Disability and Determination Audiobook By Timothy Underwood cover art

Disability and Determination

An Elizabeth and Darcy Story

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Disability and Determination

By: Timothy Underwood
Narrated by: Virginia Ferguson
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Despite being a cripple with a blighted life, Fitzwilliam Darcy was a fine looking man....

A year ago, Mr. Darcy suffered from an illness that robbed him of the use of his legs. However, he is determined to never become maudlin and behave as though his life is over and ruined just because part of it has become more difficult. Since he could not expect to recover any further, it was time to resume the ordinary course of his life.

Georgiana at last departed on her long-delayed trip to Ramsgate with her companion Mrs. Younge, and Darcy went to visit his friend Bingley in Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth could not look away from Mr. Darcy when he entered the room at the Meryton assembly. A very handsome and determined man. She could not decide what she thought about him. And then she overheard him insulting her.

When Mr. Darcy apologizes to Elizabeth, a friendship will flourish between them that will take them through difficulties and heartbreak, and eventually to love.

©2022 Timothy Underwood (P)2022 Timothy Underwood Historical Historical Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Heartfelt
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This was a good story. Well researched before (I heard in the after words.) he wrote it. My only complaint was that Elizabeth was a bit vapid and letting Darcy speak as he did when proposing. Darcy was a bit full of him self. Not properly humbled. Otherwise good. Good Jaff.

Good story

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Caroline B. although brief is a pleasant surprise. Bingley shows himself more resolute concerning Jane. Darcy resigned to his recent disability told in flashbacks (the word crippled was used often until the 1970's). He still is prideful. He insults Elizabeth but apologizes. Darcy is not the only one to suffer a life threatening illness, with life altering results. Wickham is up to no good. E. after refusing the pompous Mr Collins, proposal. Still he leaves Netherfield, although not without paying calls to take his leave. ODC have much to overcome before their HEA. A good listen. Despite the angst, I really enjoyed the variation!

A story where D& E find less misunderstanding

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Listener received this title free

This P&P variation has a much different arc than canon. In the beginning we find Darcy just recovered from an illness that cost him the use of his legs. He is able to get around using crutches and by horseback and refuses to consider himself “crippled,” no matter how often others label him thus.

Darcy goes to stay with Bingley in Hertfordshire after sending Georgiana off to Ramsgate for a well deserved holiday with her companion, Mrs Young. He insults Elizabeth at the assembly (refusing to sit and talk with her during a dance set) but soon apologizes and
becomes friendly with her.

When Jane is invited to dine at Netherfield she becomes deathly ill. Darcy calls for his London physician whom Elizabeth credits with saving Jane. Unfortunately, Jane is not unscathed and develops her own disability. Bingley is not honorable and ends up with Elizabeth’s extreme enmity.

Darcy and Elizabeth decide to marry early in the story, however Darcy doesn’t yet truly respect Elizabeth. When Darcy must chase after Georgiana when she elopes Elizabeth must decide if she can marry Darcy knowing she doesn’t have his respect.

This is a really interesting story that touches on the difficulties a person of the Regency era may have experienced when dealing with a disability. I highly recommend listening to the author’s afterward. He explains how he came to write about the disabilities in the story and provides more background on the diseases and why the Regency physicians prescribed certain treatments. Truly fascinating.

A “Differently-Abled” Darcy

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The narrator was new to me and took some getting used to but once I was engrossed in the story I became comfortable with her different voices. This story has a great Darcy, an interesting Elizabeth (on the good side) more than one person with disability, a disappointing Bingley, a surprising Miss Bingley. I liked that circumstances and a promise brought Elizabeth to a decision regarding Darcy and the willingness to talk about the big log in his eye in a calm questioning manner. So no cat and dog fight and no letter, but another circumstance opened his eyes to his own faults and prejudices.

Highly recommended.

Great story.

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A very good narration and performance by Virginia Ferguson. I did have to set the speed a notch higher. Ms. Ferguson really drew out my emotions with her performance of the confrontation scene between Elizabeth and Bingley, and the scene with Jane and Elizabeth when Jane finally lets her emotions fly. Well done!

Book review:

This original, riveting and poignant novel begins at Bath where Darcy is recovering from an illness that has left him with a polio-like disease in his legs. He cannot walk without the aid of crutches which he has mastered well. Unlike many of his day, and even some friends and family, he does not consider himself a “cripple” as he is able to stay mobile and do the many things others can.

Determined to move on with his life he is looking forward and considering marriage. He joins Bingley at Netherfield, and after a slightly rocky beginning with Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly, he will soon apologize and they begin to form a strong friendship. Jane will eventually take her rainy ride to Netherfield and offer readers yet another gripping and tragic twist to this page turner. A powerful and unexpected encounter between Bingley and Elizabeth resulting from this is intense.

Of course, everyone has faults they must overcome, and one main character disappointingly will not and, even with those faults, I loved this Darcy and Elizabeth. More easily conversant in this book, their conversations and teasing — yes, even Darcy teases — and the more serious and emotional dialogue and moments of the book kept me captivated throughout. Darcy will have to overcome his deep family pride before he can get Elizabeth to the church.

Ignoring some sentence structure I had to re-read, and some incorrect punctuation, I still consider it a very well-written book. I found myself not wanting it to end, and imagining what life might be like for the Darcys after marriage. I also wondered more about Jane and the Colonel’s future. Therefore, this book screams “sequel” at me. One can hope, right?

I think this is one of Mr. Underwood’s best Darcy and Elizabeth stories and I highly recommend it.

Great Story

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I definitely would not recommend it unless you are desperate or it's on super deep sale (which is how I acquired it). the readers voice is all wrong, the story is a bit contrived and lacking much depth. I found myself eyerolling quite a few times. there are WAY better JAFF stories out there.

This was ok, I definitely would not recommend it

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