The Sailor's Rest

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Don Jacobson

Narrado por: Benjamin Fife

"This was absolutely fabulous! It was intelligent and fun while illustrating the depth of the connection between Darcy and Elizabeth and Wentworth and Anne." (Pemberley Darcy, author of A Frankness of Character)

"Part mystery, part adventure—and all heart—This has the feel of a Hornblower epic." (Alice McVeigh, author of Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel)

Two grooms missing at the altar. Darcy and Wentworth kidnapped.

Two great loves tried by separation, battle, and deception.

Set on the stage of Napoleon's 100 Days, relish the mystery, sea chase, and, finally, the satisfying finish as four yearning hearts—desperate to be reunited—draw closer together. Join the heart-stopping chase as Anne Elliot and Elizabeth Bennet search the tattered rooms of a waterfront inn, suffer on board a frigate engaged in a deadly game of naval chess, and then enter the gilded halls of London's preeminent card room—where revenge is riding on one final hand.

Can true love be lost at sea?

The Sailor's Rest is set in the Persuasion timeline of 1815 but leaves in place the age and plot constructs established by Austen in Pride and Prejudice.

Jane Austen's greatest lovers come together to be tested in the crucible of war on the Mediterranean's blue waters and the smoky confines of a prestigious London gambling den.

©2023 Donald Whitfield Jacobson (P)2023 Donald Whitfield Jacobson

Stunning drama

When two of our most beloved heroes from Jane Austen are kidnapped and destined for death it’s not only the two men who go through a trial by fire.

It’s heartbreaking and dramatically sweeping. Amazing writing. Thank you Don Jacobson for bringing together my two favorite Austen novels with one of my favorite movies of all time, Master And Commander. No one could have written this like you did.

Benjamin Fife was the perfect narrator for this story.

Excellent P&P/Persuasion Crossover

Having first read and enjoyed the ebook version of this novel, the audio version is also excellent. Benjamin Fife’s quality narrating skills made him an ideal choice for this male-centric story.

I was immediately drawn into the story at the Prologue that perfectly sets up the book; then quickly into Chapter 1, the reader witnesses the beginning of a double-kidnapping mystery which leads to an adventurous, gripping and danger-filled sea voyage. The reader is not left without hope, as the friends and families of the kidnapped who love them come together as one to solve a crime, engage in a daring rescue amid a raging war battle on the sea, and eventually bring justice to the primary villain whose devious plot is foiled.

Highly recommend.

Swashbuckling With Darcy and Wentworth!

You can always count on Don Jacobson to thoroughly research his writing projects, and The Sailor’s Rest takes the reader/listener deep into the naval practices of the British Regency time period. He also provides a look into the lives of various people of different classes, from a lowly tavern maid to a young ship’s boy to a Baron’s malevolent heir to a loyal-to-Napoleon French sea captain, and many others. Now, with this fabulous audiobook, Benjamin Fife performs the voices of this plethora of characters, including the sea dog crews of the sailing ships. The entire audiobook is extremely well done and most entertaining. I highly recommend The Sailor’s Rest!

Austenesque Crossover of Love & High Seas Adventur

An adventure on the high seas for Austen’s top two romance pairs was a source of delicious anticipation. I couldn’t wait to listen in to the talented Don Jacobson’s Persuasion and Pride & Prejudice crossover sequel as told by now familiar and engaging narrator, Benjamin Fife.

The story opens with a chilling gothically-toned prologue from the villain’s perspective and then slips into a story of two gentlemen on the verge of their nuptials getting kidnapped away from the same quayside inn and then waking up in a nightmare situations as pressed sailors aboard a ship captained by a sadistic man eager to administer the whip and make their lives a misery. Meanwhile, their two ladies recruit able-bodied help and take to their trail in a long-game rescue mission.

The actions has good rising and falling between introspective moments, but always the tension draws tighter as the story crescendos to the riveting two-part climax moment involving a danger-fraught sea battle and later a spider-web of a trap for the orchestrator of the troubles.

I loved seeing the camaraderie between Wentworth and Darcy in their shared time of capture just as I was touched by the deep friendship that formed among their ladies, Anne Elliot and Elizabeth Bennet. Further friendships and connections were formed that made the group closer than family.

The author demonstrated a well-researched backdrop of Royal Navy life as well as the grander setting of Regency England. I was satisfyingly immersed in that long ago time.

Speaking of immersion, Benjamin Fife’s narration work made a fab story even richer and deeper for the listener with his voice work of the large group of characters and the exchange of narrators among them, but also a mastery of pacing and the feel of the various scenes.

All in all, The Sailor’s Rest met my expectations and then some. However, I’m not surprised because I’ve long since been a fan of both author and narrator. Those who enjoy well-described situation and getting deep inside the characters with a fabulous drama of romance and action should give this standalone historical fiction a go.

Wonderful!

If you've never picked up a Don Jacobson book, make this one your first.
Beautifully written. Detailed, history fabulously researched. Exciting. A true adventure. Yes, there is the Amor but it flows perfectly and is clean.

I purchased this book on Audible as Don's tales are great for road trips. This particular book, I will purchase in hardback to add to my library.

Benjamin Fife is a fantastic narrator. His voice is mesmerizing. Inflection is perfect. I'm pretty sure I have a book or two with Benjamin's narration. He's one of my favs. I look forward to more of his narratives.

Mystery and romance on the high seas

A P&P and Persuasion cross over, my favourite of Austen’s works. It felt so good to return to one of Don’s works and casts of diverse characters within the Austen universe.
This time the plot follows Elizabeth Bennet, newly engaged to Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Anne Elliot, affianced to Captain Frederick Wentworth. The two men meet at an inn on their way south/north. Soon though, their families know something is wrong when the two men do not appear for their wedding.

Soon Elizabeth and Anne are on the case, along with old and new friends.
They set sail to find their men within the company of the Crofts and another known character, Vicomte Rochet.
The mystery is that Darcy and Wentworth have disappeared together from their inn. What has happened to them? And why? Soon the game is afoot across the Mediterranean Sea.

Old enemies appear in the plot to keep the two couples apart.
The book is a mix of romance, mystery and detective story, with adventure on the high seas included.
As Elizabeth and Anne find their sea legs, their two men are fighting to keep their identities hidden and bodies unmarked by punishments.
Soon the most exciting sea battle I have ever read is underway between a French ship and the ship which hides Wentworth and Darcy (A British ship) though their ladies are quickly flying to their rescue.

After the battle has concluded onboard, I had thought a HEA was closing in, but the drama continues in London to bring the real villain to heel, so our two couples can live happily ever after.
I will admit to screaming at the book a few times, though mostly in surprise, “What?!” and “Don, what the hell…” etc. The book is an exciting, a little nerve-wracking, quick-paced book all around. The book is another great addition to my growing library of Don Jacobson’s books.

Wentworth and Darcy

Wentworth and Darcy are two of my favorite male characters created by Jane Austen. I knew I had to read this book. Then the audio book came out and I had to have it. The narrator Mr Fife is one of my all time favorites.
This is about a plot to kidnap captain Wentworth those goes awry by Mr Darcy bring taken also due to the lack of an identity by the hired captors. The loved ones of both families including Anne Elliot and Elizabeth Bennet begin a search.
I’m really not a fan of historical sailing and war do this was more of an educational experience. I’ll call it that since it was informative but not interesting to me. The rest of the story was good but love scenes short and a bit lacking for me.

A Good Idea but Too Much Like Opera

Flowing periods, Characters falling into fits of Monologue, Verbosity everywhere, Backstory awkwardly revealed through various characters’ thoughts, unlikely dialogue in the midst of battle — even at the most critical moment, absurd (and unnecessary) inclusion of the ladies at the gaming den, but then it was unbelievable they were allowed to continue past the last port before the Niaid went to join battle with the Persephone, I did a lot of eye-rolling while listening to this book. Some jaw-dropping as well. The biggest flaw, in my opinion, is the Verbosity. Unending and often awkward. But the last straw was the nonsense of the gaming debt supposedly owed Darcy by the Elliot family (and so Wentworth as Anne’s husband) when the whole thing was a setup. Benjamin Fife was good.

I didn't like this version

There were no tender moments between either couple.
Mostly about in search of the missing men. I love both books equally, but there were moments I wanted to stop and return the audio.
I can say with all assurance I will never listen to this variation again.