Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy

The Last Man in the World: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Abigail Reynolds

Narrated by: Rachel E. Hurley

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

What if....

The last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry...is her husband?

In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet tells the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn't marry him if he were the last man in the world.

But what if she never said the words? What if circumstances conspired to make her accept Darcy the first time he proposes?

In this installment of Abigail Reynolds's acclaimed Pride and Prejudice Variations, Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy against her better judgment, setting off a chain of events that nearly brings disaster to them both....

©2006, 2010 Abigail Reynolds (P)2013 Abigail Reynolds

Another great read

Just love books from Abigail Reynolds. She is witty and writes in a clever way just like Jane Austen. Highly recommend this book.

If you like Pride and Prejudice-you'll enjoy this!

What made the experience of listening to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed hearing an Austen like alternative-version of Pride and Prejudice.

Any additional comments?

I wish there wasn't quite so much angst, but it all comes right in the end and we get our happily ever after! I'll be reading/listening to more of Ms. Reynolds books!

frustratingly 'proper' but romantic and tender too

If you could sum up Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in three words, what would they be?

loving
ignorant
romantic

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Darcy because I'm totally besotted with him. He's strong, thoughtful, loving and caring. He's far too 'proper and aloof' at first but then learns he is not the centre of the universe , just slightly off centre, and becomes lovable and appealing.

What about Rachel E. Hurley’s performance did you like?

she has an easy voice to listen to. it's at just the right pitch and her tone and pronounciation is just right.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Elizabeth contemplated suicide i was moved but I also wanted to shake her. That was too selfish for Elizabeth even though she tried to argue she was being selfless.
Devoting her time to Darcy in his illness was also moving as was his amnesia to her attention throughout his illness. Sometimes the good old stiff upper lip is far too frustrating.

Any additional comments?

Easy to read, very enjoyable for all P&P fans who like to read variations in the 'lives' of these wonderful characters.

So good!

I’ve listened to this again and again. I can’t find another book by this narrator, but she’s amazing!

I love their rich characters. Yeah, it’s a steamy novel, but there’s something truly captured carefully about love and togetherness and vulnerability and the constellation of those aspects in these beloved characters.

Wonderful novel. 🥹

Unlikely misunderstandings

Too many unlikely misunderstandings with very little story or intrigue. No interesting characters or clever dialogue that is expected with ODC. They were constantly at crossroads. Not much chemistry. Glad it is over.

Loved

Very sweet ending with a score of misunderstandings to navigate. So very much a story of the time to be ruined by a witnessed kiss.

Wonderful Rendition

A new point of of view, but fascinating non the less. Beautifully written and beautifully read!

Darcy Gets What He Wants - So He Thinks...!!

When FD proposes, he gives EB no chance to refuse because he kisses her, is observed, she is compromised, and they must marry. He is ecstatic, she tries to make the best of things as the events carry her unwillingly but inexorably into marriage with a man she does not know and does not love. She decides to make the best of things, and is cautious because she has been warned by Wickham of Darcy's temper. She, like many women of her time, is extremely conscious of a husband's power over his wife and children, and measures the risks to her sisters if there is any resulting scandal, and the benefits to her family of having contracted a much sought-after bachelor. She tries to please FD but the bouyant spirits he fell in love with are oppressed by her efforts to adjust to her situation, and eventually during a serious quarrel he discovers that she married him because he compromised her. He is devastated and sad, they continually miscommunicate and misunderstand one another, they both become despondent over the alienation from one another, then he is injured and she discovers love for him. Although it takes a while for ODC to really start to communicate, once they understand one another the story is very tender and comes to a very satisfying conclusion. Because this story starts after Hunsford, there's not a lot of sparkling EB dialogue here; rather, this is more a thoughtful depiction of EB trying to control her natural high spirits and unruly tongue, following her aunt's advice, and FD learning to unbend and open up. If you've ever truly suffered from unrequited love or disappointed hopes, this story will resonate.. I would rate this story an R due to graphic bedroom scenes, especially toward the end, between husband and wife.

The narration is superlative; the narrator's voice, inflection, accent -- everything was a pleasure. There are some JAFF audiobooks I simply won't purchase because I can't stand the narrator.

A good spin on a great story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would. I think anyone who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice would most likely enjoy this. It is an easy guilty pleasure and covers a new look without removing much of the personality of the original characters. I would read it again (listen) myself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As always, Elizabeth. She has a nice quality to her character here even when she is misunderstanding another person.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't really laugh or cry in this story, but parts were somewhat touching.

Any additional comments?

I've read a few variations of Ms. Reynolds works and this is one of the better, cleaner versions. I actually returned another one due to it being completely off character and too focused on the bedroom rather than the storyline.

Painful

This book is well written, as are the author's other P and P variations. This approach is very painful, however, because the misunderstandings occur while the character s are living under the same roof. This does explain the limitations and restrictions placed on women during this century. It is hard for me, as a 21st century woman to understand these sometimes.