An Assembly Such as This (Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman) and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Start reading An Assembly Such as This (Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

An Assembly Such As This (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman; Book 1) [Paperback]

Pamela Aidan
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £5.99  
Library Binding --  
Paperback £8.09  
Paperback, 1 Sep 2003 --  
Audio Download, Unabridged £5.32 or Free with Audible.co.uk 30-day free trial
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more.

Book Description

1 Sep 2003 Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman (Book 1)
Then thousand a year and a large estate in Derbyshire! That was all Mrs. Bennet desired to know of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy before she began to entertain hopes that one of her daughters would attract his attention. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen reveals little of her creation's past or present before banishing him for quite two thirds of her book. But, who is Fitzwilliam Darcy?

An Assembly Such as This, the first book of the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy, answers that intriguing question by taking the reader into Darcy's world, a world very different from Elizabeth Bennet's. Chronicling Darcy's supervision of his naive friend Charles Bingley and his growing fascination with Elizabeth Bennet, it culminates with the disastrous ball at Netherfield and Darcy's return to London with the express intention of forgetting Elizabeth amidst the dizzying and dangerous whirl of Regency society.



Product details

  • Paperback: 220 pages
  • Publisher: Wytherngate Press (1 Sep 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0972852905
  • ISBN-13: 978-0972852906
  • Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.2 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 600,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

About the Author

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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
Fitzwilliam George Alexander Darcy rose from his seat in the Bingley carriage and reluctantly descended to earth before the assembly hall above the only inn to which the small market town of Meryton could lay claim. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 66 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Jane Austen fans - rejoice! 22 Aug 2004
Format:Paperback
Amidst all those many spin-offs and sequels to her books which nine times out of ten are very disappointing, this one is really very good. It's the first of a trilogy (under the heading 'Fitzwiliam Darcy, Gentleman'), and I am now rather frustrated that I did not order the second one (Duty and Desire) at the same time because now I have to wait a couple weeks before it arrives and I can continue the story.

This is Pride & Prejudice from Darcy's viewpoint. There are many of the scenes we're familiar with from the original, but also a few completely new ones, and others that were only referred to happening in Austen's,. e.g., 'and though they were at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book and would not even look at her'. That little scene is described in more detail in 'An Assembly'. It's not written in quite exactly the light, satirical style that Jane had, (this is Darcy's viewpoint after all, not Elizabeth's) but it also has its moments of ironical humour and Pamela Aidan gets the language and manners bang on the mark.

It's wonderful getting more insight into the nature of Darcy's friendship with Charles, his relationship with Georgiana and his priveliged position and life. I also loved seeing the character of Lizzie as we know her 'fleshed out' through the eyes of an outsider. Something that never really hit me as forcibly before was that, despite being a well-bred, intelligent gentleman's daughter, she really IS - especially compared to Darcy and the people he knows - a rather simple country miss. Aidan's made her a bit more 'sweet and dimpled' than I'd imagined Elizabeth to be, but she ended up being completely believable to me. Also, although we know that Darcy's pride is part of the problem and impasse between them, here the role her prejudice also plays in their ongoing misunderstanding is thrown into a bit sharper focus. You see how, at times, she really does enjoy bedevilling him just for devillment's sake.

Aidan rarely makes the mistake that so many other Austen wannabes do of going beyond the mode of decorum established in her books and describing or having things happen that Jane would never have put to paper. However, there is a tint, just a hint of the strong physical attraction Elizabeth ends up having for Darcy. In the book it refers to the fact that he is a man of 'strong feeling' which he keeps carefully in check and regulated. Here, you see just how strong his feelings can be *swoons slightly*

In short, highly recommended. It ends at the return to London after the disastrous Netherfield ball. I can't wait until the second arrives and am rather annoyed that I apparently have to wait until next year until the third is published. Pamela - write faster!

I hope it doesn't break any kind of copyright rules if I include a short excerpt:

"A more forward, opinionated little baggage I defy anyone to find! Such cheek and impertinence! So ready to do battle on the slightest pretense. He paused a moment, his conscience demanding that he examine his mental outburst for bias. Darcy heaved a reluctant sigh. Ready to battle with himself, to be sure. It was only he who seemed to call forth this rash barrage of penetrating wit. Perhaps, he even encouraged it in some way, for she was certainly most amiable and geniune in her tenderness with those she loved. Her face...when she looked on those others...such warm affection...

Why then, do you continue to attend to her? his inner voice interrupted in demand. Darcy left the window and threw himself down onto the bed. Suddenly, before thought could mitigate its power, the answer thrummed through his whole body. "Because she IS both and what you have always desired." For some time it was impossible to ignore the thrill and terror of his confession. But he had been well-prepared from birth for his station in life and what was due his family. As he turned onto his side and grasped a pillow firmly against his cheek, the resolution was already forming that, for both their sakes, no sign of admiration should escape him henceforth. The rapid thuddings of his heart finally quieted, but try as he might, sleep escaped him until the early watches of the morning."

Was this review helpful to you?
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and whole-heartedly recommended 19 Nov 2003
By Joana
Format:Paperback
The charm of Pride and Prejudice has lured many into attempting to write about this delightful love story, but in my opinion no such work can parallel the mastery of Pamela Aidan's novel.
Beautifully written, in exquisite austenesque language - so rare amongst Jane Austen's followers - Pamela Aidan's work is the only one worthy of standing alongside the original story, as its perfect companion.
If you wish to read only one of the many books written about Pride and Prejudice, I urge you, read THIS ONE. If you have read the original novel and were left yearning for more; if you have seen the remarkable 1995 BBC adaptation and wished it was not over; if you read other books claiming they were written in the spirit of Pride and Prejudice, but found that modern day language and mentality, as well as lame 21st century plots were clumsily patched onto the beautiful tapestry that was early 19th century England, allow Pamela Aidan to guide you beyond the cool reserve of Jane Austen's brilliant character to the 'other side of Pride and Prejudice'.
You will find the powerful emotions hidden beneath Darcy's reserved exterior and will be offered a glimpse into his world. If no reference to the events of her time can be found in any of Jane Austen's novels - which may be one of the reasons why her work is as relevant now as it was when it was written - Pamela Aidan's book is skilfully anchored in the realities of the era which, in my opinion, serves to further emphasise the gulf between the sheltered existence of the country miss, and the demands and expectations of 'the man of sense and education who has lived in the world'; and the absolutely remarkable way in which Pamela Aidan depicts how, in his mind, this gulf was bridged by Darcy's love for the delightful but so unsuitable Miss Elizabeth Bennet makes this book the best I have ever read, since Pride and Prejudice.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look into Mr. Darcy's mind 24 Nov 2003
Format:Paperback
Pamela Aidan has done a wonderful job in describing Mr. Darcy' point of view on Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice': how he notices that he is trapped by Elizabeth's charms, how he tries to escape and how he becomes the man that Elizabeth and we -the readers- come to love.
'An Assembly Such As This' is the first part of a trilogy that will make you wait with agony for the next two parts. Enjoy!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars From Mr Darcy's point of view
I really enjoyed the story of Pride and Prejudice told through Mr Darcy's eyes and how he interpreted or misimterpreted Elizabeth's behaviour. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Cristina Fatmi
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Mr Darcy's side of the story!
What a wonderful book! Finally we get to see Mr Darcy's amiable side . As Jane pointed out in pride and prejudice she knew not how to believe that Mr Darcy could be so unworthy of... Read more
Published 9 days ago by tam
1.0 out of 5 stars Maybe dead harsh
I love "Pride and Prejudice", not only for the story but the way of telling, the narrative style. Austen is literature. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Fitz Gerald
3.0 out of 5 stars All in the details
The author clearly takes some creative liberties in order to develop her own Mr. Darcy, which I am fully capable of going along with but there were one too many historical details... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J.
4.0 out of 5 stars new take on P&P
Based on the best book ever, it attempts to fills in the gap when Darcy is away and to give the whole plot from Darcy's perspective. Does not have the same humour as P&P. Read more
Published 1 month ago by cheshire cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Perspective
I have always been a fan of Jane Austen but have never read any of the companion novels that have been written recently, this was a really lovely view point of an amazing... Read more
Published 1 month ago by E. Beggs
5.0 out of 5 stars A spin-off worth reading
Amongst the many Pride and Prejudice off-shoots, here, at last, is one worth reading. This is the book from Darcy's perspective, following his thoughts and the events of his life... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bron
5.0 out of 5 stars best ever ,see review for number 1
really good ,should get collin firth to televise the three bks.going from darcy,s side brilliant.gives the mans view of things
Published 11 months ago by Dorothea Sutcliffe
5.0 out of 5 stars Really very good account of P&P from Darcy's point of view
I am always cautious about these Austen spin-offs because they can be the most terribly inappropriate bodice-ripping rubbish, but this one isn't. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Meerkat
5.0 out of 5 stars what a great idea!
I have read variations on Pride and Prejudice before because I love the world and characters that Jane Austen created. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Sophie Tomms
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback