These Three Remain

These Three Remain is the final novel in Pamela Aidan's retelling of Pride & Prejudice from Darcy's perspective, and probably the most enjoyable. Most of it has to do with the fact that we get to see Elizabeth again and everything that has been building finally reaches its conclusion.

To tell this story, Aidan had several obstacles to overcome, the foremost of which was how Darcy could have so misread Elizabeth's responses to actually think she was eager to receive his addresses and would reply in the affirmative when asked for her hand at Hunsford. Despite some overly dramatic moments in the writing style (throughout), I think she manages it rather well, staying within the confines of Austen's story.

It's also pleasing to see Darcy show more truly start to change. Some adaptations present him as perfectly virtuous from the start, just misunderstood, but in Austen's novel he really does have to examine his life and work to remove his faults. Despite his many good qualities, his pride was improper and his outlook on the world selfish. Through Elizabeth's reproofs he comes to realize these unpleasant facts and sets about changing them.

The most telling thing in favor of this novel is that it made me want more. Come on, this was published back in 2005 and the author said she wanted to write more books focusing on the Darcys and especially Georgiana — where are they? Why didn't Aidan continue writing?

I said this in my review of An Assembly Such as This as well: I feel like I've experienced Darcy's transformation in microcosm, going from an unwilling participant to avowed fan. Aidan's contribution to the Austenian world can never approach the level of the original works, but neither can any other retelling, reimagining, or fan fiction piece. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy it and recommend it to other Austen readers who yearn for just a little more about these beloved characters. show less

These Three Remain is the third book in the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy and by far my favorite. Aidan created a Darcy that made sense, a feat few Pride & Prejudice “FanFiction” stories have accomplished. In part because, in my opinion, she had a good sense of who Darcy was as a whole person, how he thought, what drove him to do the things he did, the type of brother and friend he was. So many others just steal all of the conversations from Austen and then add in the thoughts they think were going through Colin Firth’s or Matthew Mcfayden’s head as he played Darcy.

The story that seemed to wander in the second book, Duty and Desire, came together in a believable fashion at the end. And, if it’s at all possible, I fell show more even more in love with Mr. Darcy.

In short, I enjoyed every word. Aidan has somehow managed the impossible–to enrich Jane Austen’s marvelous story. It was great fun to read, and I thought Aidan captured the characters, setting, and speech very well. show less

By far the best in the series. Book 1 moved a bit slowly I thought, but I still had to keep going...Book 2 was quicker, but the plot seemed a bit strange. Book 3, however, concludes the series exactly the way it should be concluded. Watching Darcy sputter out his first proposal and seeing the inner-workings of his mind upon rejection was fulfilling, although not nearly as much as seeing him finally accepted. Even though you know how the story ends, it's plenty of fun getting there. A great take on what Darcy's side of the story may have been.

Quite enjoyable, though what is wrong with the first two books of the trilogy is wrong here too. What makes this volume stand out from among the three, I think, is the way it provides reasons for and illustrates Darcy's change in character (where in P&P one might argue that he doesn't so much change as Elizabeth just comes to understand him), the dramatization of some of Darcy's actions that we only hear snippets about in P&P (such as his dealing with Wickham and Lydia), the inclusion of specific historical and political markers for the story (such as the assassination of the British prime minister in May of 1812), and Aidan's characterization of both characters only glimpsed in P&P (such as Anne de Bourgh and especially Georgiana show more Darcy) and those she has invented for the story (particularly Dy Brougham). show less

This is the final book of the "Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" trilogy, which is a parallel story to Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. As it says on the back cover, Darcy is an enigma, and many readers (including me) are very curious as to what he's up to when not on stage in P&P. This book covers the period from Darcy visiting Roslings to the end of the novel.

Aidan has a good understanding of Pride and Prejudice and the character's motivations. For the most part, I found this a lot of fun. One might note, however, that an average edition of P&P is around 350 pages, and this trilogy is almost 1,000. Which means there is a lot of unnecessary material. Blotted, pointless sentences and details, and a small tangent into the show more ridiculous and very non-P&P story line of the second book of the series. But overall it was a good read. I thought her treatment of Darcy's humiliation after the Hunsford proposal was particularly well done, and I enjoyed the scene where he drunkenly confessed all to his friend (who's name I've forgotten at the moment). Aidan may have different ideas about P&P than I do, but I don't think she performed violence to the original.

Rating: For sheer enjoyment I would rate this a 4.5, but due to the faults I've noted, I'm knocking it down to 4 stars. In conclusion, the first book, An Assembly Such as This was "not atrocious," the second, Duty and Desire, was very much atrocious, and These Three Remain was fun. show less

Ah Lady Catherine. I know the author based these books off the PBS Pride and Prejudice, but I kept thinking of Dame Judi Dench when reading about Lady Catherine. She was so perfect for the role. It was fun to get to know Anne a little more (I wonder if she based the extra insight on the character on Anne Bronte?). The only thing I didn't really like was bringing back a certain character from the 2nd book that I could have done without.
Fun, fun, fun to read! I haven't kept my nose in a book(s) this long for a long time. I may have to get the series for my library.

The final book in the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series wraps up the re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. Lately returned from his visit to an old friend's, Darcy and his cousin prepare for their yearly trip to Aunt Catherine de Bourgh's.

Ah yes...back on familiar ground. Knowing Pride and Prejudice as well as I do, I was not surprised by the main events in the plot but rather had growing anticipation for favorite scenes revisited. Secondary characters like Fletcher and Dy Brougham really come into their own, sometimes in unexpected ways. It was one of those books that I was so busy enjoying reading that now I'm at a loss to explain what I loved about it. All in all, I thought this was a fabulous series with show more a believable take on Darcy's perspective. show less