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Paperback
Publisher: Touchstone
Format: Bargain Price
"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me."So begins the timeless romance of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen's classic novel is beloved by millions, but little is revealed in the book about the mysterious and handsome hero, Mr. Darcy. And so the question has long remained: Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy? In An Assembly Such as This, Pamela Aidan finally answers that long-standing question. In this first book of her Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy, she reintroduces us to Darcy during his visit to Hertfordshire with his friend Charles Bingley and reveals Darcy's hidden perspective on the events of Pride and Prejudice. As Darcy spends more time at Netherfield supervising Bingley and fending off Miss Bingley's persistent advances, his unwilling attraction to Elizabeth grows -- as does his concern about her relationship with his nemesis, George Wickham. Setting the story vividly against the colorful historical and political background of the Regency, Aidan writes in a style comfortably at home with Austen but with a wit and humor very much her own. Aidan adds her own cast of fascinating characters to those in Austen's original, weaving a rich tapestry from Darcy's past and present. Austen fans and newcomers alike will love this new chapter of the most famous romance of all time.
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| Fun |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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If you like Jane Austen's work, but have read all 6 novels, then this series is a great read. It's not canon, and it deviates strongly from Austen's style, but that's the point. It's a whole new series based on Austen's characters, and it's a fun quick read.
It should also be noted that the strongest deviations from the canon revolve around non-Austen characters. Austen never would have written Darcy's friend Brougham in the way that Aidan does, but ultimately, he's a side character. Darcy, Miss Darcy and Elizabeth all stay true to their roots in the original work.
Ultimately, my point is this: If you want a fun read based on Austen characters, then this is a great choice. If you hold the Austen canon as sacred, then you may find some things to dislike here. I loved the whole series for what it is.
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| Pride and Prejudice Sequels |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I truly enjoyed this book as well as the other two in the series. It shows Darcy's point of view perfectly and really allows you to see inside the workings of his head. I really liked the way the book introduces us to new characters that persuade Darcy to do certain things and the way it justifies Darcy's abominable behavior towards Elizabeth at the beginning of Pride and Prejudice.
The writing style is truly beautiful and you feel like you are reading Jane Austen. I highly recommend this book to any Austen fan; it is a fantastic read.
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| Come on, admit it ..... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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....you've always been curious about the inside world of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. You've wondered what he was thinking here, what was behind his reasoning there, and just how passionate was he about his love for Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Pamela Aiden's unique and clever twist on the intimate moments of the life of Mr. Darcy has become possibly the most satisfying and enjoyable parody of Pride and Prejudice that this Austen enthusiast has ever read.
Miss Aiden gives us an interesting peak into the moments we were denied in Jane Austen's classic, as well as a different perspective on all the scenes that have stuck with us since the day we read that infamous line: It is a truth universally acknowledged.... We are priviledged to witness the details of the student/mentor friendship between Darcy and Bingley, the truth of how much Darcy really tolerates the insufferable Miss Bingley, and, most importantly, the progressive nature of his love for Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
A worthy addition to this remarkable ensemmble cast is Darcy's loyal, witty, Shakespeare-quoting valet, Fletcher, whose cleverness on the part of his observation towards the blooming romance between the main characters is the depiction of brilliancy. Miss Aiden's imagination crafts for us some original scenes that could have happened during Darcy's stay at Netherfield, and are true and loyal to Miss Austen's form and style of writing.
Darcy's struggles with his affections for Miss Bennet are dealt with in a genuine and classic manner, while at the same time highlighting the difficulties involving the Darcy pride. Miss Georgiana is briefly mentioned, correspondence shown between the two, and promises to view her in the next volumne are made. All in all, I believe Miss Aiden's entire trilogy to be the epitamy of Janeite enthusiasm. They are a required addition to any personal library and stand at the top of my list for Austen parodies and continuances. On behalf of all the Janeites in my acquaintance, I say, "Thank you, Miss Aiden."
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| Happy with Mr. Darcy |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I was very happy with this book. At times I had the Pride and Prejudice movie on while I was reading, so I could see what was going on in Mr. Darcy's mind at certain moments. It was great to have his perspective. It was interesting to see his struggles brought out. It made him a much more likable character.
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| Pleasantly Surprised |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I am not the type of person who usually goes in for "fan-fiction" but I really enjoyed this series. There were moments when I felt the characters were a bit over dramatic or when I was just sick of Darcy's endless inner monologs, but I really loved the perspective Pamela Aidan added to the traditional Pride and Prejudice story.
I can sympathize with the people who felt this book was boring because it followed the Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice to closely, but it's well worth the read because the rest of the series proved to me to be very rewarding.
If you are the kind of person who has read Pride and prejudice till it fell apart, and who's BBC (ala Colin Firth) Pride and Prejudice DVD set is scratched and now only plays ½ the story, then this is just the series for you! Pamela Aiden has expanded on the Darcy we all know and love, not to mention trampled on the Caroline Bingley none of us can stand.
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