His reaction to and then treatment of Chloe is of heart melting interest.I loved this story. There is a lot of angst. Caroline Buford's relationship with her husband, a man crippled during battle, shows us that change is possible. She balances well the need to support her husband while at the same time not undermining his feelings of self sufficiency. Well done. Anne de Bourgh deals with her mother and with the fact that while others bear offspring her one pregnancy didn't end well.I highly recommend this story.

As mentioned in the book blurb, Jack Caldwell’s “Fighting Men” series began in 2012 with The Three Colonels, which I had the pleasure of reading. I also read and reviewed the subsequent volumes The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel (2016) and Persuaded to Sail (2020). The next title released was Rosings Park. Once again Caldwell has brought together several beloved characters from the world of Jane Austen, plus a few of his own creation. Although I found Persuaded to Sail to be a bit of a misstep for this talented author, he has produced a fine work in Rosings Park. As a Janeite I thoroughly enjoyed inhabiting the world of the likes of the Darcys, the Fitzwilliams and others. Readers are given a thorough glimpse inside the inner workings of the Rosings estate, as well as inside the lives of those who are within and affected by this grand residence.A large portion of the novel focuses on the relationships of the characters, developing friendships and loves that Austen either set in motion in her original works, or certainly would have approved of in Caldwell’s vision for their narratives. The fate of the daughter of Lydia Bennet Wickham was particularly compelling. A spunky, sweet young lady who deserved much better parents, Chloe Wickham is sometimes shunned for her heritage. Light in spirit, she manages to win over several surly adults who initially discount her as merely the spawn of less-than-desirable folk.The development of other Austenesque characters was also interesting, as readers find the former Caroline Bingley growing into a woman of compassion and esteem. Anne de Bourgh Fitzwilliam matures as a woman, gaining greater health physically, but also learning how to be the lady of a grand estate (which includes managing her mother as well). Her husband, Colonel Fitzwilliam has struggles of his own too, as he must be the master of Rosings with a formidable mother-in-law.Calwell also introduces into the lives of these characters some elements that bring about no small amount of drama, particularly near the close of the novel. I found the final chapters to be especially riveting, with dastardly deeds faced on multiple fronts by the men and women of Rosings. It was also refreshing to have high drama without copious amounts of graphic material. On occasion the men would spout off colorful language, but it was reasonable (if not lighter) than one would expect from military men in that era, facing matters of life and death.Jack Caldwell’s “Fighting Men” series has continued with a fine fourth volume in the collection. Rosings Park is a delicious return to the world of Jane Austen’s characters. The development of relationships was compelling and realistic, and the drama was page-turning. Within the end pages of the book readers are given the tease that a fifth book will one day arrive, entitled Brother of the Bride. I had previously assumed that Rosings Park was the concluding title, but it seems this is not the case. I’m glad that the saga has not completely retired. Jack Caldwell’s portrayal of his and Austen’s characters was worth another visit in Rosings Park, and will most certainly be once again in Brother of the Bride.

I have been anticipating this sequel for a long time. "The Three Colonels" is one of my all-time favourites, and I needed to know more about their lives after the Battle of Waterloo. I have also read and enjoyed the two books after it, "The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Persuaded to Sail".As the story begins, an incident from the past comes back to haunt the current inhabitants of Rosings Park. There is a confluence of historical events, political, economic and natural, that also have a major impact in the lives of our heroes. These all play a part in this story, but how each of the three Colonels deal with returning to civilian life is at the core of this novel."...the gentleman left and never saw the look of hate on the face of Mrs. Johnson." (quote from the book)I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Not only do we have our favourite couple, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, we get to see the strength of the bonds between all the couples...Sir Richard and Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, Sir John and Lady Caroline Buford (nee Bingley), Colonel Christopher Brandon and Marianne Brandon and Mary(nee Bennet) and Thomas Tucker. Others, of course, from the previous novels are mentioned.There is a lot going on in this story as we are dealing with several couples. Each have their own individual concerns. But the angst starts to grow as strange incidents are occurring at Rosings Park. Lady Catherine keeps having her share of the conversation which undermines her daughter Anne's position as mistress. You also get a glimpse into her past as well. Richard's pride gets in the way of his sense that only causes more problems for them. But through it all they all try to work together when most of them converge on Rosings Park for the summer."As the pretty daughter of an earl with a sizable dowry, one would think you would have a brain in your head and a heart in your breast. Either one would be welcome. Pray, inform me when you acquire one or the other." (quote from the book)I would have to say that Sir John and Lady Buford are one of my favourite couples (other than Darcy and Elizabeth, of course) in this book. To me, they have gone through the fire and have come out the other side better people."She discovered a strength she never knew she had, sometimes, an engulfing serenity." (quote from the book)I do strongly recommend that you read at least the first book in order to fully appreciate this one. And I did notice at the back of the book, a possible continuation? I certainly hope so!

Dieser Roman ist keine angenehme entspannende Wohlfühl-Lektüre.Die Helden müssen ihre Kriegs-Erlebnisse bewältigen und sich den sozialen, wirtschaftlichen und politischen Problemen der ersten Nachkriegsjahre auseinandersetzen. Das miserable Wetter führt zu Missernten: Hungersnöte und soziale Unrast gehören zum harten Alltag nicht nur der Landarbeiter.Jack Caldwell schildert in seinem Roman diese Zeit sehr eindrücklich. Ich kann den Roman nur empfehlen!