"An Assembly Such as This" by Pamela Aidan

As a huge fan of Jane Austen, I was thrilled when a friend recommended I check out Pamela Aiden's "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" series. This trilogy retells Austen's beloved "Pride & Prejudice" from Mr. Darcy's perspective. I have to admit that Darcy isn't my favorite of Austen's heroes, but I was still eager to read this when I was able to get a copy.

"An Assembly Such as This" opens at the Meryton dance where Darcy is introduced to the society into which his friend Charles Bingley has moved. Used to the finest social circles, Darcy is a little horrified at the country manners he sees on display, and has no interest in forming friendships with the people there. On the other hand, Bingley is captivated and charmed by the whole town in general, and Jane Bennet in particular. It's when Bingley urges Darcy to dance with Jane's sister Elizabeth that Darcy's famous rebuttal is spoken: "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me." Yet it is just the same Elizabeth who Darcy can't quite get out of his mind over the next few weeks and months.

Upon further meetings with Elizabeth, Darcy is struck by her wit and the teasing way she communicates with others. He can tell there's a disconnect between them, and while he longs to heal the breach, he is a little unsure on how to do so when she finds a way to dismiss his every attempt at friendship. As the Netherfield ball approaches, all Darcy can dream about is finding a way to ensure her good opinion, even while he knows he must be careful in his deep regard for her.

I enjoyed this book very much! It was fun to meet new characters, like Darcy's valet Fletcher, who seems to have lots of unknown mischief up his sleeve. The book is written in a classic style so it took me longer to read a normal novel, but that won't stop me from reading the next books in the series as I am able. This novel concludes a little while after the Netherfield ball, when Darcy and Bingley are in London and going to parties that include real historical figures such as Beau Brummel and Lady Caroline Lamb. As "An Assembly Such as This" closes, Darcy is about to remove to Pemberley for the Christmas holidays.

This book was very faithful to Jane Austen's original, including the discomfort and agony of meeting Wickham in Meryton, and the love between Darcy and his sister. I would highly recommend it to all Austen fans!