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Rating:  -
I absolutely LOVED this trilogy! I wasn't too worried about how similar it would be to Jane Austen, because obviously no one will probably ever come close to emulating her. Saying that, I thought all three books were very entertaining. The second one gets a bit boring, but it's worth it once you get to the third one.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who wants to see the other side of the coin.
Rating:  -
I have made it a project this year to read through many of the modern generation of P & P inspired books, whether they be sequels or Darcy viewpoint stories. And I saved this particular series for nearly last, because it seemed to be held in the highest esteem. I can certainly see why, as the book is well written, wonderfully detailed, and obviously deeply researched. There is much to commend here. Yet I felt I could only give it 3 stars, and the why of it is this: the characters she describes, their arcs and relationships, are not those we met in P & P.
Indeed, much of this story plays out like a fan's fantasy wherein every ill word of Mr. Darcy has a perfectly legitimate explanation -- it turns out in fact he was NEVER at any point proud, but just misunderstood. We also find out that he was instantly attracted to Elizabeth, basically from the moment he first saw her. Worse yet, since we spend the entire book inside his head it turns out that he is perfectly aware of this from nearly the first moment he sees her. There is no conflict, there is no confusion as to why he is attracted to her, no pride telling him he should not be attracted to her. Indeed the entire story plays out as Mr. Darcy essentially flirting with her. All those moments in P & P where Lizzy mocks Darcy while he stiffly acts within his station? Did not happen. What REALLY happened was that he just feigned all that stuff to draw out his "delightful antagonist" so that he could flirt with her some more. We also find out that he knows from the very first instant, from the first dance where he sees Bingley with Jane that there is trouble there and he needs to protect Bingley from her. He is in fact never blind to anything. He also begins the book with complete disdain for Caroline (reduced herein to a caricature of evil) and her world. He does not come to see her true nature and where his heart lies, because he, through the author, has already read the book and knows everything we know from almost the moment he makes his first appearance (I think he is allowed about 3 pages of excessive pride in the first 3 pages of the book, and then is nothing but amiable therafter). He sees all, and misunderstanding and growth, so key to P & P, are entirely set aside for a romantacized portrait of Darcy as the perfect man/romantic hero.
Lizzy fares little better...well actually I guess you could say she fares EVEN better. Because again in very fanlike fashion flawed but lovable Lizzy is converted into an all knowing all seeing goddess of a heroine, worshipped by all the men in the county and dropping in the perfect put down (added repeatedly to the story) for anyone and everyone at every moment. Ironically the only time she is alleged to show any doubt are during moments in the orignal book where she really doesn't. It also turns out that despite her protestations in the book she has an amazing singing voice, knows Italian, is an expert at needlework and could probably whip the table at loo if she deigned to play, all the while delivering smackdowns to her hapless opponents.
Throw in the simplification of nearly everyone else into basic black/white models -- Caroline, the Hursts and Mrs. Bennet = evil and completely irredeemable in every manner, and are instantly recognized as such by everyone. They are reduced to mere foils for super-Lizzy to make look foolish at every turn. And Bingley and Jane of course are completely good and pure (this at least closer to the book). What you end up with is...well, not compelling. And not the P & P story. All the ambiguity, all the misunderstanding, all the complexity of the relationships, are completely written out. With its hero and heroine all knowing and all seeing, their is no tension between them. The author keeps on trying to tell us there is, but if this had been the original story there would not have been a shadow of a doubt how it would turn out.
And so...again, a very well written book in many ways. But unfortunately, whether intentionally or unintentionally missing almost all of the nuances of the characters, and actually when you get down to it completely rewriting the history of the Darcy/Lizzy relationship. We do not get to see the pleasure of him falling in love in this book -- he is already there from almost the first page. And he knows he is already there. And he thinks its all grand. Just very strange. I know this is a trilogy, and I also know that the central book basically has nothing to do with P&P itself, so I may skip it. The writing and detail here are strong enough I will probably read the third, but already I can say that maybe the best of this type of book, as far as portraying a realistic portrait of Darcy (the actual P&P Darcy) may be Mr. Darcy's Diary. It is not nearly as complex. Not as well written. Not as well researched (and oddly mangles some quotes from the orignal book). But you at least recognize the characters involved in that one. This one...not so much. So 3 stars for a quality book -- the highest quality of all of these P&P revival books. But also no more than 3 stars because in many ways it essentially misses the whole point and charm of the original story while substituting in its own.
Rating: -
Such a delight to read! I've long loved the Jane Austen books, and what Jane Austen fan does not love Mr. Darcy? So after the recent Masterpiece collection on PBS inspired me to look back at the books, I was hungry for more. I've looked at other modern authors who are writing Austen-inspired novels (I will not name names), and some are pretty awful. This woman, who is a librarian, has put together a fine series of Darcy-side books. This novel is probably the best of the 3. The middle one I felt was a bit too "Northanger Abbey." But definitely read this one and the 3rd in the series. You know the characters already, so I don't have to tell you about them or the plot. Just know that this woman can write, and that makes her books a delight to read for those of us who want to "fill in the gaps" of the Darcy/Elizabeth romance. A+!
Rating: -
This series is great! It's a believable story from Mr. Darcy's point of view. If you like Pride and Prejudice, then you will like this series.
Rating:  -
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books of all time. Austen masterfully wrote a tale of love that captured the reader's interests and imagination beyond what was put in pen on the written page. The book's end is what makes the book a masterpiece, in my opinion. It was complete when Darcy and Elizabeth wed, as well as Bingley and Jane.
Knowing how much I love the original, my husband gave me the three Aidan books as a gift. After reading the first book, I don't think I want to read the other two books. I am greatly disappointed in the fact the all the author did was take parts of the original and expound on unnecessary details of Darcy's character. I think it totally ruined the original story, and found it frustrating. Darcy was made into a man who worried about trivial things a man such as he would probably never give second thought to.
I think original works should be left alone. Today, we live in a society in which we have to have all questions answered and all details revealed. Nothing is allowed to be left to the imagination. Sequels are never as good as the original and in a lot of ways spoil the original. I think the author's time would have been better spent being more creative and writing a new story of her own. I felt frustrated with this version, and a little bored trying to get through a book that had a story that just wasn't right. I would not purchase, but borrow a copy if you must read it.
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