Almost returned

I have to admit that I struggled with the narration. The pacing was….odd. Too slow, then too fast, emphasis off with the sentences. I’m more glad I held on than not, although it REALLY needs a good Editor. It is too long due to unnecessary scenes, repetitive speeches, and oddly placed descriptions. At one point, I couldn’t tell if they were in Pemberley or London. One important secret goes on so long that I forgot why it was being kept a secret.

There are some surprising character changes that made the story interesting in addition to Lizzy’s main character change. One villain is worse than ever while another is remarkably redeemed, nearly gasp worthy in fact. The character of one of the Bennet parents as well is surprisingly awful.

Although I finished it, not sure it was really worth the struggle.

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Darcy sees the true Elizabeth

This was a touching story about Darcy and Elizabeth during the various stages of their relationship. I will say Mrs Bennet is really awful and Jane confused me by her actions. The narrator was good and brought the story to life. No silly voices just great narration.

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Mr Bennet and Mrs Bennet are abusive to Elizabeth the later by cruelty and the former by inaction.

Jane is hardly the "sweet caring sister" of cannon. Mr Darcy strikes up a friendship with Elizabeth, who is forced to sit in the shadows at the local assembly. Mrs Bennet is a cruel, vindictive mother who disparages and beats Elizabeth (leaving scars on more than her back). Mr Bennet absents himself from his parental duties. Elizabeth has "falling sickness", epilepsy. Bennet allows his wife full control for the peace of his books. Mr Bingley is his usual oblivious self, Miss Bingley is down right diabolical. Col. Fitzwilliam initially suspects Elizabeth is a fortune hunter. A refreshingly reformed Wickham, who has turned his life around. The horrible conditions at Bedlam are shown. Darcy, Georgianna and the family welcome Elizabeth. The Gardiner's are great. Mary and the younger Bennet's are seen as more compassionate to there sister's plight. Although, not fleshed out. Ending was abrupt. An Epilogue would have been helpful.

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Loved it

It was a very different story. A very bad Mrs Bennet and a good Wickham. A secret marriage as well. Great Jaff

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And He Does Fall. Hard. And Early.

Spoiler alert!!!

This was first a grand love story. It was also an interesting exploration into how a disability would affect the life of one of our most beloved characters. A condition we’re familiar with today and no longer attach a stigma to, but two hundred years ago they knew nothing about (epilepsy,) and many sufferers were put in asylums, where they suffered far worse.

Thus Darcy meets Elizabeth at the famous assembly but notices her hiding in a corner. She begs him not to pay attention to her or she’ll face her mother’s wrath. Oh my lord this Mrs. Bennet is a harpy of unbelievable proportions. And Elizabeth’s father is the pinnacle of his lethargic indolent P&P character who allows and excuses Mrs. Bennet’s behavior for the most absurd reason. I spent most of the book hating both of them for different reasons, but eventually eased up on Lizzy’s father.

Darcy has to rescue Elizabeth from true bodily injury by her mother. By this point he realizes he’s in love with her. Her injuries horrify him, as it would any normal human being. Now the story includes Colonel Fitzwilliam, who frustratingly does not have his cousin’s back, though he reminds Darcy they have always been like brothers he’s not offering any help and antagonizes Elizabeth behind Darcy’s back. He's forced to back track and apologize at one point, but his earlier actions seem cruel.

I couldn’t figure out Jane for most of the book either. I’m sure there was more of a family dynamic allusion there but it wasn’t really explored or explained enough. It just painted Jane in a bad light and she should have come off much more sympathetic in the end. The idea that having a sibling with a special need for more care and attention and the way it affects the family members could have been explored a smidge better. Because caring for Elizabeth fell into Jane's hands while growing up.

There’s so much more to this story though and it really was amazing. The narrator Lucas Keen, is first rate although new to me. There was another extremely evil villain who wrecked havoc with the newlywed Darcys, but to balance this out another character comes to the aid of Darcy and Elizabeth who previously has always been the villain, but has a complete turnaround in character.

I loved this Elizabeth who kept up her bright teasing lovable Lizzy spirit throughout her trials, yet I understood her fear of losing Darcy’s love since that threat had been beaten into her from the time she became ill.

And I loved this heroic, never faltering Darcy. Their happily ever after was hard won, sweeter after what they endured. That sounds like a cliche but they had built up a new team of family and friends they could trust and rely on.

Highly recommended. Will definitely re-listen to this one. Great storytelling.

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Not for me

Made no sense at all. Horrible abusive behavior tolerated by all. They all have misplaced loyalties to undeserving people. The villains should have been permanently removed and banned from their lives. Instead they pinged back and forth with reprimands and welcoming them into their homes and social situations time after time which I found impossible to understand. The abuses by the mother was haunting me long after I listened to this story.The lack of compassion from those around the victim was impossible to understand. I regret this listen and cannot recommend it or understand the point of writing such a story as a P&P variation.

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Hard to listen to!

The story was fine, but the narrator was awful. He read in fits and stops. Sometimes he would read only two or three words then pause. It was so choppy I could not even complete listening.

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Illogical

This is definitely an unusual twist on P&P. Mrs. Bennett is vicious, Mr. Bennett is weak as water. Wickham is not bad, Jane is weird. Darcy is pretty harsh. Caroline is evil. Elizabeth has epilepsy.
It was too far off from the P&P for my taste. The worst flaw is that it is confusing, inconsistent and totally illogical. Waste of my time.

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