The Seven Sins of Fitzwilliam Darcy

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Julie Cooper

Narrado por: Stevie Zimmerman

Perhaps falling in love was not a momentous initial attraction, but a growing realization that one’s life was simply happier, better, when in the company of a certain gentleman.

After Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy departs Hertfordshire unexpectedly just before Mr Bingley’s ball at Netherfield Park, there is no further impediment to prevent Jane Bennet’s romance with her handsome neighbour. Unfortunately, Mr Darcy returns to Netherfield on the Bingleys’ wedding day, just in time to launch disaster into the proceedings. Elizabeth Bennet’s attempt to put the wedding-wrecker in his place only worsens matters when her private conversation with Mr Darcy becomes a misunderstood marriage proposal. Mr Darcy is willing to put everything right—for a shocking price.

Can Elizabeth bear even a temporary alliance with this incomprehensible, possibly roguish, but certainly ardent Mr Darcy?

Can Mr Darcy convince the intriguing and charming Elizabeth Bennet to overlook his sins long enough to become his bride, or must he banish her from his dreams forever?

The Seven Sins of Fitzwilliam Darcy is a lighthearted, humorous retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, perfect for fans of regency romance!

©2023 Julie Cooper (P)2023 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Loved it!

I will admit, I wasn’t sure if I would like this variation. The plot sounded confusing to me, and I was actually confused for the first few chapters. But, I am very happy I kept listening because it was such a fun and lovely book.

Darcy is not canon, but likeable. Unlike the original P&P, Darcy is outspoken and bold when it comes to flirting with Elizabeth.

I also appreciated the author’s theme of gender equality, which becomes more apparent when Elizabeth spends time with Lady Lavinia.

Overall, the E&D moments are both precious and generously scattered throughout the whole book.

Absolutely loved it

Such a great read. I laughed out loud many times. So witty and sometimes sarcastic wit. Loved it. Great Jaff

Too much blah, blah, blah between dialogue.

How much time spent in examination of a person’s comments can go on before replying? Annoying. The writing is good and the story creative though rehashing the same issues with different people or the same people, without ever being completely honest yet expecting a different outcome makes the characters tedious and frustrating. Darcy is wonderful, Elizabeth, not so much, for too long. EVENTUALLY, all works out. Narrator is excellent as always. One of the best.

Enchanting Retelling of P&P

As mentioned in other reviews, this Darcy and Elizabeth are not exactly Canon. Darcy much more so than Elizabeth. In this case though, the changes are delightful.

I have a suspicion that the author was having some fun with doing a little role reversal between ODC. Darcy had a gregarious & determined nature once realized he was in love. Elizabeth seemed a little more circumspect and reserved in parts of the story than her traditional portrayal. For example there were places where Darcy was the teasing one, rather than Elizabeth. But for me the small adjustments to ODC were charming and fun.

I certainly laughed more in this version of P&P than any other i can think of - the repartee between Darcy and Elizabeth is delightful. The scene with Collins, Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam is worth the price of the book alone. My sides ached from laughing so much.

I enjoyed this version of Mrs. Bennet. While still silly, she had a sense of humor and wasn't quite SO stupid. There was a discernible method to her madness. Mr. Bennet spent a lot more energy being stubborn than I found believable - but I appreciate the reason the author did this. The changes were thought through and not just done so the author's verson of the tale would be different from other JAFF. Though I think Mr. Bennet's epiphany moment could have happened long before it did. But at least he was trying to be an involved & loving father for once in any case.

The one MINOR criticism I had were the liberties taken with what Elizabeth and Darcy's sense of propriety would have been in that era. You'll know the scenes when they happen.

I do understand the Regency period and decorum in a lot of JAFF are often confused with Victorian era rules about courtship. The Regency period was a little less formal and more forgiving in some situations.

However, some of the more sweet and tender settings ODC share are a little hard to believe when considering the rules society placed on unmarried gentlewomen 1810-12.

For example the part of the book where Elizabeth stays at Netherfield with her mother after that first night is simply unbelievable - it never would have been allowed for an "engaged" couple to remain under the same roof. Especially in a chamber that connects to Mr. Darcy's. I understand why the author did this... (it's revealed at the end of the book), but the same effect could have been created in a more conventional way.

Nonetheless those stolen moments are well written, mild and innocent in their tone - and were romantic - no matter how improbable it would have been for Elizabeth and Darcy to actually have those interludes unchaparoned.

For me, the small deviations from 18th Century English rules of courtship are not deal breakers at all. It's a well written story, with great dialog, it's laugh out loud funny, low angst, and I appreciate that one of the themes in the story was bringing up Mary Wollstonecraft's influence on the works of Jane Austen.

Outstanding!

Julie Cooper’s latest offering, The Seven Sins of Fitzwilliam Darcy, is a thoroughly entertaining romp containing hours of brilliant writing filled with never-ending delicious humour and dialogue. Oh Lordie, what an outstanding fix for my never-ending addiction to Jane Austen fan fiction. Prepare yourself to be amused and diverted. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it.

It’s always a pleasure to listen to Stevie Zimmerman perform. The way she expresses the characters she performs is spot on every time, and I particularly enjoyed the banter between Elizabeth and Darcy. This book is a treat to have in audio form and I have no doubt I will return to it again and again. I would give this book more stars if I could.

I wanted to listen again right away

Love everything this author does and this is no exception.

An argument turned into a rescue turned into a compromise starts the story off with everyone witnessing it from different perspectives and coming to different conclusions. Mr Bennet is drunk himself so he is unable to do anything about his outrage until he goes home and sleeps it off but is goaded into a frenzy by his cronies who are also at least half drunk as he is. All the while standing around at the wedding breakfast ignoring Bennet’s wife and two youngest daughters. His object? Elizabeth, who did the arguing and tripping, and Darcy who did the rescuing and‘compromising’ when he trips over some object trying to save her and ends up on top of her. Elizabeth blames Darcy for a conversation she and Jane overheard with the Bigley sisters sending Jane into a panicked tailspin. She wants to leave with her aunt and uncle and go to London. Crying her eyes out saying she wants Charles to be happy, leaving him so he can marry the woman he really loves. Curses on the supercilious sisters. Darcy better make things right or his courtship is not going to get anywhere. He makes promises. She makes challenges for him. First, get Bingley away from being his charming happy self with the guests and get his charm turned onto his lovely new bride. Damage control!

Lovely conversations are had early in the story and their relationship is doing quite well, clarifications made

What follows is humorous and frustrating. Elizabeth gets shuttled around England several times. Mr Bennet listens to and believes everyone but Elizabeth. He’s bull headed and determined to see Elizabeth married to someone other than Darcy. This could’ve been called Truth and Lies. It’s written so well, exactly what I have come to expect from this brilliant author. And who can resist Stevie Zimmerman’s narration?

The romance is delicious. Swoon. The ending is lovely and fun too. Highly recommended.

Fun story

Darcy is so funny in this book. I love the banter between Elizabeth and Darcy. A must listen. As always Stevie Zimmerman is outstanding.

Fun Variation

I have listened to a lot of Pride and Prejudice variations in my library and this is one of my new favorites for the playfulness between characters and Darcy’s over pursuit of Elizabeth. There is sexual tension/ desire between the characters but it is clean without any explicit scenes. Stevie Zimmerman is my favorite P&P narrator; I will give any book a try if she is narrating it and she did not disappoint. She was excellent as always.

New and improved darcy

I loved this new story line with the most improved redemption arc for darcy. I loved the premise of the seven sins and the seven challenges aswell. I had hoped for mr bennett to be more sensible and know lizzy would have a care with her feelings earlier but it was to no avail. I liked how some characters were more daring like darcy but some people remained the same like lydia lol. Overall it's quite an interesting read and listen for me because the narration was so great. I especially enjoyed darcy's open flirting 🫦 and tipping over the edge of propriety.

Seven sins

Great audiobook! I loved the goofy farm-based marital advice from Mrs. Bennet. She isn’t mean or abusive in this variation, but still quite silly. I also loved the subtle devilish nuances the narrator gives to Darcy’s speech when he is flirting with Elizabeth. You can’t get that professional touch from an artificial robot.