These Dreams: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Nicole Clarkston

Narrated by: Leena Emsley

Length: 26 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

An abandoned bride, a missing man, and a dream that refuses to die....

Pride and patriotism lend fervor to greed and cruelty, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is caught at the centre of a decades-old international feud. Taken far from England, presumed dead by his family, and lost to all he holds dear, only one name remains as his beacon in the darkness: Elizabeth.

Georgiana Darcy is now the heartbroken heiress to Pemberley, and Colonel Fitzwilliam her bewildered guardian. Vulnerable and unprepared, Georgiana desperately longs for a friend, while Fitzwilliam seeks to protect her from his own family. As the conspiracy around Darcy's death widens and questions mount, Colonel Fitzwilliam must confront his own past. An impossible dream, long ago sacrificed for duty, may become his only hope.

Newly married Lydia Wickham returns to Longbourn - alone and under mysterious circumstances. Elizabeth Bennet watches one sister suffer and another find joy, while she lives her own days in empty regrets over what might have been. Believing Darcy lost forever, she closes her heart against both pain and happiness, but finds no escape from her dreams of him.

©2017 Nicole Clarkston (P)2018 Nicole Clarkston

Unpredictable and New

Unlike any variation I have read before. My favorite part was actually the Colonel’s romance and change in Wickam’s character. Although the shared dreams were a bit far fetched. I also enjoyed the characters development in Lydia and Georgiana.

A really good story

I enjoyed this story, I loved how long it was. I can't focus on projects unless I have a book, so this one was a great task accomplisher. The story overall was really good, I LOVED Lydia in this version. She is still essentially Lydia, but in this version the comments that would normally be perceived as rude or crass are turned into caring/teaching/learning opportunities. I love that the author kept her true to her nature but allowed her to grow at the same time.

I wasn't a huge fan of the scenes in Portugal, especially the torture scenes and a scene involving the mean husband. I know that they are vital to telling the story completely, but I just did not need quite as much detail in those particular scenes. This is the only reason for not awarding a full 5 stars for the story and overall.

It was sweet watching ODC's emotional intimacy develop in this story. Watching Elizabeth help Darcy recover was endearing. I also loved how devoted Col. FW was to Darcy and to Georgiana and the complete confidence he had in Elizabeth.

The reader did an adequate job, some of the voices were very whiney/nasally. There are certainly much better out there, but she was not super annoying. I did have to speed up to 1.10 though, at 100 it was a little slow for me.

THESE DREAMS 3RD PART OF THE STORY

IF YOU LIKE THE BOOK OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE YOU WILL LOVE THIS STORY. THERE ARE 3 PARTS.... THAT WILL KEEP YOU AT THE. EDGE OF ARE SEAT.... THIS VARIATION STANDS ALONE. THE CHARACTERS YOU KNOW WELL BUT IT IS DIFFERENT TWIST. A GREAT STORY. WORTH THE CREDIT AND YOUR TIME.

Exasperating!

Good narrator. Decent story and writing even if a little ridiculous. There are too many side plots with the Portuguese characters- very telenovela. The constant inner monologues are tedious and pointless.
The worst part is that most of the main characters are watered down versions of the originals. For an experienced military commander, Colonel Fitzwilliam seems to have no courage through most of the book. He fails to “man up” repeatedly, especially when dealing with his Aunt Catherine. Yes, young Georgiana was always shy and meek. Yes, she’s grieving, but who lets an overbearing relative come in and rearrange her house? Seriously she has no pride at all.
Darcy has always been noted for his pride, character, intelligence. He spends most of the book whining instead of thinking or negotiating. Maybe I missed the part where Darcy and the Colonel were castrated and lobotomized. Even Elizabeth was disappointing. I can imagine her depression and grief, but she misses several glaringly obvious facts about Darcy’s situation. Even in the original she got to the bottom of Darcy’s involvement in Lydia’s wedding. Why then, does she fail to even contact Darcy’s family either by herself or through Bingley with that intelligence for months? SO EXASPERATING!

Well worth the time

I enjoy a good variation, and this one had me griping at the characters. There are only two reasons for me to do such a thing. The story is good, or I am frustrated with the author for not pulling the fullness of the scenario options into play. The synopsis of this one I skipped over several times since it did not seem to be a normal variation. I was not sure what to make of it with the little given. This story is lengthy, but I can honestly say it was GOOD! It kept me amused and I am planning a long road trip to listen to it again. Hope you enjoy the story as much as I did.

A Favorite Pride and Prejudice Variation

This book is in my top five in this genre. Is has a great plot, excellent dialogue, and a version of the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy that is full of angst, loss, tragedy, hope, recovery, and love. The narration was very good.

Beautiful

Such an amazing story. For a while there I thought everyone was working cross purposes towards each other but it all worked out in the end.
I hope more books by this author are released on Audible soon.

Wow fantastic story

It was a great story. Quite a lot of angst throughout the book. It is 26 hours of pure delight. Never a bored moment. And a bonus chapter at the end. Highly recommend this book to a Jane Austen fan fiction lover.

Just okay

Cannot say this was one of my fav P&P stories. Loved many aspects of the story. Darcey and Elizabeth have a special connection which I found endearing. The story was just okay.

Too long

I found the readers voice droning and unexciting. the story was way too long and disjointed. I did not get any pleasure from reading it. I had skipped forward even be and still found it wanting.