Clever Lass

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Mary Alice Alexander

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Elizabeth Bennet's world is imperiled by the unjust entail which looms over her beloved family estate, Longbourn. Her father's ailing health only exacerbates the urgency of their predicament. Determined to ensure that the odious Rev William Collins never inherits her home, Elizabeth embarks on a courageous journey to end the entail once and for all.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, an arrogant scion of wealthy lineage, accompanies his rich tradesman friend, Charles Bingley, to survey the Netherfield estate. Caroline Bingley, a woman of calculated ambition, sees Darcy as the ultimate prize. Her plans are threatened, however, when Bingley becomes captivated by the gentle Jane Bennet. Caroline's jealousy and resentment know no bounds.

Darcy finds himself irresistibly drawn to the spirited and independent-minded Elizabeth Bennet. As their paths intertwine, Darcy’s conviction that she is beneath him in fortune, connections, and station, is challenged by her character and wit. Charles Bingley, deceived by his conniving sister, must overcome societal expectations, and find the courage to follow his heart.

Elizabeth's audacious hope to thwart Collins and preserve Longbourn for her family leads her to an unexpected ally, and perhaps even love, amidst the chaos. Darcy and Bingley must confront their own shortcomings and reassess what truly matters in life.

©2023 Humble Blessing Press (P)2023 Humble Blessing Press

worth a credit

I give High marks for some creativity here. I especially appreciated the lack of soft porn. I will be so happy when I can read one of these variations that doesn't have anachronism's speech like rolling one's eyes. I have researched that it does not happen before the 1950s to mean anything except sexual innuendo

I love to see the villains reap their rewards.

Well written & Stevie Zimmerman’s performances are reliably excellent.
Storyline has just enough mild angst to question how things will be resolved.

Could not stop listening!

This was such a great story line. I Don't know about you, but I have grown tired of the angstyness between Darcy and Elizabeth in the same old story lines. This was not your average storyline for ODC, nor for their family and friends. Definitely worth the credit and will be a repeat listen for me!!

LOVED THIS SURPRISINGLY LITERARY VARIATION

I have recently discovered what appear to be literally hundreds of P&P variations. I love listening to them because they are soothing, and usually have good enough variations of the original classic P&P that I can enjoy them. Some of them are junk, alas, and a big disappointment. Some are fun for their interesting changes, even though they make big mistakes, like one ridiculous version had someone calling out, 'Yoo-hoo," which is a greeting not used till maybe a century later. Some readers feigning an English accent mispronounce words and names. I've suffered through some, just for the sake of more Elizabeth and Darcy, and some so bad I gave up. HOWEVER, lo and behold, here is an intelligent, very original, very well-written and well-researched variation that I just loved. I was sorry when I finished it, but the plot and the ending were so satisfying, and thorough, that I felt like I'd had an $100-a-head gourmet meal. Mary Alice Alexander obviously did research on the era, and added some very interesting legal details on real property that is entailed. So well done. And she has taken existing characters and made them deeper, rounder, more likable--or unlikable as the case may be. She has them doing more of what we'd expect them to do. The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is so well developed in Ms. Alexander's version, and happily prolonged. Some of the characters step back and are only names, but it doesn't matter, because the primary characters are so fully enhanced. Brava!!! I sure hope Ms. Alexander gives us more variations...and as long and complicated as this totally satisfying, interesting, and delightful P&P variation she has provided for P&P fans.

Kind of a weird Collins storyline but the rest was well written and interesting

The whole Collins line just went WAY too far. Such a weird path to go down. But the rest was good. Nothing brilliant but a good solid PP Variation.

Very worthy read!!

I prefer a story with less angst. This was it! I will be listening to this again!

Excellent narration!

Stevie is by far the BEST of many narrators. This book in particular was also exceptional. One of the best P&P variations I’ve ever heard, and I listen to many!

Good story, but too long

There are a few surprises in this story, some mystery as well, just too much detail. There is a fine balance between enough detail to build out the characters and plot and so much detail as to be more than we need.

We don’t need every tiny detail about Darcy’s farm or harvest details for example.

The mystery and surprises were very good, but again, it dragged on longer than needed.

There is also a truly villainous villain, and not who you’d expect, wrapped up in the mystery and surprise.

Of course, with Stevie Zimmerman narrating, it was still worth listening to, just be prepared for some rambling.

A lot going on (spoilers)

So many threads started but left unraveled. The Mr. Collins debacle needed more attention as we don’t know how that was resolved after such devastating events. Caroline’s story didn’t make sense to me at all. She had other options but chose the worst one. The crime of a supercilious young woman doesn’t merit such a punishment. Not enough information about “Thomas’s” ailment. He was highly functioning if he was a good horseman. I’ve owned many horses, trained a few, it’s not for the frail, meek or impaired. Great story but weak wind up of all the things going on. In spite of this, I enjoyed the book very much, the author has talent and the narrator was perfect as Stevie Zimmerman always is.

Clever Lass

This type of P&P variation, where the author changes many familiar events and adds new scenes, but keeps the main character’s personalities true, is my cup of tea. The story is well written for the most part, but as other reviewers of the ebook mentioned, there were several (minor) confusing timeline matters. It is also a bit overly long, however, the talented narration by Stevie Zimmerman is so very engaging that I didn’t want this audiobook to end. Ms. Zimmerman’s distinctive voice acting breathes life into each and every character; the short comedic scene featuring the Earl of Matlock, his sons, and Darcy is a golden example of this. She even adds a perfectly lecherous manner of expression to Mr. Collins’s dastardly dialogue. I’ll be re-listening to this one!