Heart-wrenching and Emotional P&P Variation

"Serve and obey, a terrifying burden when one cannot also love and honor. How could she sacrifice herself thus?"

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Col Fitzwilliam's revelation of Darcy's interference in Bingley and Jane's budding romance is interrupted by a letter from Longbourn with disastrous news. Mr. Bennet has been struck down by an apoplectic fit and lies at death's door. Darcy recognizes that Mr. Collins will cast out the Bennet family the moment Mr. Bennet passes and immediately proposes to Lizzy. His proposal is tempered with apologies for the timing and kindness in his consideration of her current condition. He offers to convey her to Longbourn and on the way Lizzy considers his offer.

Lizzy only knows that Darcy is cold and capable of cruelty to those once considered friends, she believes that he is a proud and reserved man. But she also perceives the love he has for her and the closeness and companionship he shares with Bingley and Fitzwilliam. She recognizes the advantages to her family, and that close association with Bingley may bring him back to Jane. Lizzy agrees to marry him, and Darcy is overcome with joy. But simply saying "yes" can't solve their problems. Lizzy struggles in a marriage of unequal affections, and Darcy wonders what happened to the lively and charming girl he fell in love with.

Poor Lizzy! and poor Darcy! Without Lizzy's words of refusal to dispel Darcy's pride, and Darcy's letter to clear up her misconceptions, Lizzy continues to willfully misunderstand Darcy and he remains blissfully unaware of her true feelings of disapprobation. Darcy makes blunder after blunder and repeatedly insults her family, while Lizzy rails at her lack of choice in the marriage but won't speak up for herself. Both of them are the losers in this situation. Things finally come to a head after Darcy learns that Lizzy didn't marry him for love, and their woeful failure to communicate leads to some of the most heartbreaking scenes in any P&P variation I've read.

The author made me feel Lizzy and Darcy's pain deeply, the emotional turmoil she created was incredible. I spent chapters unable to work because I was blinded by tears, and I haven't been able to begin a new book yet. This isn't a lighthearted or frothy read, but a well written novel about love grown through gratitude and two very different people coming to understand each other. Ms. Starnes' writing was impeccable, and she lifted my heart with warm loving scenes between our couple, then ripped it out of my chest with wrenching descriptions of their pain.

Who better to narrate this beautiful retelling than Stevie Zimmerman? Her voice is quickly becoming synonymous with Pride & Prejudice to me. She is able to masterfully perform the male character's voices, and her normal speaking voice is so pleasant. She has the perfect accent, tone, and voice for each character. They came alive and lived and loved through my speakers.

I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I have this book on my reread list, and it is well worth an audible credit.

4 people found this helpful

Not the Elizabeth from the original P&P

Struggled to finish it. I spent most of the book waiting for the Elizabeth we know and love to show up. Instead you get this submissive, whiney woman who won't stand up for herself or her family. Yes there are a few times when they argue but she never puts up much of a fight.

The ending is horrible. Darcy goes from being this loving man to an ice-cold and heartless jerk. He wasn't even this cruel to Wickham and yet he's going to treat the woman he loves this way. I finally skipped the final chapters to get to the end. Very disappointed, would not recommend.

8 people found this helpful

Beautifully written and elegantly narrated.

If you could sum up Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter in three words, what would they be?

Eloquent, elegant and intriguing

What did you like best about this story?

A completely different take on P & P which managed to tell a totally different story but still be authentic, period appropriate, and really sensitive

What about Stevie Zimmerman’s performance did you like?

Stevie's voices and accents are impeccable. You believe every conversation and hear the characters come to life completely. She can be funny and sad and serious and joyous.

2 people found this helpful

Joana Starnes is amongst the best!

Author Joana Starnes delivers another exquisite story—and narrator Stevie Zimmerman is lovely as always. This is one audiobook I revisit often. Easy to recommend this story. Not to be missed.

1 person found this helpful

Surprising twists and turn

This book starts in Kent when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. Right before the proposal, Elizabeth learns that her father is seriously ill and she accepts Darcy's proposal to provide her family with security. The story proceeds as expected with Darcy showing what a good,kind and thoughtful person he really is (with some proud and haughty thrown in to keep the reader entertained). Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy, of course, begins to change and I thought our couple was home free when Elizabeth says those three little words. Much to my surprise (and absolute delight) Ms. Starnes threw in a Jane Austen worthy Hunsford moment. The pain and anguish of Darcy and Elizabeth was riveting and the narrator made me feel the emotions even more so. I can honestly say that I am glad I listened to this book on audio before I read it. One of my all time favorites.

1 person found this helpful

Beautifully written

I must say out of all the Pride and Prejudice variations I have listened to, this book has got to be by far, the most realistically written. The character growth is masterfully done, especially Mr. Bingley.

Such a marvelous book! I have nothing but praise for the author.

Well worth the read/listen

1 person found this helpful

A must read or listen

I listen to many P&P variations and I must say this is so fabulous! I cried when Darcy left and loved every minute of it. Please continue to write Joana, you are so gifted. Will always look for your new books. I also love Stevie Zimmerman's readings. She is great too.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful Story!

Great Pride and Prejudice love story with a different twist. Lots of passion, a struggle for trust and acceptance with a happy ending.

1 person found this helpful

Love this book

Such a joy to hear this wonderful book. Heartwrenchingly beautiful prose. Narration very delightfully done.

WOW! I LOVE this one!!!

I’ve read (listened to) a lot of these JAFF stories lately and this one took me by surprise. Lizzy marries Darcy early to protect her family. At the time of her marriage she is still suspicious of his character. She slowly learns he may be more than he seems as she still battles her preconceived impressions of him.

Then it all falls apart, dramatically, leaving both Lizzy and Darcy in turmoil.

This is not a Mr.Darcy I’ve ever met before. I’m both angry at him and heartbroken for them both. Ms. Starnes has turned up the volume on our characters in this one resulting in a story that left me in tears. I’ve actually listened to it again since I first wrote the review and, even though I knew what was coming, I still ended up in tears.

Stevie Zimmerman again does an outstanding job of bringing the words to life. I saw another review,of a different story, say that Ms. Zimmerman IS Lizzy and Darcy and I firmly agree! Her talents are well above par!