Review by Allison T.

There are now–or, perhaps I should say, there are as of this particular nano-second in time–four different published retellings of P&P from Mr. Darcy’s viewpoint: Mary Street’s The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy (1988), Amanda Grange’s Darcy’s Diary (2005), Pamela Aidan’s three-volume series with the omnibus title of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman (2003-2005), and the just-published-in-the-U.S. Darcy’s Story, by Janet Aylmer. The last, a tale that Aylmer initially self-published and that has subsequently been sold in 37 countries, is now being carried by HarperCollins. It is, however, the weakest of the four versions.

It’s not that Darcy’s Story is bad, exactly; how could it be bad when it includes massive chunks of Austen’s own dialogue? Wait, chunks is perhaps an understatement: I really mean page after page of famous scenes, recited verbatim. But it offers little that is new, especially with regard to the curious relationship between Darcy and Bingley, and is perhaps best suited for the most inexperienced of Austen-lovers. Aylmer, the pen-name of an English Jane Austen enthusiast who lives in Bath, was inspired to write Darcy’s Story after watching Colin Firth plunge into that pool at Pemberley over and over and over….and, indeed, Darcy’s Story would appeal to a young viewer of the BBC movie (which tells the story from Elizabeth’s viewpoint) who has not yet read P&P but is wild about Darcy-Firth.

The publicity information tells us that Austen shows Darcy transforming from “an arrogant and aloof fixture”–making him sound like a case of buyer’s remorse after purchasing a living room lamp–to “an ardent and humble man worthy of Elizabeth’s love,” but that Austen doesn’t show how that transformation occurred. One begs to differ–Austen shows that very well indeed: we just don’t hear Mr. Darcy’s thoughts as the process unfolds. Austen shows us that Darcy is a loving brother who lost his parents too young, a good master and landlord, and a caring, if perhaps slightly officious, friend. All four of the Darcy-P&Ps do pick up on these facets of his character. However, Aylmer’s version does not go on much further to flesh out Darcy’s character or his past; gives us few of his thoughts or words that are not verbatim quotes from the original, and even contrives to make the eventual union between the lovers almost bloodless.

In the ever-expanding pantheon of Jane Austen sequels, prequels and retellings, there are a few books that are excellent, many that are entertaining, and a handful that are pretty awful indeed. Aylmer’s Darcy’s Story falls midway in the spectrum: it is not brilliant, but it is not bad; it is just…sort of…tired.

Geetika Lizardi send a link to some photos from her musical, JANE, a biography of Jane Austen. Looks like a fun show! Geetika said that she is adding some new songs: “Manydown” and a song for Harris Bigg-Wither!

Winston Fletcher muses in the Guardian whether women really do want to marry rich men.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged,” Jane Austen famously begins Pride and Prejudice, “that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” In other words, she is saying ironically, prospective wives flock to blokes with lolly. Throughout history this has been one of the constant themes of literature, legends, myths and operas. And for much of history it may have been true - but surely it is codswallop in Britain today. Today it is a lousy cliche that stereotypes - indeed, denigrates - women.

Well! That’s refreshing!

Jane was joking, as Mr. Fletcher pointed out. Remember Maria Bertram–she married probably the richest man of all in the Austen oeuvre–Mr. Rushworth’s twelve thousand trumps you-know-who’s mere ten–and look where it got her: sharing a cottage in the country with the most unpleasant character in the Austen oeuvre. Your lesson, young ladies? Money Doesn’t Solve Everything.

But for the great majority of people, in the broad middle swathe of society, I don’t think their partners’ wealth matters a toss. Or, to be more accurate, there are countless reasons for choosing a partner, and money is one of them - but it is pretty low on the list. Yet the myth survives, and is constantly perpetuated - in the press, in novels, in thrillers, on television: when it comes to getting hitched to a chap, it says, what women want is a filthy rich chap.

Think of all your friends and decide: it’s twaddle, nowadays, isn’t it?

Ah. Bless.