Janet Aylmer, Darcy’s Story

Darcy's Story

Janet Aylmer

Harper Collins, August 2006, $13.95

ISBN: 0061148709

For those few born on another planet - In Longbourn, wealthy Charles Bingley rents Netherfield Park, which excites Mrs. Bennet, mother of five daughters whom she wants married to quality. At a gala, Charles and the oldest Bennet sister Jane hit it off. However, his wealthy friend Fitzwilliam Darcy acts pompous, believing the next in line Elizabeth is beneath him; he alienates all the locals, even Mrs. Bennet. When Jane becomes ill while visiting Charles, she is forced to stay at his leased manor house. Elizabeth continually walks over to tend to her sister, which brings her into contact with the prideful Fitzwilliam, who soon finds he appreciates her honesty and intelligence, while she sees through his prejudicial armor of superiority to his inner soul, while Charles' arrogant sister disdains her, as she feels superior and the equal of Fitzwilliam.

Conceptually, DARCY'S STORY is a terrific idea, however, the execution of bringing out Darcy's side of events like that first ball and how he compares Elizabeth with Miss Bingley etc is interesting but flat. The problem is too much is lifted from the original Jane Austen classic leading to readers to want to put down this tale and go back to Pride and Prejudice. Lacking the originality of Janet Aylmer's AN ASSEMBLY SUCH AS THIS, DARCY'S STORY is for a select limited audience of Ms. Austen's fans.