An Assembly Such as This

A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman

By: Pamela Aidan

Narrated by: George Holmes

"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.

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.

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!

Take the title seriously

I know this is a trilogy so I will have to continue with the next book to feel real progress through the P&P story outline but this first book was a real slog getting through. I nearly gave up and I rarely do that. The voices are rather grating at times. Darcy comes off as a real horse’s behind scheming to keep Bingley away from Jane Bennet and especially her family. The scenes after they leave Hartfordshire after Bingley’s ball are a series of boy’s club activities and this is where I started to zone out. It felt like it went on and on. Darcy comes off like he has an enormous stick up [somewhere in his body] and has zero sense of humor. He meanly takes his valet to task for tying a new fancy cravat that garnered attention at one of the said boy’s club appearances. I looked at the time left after that and was relieved in was almost over. I rarely if ever give bad reviews but I can’t recommend this one, especially to new readers of Jane variations who have been exposed to brilliant authors and plots.

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.