The Houseguest

A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

By: Elizabeth Adams

Narrated by: Brigid Lohrey

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Georgiana Darcy comes to Netherfield to visit her brother, she becomes friends with a neighbor, Elizabeth Bennet. After Miss Darcy has returned to London, she invites her new friend to stay with her at the Darcy home in town, unbeknownst to Mr. Darcy.

Will this change in circumstances lead to a change in affections?

©2013 Elizabeth Adams (P)2016 Elizabeth Adams

Maidens and Matrons

The story was very sweet, if much more long winded than necessary. I understand that the author wanted to recreate the series of misunderstandings that were the original, but every thing seemed drawn out. That being said there were some great scenes. I loved Lizzy's worries over being rude.
My major gripe is the voices of the "matrons." Mrs Bennett, lady Catherine, and Lady Matlock. they are way too nasal and read way to fast.
Am I glad I bought this? Yes

Excellent!

I've listened to it three times. It is so well done and satisfied all my revenge issues with the original book. Thank you! Keep writing. You have a gift. Maybe you will consider a Sense and Sensibility adventure. Please, please! xoxo

Best Pride and Prejudice Variation Out There!

This is the most satisfying P&P variant and a I’ve listed to newly 100. The characters keep their flavor from the original and story makes sense and it’s delightful! I have re-listed to this time and time again!

Good Story, but....

I read the book first and liked this variation when I found I could purchase the Audible version at a discount. Rarely have I been as disappointed in a purchase than I've been with this one. The narration all but ruins the story. She cannot do multiple voices well at all. Her vocal portrayal of Lord and Lady Matlock were pathetic, Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennett were poorly done as well. It will be a long time, if ever, before I listen to this again and I will never purchase another book narrated by her.

Nice Idea, but Not Worth Purchase

What disappointed you about The Houseguest?

I found this on a list of books to read if you love Jane Austen novels, but was pretty disappointed. The idea behind the retelling is great, but it's poorly executed. The characters do not seem to be true to the original, and it doesn't seem to follow Jane Austen's voice at all. Mr. Darcy's narratives seem to be the worst. Overall, it seemed too silly for me to finish.

Love a good P&P story

Highly recommend this to anyone looking for some fanfiction. The narrator is good and the story line is well thought out.

Ehhh……

I’ve listened to dozens of JAFF stories, and several variations by Ms. Adams that I enjoyed, but I just couldn’t get into this one.

I’m not sure if it’s the narration, or that the pacing is too slow, but I can’t get pass the few couple of chapters, and I’ve tried several times.

In fact the first time I tried I FELL ASLEEP in the middle of Chapter 1. Oh well……

Good but not the best P&P variation

I truly hated this narrator. Her inflections made all characters seem ridiculous. I had to listen on 1.5.
Story was good but not the best variation I have listened to or read.
I do wish audible would get other authors in P&P variation.
Most of the book is the struggle Darcy had with the class E comes from and her family. The only thing I had against the story is how stupid the author makes Darcy. He tells a friend of his how below Bingley 's station and unsuitable Jane and her family is for Bingley but doesn't think Elizabeth should take offense in overhearing despairing remarks about her family being said. Although that happen in the real P&P.
The real truth is that Bingley is even beneath Jane. He isn't a landed Gentry and his fortune from his father is from trade. Jane's father is of the landed Gentry class. Another true occurrence in the original P&P.
Which always made me wonder why Miss Austen did that.
I did like the story and probably would have like it more with a better narrator. I kept thinking how stupid the characters sound but I now think it's because of the bad narration.

Enjoyable

Brigid Lohrey is a talented voice actress. This was a great bit of Austenesque pastiche. Easy to recommend.

Not true to Austen.

The story was drawn out longer than needed and the ending was interesting. i wished the author stayed true to Austen and spent more time on what happens after the wedding. it was so drawn out i was getting angry. would no listen again

Poor narration

I quiet enjoy Elizabeth Adams as a story teller but this is let down by a poor narrator who I found grated. Her accent and inflection are completely miss placed and I would be wary of purchasing anything else she reads.

delightful

Very enjoyable variation. Narrator was okay, some characters voices grated on me and had to haughty a tone which was perfect for Lady Catherine but felt it unfriendly in others.

Another enjoyable story by EA

BL's narration is good and works well with this gentle tale. Unlike many P&P variations, there's no danger due to an evil/insane character and misunderstandings aren't dragged out until you want to bash their heads together!

The focus is very much on Elizabeth: it's all about her changing perception of Darcy and her attempts to reconcile the man in Hertfordshire with the one she sees in London and, later, the one who separated Jane and Bingley. That's not to say that Darcy is neglected, but he accepts that he wants to marry her early in the story, only to be tripped up by his own actions.

Personalities are generally faithful to the original story (although Lady C's motivation is almost certainly darker than JA would have made it, if she'd seen fit to give one).

The story could have done with editing, as it's really longer than necessary and cuts could have been made without detracting from the story. Her later books are much better in this regard and I highly recommend them.

I know some people don't like steamy variations, so I'll just finish by saying that this is a clean story that doesn't go any further than one scene of passionate kissing.

One of the best

I really enjoyed both the story and the narration. I felt the atmosphere of period and language was done beautifully, and the whole left me with a smile on my face.
I will look out for Elizabeth Adams's next vagary.

A delicious experience

What made the experience of listening to The Houseguest the most enjoyable?

The reader's voice was varied, interesting and gave a delicious sense of confiding secrets about the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Darcy, as he was as infuriating as ever!

What does Brigid Lohrey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The voices of all the different characters were wonderfully conveyed.

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

I laughed, or more accurately, smiled often,but also became involved in the love story again.

Any additional comments?

A thoroughly enjoyable reading and I will try others by Brigid Lohrey.