Fitzwilliam Darcy: An Honorable Man

By: Brenda J. Webb

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Fitzwilliam Darcy, An Honourable Man is a Pride and Prejudice variation. Not a simple retelling, it is an intriguing new story that does not follow canon. It is rated for mature audiences.

Leaving England after his disastrous proposal was refused at Hunsford, Darcy spent two lonely years in Scotland and Ireland before returning home to face Elizabeth Bennet, certain that he could regard her as an indifferent acquaintance. Events that transpired in his absence have left Elizabeth a changed woman. The victim of a marriage by deception to Count Stefano, she has suffered greatly at his hands. Will Mr. Darcy rescue the woman he vowed to forget?

©2024 Brenda Webb Bigbee (P)2024 Brenda Webb Bigbee

Emotional & you want to kill some people

Yes, I said it - you will want to kill some people in this story. Darcy leaves for 2 years to go lick his wounds so he has no knowledge of what has happened since Huntsford. Mr Bennet has died and greedy Mrs Bennet sells Elizabeth to a man that was already denied by Elizabeth and her father. My heart goes out to Elizabeth and everyone who has to deal with her husband (yes he is one that you want dead). This obsession he has for Elizabeth is scary and he leaves her as a broken shell of the wonderful lively woman she was. One quibble I have with the story is hiding Elizabeth at Netherfield. Jane & Bingley could have come up with something way better than run the risk they did. One character I loved was the old vicar who Darcy befriends. Lots of bad, mercenary characters who all show up BUT thankfully we get our wonderful well deserved HEA.

Stevie Zimmerman brought much emotion and life to this story and love her performance.

Heartbreak, Hope and Heroism

Fitzwilliam Darcy: An Honourable Man begins two years post-Hunsford. He's been away in Scotland and Ireland handling estate mattersᅳbut it's really a ruseᅳhe is trying to heal from the heartbreak of his failed proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. He returns to Pemberley, determined to begin anew and perhaps finally find another to marry.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy was going home. It had taken a long time, but he was certain now of one thingᅳhe could meet her as an indifferent and common acquaintance. He had conquered the steady ache in his heart, and he no longer thought of her every waking moment. He could go for days without waking in the middle of the night, wet with sweat and heart pounding, as dreams of their last argument tormented him anew. He was almost free of her at last!” ᅳquote from book

Forced by Mrs. Bennet into a cruel marriage with a manipulative and evil Count Stefano, Elizabeth has suffered deeply and isn't the lively, confident woman we remember. And when Darcy discovers what happened to her, he can't walk away. He steps in to protect her, even knowing it could cost him. Elizabeth's ordeal is truly heartbreaking, but her journey towards recovery, Darcy's loving responses to each setback, and their love for one another keeps you turning each new page.

This book has everythingᅳvillains, danger, and a lot of emotional moments. There is a cemetery scene that is definitely a two-tissue segment of the book. My poor heart. Darcy is written as the ultimate romantic hero, including a swashbuckling rescue! He's strong, protective, and completely devoted to Elizabeth. Even with so many obstacles in his way, including multiple ladies vying for his attention, he never wavers in his determination to help Elizabeth and make her his priority, and that makes him truly loveable.

As to his dealings with others in the story, Darcy's close bond to Colonel Fitzwilliam is particularly endearingᅳit's clear how much they care for each other, and the colonel's way of drawing out his cousin with his teasing is truly diverting. I love how their relationship is portrayed. Lady Matlock's motherly affection towards her nephew is noteworthy, as is the background role of Charles and Jane Bingley. While never on page in the story, Anne de Bourgh and Lady Catherine still have a part in the plot. Caroline Bingley also manages to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong.

Not to be overlooked is Georgiana and her husband, Evan Ingram, who both are lovingly supportive to Darcy. Another new character is Mr. Williamson, the vicar who christened Elizabeth and who comforts Darcy, and later becomes a father figure to them both. At the same time, the villains are written so well that you'll love to hate them even though they are causing you anxiety all the while! From the evil Count Stefano to scheming women trying to trap Darcy, the drama keeps coming, but the happy ending is a memorable one.

Stevie Zimmerman does an incredible job narrating the audiobook. At just over twenty hours, she gives a consistent performance to each character throughout, never wavering on each distinct voice and capturing the emotional intensity of the story, especially in the moments between Darcy and Elizabeth. Her narration made the book even more enjoyable and easy to get lost in than the ebook.

If you're someone who isn't offended by off-canon variations, I'd recommend it to those who love a protective, honourable Darcy at the centre of a gripping story.

I first read this book back in 2019ᅳloved it then, and love it even more now with the 2024 release of the audiobook version. My original review was rather limp in the writing, so it's a good time to give that sad attempt a rewrite.

Mature content.

Poor Elizabeth

Elizabeth was betrayed by her mother and sold as a wife to a despicable man.
A heart broken Darcy found her and did all he could to help her. Some greedy women tried to thwart him. The despicable husband trod to find her and take her away

Heartbreaking and Beautiful

Never have I ever been more in love with Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth nor hated her family more, except Jane and Mr Bennett.

The author words and narrators performance combine to convey the deepest and abiding love. I will read this one again and again.

20 hours of Darcy and Elizabeth! Loved it!

The writing is pretty good, the story held my interest and for most of the book, I enjoyed the tale. The performance was very good, but Georgianna’s voice was really annoying. There were way too many instances of tears in the eyes for me, but that’s just me. My main disagreements with the author are the actions and evolution of Elizabeth’s mother. Of course, the author has a right to have characters do whatever they please. Over all, nice and long and entertaining.