Fearful Symmetry

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Gailie Ruth Caress

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

Darcy had never known such a woman, one who could rush into an inferno and emerge as bold and brilliant as burnished brass, bright as any mirror.

Fitzwilliam Darcy had planned to leave Netherfield Park and all thoughts of the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind him - until one night when he saw smoke rising from Longbourn and realized she was in peril.

Elizabeth Bennet found Mr. Darcy arrogant and insufferable right up until he became her hero, pulling her and her sister from the fire that devastated their home and could have claimed both of their lives. Seeing how he put his own life at risk to pull her from the fire, how could she help but change her opinion of him?

Thrown together again in the refuge offered at Netherfield, Darcy and Elizabeth’s unexpected bond gains strength. But disapproval, debts, and doubts all arise when the costs in time and expense involved in rebuilding Longbourn threaten to widen the gulf standing between Elizabeth and Darcy in the eyes of society. Amidst these perplexities of destruction and decorum, can love’s courage overcome calamity?

©2021 Gailie Ruth Caress (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Good story. Excellent narration.

I enjoyed the storyline very much. Caress is a talented writer. Stevie Zimmerman never disappoints in her narration. I admit that determines many of the purchases I make. There are some editing issues that need to be addressed in this recording. Repeats and cuts that must have been overlooked.

A fun, low angst tale

I read a lot of Pride and Prejudice variations. A lot of them are mediocre, this is not one of them. There is very little in the way of angst for or heroine and hero, but events play out so believably and with such
perfect pacing that I really cannot bring myself to complain about it. I have definitely read variations where it feels like things happen too easily and unbelievably but this one escapes that impression. I really enjoyed the relationship between Elizabeth and Georgiana, this wasn't overdone like I've seen in some versions. Elizabeth is not a savior and the friendship feels genuine. There is a fun fortune telling scene with the girls that reminded me of Jane Eyre. I love variations that include something of the lifestyle in London and this features a small bit in London, as well as Hertfordshire and Kent. The climax and resolution are satisfying and rewarding. I'd love to see a sequel to this depicting married life after this variation, but that's just my own preference for continuations there probably! Thank you for a fun listen!

Great story

I really enjoyed this book. It starts with a fire at Longbourn. Mrs Darcy rescues Elizabeth and then mr Bingley invites them all to Netherfield. Good start to a good story. Great narrator as well.

Lacking so much

I do love that E realized from the beginning that D was an honorable person. No misunderstanding of character. I just hate it that it was E having to expose her feelings before D did or said anything. Then the story wad over. It was just abruptly done.

Sweet & Refreshing

As with other reviewers, I've listened to quite a lot of PP variations, and like all others Stevie Zimmerman is the BEST of narrators in the category. So on that note, it's amazing.

The story was wonderful! It, pretty much follows the timeline and basic framework of the original, but the personal interactions and conversations are so much more in depth and really give a great deal of insight into each character. I would say that unlike some other versions that I've read, where the characters greatly stray from the original, this story keeps them all pretty much true to canon. But their true personality traits are greatly expanded upon and quite enjoyable.

I would DEFINITLEY recommend this listen to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Truly enjoyabld and sweet.. I Look foward to more

This new author sorprizes with a story with low angst and yet very engaging. I Look foward to more of her stories

Wonderful PandP Variation

This Pride and Prejudice variation begins after Jane's stay at Netherfield, but before the Netherfield ball. After Jane and Lizzy return home, a fire breaks out at Longbourn and Darcy steps up to save his favorite of the Bennet daughters.

This was a very low angst variation with so many sweet moments between Lizzy and Darcy. Staying together at Netherfield gives them the chance to learn more about each other and avoid the worst of their misconceptions. I loved how much Georgiana was in this variation. It was a smooth ride to the perfect ending, a sweet listen with little drama.

I do tend to purchase all the P&P variations narrated by Stevie Zimmerman by reflex, she's a wonderful narrator with the perfect voice for Darcy. It was immersive with no issues with the performance. This was my first book by this author, I'll be putting her on my watch list!

clean, delightful p&p variation

the narrator was outstanding, she captured each character with ease. in some audio books the narrato can be a let down, but it is quite the opposite in Fearful symmetry. The story is a wonderfully clean variation based on the changes that occur to the original plot based on the event of a fire at Longbourn. It's a low angst story. the only problem I could forsee is if someone had recently been through a traumatic fire. Otherwise it is trigger free. it's definitely one of the better P&P variations.

Very Enjoyable

Wonderful story that engages you. The naration is beautiful and such a joy to listen to.

Who doesn’t love a P&P variation!

Stevie Zimmerman is always excellent, and she brings elegance and character to this book too. That said, the story itself, while written beautifully, takes place in an alternate universe where everything is as it should be: families enjoy perfect harmony and blissful relationships, there is no such thing as an insurmountable problem, villains are easily vanquished. Still it’s a fun read when Lizzie and Darcy have such a smooth path to happiness.

Brilliant variation

I’ve listened to sooo many P&P variations & rarely write reviews but this one is really, really good.
The author ensures the characters stay true to the original.
This story starts just after Jane recovers from her cold & returns home to Longbourne with Elizabeth.
The listener is then taken on a wonderfu journey with both protagonists as they find love. Such a joy!
I have to mention the brilliant narration by the wonderful Stevie Zimmerman.
I really can’t recommend this story enough

An agony of manners

Goodness! I seriously doubted that they would get it together. Darcy's reticence was excruciating. Stevie Zimmerman was superb as always.

Brilliant!!

I absolutely loved this variation! The storyline and characters were amazing and it was quite funny at times. This version seemed more modern to me with less or changed formalities, while still keeping true to the characters. It was nice to see Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship develop differently compared to other variations. Caress did an excellent job and I look forward to more from the author. As always, Stevie Zimmerman’s narration is wonderful. Highly recommend! I actually listened twice in a row!