An Assembly Such as This

A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman

By: Pamela Aidan

Narrated by: George Holmes

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 the 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 Jane 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.

©2006 Pamela Aidan (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

It’s great!

I didn’t have the same issues with the reader. It’s a great way to enjoy from Mr. Darcy’s perspective!

Wonderful book; breath-challenged narrator

As I began to listen to this book, I was VERY distracted by the narrator -- I swear he breathes every 4-5 words. Either he has COPD or some other chronic respiratory issue, or a VERY affected reading style.

After about an hour, though, as another reviewer noted, I was so caught up in the story, that I stopped noticing the narrator.

But....every time I resume listening, I have to get used to it all over again.

it's fine

this book was ok, only one party made me actively roll my eyes but overall more saccharine than I like. a bit fan-fic-y perhaps but like I said, fine.

Elizabeth Bennet, A Tolerably Beautiful Woman

While this book purports to be about Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet is omnipresent. She intrudes upon every line. This work represents a thorough and a thoroughly pleasurable analysis of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen's world. The P&P story is placed in context of period customs, domestic strife, war, international intrigue and the last gasps of feudalism.

Ms Pamela Aidon weaves Darcy's story fugue-like around P&P. The melody of her story alternately rises above then falls below after touching P&P for an instant. She is always near the original and remains true to the Austen language and sensibilities. In true Austen fashion, discussions of books, ideas, art and music permeate this work along with a lively wit and social commentary.

The highly educated and well informed Miss Austen had no need to provide a historical context for her stories or explain contemporary social norms to her readers. Her focus was the soft feminine world of the drawing room with its choreographed mating rituals. Ms. Aidon's more masculine focus makes clear to 21th century readers, the motivations of the P&P characters and the rules governing their conduct. This is a splendid book. The author treats Miss Austen's work with respect and real understanding. The conceit and arrogance often found in such works is absent here.

In this first volume, the characters of Miss Georgiana Darcy, Col Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley are rounded out and their relationship with Darcy explored. In addition, three memorable characters are introduced, a hound named Trafalgar but called Monster by Darcy; Fletcher, a Shakespeare quoting, matchmaking, P.G. Wodehouse, Jeeves style valet; and Darcy's close friend Lord Dyfed (Dye) Brougham who should be watched for more than one reason. Both hound and men play interesting and often amusing roles.

Not quite the right voice

While I love this book series and enjoyed listening to the wonderful words of the author, I am not as wild about the reader. He does a great job with the different voices, but in my opinion, he sounds way too old for what I had imagined.

Printed version is better

The wrong narrator waters down this otherwise great story.

Having read and loved the three part series when it was first published, I was so excited to see them on audio and so inexpensive...that should have been a clue. I read so many mysteries it should have been obvious there was something wrong, namely the narration.

The stories are wonderful, truly the "he said" side of the argument. For those who loved to hate the detestable Caroline Bingly, more to hate she is a great bad guy for the Austen set.

However, as I stated before the narrator is horrible! He makes Darcy sound like an effeminate dandy, not the over proud slightly arrogant idiot he starts out as until he is enlightened. I'm not sure what happened after the enlightenment because the narrator then has him sounding like a 16 year old girl. Lord!

Loved, loved, loved the stories, could do without the narrator. However, even the performance couldn't totally ruin this great version of one of my favorite classics.

Interesting Insight Into British Society in 1812

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into British society in 1812. Because of the depths the author went into to explain the norms and behaviors it made it much easier to look at events with that perspective rather than the modern day view point.

Spoiled by the reader.

This is potentially quite an enthralling book - and maybe it is in the print version.

The problem is that.

It is spoiled by quite inappropriate.

Pauses which can even change the sense.

Of what was written.

By the author and so there is continuing.

Irritation.

I would like to listen to the other 2 volumes, but am not sure that I can handle the stress.

Too long and covered just a 1/3 of the story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Less musings, and I am not in for buying the 2 more parts of the book to get to the end... yawn

Love the Story! Hate the narrator!

Would you consider the audio edition of An Assembly Such as This to be better than the print version?

No. Worse. Much worse! I love audiobooks, and I love this book. I had the print editions, and wanted to listen to it as well. Unfortunately, the narrator all but ruins it. He sounds prissy, whiny, and in my opinion he totally gets the whole thing wrong, start to finish - in all three books. I'm glad I read the print version first, as it allowed me to

What did you like best about this story?

The author did her research, and it was a very enjoyable story. Love, love, love the story. Great job, Ms. Aidan! I really enjoyed the author's take on Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. She does a great job staying very true to the story, missing very few details. Well done.

Would you be willing to try another one of George Holmes’s performances?

No! Not a chance.