Customer Reviews

These Three Remain (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, Book 3)

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been awaiting the release of this book -- the third in the trilogy -- and it did not disappoint! These Three Remain covers the period from Darcy's reacquaintance with Elizabeth at Hunsford/Rosings through their eventual engagement and marriage. As one of the wealthiest and most eligible bachelors in England, it never occurs to Darcy that his attentions to Elizabeth will not be welcome. He usually has to fend off women who are interested in him for all the wrong reasons. Her refusal of his proposal stuns and shakes him to the core sending him on a journey of self-discovery that changes the way he looks at himself and his world. It causes him to reexamine his relationships with those closest to him, especially his sister, Georgiana, and his friend, Bingley. With no expectation of ever seeing Elizabeth again, let alone winning her heart, he determines to become a different man, one who would be worthy of Elizabeth's good opinion. As we all know, he has the opportunity to see Elizabeth again when she and her aunt and uncle visit Pemberley. When he saves her sister, Lydia, from ruin, he does not want Elizabeth to know lest she feel some obligation to him. If he is to win her heart, it must be because she sees the changes in him for herself. I found it fascinating to watch how Darcy's love of Elizabeth matures and goes from being centered on his own needs to being focused on her. I highly recommend this book if you love the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy. It fills in some very rich details about these characters we love so well and helps us to see them with fresh eyes.

"These Three Remain" is perhaps the most artful and engrossing entry in this 5-star series that insightfully recreates and expands on the events and romance of "Pride and Prejudice" from Darcy's point of view. The author Pamela Aidan ties everything up properly and scarcely misses a pitch when it comes to fleshing out Fitzwilliam Alexander George Darcy's life and psyche.

Among many highlights is the character reveal of Lord Dyson Broughton, whose interchanges with his dear friend Darcy are a real pleasure. It's also a continual treat to read dead-on and vivid versions of the many scenes involving Darcy that are only sketched at second-hand remove in "Pride and Prejudice", such as Darcy's climactic interactions with Wickham, Lady Catherine, Mr. Gardiner, and finally Mr. Bennet when asking his consent for Lizzy's marriage.

Considering how ever-present she is in Darcy's thoughts, it was surprising to me how little Elizabeth is actually on stage engaging in any kind of "quality time" conversation with Darcy until their warm and lovely reconciliation at the very end, but that reflects the original. As such, this is a tale very much told inside Darcy's head, while at the same time filled with events appropriate for an active man of Darcy's station.

This is the third instalment in Pamela Aidan's reworking of Pride & Prejudice from Darcy's point of view and overall I'd say it was a great success. It's impressive that she is able to extract so much information from Austen's story and retell it in a fresh way. Also interesting that a woman is writing a man's point of view - as a woman myself I can't tell how realistic it is, but it seemed to ring true to me.

The additional characters that Aidan introduced in the previous two books appear again, particularly Lord Dyfed Brougham who is a well-rounded and interesting character. Perhaps his secret life is a bit unrealistic, as is the sub-plot about treason and the weird Sylvanie that rather spoiled Book 2: Duty And Desire for me, but if you gloss over those aspects and stick with the main story it's an enjoyable read.

Despite being a much thicker book than the previous two volumes it doesn't feel laboured and drawn out. In fact, I would level the small criticism that the end comes rather too soon - much time has been spent setting the scene and the betrothal seems to happen with less reflection than all the other events in the books so far.

There are a number of loose ends, having read this book, which leads me to suspect Aidan has more books in store. The loose ends are about her extra characters - the Dy/Georgiana semi-romance (will anything happen - when she is older, of course); the treasonous exploits of Lady Sylvanie and her band of Irish followers; Dy's involvement in spying; Georgiana's excessive religiosity and what this means for her. I suspect a book about Dy and Georgiana is at least on the cards and I, for one, will be buying it.

At certain times when reading the book I wondered whether Aidan had written it after seeing the BBC DVD adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. There were a number of small events in the TV series which seemed to be reflected here, such as Darcy trying to cure himself of his hurt at the rejection of his hand in marriage by Miss Bennet through fencing. I thought this worked very well into the story but it did serve to ground the story into those actors (good though they were); this would only really be the case for those who were very familiar with Austen's original so were aware what was outside of that work but was both in the TV series and this book.

As in books 1 & 2, however, there are some unfortunate Americanisms that have crept in and should have been spotted by an editor. Autumn has become "fall", people "inquire" rather than "enquire", "insure" where it should be rendered "ensure", the wretched appearance of "gotten" numerous times, "pled" instead of "pleaded", "normalcy" rather than "normality" and Lady Catherine is moved to "write his Lordship" rather than to "write to his Lordship". These American words and turns of phrase jar when read by an English person and are a disappointment when so many other period details are right. I was relieved, for example, that Mr Darcy spread jam on his toast rather than jelly, but because of the earlier Americanisms I found myself noticing this correct usage and once again it took me, however briefly, out of the story. A side note - although this is an American-published book by an American author, the spelling is generally English in words such as "favourite" or "endeavour", which is a real relief! Still, the random appearance of comments about Americans/Bostonians was yet another annoyance for an English Regency reader - why does every single American Regency writer insist on mentioning America?

Overall I enjoyed the book although I think the initial promise of Book 1: An Assembly Such As This was not realised as much as I had hoped in the two further volumes, although this one is better than Book 2. All in all I am impressed by Aidan's grasp of the story and her own slant on it, although I feel that she is most successful when sticking to Austen's original plotlines and that those made anew for this story are less convincing. But still a good read and streets ahead of an awful lot of other Pride & Prejudice derivative fiction.

Let me start by saying Aidan is a talented writer, and her books are readable and a cut above many of those novels based on Austen's works. I like that her characters remain true to the originals, and she manages to keep the feel of Austen's plots and settings. I have read all three volumes, and while I was less fond of the second, all of the books in the series provide a pleasant interlude. I waited a day or two to write my review, and noticed that by doing so, I had the opportunity to think back on Aidan's work with a more objective eye. It hit me with some force that the parts of Aidan's novel that lingered were not the parts she had added and embellished to open up our understanding of Darcy, or the other characters, but were rather the pieces she imported from Austen. Granted, those portions would be memorable, not only because of the talent of Austen, but also from the familiarity bred by repeated reading, but I was hard pressed to find much of Aidan's additions that stayed with me. Perhaps only Anne, who was given a lovely vignette that allowed a personality to imprint itself upon the reader, was given more life than the original. I DO recommend this book, and its companions, and I feel they are certainly better than many of the books that cross my desk in a year. I just can't give it more than three stars because it will not ever be a book that calls me back for another visit.

In These Three Remain, Pamela Aidan concludes her exploration of the enigmatic Fitzwilliam Darcy's character by returning to the familiar action of the last third of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Alternately entranced and infuriated by his inexplicable attraction to Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy journeys to his aunt's home, the formidable Lady Catherine, intent on immersing himself in his work as her business advisor. However, his intentions to honor his social position and family rather than "succumb" to the dictates of his heart prove fruitless when he discovers that Elizabeth is staying in the house next door. When he confronts Elizabeth with his suit and admits his corresponding doubts and fears concerning their alliance, he is soundly rejected. His shock and pain at being so readily rebuffed by a woman whose situation in life would have only been elevated by their marriage forces him to reevaluate his every thought, action, and motivation -- his very character. Because of the astounding realization that the one person whose esteem he covets holds him in little regard, he makes it his aim to truly become a gentleman worthy of Elizabeth's affections. Darcy turns a corner here -- instead of holding his own comfort and interests as his primary concern, Darcy learns to look outside himself to see how he can best use his talents and resources to assist others. This inner transformation is put to the test when Darcy is called upon to confront his old nemesis, George Wickham, in order to save Elizabeth's family name from disgrace.

Pamela Aidan has done a worthy job of taking the world Austen created in Pride and Prejudice and expanding on it, adding depth, conflict, and character development. Indeed I didn't think it was possible for me to so thoroughly enjoy novels that dared to explore and interpret Austen's classic and dearly loved battle of the sexes. Aidan's two best additions to Austen's universe are Darcy's Shakespeare-quoting valet Fletcher, and his best friend, Lord Dyfed Brougham. Dy interests me the most, and quite frankly deserves his own book (thankfully, Aidan leaves enough loose ends to give one hope of the possibility) -- he puts me in mind of another famous and beloved literary hero, Percy Blakeney. Dy is the primary means through which Aidan incorporates the political climate of the Regency period, introducing a touch of political intrigue to the world of Pride and Prejudice. Aidan's trilogy is "fan fiction" of the highest order, a story Austen and Regency fans can savor. She succeeds in refreshing Austen's classic, infusing the familiar with new life and perspective that is both a faithful tribute and an inventive character study. Highly recommended.

It finally came!!! I was so happy to find it how it ends even though I have read Jane Austen's version aand seen the movie time and time again. This was a very good re-telling of P&P. Showing Darcy's inner conflict and how he copes with loving Elizabeth was a real eye opener. I really enjoyed it. This was by far the best in the series.

Wonderful book! A wonderful trilogy. Pamela Aidan definitely saved the best for last. Her portrayal of Darcy was, in my opinion, spot on, and his journey of self discovery was beautifully written. There were so many lines and scenes that were very clever and humorous and I would laugh out loud. Others nearly brought me to tears. My heart was absolutely breaking for him after the scene at the Fox and Drake. For anyone who can't get enough of Elizabeth and Darcy, this trilogy is a must. This set of books is on my bookshelf right next to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice".

I was so engrossed in the new subplots -- Dy, Georgiana, etc -- that I quite forgot about LCD's confrontation with Elizabeth and subsequent visit to Darcy to squelch the rumour of their engagement. What fun that scene was -- thank you Ms. Aidan wrote a wonderful scene. I laughed and laughed!

There's no doubt about it. This is the best book in the trilogy. You won't be able to put it down. I know I couldn't. I was up til 5AM reading it, and I do not regret it.

The third book of the trilogy covers Darcy's trip to Kent to his marriage to Elizabeth. It is in this book that he undergoes the most radical change in character, having had his eyes opened by Elizabeth's refusal of his proposal. His new view of both life and itself is refreshing and highly enjoyable. His nervousness and desire to please Elizabeth at Pemberly just wins your heart, and then the end that all P&P fans know and love seals the deal. I couldn't possibly love this book anymore, unless there was more of Dy Brougham, one of Darcy's university classmates, introduced in book 2. Now that this trilogy is done, I'm hoping that Ms. Aidan has plans to write Brougham's story out.

The whole trilogy was wonderful, and the best of any of the P&P spinoffs out there. Every Austen fan needs to read it.

Okay --- I will admit it: I've never read Pride and Prejudice. But I was completely captivated by the miniseries with Colin Firth. I've watched it so many times that my DVDs are skipping and jumping. Why I haven't read the original, I'm not sure --- maybe I think it would ruin the amazing relationship that I have with the characters..... So, instead, I looked for books in the same world. I've tried a couple..... and.... this series stands alone!

The language and imagery is glorious! And told from Darcy's point of view, with such amazing care! Reading about his feelings and motivations and growth of character --- it dovetailed right into the Darcy of Colin Firth that I remember --- and that is quite a feat.

Props to you, Ms. Aidan. You've made me smile and blush to myself, prompting many a person to ask me what I was reading....

You've actually made me nearly shiver from delight. I've got around 50 pages left right this moment. Part of me wants to read it RIGHT NOW and part of me wants to savor it as long as possible.

Out of all of the Austen P&P novels out there --- this series can't be beat. It is completely and utterly satisfying! A great story (and much more) from the point of view of an amazing character, told by a really talented author.

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