Darcy's Awakening

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Georgina Young-Ellis

Narrated by: Jannie Meisberger

When Darcy and Lizzy meet at the Meryton assembly, Darcy is already engaged to another woman, and Lizzy has suffered the loss of someone she once loved. How will they find their way to each other, with these obstacles, and so many more, standing in their way?

©2017 Georgina Young-Ellis (P)2017 Georgina Young-Ellis

Loved this version

I got this story via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. I thought there could not be another version of this story but I was pleasantly surprised. This one had Darcy already engaged to Caroline before meeting the Bennets and Richard fell in love with Lizzy while Darcy was being stubborn. The usual cast of characters was there but with a twist. It ended well and Jane and Mr. Bingly, as well as Lizzy and Darcy, had a double wedding. The narrator was very good and kept me listening. Worth the listen.

Love anything Pride & Prejudice

I don`t think I`ve read one P&P variation that I haven't enjoyed.
For me personally I think Jannie Meisberger is one of a very few of my favourite in the genera.
I honestly feel like I`m living the story while listening.

A New Twist!

This light Pride and Prejudice variation begins at the Meryton Assembly. Darcy arrives with the Bingleys and looks on the loud assembly with disdain. Caroline Bingley is on his arm as his betrothed, although the engagement hasn't been announced yet. Darcy is proud of his fashionable and beautiful fiancee, and despite the lack of love between them, he believes Caroline to be the best he could expect to have in a wife.

Darcy notices Lizzy across the room, and he's struck by her genuine manner and bright eyes. When Jane falls ill at Netherfield and Lizzy stays to nurse her, her friendly manner and their engaging conversations have him seeing Caroline's petty ways in a new light. With no way out of the engagement, can Darcy reconcile himself to be with Caroline for the rest of his life?

I've read a lot of Pride and Prejudice variations, but I've never read one that begins with Darcy tied to Caroline Bingley! It was an interesting premise that had me wondering how the author could pull this off without depicting Darcy as dishonorable. Luckily Darcy is a true gentleman through and through. Lizzy was depicted as sensible in some ways, she's smart enough to understand her feelings for Wickham. However, even though she's only seen kindness from Darcy and he'd performed a truly selfless and caring act for her that she promised never to forget, she still believes Wickham's lies. It was nice to have such a small dose of Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Collins. I actually liked Caroline in this variation, all those 'my loves' must have curdled her tongue!

This variation summarizes the scenes in the original book, so all of the scenes are new and the dialogue is fresh. The point of view switches between Lizzy and Darcy, and it's a clean read with no cliffhanger.

The narration was excellent, Jannie Meisberger reads at an easy pace and her voice is a pleasure to listen to. She performs distinct speaking voices for the different characters. It was a great match of author and narrator. I received a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

An interesting variation

An interesting variation on a favourite classic. I enjoyed the mash up and character twists. A new to me narrator who will go on my ‘listen to again’ list. I’m pleased to recommend this variation.

Darcy and Lizzy

Oh you know me, I love my variations, I love them in any shape and form.

In this one Darcy is engaged (in secret) to Miss Bingley. OMG, Darcy really! But it does make sense, she is his bff's sis. She has money of her own. She is accomplished blah blah blah. Darcy really.

But the rest goes as before. They meet. He does fancy her, but alas, he is engaged to Miss Bingley and he is a gentleman. And Lizzy if of course taken by Wickham.

This is the first book where I wanted Lizzy to end up with the colonel. He was so sweet and he cared for her and I was all awwwwww- Of course at the end I liked that she ended up with Darcy, I mean obviously! But still, maybe Lizzy should end up with Colonel Fitzwilliam one time and then he dies in the war and then first she finds Darcy. There...write it please ;)

But so yes there will be setbacks, and I did know he and Miss Bingley would part ways, obviously, I just did not know how it could happen since he is such a gentleman. But as always everything works out for the best.

Narrator
Jannie Maisberger
She did a good job, she had this...lol dunno proper way of speaking everyone's voices that I enjoyed. Variations are really pleasant listening too. I go around with an amused look, a faked shocked look, well you name it.


READING PROGRESS

Captured The Spirit of the Characters

The characters are truly recognizable and the story line so very interesting. It could very easily have been a variation of the original book that sired it.
The performance was good, though at times it lacked the right inflection making the narrative a little flat.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and would highly recommend it to other readers.

Loved it!

I'm embarrassed to admit this is the first time I've read or listened to a variation of one of my very favorite novels. I don't know why they never appealed to me before but when I was given the chance to listen to this audio and review I thought I'd take a chance and I'm so glad I did. I love what this author did with this story and gave us more of the characters we love. The narration was perfect and I'm adding this to my list of favorite audio books.


**audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review**

Not much of an "awakening" but generally OK

Where does Darcy's Awakening rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's an OK, likeable listen overall - a very good one in terms of performance, though just OK when it comes to the story itself.

Perhaps I should explain here that the star rating for me is this: 1 star - don't waste your time at all, 2 stars - there are some scenes I liked but overall it's bad, 3 stars - I like it but that's it, 4 - it's really good, with only slight buts, 5 - it's great and keeps you glued to the pages... :)

This being said, I admit I did generally like the book and would recommend it to someone who already knows the story of Lizzie and Darcy and wants to see it from - mostly - Darcy's point of view:)

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The greatest fault of the book for me is that it's so similar to the original that the slight changes in the plot are almost non-noticeable, or worse, they seem to serve no real purpose... Also, the book lacks something I cannot really pinpoint; at times I had a feeling that someone just related to me the plot of a book they had read, you know, describing what happened without much detail or depth of character. The characters themselves seem a little flat and always waiting for things to happen to them, without taking any actions themselves. Even the evil character of Mr Wickham feels non-threatening at all, as if he was a creature from old tales, not a real person... As I said, it's difficult for me to explain exactly why I didn't like the book as much as I had expected to when I started listening to it...

On the other hand, it was a nice listen, maybe not too engaging but also not one that you condemn yourself for waisting your time on. What would make the book more interesting is perhaps a little more details in scenes that are so important in the original version and serve as kind of turning points for both Darcy and Lizzie and are just mentioned here or painted with two-three senstences only, as if it was enough for the reader to understand why suddenly those two are so deep in love... Well, I know it's obvious for those who know Jane Austen's book, but for someone who doesn't their story in this version is not very plausible or engaging one... And I would also give more depth to the main characters to make them feel more relatable.

But, as I said, the book is decent enough to give the listener quite some pleasure - a lot of the pleasure coming from the perfect narration by Ms Meisberger who definitely is a master in her profession. As usual, her interpretation of the book is fautless; the characters are recognisable, with emotions and reactions that ring true and the tempo of her reading is perfect.

Any additional comments?

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Another great regency variation

I have read several Jane Austen variations and I liked this one very much. The characters seemed to stay true to her original idea for them. I have listened to several books done by this narrator and she always does a fantastic job. She has the right amount of enthusiasm, and it is easy to tell the characters apart. Her narration combined with the author’s writing style pulls you into the story right away and keeps interested through to the end. I recommend this to any fan of Jane Austen.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

It was good

Good Jaff. Some angst of course when mr Darcy is engaged before he meets Miss Elizabeth. But all will be well of course. It is Jaff after all :)