Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Joana Starnes

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

When Colonel Fitzwilliam's disclosures are interrupted by the bearer of distressing news from Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is compelled to accept an offer she would have otherwise dismissed out of hand. An offer of marriage from the all-too-proud Mr. Darcy. Yet how is she to live with a husband she hardly knows and does not love? Will she continue to feel trapped in a marriage of convenience while events conspire to divide them? Or would love grow as, day by day and hour after hour, she learns to understand the man she married, before she loses his trust and his heart?

(Given the "early marriage" premise, the issue of growing affection and intimacy is central to the story. The relevant scenes are not graphic, but the novel does address mature themes.)

©2016 Joana Starnes (P)2017 Joana Starnes

P&P gets an interesting twist

Loved the narration. Enjoyed the storyline because it put both Darcy & Elizabeth in a new twist. Well done. These stories are for mind escape and fun.

Heart-wrenching and Emotional P&P Variation

"Serve and obey, a terrifying burden when one cannot also love and honor. How could she sacrifice herself thus?"

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Col Fitzwilliam's revelation of Darcy's interference in Bingley and Jane's budding romance is interrupted by a letter from Longbourn with disastrous news. Mr. Bennet has been struck down by an apoplectic fit and lies at death's door. Darcy recognizes that Mr. Collins will cast out the Bennet family the moment Mr. Bennet passes and immediately proposes to Lizzy. His proposal is tempered with apologies for the timing and kindness in his consideration of her current condition. He offers to convey her to Longbourn and on the way Lizzy considers his offer.

Lizzy only knows that Darcy is cold and capable of cruelty to those once considered friends, she believes that he is a proud and reserved man. But she also perceives the love he has for her and the closeness and companionship he shares with Bingley and Fitzwilliam. She recognizes the advantages to her family, and that close association with Bingley may bring him back to Jane. Lizzy agrees to marry him, and Darcy is overcome with joy. But simply saying "yes" can't solve their problems. Lizzy struggles in a marriage of unequal affections, and Darcy wonders what happened to the lively and charming girl he fell in love with.

Poor Lizzy! and poor Darcy! Without Lizzy's words of refusal to dispel Darcy's pride, and Darcy's letter to clear up her misconceptions, Lizzy continues to willfully misunderstand Darcy and he remains blissfully unaware of her true feelings of disapprobation. Darcy makes blunder after blunder and repeatedly insults her family, while Lizzy rails at her lack of choice in the marriage but won't speak up for herself. Both of them are the losers in this situation. Things finally come to a head after Darcy learns that Lizzy didn't marry him for love, and their woeful failure to communicate leads to some of the most heartbreaking scenes in any P&P variation I've read.

The author made me feel Lizzy and Darcy's pain deeply, the emotional turmoil she created was incredible. I spent chapters unable to work because I was blinded by tears, and I haven't been able to begin a new book yet. This isn't a lighthearted or frothy read, but a well written novel about love grown through gratitude and two very different people coming to understand each other. Ms. Starnes' writing was impeccable, and she lifted my heart with warm loving scenes between our couple, then ripped it out of my chest with wrenching descriptions of their pain.

Who better to narrate this beautiful retelling than Stevie Zimmerman? Her voice is quickly becoming synonymous with Pride & Prejudice to me. She is able to masterfully perform the male character's voices, and her normal speaking voice is so pleasant. She has the perfect accent, tone, and voice for each character. They came alive and lived and loved through my speakers.

I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I have this book on my reread list, and it is well worth an audible credit.

A hard lessened learned

If you could sum up Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter in three words, what would they be?

Misunderstanding, love, and forgiveness.

What did you like best about this story?

Elizabeth growing to love her husband and trying to make him happy. Let’s say it was hard work, more than I’m could have imagined.

Which character – as performed by Stevie Zimmerman – was your favorite?

Elizabeth of course. Stevie Zimmerman made All the characters come to life and is always a pleasure to listen to without any of the characters sounding hokey.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Mrs. Bennet causes havoc wherever she is but what else is new.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I wanted more.

Wonderful Story and Audible Narration

This is a wonderful P&P variation, wonderfully narrated by Stevie Zimmerman. This book includes part of the story told via Mrs. Reynolds, the Pemberly Housekeeper’s diary. That is a nice touch. I highly recommend Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter to anyone that wants to read a really good love story.

Surprising twists and turn

This book starts in Kent when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. Right before the proposal, Elizabeth learns that her father is seriously ill and she accepts Darcy's proposal to provide her family with security. The story proceeds as expected with Darcy showing what a good,kind and thoughtful person he really is (with some proud and haughty thrown in to keep the reader entertained). Elizabeth's opinion of Darcy, of course, begins to change and I thought our couple was home free when Elizabeth says those three little words. Much to my surprise (and absolute delight) Ms. Starnes threw in a Jane Austen worthy Hunsford moment. The pain and anguish of Darcy and Elizabeth was riveting and the narrator made me feel the emotions even more so. I can honestly say that I am glad I listened to this book on audio before I read it. One of my all time favorites.

WOW! I LOVE this one!!!

I’ve read (listened to) a lot of these JAFF stories lately and this one took me by surprise. Lizzy marries Darcy early to protect her family. At the time of her marriage she is still suspicious of his character. She slowly learns he may be more than he seems as she still battles her preconceived impressions of him.

Then it all falls apart, dramatically, leaving both Lizzy and Darcy in turmoil.

This is not a Mr.Darcy I’ve ever met before. I’m both angry at him and heartbroken for them both. Ms. Starnes has turned up the volume on our characters in this one resulting in a story that left me in tears. I’ve actually listened to it again since I first wrote the review and, even though I knew what was coming, I still ended up in tears.

Stevie Zimmerman again does an outstanding job of bringing the words to life. I saw another review,of a different story, say that Ms. Zimmerman IS Lizzy and Darcy and I firmly agree! Her talents are well above par!

A fantastic Pride and Prejudice variation

I was most impressed with this story. It held my interest throughout as it kept close to the Pride and Prejudice theme. I loved the ending/epilogue. Excellent.

Amazing!

By far my favorite book of Joana Starnes yet! I love the premise of 'will Elizabeth grow to love Mr. Darcy after accepting (against her true wishes) his Hunsford proposal?' I have read several variations of this theme, and this is the first time I have ever been heartbreakingly worried that Elizabeth and Darcy would not end up together. I literally had nightmares worrying about the outcome of this story! I absolutely love this book and really appreciate Bingley and Fitzwilliam's roles. The author is so beautifully expressive and made me feel every emotion that Elizabeth and Darcy went through. I laughed, cried, and my hands literally shook with worry that my best beloved characters would not get their happily ever afters. Stevie Zimmerman is amazing as the narrator (as usual! I am a big fan and choose the books she narrates first if I can help it). Everything about this book is genuinely amazing and I look forward to listening to it again and again!

Love this book

Such a joy to hear this wonderful book. Heartwrenchingly beautiful prose. Narration very delightfully done.

A must read or listen

I listen to many P&P variations and I must say this is so fabulous! I cried when Darcy left and loved every minute of it. Please continue to write Joana, you are so gifted. Will always look for your new books. I also love Stevie Zimmerman's readings. She is great too.