Dear Nameless Stranger

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Jeannie Peneaux

Narrado por: Mandy Gasson

“Please admire my docile and obedient nature. I will not thank you for providing us with a home, nor will I even breathe a word of gratitude for your provision of such funds as will feed us each quarter. I will not even write such platitudes as ‘You are very good,’ given that you have also provided us with respectability in the form of Mrs. Ingles. There. I am quite done now with not expressing my gratitude – I should not at all wish to prove tiresome.”

From the author of Tact, Dear Nameless Stranger is a heartwarming tale inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Jean Webster’s Daddy Long Legs.

Tragedy has struck the Bennet sisters but they are greatly relieved when the anonymous kindness of a stranger means that they can remain together. In exchange for such charity, a monthly letter is required from each sister. It is a fortunate thing that Miss Elizabeth Bennet rather likes letter-writing, for she relishes the opportunity to relate to this unknown gentleman all her impressions and opinions regarding her changed circumstances.

With each passing month, Elizabeth confides more in the nameless stranger, and by the time Netherfield Park is once again occupied by the amiable Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy, she is quite frank in writing of her dismay.

©2019 Jeannie Peneaux (P)2020 Jeannie Peneaux

Mashup

This book is a mashup of JAFF and Daddy Long-Legs fan fiction (does such a thing exist? Probably). Since I think Daddy Long-Legs has to be the best epistolary novel that exists, and yet still not as good as Pride and Prejudice for genius I think it was a wise plan to follow the basic plot of P&P and lean toward DLL in the character sketches. Overall the book is so sympathetic toward all the Bennet sisters and so unsympathetic toward certain other characters as to make them different people than they are in the original. But that’s the beauty of fan fiction-you can go wherever you like. This particular pairing works very well and made for an enjoyable and soothing afternoon.

Dear Nameless Stranger, I LOVED it!

Rarely do I comment on reviews, but I truly enjoyed this story. The narrator did well (wished her male voices were deeper, but hardly worth mentioning). I will definitely be listening to this one multiple times!

delightful

a delightful story. I would prefer to have the first part integrated into the rest of the story. the narrator distinguished the characters well and struck the right tone. her subtle humor added complemented the authors wit and the author complemented the incomparable Jane. well done all!

A clever variation.

The letters provide a different and richer perspective on the characters. I enjoyed the story very much!

A wonderful read

I have read a many A pride and prejudice variation and have come to see that this is one of my favorites the narrator spoke very well she brought the book to life with her words and was able to bring the characters of the Bennett as well as Darcy to life. The story in itself is a wonderful read. even in the midst of tragedy the story goes and shows how one simple act of kindness can change the lives of so many if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted but immensely and deeply romantic I highly recommend this book. I bought this book I was not offered it I just found it randomly as I am a very big fan of pride and prejudice variations I hope this review me helps those just like me. I hope you all have a fun and happy read.

A Wonderful Wonderful Delight!!!!

This far exceeded my expectations. I wish it went on and on because I was so sad when I heard "The End". Jeannie Peneaux is an extremely talented writer. She fleshed out the five Bennett sisters, each with a distinct and interesting personality. In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett died within days of one another from an illness. The heir, Rev Collins, a despicable excuse of a man, turned the Bennett daughters out of their home without a penny. Darcy, whose marriage was previously was harshly turned down by Elizabeth, found out that this was going to happen because his Aunt Katherine wrote and told him. She also told him she advised Rev Collins that he should not make any financial provisions for the girls. Collins took everything! Darcy anonymously provided the sisters a cottage in Meryton, an absolutely fantastic lady companion, and funds for support. The only thing the sisters had to do in return was send a monthly letter to the anonymous benefactor they called "Sir". The story was told in large part through these letters. I grew to love the spirited Lydia. Mary was magnificent. Kitty was the best surprise of them all because her letters were so clever and imaginative (her letters alone make the book worth a listen). One of Jane's letters actually brought me to tears. Mary's letters showed that she was a strong principled person and was not afraid to admonish Rev Collins in a harsh manner for his despicable character. Elizabeth's letters gave Darcy much insight into her true feelings and he grew more in love than ever with her. It requires an extremely talented writer to impart such strong emotions in the reader/listener. I was totally immersed and wanted more, more, more.

This was the first book in which I have heard the narrator, Mandy Gaston. Her performance was amazing. She has a very pleasant smooth voice and read with a perfect understanding of the story. Her inflection and cadence are spot on. She did not mispronounce a single word. Her performance made this already fantastic book even more fantastic. Both the author and the narrator were new to me and I am going to look for more books from them.

I highly recommend this book. Even if you have never heard of Pride and Prejudice, I believe you will love this book simply because of the excellent writing and performance. As I said, it is a wonderful wonderful delight.

Best JAFF love Story!

This book is so wonderfully written and the narration so beautifully done! I didn't want this book to end. There should be a book 2 about the life the Bennett girls had and the continuation of ODC.

Charming Sister Story

Very well done. It was nice to see into the thoughts of all of the sisters. We are treated to a wholly different experience of our dear friends. Thankfully, no Caroline, Mrs. Bennet or Lady Catherine dropping in unannounced. Very little Mr. Collins ~ additional bonus there. The thoughts and feelings of the daughters are poignant and beautifully written. I was sorry it ended so quickly as there was so much more I wanted to see to fruition with Jane especially but all of the ladies. After all they had been through in the many months before the story started it would have been nice to see them all land on their feet. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to and gave the story life.

One of my favourites

Oh, this was a wonderfully endearing variation. I loved the storyline, and the letters were delightfully worded. The author’s writing is very very good. Sweet, clean read. Highly recommend. I loved it all. Mandy Gasson’s narration of the letters was also very good. This is one of those books worth listening to more than once.

4.5 Stars

I enjoyed it prodigiously except for the very end. Yes, having the story finishing with a letter was quite fitting but having ODC at a fair distance at end of the tale and without them being wed yet seemed a little awkward. I think perhaps having Lizzy writing a teasing love letter to her husband, of some time, that is down stairs or somewhere else close at hand would have been sweeter, a little more lighthearted. Idk...just a thought.