Silver Buckles

By: Grace Gibson

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman, Neil Roy McFarlane

She staggered a great man. He was reeling. She was overwhelmed.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, standing irritably at the edge of the Meryton assembly, declines to dance with Elizabeth Bennet. In a mood of revulsion, he rejects her without concern of being overheard. Country pretensions are always in need of squashing, and what better way to make clear he would not partner anyone outside his party? However, when he looks over at her, she does not appear humbled at all. She is secretly laughing at him!

Elizabeth is perversely delighted to encounter such an outrageous snob as Mr. Darcy. When he approaches her with a stiff, graceless apology, she coolly brushes him off, believing that, like most annoyances, he will go away when properly snubbed. But no! The man then puts out his hand, and, not wishing to create a scene, compels her to stand up with him.

They go through the steps of the dance mutually disdainful and intent upon wounding each other. But by the time the musicians end their tune, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have traded barbs with such accuracy, they are unaccountably amused and engaged. Will this most inconvenient flirtation drive them apart - or, like silver buckles, are they a matched pair?

©2020 Grace Gibson (P)2021 Grace Gibson

Exceptional narration

I have listened to this many times for the pleasure of listening to Neil Roy McFarlane. He makes this book. I can't imagine enjoying it nearly as much if it wasn't for him bringing to life how a man thinks, feels and views an emerging attraction fraught with obstacles and missteps. He reveals what's behind his solemnity and remarks that so frustrate those around him. I'm a little put off by the story's treatment of Bingley but did think from the original book that he could have been more positively decided in his direction regarding Jane even if his sisters and friend advised otherwise. I really liked this version and it was a delight to listen to. Neil Roy McFarlane and Stevie Zimmerman brought all the wit and charm of Grace Gibson's book to life.

Favorite among all I've read!!

Superb narration and wonderful spirited attitudes lend pleasant twists but all characters remain true. I don't miss shorter Bingley family and Wickham storylines.

#Favorite!!!

Jane Austen couldn’t have written better. The plot is all one could wish for, the dialogue sparkles with sharp wit and intelligence, and Mr.Darcy’s voice sounds like a man, not a woman’s version of a man, I’ve listened to this twice, and will revisit this old friend again.

Brilliant conversation

Silver Buckles begins with the Meryton Assembly, but this time Darcy and Elizabeth do dance. Most of the action takes place at Meryton, London and at Rosings, Lady Katherine's estate. The conversations between Elizabeth and Darcy are excellent. Darcy loves flirting with Elizabeth, which is not something he usually does with young ladies. Elizabeth leads him on a merry chase. They become very easy with one another. I like this book because ODC do spend a lot of time together and are almost always comfortable in their conversations. I also enjoyed Mary, Jane, Georgiana and the Gardiners.

The author is very talented. I really loved one of her other books, Old Boots, which is my favorite P&P variation. The narrators are excellent - particularly Neil Roy McFarlane. He has an amazing voice and his timing and expression are awesome. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent

Loved this book. Highly recommend it to JAFF fans. Elizabeth stands up to Darcy from the start and the sparks fly. ;o)

A dialogue lover’s delight

Oh, what a playful read! Such fun! Darcy and Elizabeth are delightful as they engage in a story full of delicious banter. Angst free, this book is such a pleasure to read. I hated to see it end. I adored this Elizabeth and Darcy. Highly recommend! I look forward to more from this author.

The male and female narration is excellent.

Silver Buckles Is Delightful

I liked the story told each by Elizabeth and Darcy’s point of view. This is a delightful P&P rendition. I enjoyed the character roles and would recommend this love story for all to read. The Audible reading my Zimmerman was excellent as usual. I found everything wonderful and

Sparkling P&P Variation

A sassy session on the dance floor starts this Pride and Prejudice variation off with the kind of snappy dialogue that had this reader laughing from the first page. Silver Buckles has the reader appreciating Austen's classic in a refreshing, standout variation with just a simple tweak to each character.

This Darcy is less taciturn and is caught up in the sizzling connection from the beginning letting it see him into the assembly dance line with the very female he just insulted and who gives back as good as she gets. As a result, Elizabeth is exposed to a Darcy whose arrogance is tempered by many other facets to his character and she can view him, if not with complete approbation, at least curiosity which alters how she views the consecutive events including Wickham's serpent tongue and the advent of Mr. Collin's arrival and the Bingley departure.

At the same time, Darcy, too, is less severe on the Bennets as a whole- though yes, he wouldn't go so far as to get cozy with them- and more interested in altering his flawed behavior toward others much sooner and this leaves him stymied by duty to family or love until his sister and cousin decide to keep him from making a hash of his chance at happiness.

Both narrators were splendid choices to voice Darcy and Elizabeth's alternating narration. I've enjoyed Stevie Zimmerman several times and was well pleased with my first listen to Neil Roy McFarlane. Both gave the characters such depth and I loved the additional nuances to the story.

All around, Silver Buckles was a lighter, engaging historical romcom. There is conflict, but there is humor as well. It was an easy and entertaining listen and easily leaving me smiling over the romance pair and other moments quite often. Those who enjoy their Austen light and a good Regency Romp should definitely give this one a go.

Great story

I really liked a male and female reader. Although I wished it could be done as Emma cast with Emma Thompson leading the group of readers.
I really liked the story being no opposition except ODC's own mind.
I wished there were more like this type of P & P variation.

Lovely story

I’ve read it before. Now I listened. Great narrator. So many twists and turns. Well written. Highly recommend this book to a Jane Austen fan fiction lover.