Absolutely Wonderful Variation!

This Pride and Prejudice variation begins with very different circumstances for the Bennets. Mr. Bennet has passed, Mr. Collins has inherited Longbourn, and the Bennet family has been thrown into the hedgerows. Jane is in London with the Gardiners, Mrs. Bennet and the other girls living with the Phillips in Meryton, and Elizabeth has gone to work as a governess for Col Fitzwilliam's nieces. It's there that Elizabeth meets and befriends Georgiana. When Elizabeth is about to leave her position, Georgiana begs her brother to hire Elizabeth as her companion.

Darcy hires Elizabeth and they happily settle at Pemberley. Elizabeth has daily proof of Darcy's kindness and worth as she witnesses his interactions with his sister and the people on his estate. And Darcy delights in Elizabeth's intelligence, wit, and her kindness towards his sister. But Elizabeth is no longer a simple gentleman's daughter, equal in standing if not in wealth. She's a paid companion in Darcy's employ, and any future between them seems impossible.

This is a lovely Pride and Prejudice variation with just a pinch of Jane Eyre sprinkled in for extra sweetness. The book is broken into two parts. The first half is told entirely from Darcy's point of view, and the second half switches between Lizzy and Darcy's points of view. This is my favorite type of variation, one in which the characters' personalities are true to the original, but the entire story and setting have changed. Most of the book is set at Pemberley, which means that we don't see much of Mrs. Bennet and the other girls, the Bingleys, the Gardiners, or Mr. Collins. The author puts our favorite characters into a completely new plot, and not a single scene is repeated from the original. She subtly weaves sentences from the original into her work and each time I recognized one it made me smile.

The author writes such wonderful dialogue, and there are so many sweet moments between our couple. Of course, this wouldn't be a Joana Starnes novel without heartbreak and a lot of tears. She never disappoints. There are several emotionally charged scenes that had me frozen motionless while I listened. Lizzy and Darcy's series of misunderstandings are painful, and their journey to happiness isn't smooth. This book is well written, passionate, and emotional, a special story that's so worth the read.

I can't decide whether to just buy every Joana Starnes book published so far, or wait for Stevie Zimmerman's narration to bring them to life. Her performance is outstanding. She has the perfect voice for Darcy, deep, vulnerable, and intense. Her regular speaking voice is so pleasant. She makes listening effortless, and really brings the story to life.

I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

My favorite variation so far!

I am taking the time to review this because I love, love LOVE pride and prejudice variations. However I have had to wade through SO Many bad ones and am a little bit frustrated people are not more honest in their reviews. I buy based on recommendations and many times I find they have steered me wrong! That being said this story grabbed my attention from the start only to frustrate me slightly towards the end when the plot was resolved a little too easily in my opinion. (spoiler alerts if you read on) The main problem in the story comes about 3/4 of the way through when Darcy mistakenly thinks Elizabeth has made an assignation with Mr. Wickham, by this point in the story Ms.Starnes has incredible potential to take us on a journey of misunderstandings, pride, prejudice and finally a reconciliation. Instead the characters reconcile almost immediately and you can guess at the rest... I found myself disappointed Wickham didn't try and do something more to Elizabeth... Also there was a scene about Elizabeth putting Darcy's favorite book on hold at a book shop... I thought for sure this would be brought back up as a way for Darcy to realize Elizabeth's affection for him.... Still the most gripping variation I have read so far! I would highly recommend and interested to hear if any one else was vexed it ended before the problems really began! Happy Listening!

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Loved it!

It is refreshing to read a Pride and Prejudice variation by an experienced and proficient author. I've read too much fan fiction by ametuer authors, but Joana Starnes has never disappointed. The audible for this book was fabulous as well, perfect for breaking up the monotony of long car rides.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Wonderful Tale!

Anytime I see Joana Starnes and Stevie Zimmerman I prepare for a good story! I was not disappointed. Ms. Starnes weaves a wonderful web as she constructs a new spin on the P&P classic and Ms. Zimmerman steps in and plays that web so that the characters sing. We start from a new point of view as Mr. Bennet has died and Lizzie has been employed in a Mayfair home where she meets Georgiana, and subsequently Mr. Darcy. Never fear, misunderstandings still occur, but nothing like what we’ve seen before. The vast majority of this book takes place at Pemberley with very few appearances of the rest of the cast of characters from the original. One or two do appear, but I don’t want to give too much away. My only negative is that I wished the villains had a more solid resolution. They seemed to escape justice.

One of my favorites!

Superb writing, true to Ms. Austen's style. Captivating plot, couldn't stop listening. Amazing narration! RECOMMEND!!!

Story is good but the narrator is flawless

Wonderfully narratored ! Whenever Stevie Zimmerman is the narrator it is the best experience. She makes Darcy , Elizabeth, and even Georgina so real. The.story is lovely. Just a hint of a makeout sesh for my gals out there who love pushing propriety but not crossing it. Absolutely a good time

Loved this story!

As much as I loved this story, I looked first to see if it was narrated by Stevie Zimmerman . She is the best!

A very good read!

It is not Jane Austen but a very lovely story! On multiple occasions, it made me smile and laugh and just so infatuated by the story! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Super good story

I very much enjoyed this Pride and Prejudice variation. Darcy and Elizabeth do not meet until after Mr. Bennett dies and Mr. Collins takes over Longbourne. Elizabeth becomes paid companion to Georgiana, who is Darcy's sister. That is how Darcy meets her. Of course he admires her and in this version she admires him from the beginning, but misunderstandings occur and they become star crossed. Mr. Wickham shows up and he is despicable as usual. He tries to take advantage of Georgiana. Lots of angst - the fun kind. I really enjoyed it.

The best Austen variation so far!

Ms Starnes made excellent use of our acquaintance with Austen characters to expand this variation storyline. Ms Zimmerman's performance was flawless. Combined they provide absolute delight from beginning to end! Congratulations to both artists. Looking forward to enjoying more of your work.