Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy

The Last Man in the World: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Abigail Reynolds

Narrated by: Rachel E. Hurley

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

What if....

The last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry...is her husband?

In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet tells the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn't marry him if he were the last man in the world.

But what if she never said the words? What if circumstances conspired to make her accept Darcy the first time he proposes?

In this installment of Abigail Reynolds's acclaimed Pride and Prejudice Variations, Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy against her better judgment, setting off a chain of events that nearly brings disaster to them both....

©2006, 2010 Abigail Reynolds (P)2013 Abigail Reynolds

Darcy Gets What He Wants - So He Thinks...!!

When FD proposes, he gives EB no chance to refuse because he kisses her, is observed, she is compromised, and they must marry. He is ecstatic, she tries to make the best of things as the events carry her unwillingly but inexorably into marriage with a man she does not know and does not love. She decides to make the best of things, and is cautious because she has been warned by Wickham of Darcy's temper. She, like many women of her time, is extremely conscious of a husband's power over his wife and children, and measures the risks to her sisters if there is any resulting scandal, and the benefits to her family of having contracted a much sought-after bachelor. She tries to please FD but the bouyant spirits he fell in love with are oppressed by her efforts to adjust to her situation, and eventually during a serious quarrel he discovers that she married him because he compromised her. He is devastated and sad, they continually miscommunicate and misunderstand one another, they both become despondent over the alienation from one another, then he is injured and she discovers love for him. Although it takes a while for ODC to really start to communicate, once they understand one another the story is very tender and comes to a very satisfying conclusion. Because this story starts after Hunsford, there's not a lot of sparkling EB dialogue here; rather, this is more a thoughtful depiction of EB trying to control her natural high spirits and unruly tongue, following her aunt's advice, and FD learning to unbend and open up. If you've ever truly suffered from unrequited love or disappointed hopes, this story will resonate.. I would rate this story an R due to graphic bedroom scenes, especially toward the end, between husband and wife.

The narration is superlative; the narrator's voice, inflection, accent -- everything was a pleasure. There are some JAFF audiobooks I simply won't purchase because I can't stand the narrator.

Truly enjoyed

I like that the time line was consistent. My favor part was the end I believe it is perfectly stated. Hazza Lizzy

Impetuous Darcy?

Very unlike the Darcy we know, instead of allowing Lizzy to respond to his proposal, in his surety that he will be accepted, he immediately kisses her, and they are seen.

He doesn’t find out until much later that this was why she married him.

He starts to ask questions when he sees the change in Lizzy after they are married. In her resentment, especially since none of her grievances were resolved, she no longer “sparkles”.

A rough road follows as he withdraws just as she finally starts to question everything she thought she knew about him.

Tissues will be needed as tragedy strikes along the way, but this is a very good retelling!

A good spin on a great story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would. I think anyone who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice would most likely enjoy this. It is an easy guilty pleasure and covers a new look without removing much of the personality of the original characters. I would read it again (listen) myself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As always, Elizabeth. She has a nice quality to her character here even when she is misunderstanding another person.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't really laugh or cry in this story, but parts were somewhat touching.

Any additional comments?

I've read a few variations of Ms. Reynolds works and this is one of the better, cleaner versions. I actually returned another one due to it being completely off character and too focused on the bedroom rather than the storyline.

BAD. SO VERY VERY BAD

What disappointed you about Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?

I love Darcy and Elizabeth. I think I must have read Pride and Prejudice at least once a year since I was 12. The couple in this story bear no resemblance in any way to the characters I love so much. It reads like bad fanfiction written by someone who saw the movie once.

What could Abigail Reynolds have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I will not be bothering with any other offerings from this author.

Would you be willing to try another one of Rachel E. Hurley’s performances?

It's difficult to tell with something so painfully bad as this how much of said badness the narrator may or may not be responsible for. Presumably she made it the whole way through the story at least once, which is a lot more than I could manage.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

All of the above and more, but not in a good way.

frustratingly 'proper' but romantic and tender too

If you could sum up Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in three words, what would they be?

loving
ignorant
romantic

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Darcy because I'm totally besotted with him. He's strong, thoughtful, loving and caring. He's far too 'proper and aloof' at first but then learns he is not the centre of the universe , just slightly off centre, and becomes lovable and appealing.

What about Rachel E. Hurley’s performance did you like?

she has an easy voice to listen to. it's at just the right pitch and her tone and pronounciation is just right.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Elizabeth contemplated suicide i was moved but I also wanted to shake her. That was too selfish for Elizabeth even though she tried to argue she was being selfless.
Devoting her time to Darcy in his illness was also moving as was his amnesia to her attention throughout his illness. Sometimes the good old stiff upper lip is far too frustrating.

Any additional comments?

Easy to read, very enjoyable for all P&P fans who like to read variations in the 'lives' of these wonderful characters.

Painful

This book is well written, as are the author's other P and P variations. This approach is very painful, however, because the misunderstandings occur while the character s are living under the same roof. This does explain the limitations and restrictions placed on women during this century. It is hard for me, as a 21st century woman to understand these sometimes.

Another great read

Just love books from Abigail Reynolds. She is witty and writes in a clever way just like Jane Austen. Highly recommend this book.

Oh yeah, finally a real deal P&P 'what if'!

What did you like best about this story?

The characters react like real people, I did get frustrated with F and E's assumptions of each other until they finally started talking to each other.

What about Rachel E. Hurley’s performance did you like?

I like her accent

Any additional comments?

If you don't want to listen to intimate scenes between consenting adults, you best skip this one.

If you like Pride and Prejudice-you'll enjoy this!

What made the experience of listening to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed hearing an Austen like alternative-version of Pride and Prejudice.

Any additional comments?

I wish there wasn't quite so much angst, but it all comes right in the end and we get our happily ever after! I'll be reading/listening to more of Ms. Reynolds books!

No, no no!!

What would have made Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy better?

Keeping him true to the character Jane Austen created instead of this unrecognisable, insipid creature.

What will your next listen be?

Certainly not a Prise and Prejudice variation.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Too rushed. Mispronounced Eliz-i-beth instead of Eliz-A-beth which annoyed me every single time she said it.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?

Marketed by Mills and Boone, and with the names changed it would have been tolerable as a romantic frippery but as a variation to Pride and Prejudice I would cut it all and take it off the shelves.

Any additional comments?

This is pure Mills and Boone and nothing whatsoever to do with Jane Austen. The characters were unrecognisable and absolutely untrue to those of Pride and Prejudice apart from (almost) bearing the same names. I have hesitated for a long time to read any of these variations and shall not be reading any more. It is nothing short of a total travesty to be marketed as anything to do with one of the greatest novels ever published. Hated it. I would have given it no stars in any category if I could have.

The Last man in the world overly contrived

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Though the story got off to an intriguing start, the second part of the story was excessively contrived. The solutions underlying the comings and goings of the main characters' thoughts and feelings were not credible.

What could Abigail Reynolds have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

She might have compressed the story or found different details to justifiy its length.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She might have pronounced some words more correctly.

Did Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy inspire you to do anything?

To rewite the second part.