In Essentials

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Helen Williams

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Five months after Fitzwilliam Darcy’s disastrous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, he discovers that the woman he ardently loves is suffering from a grave illness. Despite an affliction that has left her altered, Elizabeth is still the same person in essentials: witty, sanguine, and obstinate.

However, her future is uncertain, and she struggles to maintain her equanimity - especially when Mr. Darcy returns to Netherfield and seems determined to improve her opinion of him. Now, she must decide whether she is brave enough to trust him and embrace happiness - however fleeting it might prove to be.

©2021 Helen Williams (P)2021 Helen Williams

Lovely

This story made me cry. Some angst. But oh so beautiful. I highly recommend this book to a Jane Austen fan fiction lover. Great Jaff.

Bittersweet and Beautiful

Elizabeth develops a horrible illness after Hunsford and becomes mostly bed ridden. The Gardiners visit Pemberly, run into Mr. Darcy, and end up informing him of her illness. The story commences from that point, and the main obstacle to ODC's HEA is the illness and Elizabeth's misgivings about being able to be the wife Darcy needs. Darcy is swoonworthy in his constancy. Elizabeth's concerns are understandable. The story is believable, bittersweet, and beautiful. And Stevie Zimmerman does a wonderful job of bringing it to life.

A sad but definite HEA

Read this tale when first published. Of course with a Stevie narrative, a definite addition to my audible library.

Elizabeth becomes ill after Hunsford. Darcy finds out after he meets the Gardners when they toured Pemberley. He eventually travels to Longbourn with Bingley. Our story is a tale of love, compassion, heartache, despair and of course the deplorable and selfish behavior of certain female characters.

Not your typical variation. Well written with a tumult of emotions involved.

DEPRESSING

An unhealthy and constantly ill Elizabeth was most definitely not a fun listen, it was torturous. While Elizabeth manages to eke out an existence in the end it is a mere shadow of the happier times found in all other Pride and Prejudice variations. Please no more stories of this ilk, it was extremely depressing!

An interesting take on the Darcy/Elizabeth story

Little bit hand-wavy on Regency Era health and medicine...it's a plot device and not the main point of the story, but still a little off putting. The story is sweet and romantic. Stevie Zimmerman is on point as always; really, she was the reason I gave the book a try. I did enjoy, but I am not sure I would re-listen to it often.

Very Enjoyable Variation

Low angst variation that spends a good bit more time with scenarios involving the couple than the ensemble which I enjoy.

Definite Tearjerker

4.5* rounded up (story)
This very emotional story takes us through Elizabeth enduring a debilitating illness and Darcy who supports her throughout. There are some very poignant moments that brought me to tears. The story is also well told by Stevie Zimmerman in the Audible version which I give 5 stars. I was grateful for the happy ending, as I was afraid this story might not have one. Very well written and I do recommend it.

Romantic but My head home for a happier ending.

The story was wonderful but it would have been better had an explanation of Elizabeth's ailment been offered and wasn't a lifelong condition.

Disappointed

I am a great Pride and Prejudice fan. Thank goodness Stevie Zimmerman gave a wonderful performance, because this book left me wanting. Too sad and I felt it left me uneasy.

Not Our Dear Lizzie

I love the P&P story and 99.5% of the dozens of JAFF variations I’ve seen, read or heard, especially when read by the wonderful Stevie Zimmerman. In fact I took a chance on an author I’ve not read before because Ms. Zimmerman was the narrator. In prior orders, this has always proven to be a great choice. However, this time I found that Lizzie was almost unrecognizable.

** SPOILERS AHEAD**

Obviously, as she was characterized as an invalid in 90% of the story due to some unknown illness, she was weak, feeble and often near death. This almost felt more like “Wurthering Heights” than P&P at one point. With this much angst surrounding Lizzie alone, we had no need for Mr. Collins, George Wickam or Lady Catherine. Lydia and Mrs. Bennet were the worst versions of themselves with regard to self centered poutiness from Lydia and “flutterings” and unbelievable derision from Mrs. Bennet of Lizzie’s illness and it’s impact on them.

Even her devoted father, Mr. Bennet, failed to notice the signs of her advancing illness until she was at “Death’s Door” at which point he was busy castigating himself in comparison to the care from Mr. Darcy.

Without giving more away than I already have, sorry, ODC do find the love promised to them but their HEA is missing something as Lizzie is never restored to her full health and vibrancy.

Had to say, I was a little disappointed.