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  • An Assembly Such as This

  • A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman
  • By: Pamela Aidan
  • Narrated by: George Holmes
  • Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (26 ratings)

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An Assembly Such as This

By: Pamela Aidan
Narrated by: George Holmes
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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.
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

An Assembly Such as This

This book, in general, is a very good continuation of the work of Jane Austin. The charactorisation is good and the view of the relationship of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy from a different angle is interesting. Unfortunately the author is lacking in knowledge of a gentlemans passtimes in the late 18th and early 19th centurys. A fowling piece is a smooth bore shot gun not a riffle and as such has no sights. Hunting was done on horse back with a pack of hounds. A shooting party would have been shooting birds driven by beaters towards the guns. A gentleman would have had a gun dog not a hound. A gentleman of Darcy's wealth would have taken a string of horses for hunting to a country house visit not just the one. I don't know weather these criticisms are due to a lack or research or to transatlantic misunderstanding.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Jane Austen and beyond (1 of 3 books)

Pros:

This set of 3 books is well written.

Great characterisations.

New characters - Darcy's valet, dog and horse.

Brings in the politics of the time.



Cons:

Written by an American. Not trying to be pedantic, but sometimes certain words and phrases used (sidewalk for pavement and Darcy asked his manservant to get Bingley's things"?!?) jarred in what are good stories.

Another reviewer talks about whether or not a man of Darcy's standing would have a hound instead of a retriever of some kind.

The other fly in the ointment is the style of the narration. George Holmes was a film star in Hollywood and there is a slight over accentuation of the "British" accent.



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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Triology❣️

Book 1 of 3: Excellently written and attention to detail. This variation gives insight into Darcy’s character, growing infatuation with Elizabeth and his relationships with Bingley, Dye, Georgiana and brilliant valet with humour and realness. The narrator’s style takes a little getting used to but adds to the story telling and made it very enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An insight into Darcy's mind

Serendipity effected my discovery of Pamela Aidan's novels of 'Fitzwilliam Darcy - Gentleman'. I'm so glad it did. I've been forsaking all my other iPod listening so that I could listen to these instead.

As a fan of P & P since I was 12 (a very long time ago), I've always been fascinated by the interaction of the characters. This series is a very welcome addition to my collection of books, DVDs and audiobooks.

The narrator takes a bit of getting used to, but the author's interpretation gels very nicely indeed with my perceptions which have been garnered over many years.

Anyone who is a fan of P & P should give these books a chance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Mr Darcy explained!

I have really enjoyed this wonderful twist on Pride and Prejudice. Told from the point of view of Mr Darcy this book reveals all the antics we were left guessing about in Jane Austen's classic. Namely how exactly Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy came to be so in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This first part of the trilogy deals with Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley's first visit to Netherfield where both become besotted with the Bennet sisters. This story also helps you understand why Mr Darcy acts the way he does and why his actions come across the way they do. I have just one reservation and that was the fact that the narrator took a small bit of getting used to as his accent is not as refined as one would have expected Darcy's accent to be but this does not detract from the story at all. I would still highly recommend this entertaining listen and I can't wait to start listening to the next book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Darcy Falls In Love.

I have read all three books in the Novel and very much enjoyed this one. The Author gives us a wonderful insight into the heart and mind of Mr Darcy and leads us through his joy and pain as he meets and falls in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. A thrilling listen for any Pride and Prejudice fan.

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1 person found this helpful