Far from the Tree

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Jeannie Peneaux

Narrated by: Liz May Brice

Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

“My better nature was not merely placed there by the rank of my birth, Mr. Darcy! If I have faults to be attributed to Longbourn, then what virtues I possess must also be credited there. My character is not solely a copy of my blood. I am the result of the upbringing by a family and people – good people – that you have disdained. Do not think that all of Meryton did not perceive your contempt for us.”

For twenty years Elizabeth Bennet had lived, quite contentedly, as the second daughter of a country squire. During her Easter visit to her newly married friend, Lizzy has the dubious pleasure of being introduced to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her cosseted daughter. To Elizabeth’s surprise, the pair take a keen interest in a mere adopted daughter of the Bennet family, and when Mr. Darcy dutifully pays his annual visit to Rosings Park, her life takes a wholly unexpected turn.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh, it would seem, is intent upon setting right old injustices, and she is a woman who is very much used to getting her own way.

From the author of Dear Nameless Stranger, Far From the Tree follows Elizabeth’s journey as she slowly realises that affection can root itself deeply into the heart in spite of doubts and misgivings. The handsome Mr. Darcy is a different matter altogether, for how could she possibly fall in love with the proud and haughty man she had known in Hertfordshire?

©2020, 2021, 2022 Jeannie Peneaux (P)2024 Jeannie Peneaux

A Charming New Look at Lady Catherine

Since 2020, my favorite P&P variation has been Jeannie Peneaux's "Dear Nameless Stranger," and every one of this author's titles has been an absolute delight to me. Far From the Tree has now likely surpassed them all in my affection. It is an original take on the "Elizabeth is not a Bennet" trope, which has never been a favorite of mine until now.

The revelation of Elizabeth's identity (and this isn't really a spoiler) as the biological daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is very well-done. It may seem at first glance like a clumsy or improbable premise, but Peneaux makes it work flawlessly.

The humor and sentimentality of this story combine into something so beautiful that you end up sniffing back tears one moment and laughing out loud in the very next. The story is lovely and engaging from start to finish, and though I just finished my first listen last night, I have every intention of listening to it again before seeking out a new title.

Miss Anne de Bourgh is fleshed out well in this book and central to the story's success. Lady Catherine is a good guy in this story, and typically I find that when an author takes that route, our favorite boss lady loses some of her "muchness" and becomes unrecognizable as the Lady Catherine of Austen's original. That doesn't happen here. Peneaux shaves down some of Catherine's most offensive edges, but retains that core character of a powerful and entitled woman with rigid opinions who believes that directing the lives of everyone around her is both her right and her sacred duty.

I absolutely adored this version of Lady Catherine for that reason. She is completely recognizable as Austen's Lady Catherine, and yet...we are invited to love her. And it works.

The narration by Liz May Brice is wonderful. I heard her work for the first time in "Mrs. Gardiner Takes a Hand," also by Jeannie Peneaux, and I hope she becomes a familiar and frequent narrator for this lovely genre.

Different Jaff

Very interesting take on P&P. Elizabeth is discovered as the daughters of Catherine de Bourgh I enjoyed this book very much. Well written. Great Jaff

Brilliant Performance

I am really impressed by this narrator’s performance. She’s definitely going on my favourites list. I loved her Darcy voice—a touch gravelly, but soft-spoken and slightly whispery, which added a gentleness to him and an air of intimacy. Lots of females in this story she had to cover as well; her authoritative impressions for Lady Catherine are spot on.

Elizabeth is at Hunsford, and Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh have taken a particular interest in Elizabeth. Could she be Lady Catherine’s long lost youngest daughter? So begins this very different variation. Elizabeth suddenly has two families. She always knew she was adopted, but a daughter of Lady C and cousin to Darcy?

Not wanting to believe her fate without incontrovertible proof, steps are taken to obtain such proof, while Elizabeth begins to develop new relationships with these acquaintances, including Darcy. It’s inevitable that she must take a step back from some, like the Collinses, and even her Bennet family while spending more time with Lady C and Anne.

The dialogue in this book is excellent, and the character portrayals very appealing to me. While Lady Catherine is her indomitable self, she is also a hurt mother who had her infant daughter taken from her at birth. This LC is much more likeable than in most variations. Anne, while not perfectly healthy, is much more personable. Darcy, at first his proud and aloof self, still loves Elizabeth and is not unhappy she is now his cousin. I particularly loved the personality the author gave Elizabeth in her portrayal, and especially, her sense of humour. Her conversations are highly amusing, especially with Darcy.

Along the way, there are some hurt feelings and jealousies that form the story, and in the end, it is about two families coming together to blend as one. Recommend

Top JAFF

Possibly the best Jane Austen fan fiction I have read. The only one I would rank as highly is Unequal Affections by Lara Ormiston.

Save Your Time

Sorry this was so poorly written. The author just couldn't bear any tension or angst. Tedious, boring, saccharine. Waste of money, credit, TIME.

Gifted narrator .