Nameless

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

De: Julie Cooper

Narrado por: Stevie Zimmerman

Duración: 11 h y 32 m

Resumen del Editor

“This was not a man who would explode in a rage, or who would give way to shame or temper...which meant my choices were simple: Either he had killed her in cold blood, or he had not killed her at all.”

Orphaned and alone in the world, Elizabeth Bennet has found reasonable contentment as a companion to the dowager countess of Matlock, the affairs of 1811 and Fitzwilliam Darcy long forgotten. But the past intrudes upon her again, and Mr. Darcy returns to her, handsome, wealthy, and widowed, and hiding many secrets beneath his solemn exterior.

But if time had altered their circumstances, one thing remains: Mr. Darcy still wishes to marry her, and this time, Elizabeth consents. At nearly 29, it is inarguably a good prospect for her and indeed, not until they arrive at his vast estate does she realize how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their growing love. But the new Mrs. Darcy’s courage will continue to rise despite the many attempts to intimidate her; and she vows to use whatever power she holds over the master of Pemberley to keep him.

Nameless is a tale of the triumph of good over evil, of passion over prejudice, of loyalty over lies...and most of all, of enduring, unfailing love.

©2021 Julie Cooper (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Great story!!

Couldn’t put it down. Wonderful variation, very unpredictable but stays true to the Darcy-Elizabeth love story.

A page turner

Very entertaining audible book. It is well written, in my opinion, and as the story unfolds ( I should say stories) I began to wonder why the author put so much in one book. I believe it could have filled three books. And you get Stevie Zimmerman for the narrator. Do not pass up this book.

Outstanding Book!

August 12-13, 2021
Audiobook Review
As always, Stevie Zimmerman gives an outstanding performance in her narration of this brilliant book.

Amazon Book Review 5⭐️+++++
My oh my, I hardly know where to begin with this book. Bottom line—my review title says it all. I don’t believe this measly review can ever do it justice. I wish I could give it more stars. I can’t wait for the audiobook, and I wish it could be made into a movie. It’s a book that screamed dramatization at me. Even the book blurb is perfect. This is most definitely not your typical Pride and Prejudice variation. Julie Cooper has artfully recreated some of the classic’s characters and wound them craftily around an intriguing and engaging plot, and ohhh what a plot it is!

The story is brilliantly executed from the point of view of a 28-year old spinster Elizabeth, in service to a dowager Lady Matlock who resides at Rosings, and who is cantankerous and demanding, treating Elizabeth as a drudge. There is no Lady Catherine. Elizabeth is there in this capacity because the Bennet parents and her Uncle Gardiner have died. She is full of grief and bitterness from the events that overtook her life.

Darcy is newly widowed and has come to visit Lady Matlock. He seems as brooding and aloof as the Darcy of old that Elizabeth remembers. He seeks out Elizabeth on a walk and proposes. She doesn’t need to marry, but she wants to have her own home, her own life. Then he kisses her—

“He wanted me. It was in the seeking pressure, the restrained hunger, the intensity of purpose, the coaxing pleasure. Within it, I was taken by yet another surprise: I wanted him, as well. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck, be held close, to return his seeking with my own. I wanted to know what he thought, and I wanted his thoughts to be of me. I was young again, pretty and proud and powerful.”—quote from book

Elizabeth is my hero in this book. Rather than the overly stubborn and unyielding shrew she is depicted as in many redrawn sketches of her, here she earnestly endeavours to exercise the patience she has learned to apply while in service, and remains resolute in not allowing villains to thwart her cause in being a good wife and Mistress of Pemberley. She is still full of wit, and exercises kindness towards others. In this book, she is the best Elizabeth I’ve read in a long time.

“Especially do I understand the anger that comes with loss, the temptation to shake a fist at God, the contempt for well-meaning platitudes and envy of others whose miracles I was never granted. Oh, yes, I do understand those sentiments. But when one encounters stinging nettles, one does not roll naked amongst them. Relief is seldom found by drowning in bitterness.”—quote from book

Darcy too is filled with grief and bitterness, but for different reasons. His marriage was not a happy one. There are rumours Anne Darcy’s death was suspicious and possibly at Darcy’s own hand. The outstandingly intriguing plot that fills the remainder of the story will have you eagerly feasting on the words that describe the miserable and troubled life Darcy has endured for eight years married to a diabolical woman whose equally diabolical mother lives with them. I have to say these are two of the best-written villains I’ve read in a P&P variation. Elizabeth, however, is not about to give in to an insane mother or a dead wife.

“Even when we believe ourselves to be utterly alone, there is help waiting in the wings. A situation is never hopeless, unless we give up hope.”—quote from book

Within this exceptional plot, Julie Cooper never loses sight of Elizabeth and Darcy’s beautiful love story. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s now my favourite Julie Cooper book, and without a single shred of doubt, goes into my 2021 Favourites list. This book also immediately goes into my re-read stack and I will purchase the published version for my Kindle library once it is released. You simply must read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Note: While I have become aware this book is a mashup of Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca (by Daphne duMaurier), I have never read the latter; thus, my review reflects no awareness of the apparent similarities.

absolutely wonderful

thanks so much for this amazing what if story. I dearly hope that you have more stories to share like this one

Quite the mystery "who dunit"

Quite an intriguing murder mystery our Mr. D was embroiled in! So many questions and accusations! Well read!

P & P + Rebecca

A well crafted mash-up of two beloved books. If you are familiar with Rebecca the angst will be expected though adjusted for time and circumstances. The characters fit nicely to both texts while thankfully retaining more of their Pride and Prejudice roots. Elizabeth, though older, is still feisty which adds a new read on the role of the second Mrs. De Winter (here Darcy) Lovely narration. Highly recommend.

Exceptional!

This was a masterful mash up of Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca. The emotional journey was perfectly paced and hit all of the character growth points that Pride and Prejudice hits but within the Rebecca framework. There are some significant changes to the larger cast of characters from Pride and Prejudice but I didn't mind it once I accustomed myself to it. I teared up when it ended! Such a beautiful and complete journey. I really enjoyed this one, it instantly goes to the top of the list of my favorite Pride and Prejudice variations.

Truly excelent

This story is Very well written and performed. I wish I had the wisdom of this Lizzy!

Interesting Variation

My first impression was a little negative with how much it deviated from canon - Ann De Bourgh is no relation at all and the Earl of Matlock's wife resides at Rosings Park. Colonel Fitzwilliam never enters into the story. My second impression was that it was a bit unrealistic for Darcy to bed Elizabeth on their wedding night given the circumstances and his character. Perhaps if more attention had been given to the lead-up for that situation it would've been more believable. However, it was just given as a statement of fact with no further reflection or explanation. Don't get me wrong, I really do not like graphic sex scenes in my historical romance novels, but I felt it needed a bit more explanation and emotion put into it. Having said all that, it really gets so much better after that! It kept my interest and was a very original storyline.

Miss Elizabeth, meet Rebecca!

If you are not familiar with the story “Rebecca”, by Daphne du Maurier (not to be missed by the way), this story will be even more engaging.

If, however, you do know the story (even the Academy Award winning movie version by Alfred Hitchcock for example) this is a WONDERFUL mash-up.

Ms Cooper has given us a new set of villains, while still battling with those we JAFF fans have grown to hate. When you then take this well crafted tale and give it to Stevie Zimmerman to perform, it quickly becomes a new one to add to the “favorites “ list.