Old Boots: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Grace Gibson

Narrated by: Neil Mcfarlane

Some form of devilry has come over Mr. Darcy.

Since his father’s death, Fitzwilliam Darcy has endeavored to be reliable, responsible, and restrained. But upon visiting Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire, he finds himself weary of the struggle to be so damnably well regulated and delights in a revival of the carefree mischief that characterized his younger days.

What brings on this sudden reversal? Perhaps it is a shocking incident that takes place upon his first entering the neighborhood when he rescues Miss Elizabeth Bennet from the raging current of a rain-swollen stream. The so-called “lady” does not prefer to be rescued, and Darcy’s subsequent dunking, rather than resulting in the gratitude that is his due, is met with her confounding resentment of his interference.

This tale of Darcy’s entanglement with the mysteriously grief-stricken Bennet family is interwoven with a love story - a most delicious exchange of looks, barbs, pranks, and innuendos as Miss Elizabeth, the “lightning bolt of Longbourn”, regularly singes, frustrates, and humbles the man from Derbyshire.

©2021 Grace Gibson (P)2023 Grace Gibson

A favorite P&P variation

This is a favorite variation of P&P for me. Though, I admit to being guilty of NOT missing Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Wickham at all. Or to the absence of Lydia for much of the story.

It's an interesting story told exclusively from Darcy's viewpoint. I think the author made some good choices on the fates of so many beloved characters and all are entirely believable, though there are some departures from canon.

It's a sweet tale with little angst, and (minor spoiler to follow)...

I loved Mr. Darcy's mild torment of Caroline Bingley. I also love how she is a small part of the story, but isn't a harpy constantly at Darcy's shoulder dripping with jealousy for Elizabeth. She just quietly disappears from the story with no real comment on what becomes of her because for ODC in this version it isn't really important. As a bonus, we don't get any moralizing about whether Bingley can "control" his sister which is a trope that bugs me because it so SO overdone in JAFF.

Mostly i enjoyed that we see a friendship emerge between Mr. Bennet and Darcy. Though, tbh, I felt this story is actually more about that relationship than a romance between Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam.

It is a fun little story to spend an afternoon listening to.

The perfect voice for Mr. Darcy!

Neil Roy McFarlane does an excellent job narrating this lovely book by Grace Gibson. I have enjoyed the Fitzwilliam Darcy POV that Gibson has brought to life in several books, and McFarlane is the perfect voice for Darcy! He also does a commendable job on voicing all the characters...male and female alike! Gibson and McFarlane are an unbeatable pairing of talent.

Excellent

Grace Gibson has quickly become a favorite author of mine. I love her wit and humor. And I thank her for introducing me to Neil Roy Mcfarlane who has likewise become one of my favorite narrators. Can't recommend them both enough.

I love Gibson’s humorous P&P variations.

She such a great writer, I love the fact that she threads laughter throughout the story right along side the deeper sadder themes. Her writing is just as witty and intelligent as we’ve always been told Elizabeth Bennet was.

A very enjoyable narrator too. Highly recommended.

A Narrator not to be missed

Low angst and lots of interaction/conversation with ODC. The story is through Darcy's POV, and Mr. McFarlane is simply superb.