Unwilling

A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

By: Elizabeth Adams

Narrated by: Mark Topping

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Mr. Bennet discovers his days are numbered, so he immediately begins to set his affairs - and his five unmarried daughters - in order. Knowing they will fare best should at least one of them find a suitable husband, he cannot refuse any respectable suitors.

The high-spirited Elizabeth suspects something isn't right in the halls of Longbourn, but nothing prepares her for a certain haughty gentleman from Derbyshire. While Mr. Darcy is exceedingly wealthy and handsome, in Elizabeth's eyes, he is also proud, high-handed, and insulting. And unfortunately, desperately in love with her.

Suddenly, Elizabeth is forced to rethink her previous opinions. And accept a choice she never had the chance to make.

©2016 Elizabeth Adams (P)2016 Elizabeth Adams

Mr. Bennet takes control

I think this is one of my favourite portrayals of Mr. Bennet in a variation. Knowing he won’t live to old age, he takes control of his family, setting down some rules, and cutting back on expenses. He also gives his consent and blessing to Darcy who wants to propose to Elizabeth. While both of them act foolish at times, I enjoyed the premise very much. Mark Topping provides an excellent narration and performance.

sequel needed

this book is so wonderful that it's one that you dont want to end. the epilogue is nice but theres a whole series of book possibilities here

Another great story by Miss Adams

I really liked this story . Watching (or listening in this case) to Darcy & Elizabeth grow into a cherished love was very warm hearted . I loved the new Mr, Bennet & his silly wife . What a little vagary can do to a character is amazing

Although the narrator was very good & has a lovely speaking voice It was a little hard listening to Lizzy & Jane with a male voice trying to be feminine LOL 😆

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK

Satisfying Pride and Prejudice variation

This variation of P&P has some interesting changes. Mr. Bennett takes control of wife and silly daughters. Mrs. Bennett is more subdued. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett spice things up a little with one another. Jane has two good choices for husband. Elizabeth and Darcy get a chance to be together and learn more about one another. Darcy still ticks me off sometimes and Mrs. Bennett still acts silly sometimes, but it is really a good story with the main attractions being the love affair and marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy. The narration is good, but not brilliant. Men generally have a tough time performing female voices

nothing happened

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Being an avid P&P reader, I was disappointed that there were no challenges for the two lovers.

Would you recommend Unwilling to your friends? Why or why not?

Really a disappointing retelling and would not recommend it.

What about Mark Topping’s performance did you like?

better than average

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

not really

Wonderful Epilogue

Of course, you need to read or listen to the entire story to get to the epilogue, but that is not a hardship with this well crafted story.

I can’t elaborate with a spoiler, but it is worth the time to listen.

Mr. Topping is one of my favorite male narrators of JAFF. No disappointment there either!

Review on Unwilling by Elizabeth Adams

A delightful P&P variation. The pacing is good, and the characters well developed. I enjoyed Elizabeth Adams' writing style tremendously. I tend to find most P&P variations drag along the way as the story unfolds, but this one is very well-done. Of course, the author doesn't really dwell on unpleasant characters; there is no antagonists in the story: Lady Catherine and Wickham are nowhere to be seen, but the story itself is cleverly-plotted. It is different than any other P&P variations I have read before, and I have to admit that it outshines most of them.
The narrator has done a good job; at first I found it odd to have a male narrator , but it all turned out splendidly.

Such a fun listen

Humorous, touching, a litte spicy without being over the top! Well written and narrated. Highly recommended!

Unbalanced

Too much time given to inconsequential musings while resolutions to several major characters left hanging. At one point Mrs. Bennet is lamenting her inability to have children after Lydia was born and yet the epilogue gives little explanation for what happened to her. Also Mary, Lydia, the Collins, Miss Bingly, Georgianna, Col. Fitzwilliam, Wickham, Ann DeB. No ending to these characters. Elizabeth takes too long to come around and seems kind of unfeeling. She is much more likable and resolute in the original story than presented in this story. I don’t see how Darcy could keep up the lovelorn charm and patience that long. I lost patience with her myself. Narrator was fine but the story was a good idea but had skipped over the important parts in favor of discussion about shopping, incidents at gatherings letters etc.

a cute story, but Darcy is an ass sometimes

I can let the asshole behavior go in most situations, but when they're traveling and she's tired and not wearing fancy nightclothes and he throws a hissy fit to rival Lydia? ya that got a lil too ridiculous