An Assembly Such as This: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman »

Pamela Aidan has been a librarian for thirty years and a fan of Jane Austen even longer. She is the author of two previous books in the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy: An Assembly Such as This and Duty and Desire. She lives with her husband in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

"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.

Library Journal

In this first installment of an originally self-published trilogy, Aidan succeeds in providing a complementary and expanded perspective on various events in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, all from the viewpoint of Fitzwilliam Darcy. She develops the complexities of his friendship with Charles Bingley and reveals his opinions of Bingley's sisters, stresses Darcy's concern for his sister's welfare after her entanglement with Mr. Wickham, and, above all, explores his inner conflict as his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet intensifies despite his doubts about her family and social position. Her original contributions, particularly the exchanges between Darcy and his valet, Fletcher, infuse humor into the plot and reveal Darcy's humanity. Because this first volume ends with Darcy's plan to convince Bingley of Jane Bennet's indifference, libraries ordering this book should be prepared to purchase the sequels as well. Austen fans will definitely want Aidan's version of the rest of the story. In fact, since all three self-published volumes are still readily available, it is curious that Simon & Schuster decided to publish another three-book set rather than combine them in a single volume. [For other Pride and Prejudice reinterpretations, see also Linda Berdoll's Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife and Darcy & Elizabeth.-Ed.]-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.