Darcy vs. Bennet

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Victoria Kincaid

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Elizabeth Bennet is drawn to a handsome, mysterious man she meets at a masquerade ball. However, she gives up all hope for a future with him when she learns he is the son of George Darcy, the man who ruined her father’s life.

Despite her father’s demand that she avoid the younger Darcy, when he appears in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth cannot stop thinking about him, seeking him out, or welcoming his kisses....

Fitzwilliam Darcy has struggled to carve out a life independent from his father’s vindictive temperament and domineering ways, although the elder Darcy still controls the purse strings.

After meeting Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy cannot imagine marrying anyone else, even though his father despises her family.

More than anything, he wants to make her his wife, but doing so would mean sacrificing everything else.... 

©2016 Victoria Kincaid (P)2019 Victoria Kincaid

A little too much self doubt...

Not a bad variation, but not great. Any story where the characters have redundant inner monologues can be exhausting. With the charming meet cute of a masquerade ball, one would hope for a more fun or romantic story. I get that it’s a take on Romeo and Juliet, but it’s hard to shape Darcy and Elizabeth into love struck teenagers. I can say it was nice to read a story where Darcy and Elizabeth feel their love and attraction instead of the gradual love in the original. The family feud premise and execution of the story overall is weak. Evil Darcy daddy seems more like a cartoon villain than a Jane Austen character.
Like Elizabeth Bennet, Ms. Austen had a knack for seeing the ridiculous in people. She made her characters more realistic because of their flaws. Exaggerated villains can be fun, but they aren’t my favorite in JAFF because what made Austen’s writing great was her crafting nuanced and idiosyncratic characters. Variations using ultra evil or good caricatures of the originals and exaggerated plot points are just meh 😒 🙄.
Stevie Zimmerman does great with the narration as always.

lovely

Quite an endearing tale. Romeo and Juliette meets Pride and Prejudice. I have listened to the audiobook several times and it does not get old. Love it.

Character infidelity

Mr. Darcy's character is too different from the original book to be pleasing. His father is still alive, and a tyrant, and Darcy is frequently petulant and not as gentlemanly as in the original. He and Elizabeth cannot seem to get on the same page and continue to doubt one another almost until the very end. Only Stevie Zimmerman's narration makes this tolerable.

A Touch of Romeo and Juliet…

… Except Romeo/Darcy doesn’t die, thank goodness! With Mr. Bennet and George Darcy feuding, how will ODC find a way to be together at last? A sweet variation that keeps the listener engaged to find out how their HEA comes about.

Another excellent and very satisfying listen from Stevie Zimmerman. She undoubtedly performs the best Darcy by a female narrator in my opinion.

another please needs a sequel

love these thales but they end too soon. plesse. a sequel is deeply needed and a follow up of all the extra characters

Captivating Tale with Clever Twists

This book was very creatively entertaining, perfect to cuddle up with in the midst of a pandemic when one wants to escape from reality. I particularly liked that Mr. Bennett was portrayed as being stronger than the usual personification. Fun read!

Romeo and Juliet a la JAFF

Loved this story!

The story begins differently at a masquerade ball and ODC don’t have the usual awkward start, although the negative comments do appear along with the angst of do they or don’t they. Wickham is still a scoundrel, but the true bad guy is George Darcy! Another reader commented about wanting to shoot him in fact. I would settle for a few good hard slaps, or maybe a push down the stairs when no one is looking (wink) but I agree, he is horrible.

Darcy is a far more romantic hero in this version and is absolutely swoon worthy.

Of course, Stevie Zimmerman is again simply incredible at bringing this story to life. I almost passed this story by, until I saw that she was the narrator so I gave it a try. Thank you Ms. Zimmerman!!!

Just WOW!

Great Story!!

This was a wonderful variation that included Darcy‘a father. The telling of a great love story between Darcy and Elizabeth that made me laugh and smile as they struggled to be together.

Stevie’s performance was awesome as always

Really enjoyed this variation of pride and prejudice. The performance made it even better, couldn’t stop listening!

Wonderful experience

I loved listening to this audiobook. Stevie Zimmerman's voice always holds me spellbound. The story is wonderfully told and whenever I thought I knew what was coming, I was surprised in the next instance.

I loved the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth. Their love story has been so beautifully crafted.

I consider this novel a huge success. I loved every moment of it, and I wouldn't hesitate a second to recommend this audiobook to anyone. You don't have to be a Janeite to love this book. One doesn't even have to be familiar with P&P to enjoy it.

Brilliant!

This was an amazing tale. Yes I def saw the resemblance to Romeo & Juliet, but it does not take over the entire story to a degree where it drowned the original characters. I listened to this in almost one go and just could not stop. This was excellent.