I Never Knew Myself

A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Darcy and Elizabeth Happily Ever Afters)

By: Melanie Rachel

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman, Harry Frost

Elizabeth Bennet is living a lie.

She’s known since she was fifteen that she isn't truly a Bennet, but who is she? Are the people and places that appear in her dreams just a sign of her active imagination, or are they memories of her true family? Could the stories she'd told Jane when they were children not be stories at all?

Fitzwilliam Darcy is reliving a nightmare.

He hasn’t dreamed of “Ellie” Windham in years, but after meeting Elizabeth Bennet, he is reminded of the day little Ellie was kidnapped. And now he is left to wonder whether he is drawn to more than her fine eyes. When Darcy realizes that Elizabeth and Ellie might be one and the same, he is anxious to return her to the Windhams, and Elizabeth is no less eager to meet her family. But when the idyllic reunion she longed for goes awry, both Darcy and Elizabeth wonder whether it’s really possible to put a broken family back together again.

Can Darcy help Elizabeth find her place in her first family so she can one day join him in his?

©2020 Melanie Rachel (P)2024 Melanie Rachel

A great listen.

Having the 2 best readers in one book was a real treat! Good characters. Mrs Bennett was particularly horrifying.

Superb

Everything about this book is wonderful and lovely. Rich characters, engaging storylines, inventive plot that evolves instead of being rushed and the two best narrators. Couldn’t ask for more.

Lovely story

This is from my second time listening to this audiobook. I like the Elizabeth is not a Bennet trope. The story is fairly low angst and easy to listen to. Only one observation on the storyline that frankly surprises me; namely that I felt somewhat sorry for Mrs Bennet. This even though, if I heard correctly, she was always a witch. It’s hard not to feel sorry for someone who lost two children to the machinations of Collins. It doesn’t excuse how she treated Elizabeth, but I can see where it could turn her bitter.

The narration was excellent. I don’t usually prefer multiple narrators, both Mr Frost and Ms Zimmerman do a good job voicing the opposite sex so I didn’t see the point. It was actually a little distracting.

Overall a Very Good Listen

I greatly enjoyed this story. The writing was clear, with a lovely plot and characters, not to mention thoughtful dialog.

Though, I do feel that I should point out that if you are looking for a tale that follows Canon to some degree, with faithful characterizations of Elizabeth and Darcy - this isn't the story for you.

I liked this version of ODC, but I never really felt like it WAS them... which is understandable because the world each grew up in was drastically different from the original. So it follows that there would be subtle changes to behavior. I compliment the author for her attention to detail.

Darcy was much more forthright and this Elizabeth is a little less certain about things. This isn't a criticism - its just meant to moderate expectations of those looking for a story more true to the original. Other than Longbourn, Netherfield, and the names of most characters - there is little resemblance to Austen's work.

One small criticism i did have: while I like it when authors give us a stronger, less naive Jane - I thought this Jane was a little more self centered than "Jane" should be.

I adored Mary though.. oddly this Mary reminded me more of Austen's Jane than Jane did. This was certainly one of my favorite variations for Mary's character though. I also liked the thoughtful inclusion of some teen angst for Georgiana & Mercy.

I always know Elizabeth is going to be altered when her one of her nicknames is "Ellie". Sorry, but i am not a fan of this name change for Elizabeth. Again, I am certain this was a plot device meant to highlight that "Elizabeth is not a Bennet," but I still rebel when it's used.

While these are minor criticisms, or concerns -I can't emphasize enough, it was a very good book. I am just not sure it needed a 'Pride and Prejudice' setting to be told.

A wonderful story voiced to life

INKM is arguably the best version of the "Elizabeth is not a Bennet" trope. Mel's writing is unparalleled. Her cjoice to habe both Stevie and Harry read it aloud is extraordinary. A 5-star audio now added to a 5-star novella. Very well done, all of you.