Interesting variation

As usual Stevie Zimmerman is a flawless narrator.
The story has an original variation where Jane's Netherfield cold turns out to be smallpox and an epidemic sweeps through the town.
I liked Charlotte's alternative fate.
Would have liked Miss Bingley to have a worse comeuppance at the end.

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trials of the Bennett really developed their individual characters

Really enjoyed this very different pride and prejudice variation, much more heart rending than some but really developed the Bennett as individuals. Not as much of a fan of Darcys extended family as some variations make them particularly Colonel Fitzwilliam.

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An interesting variation

The travails of smallpox form a large part of the story which lifts it out of the ordinary..

It goes a bit downhill when we get to the romantic bits. Darcy talking to the late Mrs Bennet's grave and promising to look after her daughter is mawkish and I felt uncomfortable with Lady Matlock's crass handling of Caroline Bingley's spite. A lady of her experience and charm would have been more subtle but equally deadly.

I could have done without the dreadful Americanism 'visit with' instead of the English 'visit'. Also 'were sat' instead of 'sat'.

Stevie Zimmerman does her normal excellent job.

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Much better than expected

I’d skipped past this variation as the plot summary sounded like it might be a bit depressing and I like listening to P&P variations for light escapism. I was most pleasantly surprised; great story, expertly narrated; I shall definitely listen again.

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A compelling listening

This was a great story and really easy to get caught up in.
It flowed smoothly and was read very well, so well that I only thought about the narrator as I was writing this, as opposed to other stories with less adept readers.

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Definitely not to be missed.

Jane Bennet becomes unwell whilst visiting Netherfield Park.

Surprisingly, Mrs Bennet is delighted! Why worry about a trifling cold? After all, more time in the house of the amiable and wealthy, Mr Bingley must lead to a proposal.

Elizabeth Bennet is worried for her sister, so she walks to Netherfield Park to check on her.

Unfortunately, the trifling cold, turns out to be smallpox. Elizabeth has been exposed, so enters quarantine with Jane.

Smallpox spreads through the area, so many households are quarantined.

Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy have both been inoculated against smallpox, so undertake to assist the apothecary in monitoring the outbreak.

As Jane grows worse, Elizabeth feels very alone. Support comes from an unexpected person.

Elizabeth had thought Mr Darcy unpleasant and haughty, but he shows himself to be kind and the best of men.

Whilst Elizabeth struggles at Netherfield, Longbourn has five people sick. Mary, though healthy is burdened with caring for several patients, while trying to keep the house running.

When the outbreak is over, sixty eight souls have been lost.

The families gradually emerge from their isolation, to mourn, to reconnect and to slowly move on. The survivors face devastating changes.

Such exceptional times, yield profound changes in character and some unexpected romances.

The strange experience of COVID and lockdowns, makes it all too easy to imagine such a frightening situation.

Frances Reynolds has captured the fear, grief and gritty reality of smallpox, together with the green shoots of hope and burgeoning love.

Definitely not to be missed.

Stevie Zimmerman's narration is excellent!

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