The Most Interesting Man in the World

A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Unabridged)

By: Jan Ashton, Justine Rivard

Narrated by: David Pickering

Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Charles Bingley is a man who relies on Darcy’s judgment in all things yet understands very little of it, at least when Darcy is speaking Greek to a horse who only understands Latin or staring at the quick-witted sister of his own angelic Jane Bennet. What was happening behind the scenes at Netherfield, Pemberley, and Darcy House, and just what did those men talk about over billiards and brandy? A generous, kind, and always hungry Bingley sheds a little light on keeping company with the most interesting man in the world and shares his thoughts on puppies, his dreadful sisters, and the meaning of happiness.

©2020 Jan Ashton, Justine Rivard (P)2020 Quills & Quartos Publishing

The most interesting man in the world

I’ve listened to this book several times and it always brings on laughs and chuckles. It is one of the funniest Austenesque variations I’ve ever listened to. David Pickering does a fabulous job of narrating.

Brava!

As much as I liked reading this one, I think I enjoyed the book narration even better. David Pickering was wonderful in his interpretation of Bingley and all the rest. Great pacing and terrific voices.

Great JAFF

This book was written from mr Bingley’s perspective. Most male thoughts and discussion between Bingley Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Interesting.

Not recommended

Though the story is written alright and the performance of the reader is well done, I cannot recommend this book. It portrays Mr. Bingley as an absolute idiot with an inability to focus on anything longer than a moment. He has no substance and is nearly as fawning of Mr. Darcy as Mr. Collins is to Lady Catherine.
The whole time I kept hoping that his character would evolve but it never happened.
I would like to see more stories from Mr. Bingley's point of view. I think the concept was good, just not well executed.

Clever, Amusing Page-turner

Never has a so closely canon based story been so unique. So much witty repartee, I kept wondering how long they could keep it up...to the very last page, it turns out. Darcy’s famously flawed friend finds his voice via Ashton and Rivard. Even in his worst moments, we see a sympathetic portrayal and—most satisfactorily—why Darcy needs him in his life. This book is a perfect introduction to "JAFF" (Jane Austen Fan Fiction) for those new to the genre, who might be wondering: why would anyone try to add to Jane Austen's canon? The Most Interesting Man answers that question. I’m so glad I listened!
Pickering does a fabulous narration. Best Colonel Fitzwilliam I've ever listened to. Well played!

Too funny to be missed

I listened to this audiobook in one single day because once I started listening to it, I could not stop. I had to leave everything I was doing to continue listening to this story, and that was because the book is incredibly entertaining, but also because David Pickering’s narration is simply perfect! I believe the audiobook may be the best way to get into this story. Forget about the paperback or the ebook, this story deserves to be brought to you by a male narrator as talented as David Pickering who completely understood the tone the authors wanted it to have. Highly recommend this audiobook.

Hilarious and Brilliant

Welcome to the mind of Charles Bingley, landed gentleman (finally), lover of puppies, and innocent soul. This book is a voyeuristic look at Bingley's incoherent and rambling thoughts as he watches Darcy (the "most interesting man in the world") move through life, make mistakes, and fall in love. It is one of the most endearing things I've listened to in all the world of Jane Austen fan fiction. It's extremely well done.

It is also hysterically funny. I laughed out loud so many times. I also frequently had to pause and play back portions for my husband or daughter so they could share in the giggles.

I absolutely loved it. This one is rather short, but don't be put off by that. It's short because this is not a retelling, and it is not a variation with new plot points to explain. Following Austen's canon story, this title assumes that the reader is well familiar with the original plot and simply drops us into Bingley's head to observe a new scene in each chapter.

If I had a bone to pick -- and I do, but it's a very small one -- I dislike how very infantilized Bingley is in this tale. He's a grown, educated man from a family that dragged itself from the merchant class into a level of fortune that allows for the purchase of land and an entry into the ranks of idle gentry. The idea that Jane Bennet's true love is quite this juvenile and ignorant...well, it irritated me for about the first half hour.

Oh, but if you can overlook that, it will be worth it. This is so original and so funny. If you need a pick-me-up, give it a listen. It'll be the cherry on top of your day.

Not the Most Interesting…

I love David Pickering, but I could not stop hearing the voice of Doug the dog from Up in my own head. That’s who Mr Bingley strongly reminded me off. A chapter or so of that may have been great, but not the entire book. This one is not on my re-listen to list.

proof Jane was too good for Bingley

Struggled to finish. Liked the narration. The story line just proves what I have felt since reading P & P many years ago. Jane deserved better than Bingley. Did like Hurst and the Colonel.