A Folly of Youth

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Amy D'Orazio

Narrated by: Elizabeth Grace

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

My own folly had endangered me, my preservation I owe to the kindness, the integrity of another....

In 1808, Elizabeth Bennet is young, curious, and in possession of an invitation to a London party which she ought not to attend. Unable to resist the temptation, Elizabeth indulges her wish to see a party of the beau monde and finds herself in a dangerous situation. She is saved from a desperate fate by Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, but relief is short-lived. Mr. Gardiner arrives and demands satisfaction on behalf of his young niece’s honor.

Bound for three years—with no intent to marry on either side—Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth both resolve to do as they must to end their unwanted almost-betrothal. Mr. Bennet, however, refuses to allow it, fearing that Elizabeth’s character will bear a permanent stain that no amount of time or money could erase. Together, Darcy and Lizzy contrive a plan to overcome her father’s reluctance: Darcy will find her someone else to marry, thus relieving himself of the obligation.

The folly of their youth, it seems, might be set to rights after all, until feelings arise which complicate the scheme. But will they realize their true attachment before it’s too late?

©2023 Amy D'Orazio (P)2023 Quills & Quartos Publishing

The painful lessons of youth are the foundation for a beautiful love story

As an avid Austenesque reader with a love of all things Pride and Prejudice, Amy D'Orazio is an author whose Austen inspired works I always enjoy. Therefore, I was so happy to receive a copy of D'Orazio's most recent story, A Folly of Youth. D'Orazio always brings imaginative twists that bring new energy and entertainment to Austen's classic, while keeping true to what we love about Darcy and Elizabeth's path to happiness and love with one another.

A Folly of Youth imagines what might have happened if Darcy and Elizabeth met years before the events of the original tale on a fateful night in London when a 16 year old Elizabeth finds herself unwittingly swept up in a less than appropriate party and a handsome yet broody Darcy comes to her rescue. Inexplicably drawn to each other, Darcy and Elizabeth soon find themselves in a scandalous compromise that forces them into an engagement neither wants. Darcy, an independent man of wealth and consequence, chafes against Mr. Bennet's instance that he marry his daughter, a country nobody who was naive enough to get herself into this mess in the first place.

As tempers flare and years pass, Darcy and Elizabeth begrudgingly come to an agreement that the only way they will each get what they want is if they work together to find Elizabeth a suitable husband, erasing her fear of potential scandal and freeing him to pursue a more acceptable wife. D'Orazio weaves an entertaining story as we watch both Darcy and Elizabeth grow into their own as individuals and challenge each other to be better. It was painful at times to see a young Darcy who has all the makings of an honorable man, display an extreme level of haughtiness, pride and derision, most often at at Elizabeth's expense, but even at times with Mr. Bingley and Georgiana. D'Orazio also explores with poignancy the double standard that existed for men and women in Austen's time when facing a scandal of virtue and it is Elizabeth who schools Darcy in these hard truths as she overcomes the shame and judgment of her family, friends and community.

Of course, the beauty of D'Orazio's story is that all of these become the foundational lessons that shape our favorite hero into a man worthy of being with a woman like Elizabeth. With each failed attempt at finding a suitor for Elizabeth, Darcy and Elizabeth's friendship and understanding of one another grows. Soon, Darcy realizes his admiration for Elizabeth may have come to mean much more to him than he could have ever imagined--but will it be too late for him to now capture the heart of the woman his younger self scorned so badly? You will just have to read to find out!

Having read a few of D'Orazio's stories I absolutely love the dialogues that she writes for these beloved characters, lending a depth and richness that would make Austen proud and that leaves her reader feeling connected to them in a whole new. One of my favorite aspects of D'Orazio's writing is her exploration of Darcy's familial relationships--in particular his Fitzwilliam cousins. Both Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother, Viscount Saye, have wonderful roles in this story. Not only do they offer up lighthearted laughs to counter the more somber Darcy, but they also act as a source of support and reflection for their cousin as he grapples to know himself and his heart better. Saye also has his own journey in reforming his rakish reputation to claim the woman he loves. You will absolutely love all of the Fitzwilliam scenes in this book!

This audiobook narrated by the ever talented Elizabeth Grace. She has voiced many Pride and Prejudice variations that I have listened to and her ability to capture the richness of a story and bring to life a diverse set of characters never ceases to amaze me. Bravo once again Ms. Grace!

If you are looking for a Pride and Prejudice variation with a well developed story and exquisitely written dialogue that reminds you why you fell in love with Darcy and Elizabeth's story, then most definitely give D'Orazio's A Folly of Youth a read right now. You will not be disappointed!

Great twist to a wonderful original

Just the right amount of romance and angst. At times there was a little too much attention to some ssscondart characters. But still an overall great story.

My new favorite

Loved, loved, loved. I think my new favorite. Delicious tension. Clever story. Voice actor Elizabeth Grace did a terrific job too.

Great listen

I enjoyed this book very much. I will listen to it again. Just put a small details.

Very smart variation

this is one of my favorites. So many witty references and hidden funny moments. But written so well that you may miss them if you're not careful.

loved it!

what a great take on a different story. completely different then original JAFF, but still followed the spirit.

Wonderful!

I read the book first and thought it was one of the best JAFF stories ever.
The Audible book was highly entertaining and the narrator did an incredible job with all of the characters, especially E and D!

Excellent Story

Excellent story line with new and interesting twists that plowed reader to appreciate the old themes and embrace the new themes

Not an appropriate narrator for this genre

Rather a lot of long drawn out angst. I would love to hear this story narrated by Harry Frost or Stevie Zimmerman. This narrator is just depressing. I think there is humor in this book but it doesn’t come across as such because the narrator is so east end hopelessly portrayed.

Another Favourite!

Elizabeth’s youthful curiosity leads her into a dangerous situation she is too naïve and inexperienced to understand. Darcy recognises the danger in which she has unwittingly placed herself and takes steps to protect her. This leads to a kiss caught by her uncle Gardiner. Bad timing, that.

Never formally engaged, even years later, Mr. Bennet will not release Darcy from doing the honourable thing; he maintains he will never marry her. Neither does Elizabeth want to marry him when she knows he thinks she is beneath him. He wants to seek a wife with a fortune and connections. The only way Mr. Bennet will release him is for Elizabeth to marry, so Darcy and Elizabeth agree that he will introduce her to potential suitors.

Off to Bath they go—Elizabeth with the now married Jane and Bingley and Miss Bingley, who is actually likeable in this story. Darcy goes with Lord Saye and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy has a lady in mind to court, and Lord Matlock has given Saye an ultimatum to find a wife.

I highly approved of Mr. Bennet’s and Bingley’s strong characters, neither of whom ever give in to Darcy. So refreshing to see a resolute Bingley. I really loved his speech to Darcy.

Of course, we all love Saye, and I was highly anticipating what Ms. D’Orazio had in store to entertain us with this favourite non-canon character—who when in the company of Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam is at his bawdiest best. I was happy to see Miss Lillian Goddard included again too.

Amy D’Orazio, a favourite JAFF author, is always a must read for me, and this page-turner didn’t disappoint. It begins with a compromise, a trope I enjoy. For me, any potential rivals deem a story angsty, and both Elizabeth and Darcy potentially have at least one.

Brilliantly-written dialogue, both serious and with chatty humour, flowed throughout the story with all the characters contributing to it. The story never lags for a moment and is well edited. Another great read to add to my favourites shelf.

Elizabeth Grace’s performance is very well done. I always love her Darcy voice.

Highly recommend.

Mature conversations.

I was gifted a copy of this audiobook by the author, but would have bought it anyway! Both author and narrator are an automatic buy for me!