The Longbourn Quarantine

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Don Jacobson

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Refugees flood the roads. The feared specter of smallpox has escaped London’s grimy docklands and now threatens the wealthy districts. Amongst that ragged stream is a single carriage jostling its way toward Meryton. Inside are the Darcy siblings along with Charles and Caroline Bingley. They desperately seek the safety of Netherfield Park. 

For all their riches, they cannot evade the plague’s dark hand. Bingley’s leasehold has been reduced to rubble as roving bands rape, pillage, and burn. The only sanctuary is Longbourn where, once installed, the Darcys and Bingleys are barred from leaving by a fortnight’s quarantine. 

Events converge with disease in The Longbourn Quarantine. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy abandon old prejudices in the face of grief and mourning. Pride is set aside as Death hovers nearby. The couple forges ahead, knowing that love unexplored is love lost — that words must be said lest they remain unspoken in the time of epidemic. 

©2020 Don Jacobson (P)2020 Don Jacobson

Plague Brings a New Chance at Love

In a pandemic year, a historical set in the time of plague strikes home. With thought to historical setting, setting within the world of a classical story, character growth, and relationships, this longer novella was a heartwarming and thoughtful listen narrated by a talented narrator.

The Longbourn Quarantine is a variation on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and takes up the story after the point that Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys leave Hertfordshire for London and stay away until a small pox plague decimates London and people rush to the country for safety. Some of those are the Darcys and Bingleys who must seek refuge with the very family they ditched and there the story takes off.

As with any variation story, there is an original story in the background and a fresh new one unfolding. I found the descriptions of the plague's spread, how people acted both nobly or selfishly, and how life carried on during this time was on the nose. A listener does not have to have a previous acquaintance with Austen's classic because the author explains the circumstances well and describes the whole cast of characters and their interwoven relationships in detail.

Have you ever voiced the opinion when reading/listening to a a romance that the pair just need to be locked in a closet together and forced to actually communicate which would likely take care of all their differences? Ha, me, too. I felt that this forced quarantine on the Bennet estate makes Elizabeth really look at the man's words and actions that she is convinced is unfeeling, selfish and arrogant just like Darcy must see his friend and Elizabeth's sister's real love and Elizabeth's family behaving generously and like any average family to see he judged them harshly and thought too much of his upper class background to give his own true love a chance. I enjoyed the way their story and the overall story developed as a result.

One would think having a plague running rabid through a story would be a downer especially now, but the author didn't let it. Don't get me wrong, the plague brought hardship and even sorrow, but there is great hope, too. The epilogue is oozing with goodness that might be far-fetched in the way it was lavishly dispensed, but I was in the mood for happily ever after all around.

The narrator, Stevie Zimmerman is one I am long familiar with and really appreciate her way of connecting to her characters and historical settings so that her voice work enhanced the story.

All in all, it was a comfy listen, engaging with my mood perfectly, and a fabulous cast of characters and plot. Those who enjoy sweet historical romance or Austen-themed stories should give this one a chance.

Perfect for a 2020 Listen

This was a very timely and well written story with a JAFF theme. Stevie Zimmerman was perfect, as usual.

Wonderfully written short story.

I love the premise, lack of angst, and the true to character renditions created by this author.

Wonderful surprise

Don't let the brevity of this book cheat you from experiencing its pleasure. Worthy writing and a delightful trip back to the characters of Pride and Prejudice.

Great story

This story about quarantine is similar to today’s virus spreading the world. New revelations to ODC. Wickham is doing his thing to help. Really an endearing story. I liked it a lot.

Lads, just listen to it! One of the best

I absolutely loved this! There is sadness and the quarantine backdrop is very apt. But the story is beautifully crafted with bits of humour (had to pause the story after the 'dour tower' comment!) and the magnificent use of words .
This is the first P&P variation I has listened to with a dedication - it was also beautifully written and I wish the best to the author and his quarantine partner