Silver Buckles

By: Grace Gibson

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman, Neil Roy McFarlane

She staggered a great man. He was reeling. She was overwhelmed.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, standing irritably at the edge of the Meryton assembly, declines to dance with Elizabeth Bennet. In a mood of revulsion, he rejects her without concern of being overheard. Country pretensions are always in need of squashing, and what better way to make clear he would not partner anyone outside his party? However, when he looks over at her, she does not appear humbled at all. She is secretly laughing at him!

Elizabeth is perversely delighted to encounter such an outrageous snob as Mr. Darcy. When he approaches her with a stiff, graceless apology, she coolly brushes him off, believing that, like most annoyances, he will go away when properly snubbed. But no! The man then puts out his hand, and, not wishing to create a scene, compels her to stand up with him.

They go through the steps of the dance mutually disdainful and intent upon wounding each other. But by the time the musicians end their tune, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have traded barbs with such accuracy, they are unaccountably amused and engaged. Will this most inconvenient flirtation drive them apart - or, like silver buckles, are they a matched pair?

©2020 Grace Gibson (P)2021 Grace Gibson

Exceptional narration

I have listened to this many times for the pleasure of listening to Neil Roy McFarlane. He makes this book. I can't imagine enjoying it nearly as much if it wasn't for him bringing to life how a man thinks, feels and views an emerging attraction fraught with obstacles and missteps. He reveals what's behind his solemnity and remarks that so frustrate those around him. I'm a little put off by the story's treatment of Bingley but did think from the original book that he could have been more positively decided in his direction regarding Jane even if his sisters and friend advised otherwise. I really liked this version and it was a delight to listen to. Neil Roy McFarlane and Stevie Zimmerman brought all the wit and charm of Grace Gibson's book to life.

#Favorite!!!

Jane Austen couldn’t have written better. The plot is all one could wish for, the dialogue sparkles with sharp wit and intelligence, and Mr.Darcy’s voice sounds like a man, not a woman’s version of a man, I’ve listened to this twice, and will revisit this old friend again.

One of my favorites

This and Old Boots are some of my very favorite Pride and Prejudice variations. Somewhat like Benedict and Beatrice from Much Ado, this Elizabeth and Darcy are "too wise to woo peaceably". I deeply enjoy the sparks between them. The narrators are my favorite voices I've found for these characters in audiobooks as well. Just pure fun.

Brilliant conversation

Silver Buckles begins with the Meryton Assembly, but this time Darcy and Elizabeth do dance. Most of the action takes place at Meryton, London and at Rosings, Lady Katherine's estate. The conversations between Elizabeth and Darcy are excellent. Darcy loves flirting with Elizabeth, which is not something he usually does with young ladies. Elizabeth leads him on a merry chase. They become very easy with one another. I like this book because ODC do spend a lot of time together and are almost always comfortable in their conversations. I also enjoyed Mary, Jane, Georgiana and the Gardiners.

The author is very talented. I really loved one of her other books, Old Boots, which is my favorite P&P variation. The narrators are excellent - particularly Neil Roy McFarlane. He has an amazing voice and his timing and expression are awesome. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent

Loved this book. Highly recommend it to JAFF fans. Elizabeth stands up to Darcy from the start and the sparks fly. ;o)