What do you think?
Rate this book
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman #0
Young Master Darcy: A Lesson in Honour
It is Christmas, 1797, and thirteen year-old Master Fitzwilliam Darcy is returning from his first term at Eton in full anticipation of the holidays. Soon, he and his family will leave their fashionable London home for Pemberley, their Derbyshire estate, to prepare for the arrival of his irrepressible cousin Richard and the rest of his Matlock relations. But when Darcy arrives in London, he learns that his mother is ill. Her doctor's prognosis is dire--Lady Anne cannot survive another year! As Christmas approaches, Darcy is torn between his parents' struggles to carry on and the attraction of an unusual company of players in Lambton for the holidays. With the arrival of Richard and his family, he must try to satisfy the expectations of all and, in doing so, learn what it means to be a Darcy. Pamela Aidan has created a touching coming-of-age novella based on characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. A Lesson In Honour explores love, duty, and family honour--principles that a young Fitzwilliam Darcy learns from both of his parents as they confront a family crisis--as well as a lesson derived from youthful indiscretion and adolescent romance that helps defiine the man Elizabeth Bennet will encounter at the Meryton assembly many years later.
122 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
47 people are currently reading
1144 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Aidan
12 books394 followersPamela Aidan grew up in small towns in southeast Pennsylvania but found her heart's home in the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and a feisty miniature Australian Shepherd.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 26, 2018
I've enjoyed all Ms. Aiden's books but for some reason never picked this one up even though it was rated highly with mostly glowing reviews. Probably the absence of Elizabeth in the story put me off. I regret having postponed the pleasure of reading this for so long.
The writing is excellent, really engaging the reader. It's a pivotal time in the life of 13-year-old Master Fitzwilliam Darcy. He's coming back to Pemberley for the Christmas season after his first term at Eton. His older cousin Richard has been of great help guiding him through the term, and Fitzwilliam looks forward to seeing him and the rest of the Fitzwilliam family at Pemberley. (In a nice touch, Richard's older brother's name is D'Arcy.)
Unfortunately, Darcy is greeted with the news of his mother's failing health. This is a devastating blow to the boy, but Mr. Darcy and then Mrs. Darcy both elicit their son's promise to greet the season with as much cheer as possible.
Needing to blow off steam with his churning emotions, Darcy takes his horse out for a bracing run despite the cold. He takes shelter in a barn near Lambton, where he encounters a group of mummers rehearsing their Christmas play. Without revealing his noble identity, Darcy is delighted to be accepted by the group for himself rather than his social position. In addition, being with them is a welcome distraction from the heartbreak he's dealing with at Pemberley.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story. We see how accomplished George Wickham already is at manipulating Darcy. We read Anne Darcy reluctantly instructing her son about finding a wife, knowing she won't have the opportunity to do so when he's at a more appropriate age. Darcy's brotherly relationship with Richard is firmly established. His youthful fascination with driving a team of horses leads to a chilling confession by his father. But Darcy's own activities lead to a sobering chastisement that significantly affects the development of his adult personality and explains why he resists Elizabeth in Hertfordshire.
The characterizations are all vivid and real: Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, the Earl of Matlock and his wife, Richard, Wickham, and even Georgiana, who is a 2-year-old toddler. Most of all, this is a masterfully crafted story of how Fitzwilliam Darcy becomes the man we know in Pride and Prejudice.
The writing is excellent, really engaging the reader. It's a pivotal time in the life of 13-year-old Master Fitzwilliam Darcy. He's coming back to Pemberley for the Christmas season after his first term at Eton. His older cousin Richard has been of great help guiding him through the term, and Fitzwilliam looks forward to seeing him and the rest of the Fitzwilliam family at Pemberley. (In a nice touch, Richard's older brother's name is D'Arcy.)
Unfortunately, Darcy is greeted with the news of his mother's failing health. This is a devastating blow to the boy, but Mr. Darcy and then Mrs. Darcy both elicit their son's promise to greet the season with as much cheer as possible.
Needing to blow off steam with his churning emotions, Darcy takes his horse out for a bracing run despite the cold. He takes shelter in a barn near Lambton, where he encounters a group of mummers rehearsing their Christmas play. Without revealing his noble identity, Darcy is delighted to be accepted by the group for himself rather than his social position. In addition, being with them is a welcome distraction from the heartbreak he's dealing with at Pemberley.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story. We see how accomplished George Wickham already is at manipulating Darcy. We read Anne Darcy reluctantly instructing her son about finding a wife, knowing she won't have the opportunity to do so when he's at a more appropriate age. Darcy's brotherly relationship with Richard is firmly established. His youthful fascination with driving a team of horses leads to a chilling confession by his father. But Darcy's own activities lead to a sobering chastisement that significantly affects the development of his adult personality and explains why he resists Elizabeth in Hertfordshire.
The characterizations are all vivid and real: Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, the Earl of Matlock and his wife, Richard, Wickham, and even Georgiana, who is a 2-year-old toddler. Most of all, this is a masterfully crafted story of how Fitzwilliam Darcy becomes the man we know in Pride and Prejudice.
December 18, 2022
hard, sad childhood
Not much to smile about here. Physical punishment from Darcy’s father for things Wickham did. His father never believing his son instead of Wickham. Large amounts of mental assaults from his father and the people around him in his day to day life. All leading to the making of an arrogant proud young man who is not able to know who to trust.
Lots of small events from Darcy’s childhood here.
Father Darcy is every bit as a bad parent as the Bennet parents, just not in the same ways. I shan’t read this again.
The author does a good job showing a possible childhood for our fictional Darcy. You know a story is good when it riles your dander up for a fictional person.
Not much to smile about here. Physical punishment from Darcy’s father for things Wickham did. His father never believing his son instead of Wickham. Large amounts of mental assaults from his father and the people around him in his day to day life. All leading to the making of an arrogant proud young man who is not able to know who to trust.
Lots of small events from Darcy’s childhood here.
Father Darcy is every bit as a bad parent as the Bennet parents, just not in the same ways. I shan’t read this again.
The author does a good job showing a possible childhood for our fictional Darcy. You know a story is good when it riles your dander up for a fictional person.
February 8, 2014
This novella by the Wytherngate Press writer of the fabulous Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman chronicles takes the reader back in time to December 1797 when Fitzwilliam Darcy was just 13 years old. Young Master Darcy is looking forward to the winter holidays after his first term at Eton. He can't wait to see his family again and spend Christmas at Pemberley and is looking forward to learning how to drive a team of horses in the summer. Upon his arrival at Erewhile House in London, he learns the devastating news that his mother is ill and dying. Lady Anne refuses to allow her illness to dampen the holiday spirits and insists on celebrating as always. Fitz tries to summon the courage to face the future with good spirits, but it isn't always easy. He escapes for a long gallop on his horse to rid himself of his turbulent emotions and comes across a group of village children practicing a Mummer's play. Entranced by their lively fun, and a girl with twinkling, dark, witty eyes, Fitz can't help but join in the fun. When his cousins arrive at Pemberley for Christmas, the children provide entertainment for Lady Anne and the other adults that no one will ever forget, but Darcy wonders whether he'll be able to keep his promise to his new friends too. He needs to confide in his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam for help. As Christmas grows closer, Fitz worries about pleasing his family and his friends at the same time and learns exactly what it means to be a Darcy. This book is another wonderful chronicle in the life of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Pamela Aidan makes his world come alive with descriptive details and fully internalizes Darcy's feelings. As with her previous books, I really feel like I am there inside Darcy's head as he grows up. I'm thrilled this has been published at last, after reading the first two chapters online years ago, I've been dying to finish it. My only complaint is that it's too short and I can't wait for the next installment!
January 8, 2011
After surviving his first term at Eton, thirteen year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy is all excitement and eagerness to be returning home for the holidays. Young Master Darcy fully intends to spend his holiday season in good cheer, cavorting with his cousins, doting on his two year-old sister, and enjoying some Darcy family Christmas traditions. However, due to his mother's recently diagnosed and serious illness, Darcy's plans for merriment and mischief may have to be put on hold this year...
Because of the oppressive grief and tension that surrounds Pemberley this Christmas, Master Darcy takes to riding his horse into the village of Lambton each morning. One morning, he happens upon a local mummers* troupe working on a play, and decides to befriend them and provide some much needed lessons in sword-fighting. Master Darcy soon finds a comfortable camaraderie with the troupe and ends up taking a part in their play! Are these suitable companions for the heir of Pemberley? Will his parents approve of his playacting in public? How will he manage to participate in a play when he is suppose to be sitting in church with his family?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Because of the oppressive grief and tension that surrounds Pemberley this Christmas, Master Darcy takes to riding his horse into the village of Lambton each morning. One morning, he happens upon a local mummers* troupe working on a play, and decides to befriend them and provide some much needed lessons in sword-fighting. Master Darcy soon finds a comfortable camaraderie with the troupe and ends up taking a part in their play! Are these suitable companions for the heir of Pemberley? Will his parents approve of his playacting in public? How will he manage to participate in a play when he is suppose to be sitting in church with his family?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
December 16, 2024
A Nice Prequel
Reviewed in Canada on May 21, 2019
A good glimpse of the boy who would become the man. Nicely written. I would have liked to see the story go a little further in time, perhaps to or through university.
Reviewed in Canada on May 21, 2019
A good glimpse of the boy who would become the man. Nicely written. I would have liked to see the story go a little further in time, perhaps to or through university.
February 14, 2011
Have you ever finished reading Pride and Prejudice and wondered how Darcy became so filled with pride and conceit? Now, you might find your answer. Pamela Aidan, author of the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy is back with Young Master Darcy, a novella focusing on Fitzwilliam Darcy’s youth.
Young Master Darcy introduces us to a thirteen year old Darcy returning to Pemberley for the holidays after his first semester at Eton. Upon his return, his father calls him into his study to share with him the bad news that his mother’s health is failing and that in all probability she will not recover. Mr. Darcy tells Fitzwilliam that he expects him to take the news as a gentleman of his stature should, and not let it affect his duties as “Master Darcy.”
“Now, I must trust you with some distressing news-a blow, really-but you are a young man now, Fitzwilliam, and know what is expected of a gentleman in regard to misfortune.”
Darcy, distraught with grief, decides to take a morning ride out into the village of Lambton. It is there that he meets a group of children his age practicing for a play they will be putting on in the town square the night before Christmas. Darcy, anxious to escape the high expectations of his privileged life, decides to join them while lying about his true identity. He finds great comfort in his new role as a commoner. He begins leading a double life as common village boy by day and privileged gentleman by night. With his cousin Richard (later known as Colonel Fitzwilliam) and family coming for the holidays he knows it’s not long until this double life is revealed. Will he be able to perform in the Christmas play with no one knowing, or he will his parents discover where he’s been spending all of his time and punish him?
Aidan has possibly created a new Jane Austen fan fiction trend in starting to delve into who these characters where in their youth. Just the idea of reading about Darcy, before his pride and arrogance took hold, was appealing to me. However, despite my original excitement, the novella did fall a little short.
The most confusing part was the weaving of Darcy’s two lives. On one side you have Darcy just wanting to act like a typical thirteen year old boy. He wants playmates and friends that are his age and accept him not for his money, but for his personality. On the other side you have “Master Darcy” living a lavish life with much expected of him. It was this side that was a bit hard to believe. It’s difficult to imagine that a boy who has been living such a privileged life for thirteen years does not know how to request a bath to be drawn, or the proper way to announce his plans for the day, as well as acting shy in front of the servants. I found all of these things to require a bit too much of a stretch of my imagination.
We know from Pride and Prejudice that Darcy learns the ways of being a gentleman from his parents. In this novella however, it’s the staff that are teaching him. They coach him on the proper way to request things, and at one point tell him that he should send his compliments to his mother. The character of “gentleman” Darcy was just too bizarre for me to accept.
On a more positive note, the storyline of the book is its best attribute. There is a quote in Pride and Prejudice that seems to be where certain aspects of the storyline are drawn from:
I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own.
Darcy has multiple conversations with his mother where she stresses to him the importance of marrying someone of their own social class, as well as what will be expected of him and Georgiana as they mature. This was very intriguing as we begin to see how Darcy became the man we are later introduced to in Pride and Prejudice. Intriguingly, the ending of the novella seems to be the catalyst that cements Darcy’s ultimate future personality.
Pamela Aidan continues to excel at period details, characterization and language. Young Master Darcy is an interesting experiment in the exploration of our favorite Austen characters childhood. At 122 pages, it is short and sweet and I do encourage you to read it. It will be interesting to watch the world of Austen fan fiction to see if she has created a new trend in prequels.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://austenprose.com/2011/02/13/you...
Young Master Darcy introduces us to a thirteen year old Darcy returning to Pemberley for the holidays after his first semester at Eton. Upon his return, his father calls him into his study to share with him the bad news that his mother’s health is failing and that in all probability she will not recover. Mr. Darcy tells Fitzwilliam that he expects him to take the news as a gentleman of his stature should, and not let it affect his duties as “Master Darcy.”
“Now, I must trust you with some distressing news-a blow, really-but you are a young man now, Fitzwilliam, and know what is expected of a gentleman in regard to misfortune.”
Darcy, distraught with grief, decides to take a morning ride out into the village of Lambton. It is there that he meets a group of children his age practicing for a play they will be putting on in the town square the night before Christmas. Darcy, anxious to escape the high expectations of his privileged life, decides to join them while lying about his true identity. He finds great comfort in his new role as a commoner. He begins leading a double life as common village boy by day and privileged gentleman by night. With his cousin Richard (later known as Colonel Fitzwilliam) and family coming for the holidays he knows it’s not long until this double life is revealed. Will he be able to perform in the Christmas play with no one knowing, or he will his parents discover where he’s been spending all of his time and punish him?
Aidan has possibly created a new Jane Austen fan fiction trend in starting to delve into who these characters where in their youth. Just the idea of reading about Darcy, before his pride and arrogance took hold, was appealing to me. However, despite my original excitement, the novella did fall a little short.
The most confusing part was the weaving of Darcy’s two lives. On one side you have Darcy just wanting to act like a typical thirteen year old boy. He wants playmates and friends that are his age and accept him not for his money, but for his personality. On the other side you have “Master Darcy” living a lavish life with much expected of him. It was this side that was a bit hard to believe. It’s difficult to imagine that a boy who has been living such a privileged life for thirteen years does not know how to request a bath to be drawn, or the proper way to announce his plans for the day, as well as acting shy in front of the servants. I found all of these things to require a bit too much of a stretch of my imagination.
We know from Pride and Prejudice that Darcy learns the ways of being a gentleman from his parents. In this novella however, it’s the staff that are teaching him. They coach him on the proper way to request things, and at one point tell him that he should send his compliments to his mother. The character of “gentleman” Darcy was just too bizarre for me to accept.
On a more positive note, the storyline of the book is its best attribute. There is a quote in Pride and Prejudice that seems to be where certain aspects of the storyline are drawn from:
I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own.
Darcy has multiple conversations with his mother where she stresses to him the importance of marrying someone of their own social class, as well as what will be expected of him and Georgiana as they mature. This was very intriguing as we begin to see how Darcy became the man we are later introduced to in Pride and Prejudice. Intriguingly, the ending of the novella seems to be the catalyst that cements Darcy’s ultimate future personality.
Pamela Aidan continues to excel at period details, characterization and language. Young Master Darcy is an interesting experiment in the exploration of our favorite Austen characters childhood. At 122 pages, it is short and sweet and I do encourage you to read it. It will be interesting to watch the world of Austen fan fiction to see if she has created a new trend in prequels.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://austenprose.com/2011/02/13/you...
December 17, 2017
I am very impressed with Pamela Aidan’s writing. It is leaps and bounds beyond the more popular regency era writing.
The language is more rich, and the era better studied and portrayed.
I loved getting a glimpse into what Darcy’s childhood could have been like.
I felt she did a very good job of making his parents lovable, even though they maintain the very snooty class distinctions that can come off as very unlikable as we read it coming from a different time and place.
I loved that it was a Christmas story. It was fun to see the different ways they celebrated.
I also felt like it was a nice glimpse into seeing why Darcy is the way his is a decade down the line.
It was short, sweet, and well written.
I had read a chapter in her first Fitzwilliam Darcy series when I bumped into this at the library.
I am excited to go back to “An Assembly Such As This” feeling like I understand Darcy even better.
The language is more rich, and the era better studied and portrayed.
I loved getting a glimpse into what Darcy’s childhood could have been like.
I felt she did a very good job of making his parents lovable, even though they maintain the very snooty class distinctions that can come off as very unlikable as we read it coming from a different time and place.
I loved that it was a Christmas story. It was fun to see the different ways they celebrated.
I also felt like it was a nice glimpse into seeing why Darcy is the way his is a decade down the line.
It was short, sweet, and well written.
I had read a chapter in her first Fitzwilliam Darcy series when I bumped into this at the library.
I am excited to go back to “An Assembly Such As This” feeling like I understand Darcy even better.
July 8, 2015
This book was fine, but not as good as the others. It was a very, very short book. I was expecting to learn more about Catherine De Bourgh, the aunt who wanted Fitzwilliam to marry her daughter. Instead the story was a but far fetched involving a group of murmurs. The plot involving his mother's illness was tender. I'm glad I read this, but it was a bit weak.
August 31, 2018
Mr. Darcy as a child
This is definitely one of the better written extensions of Pride and Prejudice. It tells about a time in Mr. Darcy’s life when he’s home for Christmas from Eton. It’s not a rehash of P&P like so many of the P&P extensions are, but original material. Pamela Aidan does a good job keeping the reader’s interest.
This is definitely one of the better written extensions of Pride and Prejudice. It tells about a time in Mr. Darcy’s life when he’s home for Christmas from Eton. It’s not a rehash of P&P like so many of the P&P extensions are, but original material. Pamela Aidan does a good job keeping the reader’s interest.
May 29, 2024
Great writing. Pamela Aidan is an excellent author. Read the kindle version...ended way too soon...Master Darcy and one Christmas vacation. Good and gave insight into his personality as an adult. way to short a book though.
Read second time. still great way to learn of Darcy as a teenager.
Read second time. still great way to learn of Darcy as a teenager.
December 30, 2019
A short little glimpse into Fritzwilliam Darcy has a boy. Warm and tender we see his relationship with his mother, his developing character and some of his youthful adventures.
August 21, 2012
Lezioni d'orgoglio
Sono stato egoista per tutta la vita, nella pratica, anche se non nei principi. Da bambino mi è stato insegnato ciò che era giusto, ma non mi è stato insegnato a correggere il mio carattere. Mi sono stati trasmessi principi sani, ma mi è stato permesso di coltivarli nell'orgoglio e nella presunzione. Unico figlio maschio, per mia sfortuna (e per molti anni unico figlio in assoluto), sono stato viziato dai miei genitori, che, anche se di per sé buoni (mio padre, in particolare, era tutto ciò che si può chiamare benevolenza e simpatia), mi hanno permesso, incoraggiato, quasi insegnato a essere egoista e arrogante, a non curarmi di nessuno se non della mia cerchia familiare, a ritenere inferiore tutto il resto del mondo; o almeno, a desiderare di ritenere inferiore il buonsenso e il valore degli altri in confronto ai miei. Tale sono stato, dagli otto ai ventotto anni; e tale potrei ancora essere se non fosse stato per te, mia carissima, amatissima Elizabeth! (Orgoglio e Pregiudizio, cap. 58 trad. Giuseppe Ierolli)
È forse da questa dichiarazione di Mr Darcy che prende spunto questo romanzo breve, un prequel di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio su un Natale dell’adolescenza di Darcy, l’ultimo che trascorre con la madre, che — di ritorno dal primo trimestre a Eton — scopre malata e destinata a morire entro l’anno. Un periodo natalizio in cui Darcy cerca di convivere con il dolore per l’imminente perdita, le prime esperienze da adolescente, il primo contatto con il mondo degli adulti.
Fitzwilliam (Fiss, come lo chiama teneramente la piccola Georgiana) è poco più che un bambino. Appena tornato ha casa ha riposto i giocattoli più infantili per poter accogliere i cugini Fitzwilliam, più grandi di lui. Il suo infervorarsi — tipicamente maschile — per la fratellanza dei The Four and Goers, un club di guidatori scavezzacollo di veloci calessi, di cui suo padre è Socio Fondatore — ormai pentito —; la sua ricerca per la novità, per la varietà, per la compagnia di persone di diverse estrazioni sociali, in un momento in cui tutto sta cambiando davanti ai suoi occhi a causa della malattia di Lady Anne, ce lo fanno vedere chiaramente. Il giovane ha già affrontato i primi cambiamenti adattandosi ai primi mesi di collegio, superati grazie all’aiuto del cugino Richard, che può vantare un anno di esperienza più di lui.
Essere dei 'Darcy' è un onere che va affrontato da subito: nascondere ogni sentimento e mostrarsi impassibili, perfino quando il dolore è incontenibile; comportarsi sempre secondo l’etichetta, anche quando si è dei ragazzini appena affacciati sul mondo e si vorrebbe piangere fra le braccia dell'adorata madre.
Devo dire che questa tenerezza nei confronti di Rosamund, una cotta adolescenziale, superata quasi con un battito di ciglia, dopo il discorsetto di Mr Darcy padre - e una bella dose di bacchettate - mi ha un po' infastidito: non si può certo paragonare Rosamund, sguaiata e incolta ad Elizabeth Bennet, anche se le due hanno in comune l'immediatezza e una dose di anticonformismo. Eppure sembra che la Aidan le voglia quasi accomunare nella mente di Mr Darcy quando cercherà di resistere in futuro al fascino che Miss Bennet eserciterà su di lui.
Le parole di suo padre:
"But I do not want you to ever, ever neglect the duties and the resposabilities attached to this family as you did last night. You are a different than any other young men. You are a Darcy. You cannot pursue pleasure at your whim. You cannot encourage every girl you fancy. Do you understand me, Fitzwilliam?"
[Non voglio che tu venga meno, in nessun caso, ai doveri e alle responsabilità che sono d'obbligo in questa famiglia, come è accaduto la scorsa notte. Tu sei diverso da qualsiasi altro giovane. Sei un Darcy. Non puoi ricercare il piacere a tuo capriccio. Non puoi incoraggiare ogni ragazza di tuo gradimento. Mi capisci, Fitzwilliam?"]
riecheggiano nella prima proposta a Elizabeth ad Hunsford. Sembra che siano state il suo mantra dal momento in cui il padre le ha pronunciate. Eppure l'amore per Lizzy ha superato ogni ostacolo ("In vain I've struggled. It will not do").
Sarà gelosia, la mia? Non lo so, eppure è logico che una piccola cottarella infantile ci sta. Il fatto è che, da brave Lizzies siamo sempre un po' gelose del nostro Mr Darcy...
Ho un piccolo appunto da fare a Mrs Aidan riguardo alla 'nomenclatura' - chiamiamola così - e alle questioni di etichetta. Capisco che Fitzwilliam non sia un nome di battesimo facile, e che i pochi che possono avere l'onore di chiamarlo per nome - anche in giovane età - debbano trovarlo lungo e impronunciabile - quindi OK per il 'Fiss' di Georgiana - ma 'Fitz' non mi sembra assolutamente consono. Tanto più che l'abitudine continua in età adulta - lo sappiamo dalla Trilogia di Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman -, mentre è risaputo che sia per etichetta che per quanto appurato da Orgoglio e Pregiudizio medesimo, gli amici più stretti chiamano Mr Darcy semplicemente 'Darcy'.
Sul nome di battesimo del cugino maggiore, D'Arcy ho non pochi dubbi: d'accordo che il nostro eroe si chiami Fitzwilliam perché è il cognome della madre, nobile, figlia di un conte. Ma a che scopo chiamare un futuro conte con il cognome della famiglia dello zio, ricca, ma non aristocratica?
I giovani attori in cui si imbatte il giovane Darcy, fra l'altro, parlano con toni di rivalità dei ragazzi di Klympton. Ora, noi sappiamo da Orgoglio e Pregiudizio che esisteva un paese vicino a Pemberley dal nome Kympton (è il luogo di cui Wickham avrebbe dovuto diventare parroco). Sarebbe normale che i giovani di Lambton nutrissero un certo antagonismo verso quelli di Kympton. Ma si tratta dello stesso luogo? Si è sbagliata Mrs Aidan? (Dubito fortemente l'errore di stampa, dal momento che il nome si ripete sempre con la 'L'!)
Infine ho trovato il siparietto fra il giovane Darcy e Mrs Reynolds assolutamente inutile: secondo l'etichetta la governante è sempre Mrs. seguito dal Cognome, che sia sposata o meno: è una questione di gerarchie, e anche i padroni di casa devono enfatizzare il suo ruolo di capo della servitù con l'appellativo 'Mrs.'. Per questo che un Darcy ormai cresciuto possa discutere se chiamarla Mrs Reynolds o solo Reynolds non esiste. Fra parentesi, non è detto che la signora Reynolds sia sposata; secondo me non lo è, la Aidan ha deciso di accasarla con lo stesso maggiordomo.
Trovo che questo romanzo sia molto gradevole, un prequel perfetto per la Trilogia di Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, ma che non coincide al cento per cento con la mia idea del Mr Darcy di Jane Austen.
Potete trovare la recensione completa, con commenti di LizzyP QUI
Sono stato egoista per tutta la vita, nella pratica, anche se non nei principi. Da bambino mi è stato insegnato ciò che era giusto, ma non mi è stato insegnato a correggere il mio carattere. Mi sono stati trasmessi principi sani, ma mi è stato permesso di coltivarli nell'orgoglio e nella presunzione. Unico figlio maschio, per mia sfortuna (e per molti anni unico figlio in assoluto), sono stato viziato dai miei genitori, che, anche se di per sé buoni (mio padre, in particolare, era tutto ciò che si può chiamare benevolenza e simpatia), mi hanno permesso, incoraggiato, quasi insegnato a essere egoista e arrogante, a non curarmi di nessuno se non della mia cerchia familiare, a ritenere inferiore tutto il resto del mondo; o almeno, a desiderare di ritenere inferiore il buonsenso e il valore degli altri in confronto ai miei. Tale sono stato, dagli otto ai ventotto anni; e tale potrei ancora essere se non fosse stato per te, mia carissima, amatissima Elizabeth! (Orgoglio e Pregiudizio, cap. 58 trad. Giuseppe Ierolli)
È forse da questa dichiarazione di Mr Darcy che prende spunto questo romanzo breve, un prequel di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio su un Natale dell’adolescenza di Darcy, l’ultimo che trascorre con la madre, che — di ritorno dal primo trimestre a Eton — scopre malata e destinata a morire entro l’anno. Un periodo natalizio in cui Darcy cerca di convivere con il dolore per l’imminente perdita, le prime esperienze da adolescente, il primo contatto con il mondo degli adulti.
Fitzwilliam (Fiss, come lo chiama teneramente la piccola Georgiana) è poco più che un bambino. Appena tornato ha casa ha riposto i giocattoli più infantili per poter accogliere i cugini Fitzwilliam, più grandi di lui. Il suo infervorarsi — tipicamente maschile — per la fratellanza dei The Four and Goers, un club di guidatori scavezzacollo di veloci calessi, di cui suo padre è Socio Fondatore — ormai pentito —; la sua ricerca per la novità, per la varietà, per la compagnia di persone di diverse estrazioni sociali, in un momento in cui tutto sta cambiando davanti ai suoi occhi a causa della malattia di Lady Anne, ce lo fanno vedere chiaramente. Il giovane ha già affrontato i primi cambiamenti adattandosi ai primi mesi di collegio, superati grazie all’aiuto del cugino Richard, che può vantare un anno di esperienza più di lui.
Essere dei 'Darcy' è un onere che va affrontato da subito: nascondere ogni sentimento e mostrarsi impassibili, perfino quando il dolore è incontenibile; comportarsi sempre secondo l’etichetta, anche quando si è dei ragazzini appena affacciati sul mondo e si vorrebbe piangere fra le braccia dell'adorata madre.
Devo dire che questa tenerezza nei confronti di Rosamund, una cotta adolescenziale, superata quasi con un battito di ciglia, dopo il discorsetto di Mr Darcy padre - e una bella dose di bacchettate - mi ha un po' infastidito: non si può certo paragonare Rosamund, sguaiata e incolta ad Elizabeth Bennet, anche se le due hanno in comune l'immediatezza e una dose di anticonformismo. Eppure sembra che la Aidan le voglia quasi accomunare nella mente di Mr Darcy quando cercherà di resistere in futuro al fascino che Miss Bennet eserciterà su di lui.
Le parole di suo padre:
"But I do not want you to ever, ever neglect the duties and the resposabilities attached to this family as you did last night. You are a different than any other young men. You are a Darcy. You cannot pursue pleasure at your whim. You cannot encourage every girl you fancy. Do you understand me, Fitzwilliam?"
[Non voglio che tu venga meno, in nessun caso, ai doveri e alle responsabilità che sono d'obbligo in questa famiglia, come è accaduto la scorsa notte. Tu sei diverso da qualsiasi altro giovane. Sei un Darcy. Non puoi ricercare il piacere a tuo capriccio. Non puoi incoraggiare ogni ragazza di tuo gradimento. Mi capisci, Fitzwilliam?"]
riecheggiano nella prima proposta a Elizabeth ad Hunsford. Sembra che siano state il suo mantra dal momento in cui il padre le ha pronunciate. Eppure l'amore per Lizzy ha superato ogni ostacolo ("In vain I've struggled. It will not do").
Sarà gelosia, la mia? Non lo so, eppure è logico che una piccola cottarella infantile ci sta. Il fatto è che, da brave Lizzies siamo sempre un po' gelose del nostro Mr Darcy...
Ho un piccolo appunto da fare a Mrs Aidan riguardo alla 'nomenclatura' - chiamiamola così - e alle questioni di etichetta. Capisco che Fitzwilliam non sia un nome di battesimo facile, e che i pochi che possono avere l'onore di chiamarlo per nome - anche in giovane età - debbano trovarlo lungo e impronunciabile - quindi OK per il 'Fiss' di Georgiana - ma 'Fitz' non mi sembra assolutamente consono. Tanto più che l'abitudine continua in età adulta - lo sappiamo dalla Trilogia di Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman -, mentre è risaputo che sia per etichetta che per quanto appurato da Orgoglio e Pregiudizio medesimo, gli amici più stretti chiamano Mr Darcy semplicemente 'Darcy'.
Sul nome di battesimo del cugino maggiore, D'Arcy ho non pochi dubbi: d'accordo che il nostro eroe si chiami Fitzwilliam perché è il cognome della madre, nobile, figlia di un conte. Ma a che scopo chiamare un futuro conte con il cognome della famiglia dello zio, ricca, ma non aristocratica?
I giovani attori in cui si imbatte il giovane Darcy, fra l'altro, parlano con toni di rivalità dei ragazzi di Klympton. Ora, noi sappiamo da Orgoglio e Pregiudizio che esisteva un paese vicino a Pemberley dal nome Kympton (è il luogo di cui Wickham avrebbe dovuto diventare parroco). Sarebbe normale che i giovani di Lambton nutrissero un certo antagonismo verso quelli di Kympton. Ma si tratta dello stesso luogo? Si è sbagliata Mrs Aidan? (Dubito fortemente l'errore di stampa, dal momento che il nome si ripete sempre con la 'L'!)
Infine ho trovato il siparietto fra il giovane Darcy e Mrs Reynolds assolutamente inutile: secondo l'etichetta la governante è sempre Mrs. seguito dal Cognome, che sia sposata o meno: è una questione di gerarchie, e anche i padroni di casa devono enfatizzare il suo ruolo di capo della servitù con l'appellativo 'Mrs.'. Per questo che un Darcy ormai cresciuto possa discutere se chiamarla Mrs Reynolds o solo Reynolds non esiste. Fra parentesi, non è detto che la signora Reynolds sia sposata; secondo me non lo è, la Aidan ha deciso di accasarla con lo stesso maggiordomo.
Trovo che questo romanzo sia molto gradevole, un prequel perfetto per la Trilogia di Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, ma che non coincide al cento per cento con la mia idea del Mr Darcy di Jane Austen.
Potete trovare la recensione completa, con commenti di LizzyP QUI
June 30, 2023
This brief novella was written as a prequel to the FitzWilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy to show Darcy as a thirteen year old learning what the Darcy name and honour mean. Darcy has returned from his first months at Eythan and the family has gathered at Pemberley for Christmas. Darcy learns from his father when he arrives home that his mother is desperately ill. His sister Georgiana, whom he calls, Dolly, is but two years old, and already dearly loves her “Fiz.” Riding out to burn away his grief and anger. Darcy stumbles on a group of Lampton, lads, and a girl working on a mummers show for Christmas Eve. Their swordplay is so poorly done that Darcy steps up to show them how to do it better, and after proving his own skills is taken on and included in their fun. He is able to ride out most mornings to practice with them, before returning home to spend time with his mother. then all of his Matlock family arrive, aunt, uncle, and cousins D’Arcy and Richard. Richard always willing for adventure and mischief agrees to help Darcy evade Christmas Eve church to perform with the mummers, but the evening ends with a fight from a bully from Klympton over a girl, and Darcy learning from his father, the importance of preserving the propriety and honor of the Darcy family.
I must admit to being disappointed with this very brief, 120 page novella after reading the trilogy. I can see the author’s desire to show where Fitzwilliam, Darcy‘s fierce pride and sense of honor were instilled, but the book is so brief that it is disappointing.
I must admit to being disappointed with this very brief, 120 page novella after reading the trilogy. I can see the author’s desire to show where Fitzwilliam, Darcy‘s fierce pride and sense of honor were instilled, but the book is so brief that it is disappointing.
December 24, 2023
This novella is extraordinary! We see Darcy's world through his 13-year-old eyes. A difficult age for any boy, but Darcy has a lot more than most on his shoulders. Aware of his mother's painful illness and impending death, he's home at Pemberley from Eton for the Christmas holidays. His moments with both his parents are poignant and so sensitively written. Wanting to distract himself while dealing with the upheaval in his world, he gets on his horse for a ride and ends up finding young mummers from the village in an old barn practicing a play. The lone young girl in the "troupe" awakens him to physical attraction.
His two Matlock cousins arrive with their parents. Their individual characters are wonderfully depicted in just a few pages. They strive to make Lady Anne's last Christmas a joyful one. Richard becomes Fitzwilliam's helper with his exploits, leading to some hard lessons on duty and honor for Darcy from his father. This combines and contrasts with an earlier beautiful scene in the conservatory with his mother, who attempts to give him advice for his future life as Pemberley's heir. She would not live to have this conversation with him at a more age-appropriate time. From these early life experiences, we better understand Darcy's dilemma upon meeting Elizabeth Bennet years later. Beautiful to the very last sentence, with Darcy symbolically discarding what he cannot allow in his future life. 5+ stars
His two Matlock cousins arrive with their parents. Their individual characters are wonderfully depicted in just a few pages. They strive to make Lady Anne's last Christmas a joyful one. Richard becomes Fitzwilliam's helper with his exploits, leading to some hard lessons on duty and honor for Darcy from his father. This combines and contrasts with an earlier beautiful scene in the conservatory with his mother, who attempts to give him advice for his future life as Pemberley's heir. She would not live to have this conversation with him at a more age-appropriate time. From these early life experiences, we better understand Darcy's dilemma upon meeting Elizabeth Bennet years later. Beautiful to the very last sentence, with Darcy symbolically discarding what he cannot allow in his future life. 5+ stars
March 10, 2023
Master Darcy
How easily I slipped into a young thirteen year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy’s world while reading this novella! I was soon immersed alongside him, in a small window of time spent with his father, mother and baby sister together at Pemberley during the Christmas holidays in 1797. Sadly, destined to be Lady Anne’s last. His cousin Richard Fitzwilliam and family are also there for the celebrations. The cousin’s bond is already strong.
The storyline is engaging and bittersweet. A glimpse of innocent happiness but also trials that begin a path toward the serious, proud and duty driven man we meet in Ms. Aidan’s trilogy variation of Pride and Prejudice - “Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”.
How easily I slipped into a young thirteen year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy’s world while reading this novella! I was soon immersed alongside him, in a small window of time spent with his father, mother and baby sister together at Pemberley during the Christmas holidays in 1797. Sadly, destined to be Lady Anne’s last. His cousin Richard Fitzwilliam and family are also there for the celebrations. The cousin’s bond is already strong.
The storyline is engaging and bittersweet. A glimpse of innocent happiness but also trials that begin a path toward the serious, proud and duty driven man we meet in Ms. Aidan’s trilogy variation of Pride and Prejudice - “Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”.
January 5, 2023
Beautifully written
A coming of age account of a young Fitzwilliam Darcy who learns of the great responsibility of being the heir Darcy one memorable Christmas. Plausible, moving account. Funny and heartwarming. But what I appreciate mist is beautifully written narrative of a 1700s Christmas in England experienced by our favorite Darcy and Fitzwilliam characters at age 23 and 14. Not you typical P and P novella, but a great read!
A coming of age account of a young Fitzwilliam Darcy who learns of the great responsibility of being the heir Darcy one memorable Christmas. Plausible, moving account. Funny and heartwarming. But what I appreciate mist is beautifully written narrative of a 1700s Christmas in England experienced by our favorite Darcy and Fitzwilliam characters at age 23 and 14. Not you typical P and P novella, but a great read!
May 31, 2018
Avid Reader
This is the second book that has offered a glimpse into Darcy's life before he lost his mother. Georgina was too adorable,and we could already see the car that Wickham would become. Mrs. Darcy was all that was exceptional. Rosamund sounds like the precursor to Elizabeth, very similar in personality. Great reading!
This is the second book that has offered a glimpse into Darcy's life before he lost his mother. Georgina was too adorable,and we could already see the car that Wickham would become. Mrs. Darcy was all that was exceptional. Rosamund sounds like the precursor to Elizabeth, very similar in personality. Great reading!
April 4, 2019
On the back of this book is says something about Austen-related literature, and that is just what this is. But let’s face it there is just nothing like the real thing. This was just okay for me, but of course now I am going to read more of the real thing.
May 12, 2023
A very sweet short story
A very sweet short story. Poor young Darcy. His mother's illness is before him. What horror that would be for anyone.
Getting energy out is such a good escape...
What lesson will he learn?
A very sweet short story. Poor young Darcy. His mother's illness is before him. What horror that would be for anyone.
Getting energy out is such a good escape...
What lesson will he learn?
August 21, 2023
Pamela Aidan explores the life of Master Darcy as a teen in 1797. His mother is ill and he is struggling with her illness as the Christmas season begins and he has to return to Pemberly and the expectations of his family.
October 2, 2020
A fun novella with some insight to what Darcy might have been like as a young teenager. I mostly enjoyed witnessing what his parents might have been like.
December 26, 2022
Satisfying
Thank you for this glimpse of what might have been in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s transition from child to responsible young man.
Thank you for this glimpse of what might have been in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s transition from child to responsible young man.
January 25, 2023
Master Darcy learning a lesson
I liked the young Master Darcy and the heart ache of losing his Mother soon. New friends, a girl and his rowdy cousins make it a wonderful story.
I liked the young Master Darcy and the heart ache of losing his Mother soon. New friends, a girl and his rowdy cousins make it a wonderful story.
May 4, 2024
So excited that this is finally available!
April 25, 2011
Fan fiction at its best! Because at its core, that it what Pamela Aidan writes. Since her works are published, it is of a better quality than the majority of the writing of this type that proliferates the web. Her original characters are fully developed, not just cardboard cutouts to fill in the background of her story. Even characters which we were aware of but were never seen in the original work by Jane Austen (the senior Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Darcy) have been brought to life in a believable way.
This particular volume shows a 13 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy returning home for the Christmas holidays after finishing his first term at Eton. It is a holiday season which will be a turning point for the young man he is becoming, first on hearing some devastating news, and then as events unfold which shed some light on why as an adult he was so determined to resist the obvious charms of and his own attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennett.
Despite the fact that it is a fully developed story with an adequate amount of detail, I still can't bring myself to give it more than three stars. I simply wanted more! 120 pages is not enough with writing of this caliber and such well developed, likable characters.
As a side note, this publisher, Wytherngate Press, has, in my opinion, now developed a reputation for bad proofing before printing. Although there were not nearly as many typos as in other books of theirs I have read, there were still enough to notice, and in such a short volume as this, that is inexcusable.
This particular volume shows a 13 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy returning home for the Christmas holidays after finishing his first term at Eton. It is a holiday season which will be a turning point for the young man he is becoming, first on hearing some devastating news, and then as events unfold which shed some light on why as an adult he was so determined to resist the obvious charms of and his own attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennett.
Despite the fact that it is a fully developed story with an adequate amount of detail, I still can't bring myself to give it more than three stars. I simply wanted more! 120 pages is not enough with writing of this caliber and such well developed, likable characters.
As a side note, this publisher, Wytherngate Press, has, in my opinion, now developed a reputation for bad proofing before printing. Although there were not nearly as many typos as in other books of theirs I have read, there were still enough to notice, and in such a short volume as this, that is inexcusable.
January 11, 2015
Young Master Darcy: A Lesson in Honour
Very interesting story about young Master Darcy's Last Christmas celebration with his mother. Miserable knowing that his mother will likely be alive to see the next Christmas, young Darcy rides out on a cold winter's day. Stopping in an old barn to rest his horse, he finds himself with a band of young mummers. Fascinated, he joins their group and during Christmas Eve services, join the mummers outside for the program. When a bully threatens Darcy, they begin to fight in the street. Needless to say, Darcy's father catches him and stops the fight. Punishment is administered the next morning along with a long speech about being a Darcy. When reading these words, it was no wonder why all of Meryton thought him proud. His father and mother definitely differed on their expectations for his future.
Very interesting story about young Master Darcy's Last Christmas celebration with his mother. Miserable knowing that his mother will likely be alive to see the next Christmas, young Darcy rides out on a cold winter's day. Stopping in an old barn to rest his horse, he finds himself with a band of young mummers. Fascinated, he joins their group and during Christmas Eve services, join the mummers outside for the program. When a bully threatens Darcy, they begin to fight in the street. Needless to say, Darcy's father catches him and stops the fight. Punishment is administered the next morning along with a long speech about being a Darcy. When reading these words, it was no wonder why all of Meryton thought him proud. His father and mother definitely differed on their expectations for his future.
March 3, 2023
13 yr old Darcy
A preteen Fitzwilliam is home during a Christmas break from Eaton. He learns from his father that this will be Lady Anne's final Christmas. She is unwell and will not enjoy another with her beloved family.
Darcy meets us with a group of village children and is asked to join their "troop". They of course do not know who he really is.
Lessons are learned from this Christmas break. Darcy senior, Lady Anne, the apex of dishonorable behavior by George, and the deep friendship of the favorite cousin Richard, all join in and we see the beginning of Fitzwilliam's road to the honor of being a Darcy.
Pamela is a talented writer. I appreciate her intelligent and unique style. She is a top favorite for my P & P library.
A preteen Fitzwilliam is home during a Christmas break from Eaton. He learns from his father that this will be Lady Anne's final Christmas. She is unwell and will not enjoy another with her beloved family.
Darcy meets us with a group of village children and is asked to join their "troop". They of course do not know who he really is.
Lessons are learned from this Christmas break. Darcy senior, Lady Anne, the apex of dishonorable behavior by George, and the deep friendship of the favorite cousin Richard, all join in and we see the beginning of Fitzwilliam's road to the honor of being a Darcy.
Pamela is a talented writer. I appreciate her intelligent and unique style. She is a top favorite for my P & P library.
August 31, 2012
This was a fast, fast read. Enjoyed how it set-up Darcy's future reserve and his relationship with his cousin Richard, but some was a bit too far fetched for my taste. Do enjoy this author of fan fiction though.
January 24, 2014
Too short but very well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews