Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Darcy's Story
Author: Janet Aylmer
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-006-114870-5
Release Date: August 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: General Fiction/Historical
Year/Setting: 1800’s/England
Overall Rating: 3.8
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Janet's Website: None found
Janet Aylmer has created a sequel, of sorts, to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice published in 1813. Darcy’s Story tells the tale of Darcy’s life as it ran alongside Elizabeth Bennett’s and what transpired in his life and his thoughts to re-create him into the man Elizabeth actually fell in love with.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy grew up as a very spoiled young man given that he was the son of the household and as well, the only child for a great many of years. That situation created an entitlement mentality within him as well as a haughtiness that made sure people didn’t draw near. There were a few who dared the dragon’s lair namely his sister, Georgiana; his best friend, Bingley and his cousin, Fitzwilliam. This handful of people were truly the only people alive who knew Darcy and understood that there was more to him than the outward appearance.
He knew as well that he had reached the point in his adulthood where it became necessary for him to look at finding a wife. With his title and position, the appropriate wife was extremely important and one requiring a great deal of thought. There were many women in their social circle who were qualified as far as their family background and manners but he found them all to be such bores. He was beginning to think he would never find the right woman.
Until, he met the second daughter of Mr. Bennett and found her to be intriguing. Her wit was always ready and wasn’t to be intimidated by the likes of him. So, while she was stimulating to the mind and not bad on the eyes, her family background is just not what it should be for a man in his position. After a period of continued searching as well as getting to know her better, Darcy decided it didn’t matter and his position was more than enough to raise her up.
Imagine his surprise when she said no (and it wasn’t exactly worded no, thank you). At that point, Darcy begins a time period of his life of great introspection to search within himself to understand the insights she shared.
I admit Janet Aylmer’s acceptance of the challenge to follow up on a historical work of the magnitude of Pride and Prejudice was quite a feat. While I found her ideas behind Mr. Darcy very good and quite thought provoking getting to those ideas took some time. The first half of the book was rather like a narration instead of getting into the characters themselves. The last half of the book though was quite good as the characters were given some reign to shine.
Lori
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