Summers at Pemberley

A Pride and Prejudice Retelling

By: Jennifer Kay

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

As a child, Elizabeth Bennet's years were split into two distinct segments: her normal life with four rambunctious sisters in Hertfordshire, and summers in Derbyshire on the estate of her father's friend Mr. Darcy. Summertime meant peaks to explore, horses to ride, a library full of books, and friends unlike anyone she knew at home. It was an idyllic escape - until the year that everything came crashing down and summers at Pemberley became no more than a fading memory.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy walks into the Meryton Assembly half a decade later, Elizabeth doesn't know how to reconcile the two worlds she's held separate for so long, and her decisions that night will set off a chain of events no one could have predicted. Because Mr. Darcy is not the only person from her past destined to reappear, and not all memories of Pemberley are pleasant....

Worthy Reimagining of P&P

I enjoyed this variation and would recommend. It's one of the better ones I've listened to. The story was engaging and not completely outside the realm of possibility of context or spirit of the original. The virtual narration was surprisingly good - not quite as rich as a talented real narrator could produce with different voices for the characters, but the inflections were natural and punctuation /pauses were near spot on.

Beautiful and Heartwarming

The story was interesting and genuinely moving, despite the limitations of virtual voice. The development of Darcy and Elizabeth's childhood friendship was poignant and believable. I loved seeing more of the story from Darcy's POV. The second half, unfortunately, was a bit contrived and the mis-handling of an attempted assault was infuriating. Still, I enjoyed it very much!

Virtual Voice

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book in virtual voice and I really enjoyed the story line.

No matter how it’s told, the live story of Lizzy and Darcy will always find eachother.

The virtual voice kills it. I listened because it was free. Won’t buy it. I wish they’d have Stevie Zimmerman read it.

It’s ok

There is nothing offensive. There is also nothing original either. It’s not a bad read. It’s sweet, like empty calories I can’t really say anything horrible about it. Just don’t expected much. It’s pretty much like the Robo voice that reads it . It gets the job done. 

Totally Worthwhile….

So endearing, Bennet & George Darcy become close friends, they include Earl of Marlon…Summer after summer upto the loss of Geo Darcy. Of course Lizzy, her Father , Darcy, the Col. Lady Sophia and sprinklings of Geo Wickham in the mix. Such good fun that comes to an abrupt end only to pickup after 5yr whirlwind of getting to become adults. Neverfield party @ Assembly ends Lizzy & Darcy’s sabbatical from each other and the cleverest Variation continues. The Bingley’s enter in a very new development of our story, bazaar Ball commences.

Performance was good

Surprisingly good virtual voice. I was desperate for something new to listen to on a road trip without having to spend money. I was not disappointed. There are some slight discrepancies. If you’re paying attention, it is easy to fix what was meant to be said or the tone in which it was meant to be said. The story itself is beautiful and original.

Revisionist History

Interesting alternative to how George Wickham came to be involved in Elizabeth and Darcy's lives. I found this plot line believable although the virtual voice reading detracted from the story initially.
Well done overall.

Unexpected & Emotionally Satisfying

This retelling of a beloved story took me by surprise. I wasn’t sure at first how much I would like having Darcy and Elizabeth meet at Pemberly when she was 7 and he was 15, but the story just magically worked and kept me guessing in a good, interesting and highly enjoyable way. I loved disappearing into it throughout the days and was sorry when it came to an end. I highly recommend it to any fan of the original.

Summers at Pemberley

This storyline was enchanting. I loved reading about what George Darcy could have been like. I loved Darcy and Lizzy in this telling. I’m definitely going to read it again!