Dear Nameless Stranger

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Jeannie Peneaux

Narrated by: Mandy Gasson

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

“Please admire my docile and obedient nature. I will not thank you for providing us with a home, nor will I even breathe a word of gratitude for your provision of such funds as will feed us each quarter. I will not even write such platitudes as ‘You are very good,’ given that you have also provided us with respectability in the form of Mrs. Ingles. There. I am quite done now with not expressing my gratitude – I should not at all wish to prove tiresome.”

From the author of Tact, Dear Nameless Stranger is a heartwarming tale inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Jean Webster’s Daddy Long Legs. 

Tragedy has struck the Bennet sisters but they are greatly relieved when the anonymous kindness of a stranger means that they can remain together. In exchange for such charity, a monthly letter is required from each sister. It is a fortunate thing that Miss Elizabeth Bennet rather likes letter-writing, for she relishes the opportunity to relate to this unknown gentleman all her impressions and opinions regarding her changed circumstances.

With each passing month, Elizabeth confides more in the nameless stranger, and by the time Netherfield Park is once again occupied by the amiable Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy, she is quite frank in writing of her dismay.

©2019 Jeannie Peneaux (P)2020 Jeannie Peneaux

delightful

a delightful story. I would prefer to have the first part integrated into the rest of the story. the narrator distinguished the characters well and struck the right tone. her subtle humor added complemented the authors wit and the author complemented the incomparable Jane. well done all!

I was in tears, laughing out loud, this is a Must

One of my favorite P & P thus far! I absolutely loved it. Even throughs the is tragic loss I love how all 5 sisters loved each other. Perfect time of year read/listen. Goodness , kindness. I listened straight through Mr Darcy ugh, a woman’s dream man.

Mashup

This book is a mashup of JAFF and Daddy Long-Legs fan fiction (does such a thing exist? Probably). Since I think Daddy Long-Legs has to be the best epistolary novel that exists, and yet still not as good as Pride and Prejudice for genius I think it was a wise plan to follow the basic plot of P&P and lean toward DLL in the character sketches. Overall the book is so sympathetic toward all the Bennet sisters and so unsympathetic toward certain other characters as to make them different people than they are in the original. But that’s the beauty of fan fiction-you can go wherever you like. This particular pairing works very well and made for an enjoyable and soothing afternoon.

Great story

This book was different. First there is Elizabeth’s letters and then Darcy’s side of the story. It was really good to see both sides. I highly recommend this book to a Jane Austen fan fiction lover.

Such an emotive story

A very delightful reading of a beautiful story. I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you!

One of my favorites P&P variations

This is a favorite story of mine. It shows an insight into the Bennet sisters that is rarely done and is quite beautiful. Because of the loss of both of their parents at once, the sisters are drawn together and work hard to make life easier for each other. While Collins does create much of the life problems for the girls, the main villain of the work is the circumstances, rather than any individual.

Darcy shows a great deal of care and concern for only Elizabeth at the beginning but as time goes on, he develops a brotherly love for all of the her sisters. What is quite lovely is that the usual, more familiar depiction of the girl's characters is shown through Elizabeth's eyes but Darcy sees what is going on inside of each one. The characterization of Lydia and Kitty is particularly lovely.

I also love that this story is told in two parts. First from Elizabeth's viewpoint. Second from Darcy's. I will often trade the chapters on my Kindle so that I can read Elizabeth's letter and then Darcy's reaction to it, since the chapters in each section have the same headings. On Audible, I just listen to it all straight through -- one story then the next. Either way is insightful, tender, and heartwarming.

Mandy Gasson does a nice job narrating, though I would wish for different sounds to the men. However, it was a good narration.

4.5 Stars

I enjoyed it prodigiously except for the very end. Yes, having the story finishing with a letter was quite fitting but having ODC at a fair distance at end of the tale and without them being wed yet seemed a little awkward. I think perhaps having Lizzy writing a teasing love letter to her husband, of some time, that is down stairs or somewhere else close at hand would have been sweeter, a little more lighthearted. Idk...just a thought.

Delightful!

Both the story and the narration were delightful.
The epistolary form was perfect for the story and worked really well. The sympathetic treatment of all the sisters was also appreciated, with each getting a mention and being rounded out by the author.
I will certainly look for more by her.
The reader was new to me and I enjoyed her performance very much. I would happily listen to her again.

Lovely book, well read.

I loved this! The letter writing in the first part of the book was really funny and interesting as you heard snippets from the other Bennet girls letters. The second part was just as great. Highly recommend.

Lovely gentle story

I loved this story when I first read it, and was glad to be able to listen to it on audible. It is low angst but very engaging and so beautifully written. I found the narrator is easy to listen to.