A Folly of Youth

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Amy D'Orazio

Narrated by: Elizabeth Grace

My own folly had endangered me, my preservation I owe to the kindness, the integrity of another....

In 1808, Elizabeth Bennet is young, curious, and in possession of an invitation to a London party which she ought not to attend. Unable to resist the temptation, Elizabeth indulges her wish to see a party of the beau monde and finds herself in a dangerous situation. She is saved from a desperate fate by Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, but relief is short-lived. Mr. Gardiner arrives and demands satisfaction on behalf of his young niece’s honor.

Bound for three years—with no intent to marry on either side—Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth both resolve to do as they must to end their unwanted almost-betrothal. Mr. Bennet, however, refuses to allow it, fearing that Elizabeth’s character will bear a permanent stain that no amount of time or money could erase. Together, Darcy and Lizzy contrive a plan to overcome her father’s reluctance: Darcy will find her someone else to marry, thus relieving himself of the obligation.

The folly of their youth, it seems, might be set to rights after all, until feelings arise which complicate the scheme. But will they realize their true attachment before it’s too late?

©2023 Amy D'Orazio (P)2023 Quills & Quartos Publishing

The painful lessons of youth are the foundation for a beautiful love story

As an avid Austenesque reader with a love of all things Pride and Prejudice, Amy D'Orazio is an author whose Austen inspired works I always enjoy. Therefore, I was so happy to receive a copy of D'Orazio's most recent story, A Folly of Youth. D'Orazio always brings imaginative twists that bring new energy and entertainment to Austen's classic, while keeping true to what we love about Darcy and Elizabeth's path to happiness and love with one another.

A Folly of Youth imagines what might have happened if Darcy and Elizabeth met years before the events of the original tale on a fateful night in London when a 16 year old Elizabeth finds herself unwittingly swept up in a less than appropriate party and a handsome yet broody Darcy comes to her rescue. Inexplicably drawn to each other, Darcy and Elizabeth soon find themselves in a scandalous compromise that forces them into an engagement neither wants. Darcy, an independent man of wealth and consequence, chafes against Mr. Bennet's instance that he marry his daughter, a country nobody who was naive enough to get herself into this mess in the first place.

As tempers flare and years pass, Darcy and Elizabeth begrudgingly come to an agreement that the only way they will each get what they want is if they work together to find Elizabeth a suitable husband, erasing her fear of potential scandal and freeing him to pursue a more acceptable wife. D'Orazio weaves an entertaining story as we watch both Darcy and Elizabeth grow into their own as individuals and challenge each other to be better. It was painful at times to see a young Darcy who has all the makings of an honorable man, display an extreme level of haughtiness, pride and derision, most often at at Elizabeth's expense, but even at times with Mr. Bingley and Georgiana. D'Orazio also explores with poignancy the double standard that existed for men and women in Austen's time when facing a scandal of virtue and it is Elizabeth who schools Darcy in these hard truths as she overcomes the shame and judgment of her family, friends and community.

Of course, the beauty of D'Orazio's story is that all of these become the foundational lessons that shape our favorite hero into a man worthy of being with a woman like Elizabeth. With each failed attempt at finding a suitor for Elizabeth, Darcy and Elizabeth's friendship and understanding of one another grows. Soon, Darcy realizes his admiration for Elizabeth may have come to mean much more to him than he could have ever imagined--but will it be too late for him to now capture the heart of the woman his younger self scorned so badly? You will just have to read to find out!

Having read a few of D'Orazio's stories I absolutely love the dialogues that she writes for these beloved characters, lending a depth and richness that would make Austen proud and that leaves her reader feeling connected to them in a whole new. One of my favorite aspects of D'Orazio's writing is her exploration of Darcy's familial relationships--in particular his Fitzwilliam cousins. Both Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother, Viscount Saye, have wonderful roles in this story. Not only do they offer up lighthearted laughs to counter the more somber Darcy, but they also act as a source of support and reflection for their cousin as he grapples to know himself and his heart better. Saye also has his own journey in reforming his rakish reputation to claim the woman he loves. You will absolutely love all of the Fitzwilliam scenes in this book!

This audiobook narrated by the ever talented Elizabeth Grace. She has voiced many Pride and Prejudice variations that I have listened to and her ability to capture the richness of a story and bring to life a diverse set of characters never ceases to amaze me. Bravo once again Ms. Grace!

If you are looking for a Pride and Prejudice variation with a well developed story and exquisitely written dialogue that reminds you why you fell in love with Darcy and Elizabeth's story, then most definitely give D'Orazio's A Folly of Youth a read right now. You will not be disappointed!

Great twist to a wonderful original

Just the right amount of romance and angst. At times there was a little too much attention to some ssscondart characters. But still an overall great story.

My new favorite

Loved, loved, loved. I think my new favorite. Delicious tension. Clever story. Voice actor Elizabeth Grace did a terrific job too.

Great listen

I enjoyed this book very much. I will listen to it again. Just put a small details.

Wonderful!

I read the book first and thought it was one of the best JAFF stories ever.
The Audible book was highly entertaining and the narrator did an incredible job with all of the characters, especially E and D!

Excellent Story

Excellent story line with new and interesting twists that plowed reader to appreciate the old themes and embrace the new themes

Very Good Variation, Great Narration

I enjoyed this P&P variation very much, though it was tough listening to Darcy disparage Elizabeth as long as he did. Loved having Lord Saye and his love story as well Col Fitzwilliam in this story. Saye can lift the heaviest moments. I thought the narrator did an excellent job.

Very smart variation

this is one of my favorites. So many witty references and hidden funny moments. But written so well that you may miss them if you're not careful.

loved it!

what a great take on a different story. completely different then original JAFF, but still followed the spirit.

An Interesting Variation

I absolutely love Amy D'Orazio's P&P variations--especially the side story of Lord Saye (Col. FItzwilliam's older brother) and Lilian Goddard (his love interest). D'Orazio has a knack for giving us unique P&P variations while maintaining the essence of ODC's characters. I probably would've enjoyed Elizabeth Grace's performance better had I never heard Stevie Zimmerman perform Lord Saye! She had me laughing out loud in D'Orazio's other books. She has spoiled me for anyone else narrating Lord Saye!