Darcy's Story by Janet Aylmer, 2 1/2

Book description: When Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr. Darcy, she found him proud, distant, and rude-despite the other ladies' admiration of his estate in Derbyshire and ten thousand pounds a year. But what was Mr. Darcy thinking?

Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice has long stood among the most beloved novels of all time. The story of Elizabeth Bennet's blossoming romance with "haughty, reserved, and fastidious" Fitzwilliam Darcy has enchanted readers for nearly two centuries. Yet, Mr. Darcy has always remained an intriguing enigma-his thoughts, feelings, and motivations hidden behind a cold, impenetrable exterior . . . until now.

With the utmost respect for Austen's original masterwork, author Janet Aylmer loving retells Pride and Prejudice from a bold new perspective: seeing events as they transpire through the eyes of Darcy himself. One of world's great love stories takes on breathtaking new life, and one of fiction's greatest romantic heroes becomes even more sympathetic, compelling, attractive, and accessible, all through the imagination and artistry of a truly gifted storyteller.

Review: Darcy’s Story is another retelling of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t offer a whole lot of insight into Darcy’s character. We learn almost nothing about his daily life. Aylmer does do a decent job explaining Darcy’s change of attitude. (I’m being vague for the two of you that haven’t read Pride and Prejudice yet.) But most of the book just rehashes the romance scenes from the source material. The book is enjoyable as a way to relive the original but most of my enjoyment came from Austin’s writing, not Aylmer’s. I don’t feel like I know Darcy better for having read it. Skip this one and reread Pride and Prejudice instead.

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