These Three Remain

A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman

By: Pamela Aidan

Narrated by: George Holmes

Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it."

His proposal of marriage to the lovely, but socially inferior, Elizabeth Bennet thoroughly rejected, Darcy must come to terms with her evaluation of his character and a future without her.

Book Three, These Three Remain, recounts Darcy's painful journey of self-discovery in his quest to become the gentleman he always hoped he would be and the kind of man of whom Elizabeth Bennet would approve.

A chance meeting with her during a tour of his estate in Derbyshire offers Darcy a new opportunity, but the activities of his nemesis, George Wickham, interfere once more in a way that may ruin everyone's hopes for happiness, unless Darcy succeeds in putting his new-found strengths to the test.

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.

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

Excellent companions to Pride and Prejudice

This is the third of a trilogy that explores Mr Darcy's side of the Pride and Prejudice story. These books are a wonderful companion to Jane Austin's classic. This being the third book, there is much repetition of themes from the previous two books, and yet I found it quite enjoyable.

This was my third listen to this series. These books by Pamela Aiden stick perfectly to the timeline and character of the original.

A Lovely Conclusion

This was a worthwhile listen. I found the perception interesting and I enjoyed the added elements of the new and fleshed-out characters. After the second book, I wasn't sure how the author would steer the story back onto it's respected path, but she did it well and successfully tied together the first two books to this conclusion. I enjoyed the narrator and the emphasis he placed in words and phrases to convey meaning and humor. In my opinion, the patience rendered by the listener through the series and through this last installment helps make the ending that much more satisfying.

Well Written Book Ruined by Narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I am on the fence regarding this question. I loved the book and the story, but detested the narration. Had I not previously read the novel, I probably would never have stuck with it.

What other book might you compare These Three Remain to and why?

Put here are several other books out there that tell Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. Hands down, this series is the best...by leaps and bounds, both in plot and in writing style, ability.

How could the performance have been better?

By getting another narrator. To say the performance was poor is an understatement.

Was These Three Remain worth the listening time?

No. If given the opportunity, I would have re-read the book instead.

for the series

so this is sorry of a review for the whole series: eh. By that I mean it's just kind of there. it exists. there's nothing egregiously offensive to the words of Austen but it hardly flatters the source material. I don't particularly care for the portrayal of Georgiana Darcy, who is treated like the most precious little porcelain doll and I feel like the titular Darcy is more garrulous and forthright about her abuses at the hands of Wickham than anyone would be. The servants of the Darcy household tend to be a bit much (I'm not a fan of the 'just so gosh darned happy to serve' trope in literature) and the whole Bingley crew are a huge freaking drag, caricatures of the source characters really. In short I guess I feel like the series is rather pander-y and doesn't really enchance one's opinion of the characters in any meaningful way

Fun read

Good Darcy's perspective.

Nothing new to the original story line for E & D.

I don't understand why she didn't add more to D&E. The author added a whole new set of boring people and an anti country issue. Don't waste your credit on this . It wasn't worth it.

A good read spoiled

Ms Aidan did a great job on this book! It's not Austen, but a fine romance with a gothic spin. More intrigue and political background than Austen would have included. That said, the narrator destroyed it. Darcy was not masculine, struggling to reform his character. Rather, he became a whining fop. The servants were obsequious, and the ladies were drag queens. Not to mention the pacing, which was far too slow, and the misplaced emphasis. I realize the author is not well known, but couldn't they dredge up any better narrator than that?

Mr Collins reads Mr Darcy!!!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, it's good fun and a lighthearted easy listen. It may not hit the highs of the original, but there are plenty of quotes.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrators "posh" voice wasn't terribly convincing and sounded more like the sycophantic, sniveling Mr Collins.