This variation was interesting, I'm on the fence

Stevie Zimmerman is as always, excellent, and the story was good; but I couldn't help feeling that three quarters of the way through the story started to drag. Elizabeth's character although strong and admirable seemed very different from the one in the original Jane Austen novel. Jane Austen's Elizabeth was wise, witty, smart, and unworldly. The Elizabeth in this book lacked some of the innocence that I admired in the original Jane Austen novel. Although a good novel in its own right this is not one that I wish to keep and re-read in my library.

2 people found this helpful

This would make a great movie! Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I absolutely would recommend this book. As a Jane Austen fan, I find it hard for variations to live up to the original; however, there was nothing about this story line that I did not thoroughly enjoy. The author does a superb job of fleshing out these beloved characters, and warming up Mr. Darcy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On Equal Ground?

Mr. Darcy's alcohol-induced epic fail at flirting with Elizabeth.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

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2 people found this helpful

Simply the best!

This is certainly one of my favorites variations I had the pleasure of listening to so far! This one takes you through the life of Elizabeth, her marriage to her first husband Lord Robert Talbot--who is many years her senior and how she grew and learned about life and high society from him during the few years of their marriage. It was after his accidental death, which left Elizabeth heartbroken and planning on never to marry again. However, meeting up with Mr. Dacy, and thinking very little of him in the beginning, she comes to know him --with his persistence-- and the two end up together.

Elizabeth Adams did a fabulous job with this variation and her pick of Stevie Zimmerman to narrated it was perfect! This is a must read or listen to, you will not be disappointed.

2 people found this helpful

Stands on its own

I think what I liked the most about this book is that it's such a fresh take on the original story that you don't even need to have read Pride and Prejudice to enjoy it. It's original enough to entertain even those who are not fans of Pride and Prejudice, but still like a nice, romantic story.

4 people found this helpful

beaustiful wistful and sad

The story was lovely, but I my overall feeling was just sadness. I'm a happy kind of person and enjoy the more witty and entertaining PP variations.

1 person found this helpful

Really a fresh story

It is different from most of the variations if you’re a fan of p&p you must listen this story

1 person found this helpful

An interesting switch

What would happen if Elizabeth married an Earl long before she ever met Mr Darcy? Parts f this book follow the original with the exception of Elizabeth being a countess and later a widow and now she is the one who is the better standing.
This book did a great job with imagining how things could be different and also brought us inside the Elizabeth and Darcy relationship over the course of many years. It was a fun change from other P&P imagining. The narration by Stevie Zimmerman was superb - she does a great job of making all the voices sound great>

1 person found this helpful

Absolute Perfection!

This Pride and Prejudice variation explores what would happen if Elizabeth outranked Darcy when they met, and all Darcy's advantages of wealth and privilege weren't a consideration. At 17, Elizabeth is traveling with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when they meet a charming older man named Mr. Robert Talbot. After Mr. Talbot spends more time in the Gardiner's company, he confesses he's actually the Earl of Asheland, a very wealthy man with a number of estates. He's drawn to Elizabeth and makes her an offer of marriage. She accepts and grows to love him deeply. When Elizabeth travels to Hertfordshire several years later and meets the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy, she's now the Countess of Asheland.

After several years of happy marriage to the Earl, Elizabeth is widowed and mourns her husband deeply. When Mr. Darcy meets her again, he remembers the relationship the Earl and Elizabeth had, and determines that he wants that for himself. Rather than look for a carbon copy of Elizabeth, he can now have the original. But she's not so eager to accept the haughty and proud Mr. Darcy, and he has to convince her that he's worthy of her heart.

I really enjoyed this variation! It's split into two parts, the first part is Lizzy's marriage to Robert Talbot, and in the second part, she's widowed and caring for her children. It's beautifully written and takes the time to delve deep into all the characters and their relationships with each other. There's little to no conflict or drama, it's merely a story about Lizzy's life.

I loved the depiction of Lizzy and Robert's marriage, he was so wise and kind. I loved that he offered marital advice to Bingley and parental advice to Mr. Bennet, and I would have been happy to have the book end with her married to Robert. He was such a paragon, and their marriage so wonderful, that when Darcy was introduced he was almost unlikable in comparison. But the author pulled out all the stops and gave us TWO swoon-worthy men for Lizzy to love. It was really well done.

The narration was wonderful, Stevie Zimmerman was perfection as always. Her regular speaking voice is so pleasant and her character voices are distinct and recognizable. She just brought me right into the book and made it a pleasure to listen to. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I would 100% recommend this book to fans of Jane Austen.

1 person found this helpful

Agree with all of the 5 Star Reviews!

I’ve listened to many of these variations of the P&P classic, read the original and seen every movie version. I’ve even listened to other versions where Lizzy was either already married or a widow before meeting Darcy. In those others, her first husband was either someone remote, more of an idea really, or someone not quite worthy of her. In this version, I wept real tears throughout the telling of Lord Robert Talbots death. We’ve already met Mr.Darcy and they have already established their troubled relationship. So even knowing she will again be happy does not take away the sorrow of her loss. He was a wonderful husband for her and a great character in the story. Another reviewer said this could stand on its own, and yet another suggested it could be its own movie. They are not wrong. This is a wonderful story and should not be missed if you are a fan of the genre. Stevie Zimmerman is again PERFECT. I am so very grateful that she was chosen to bring this beautiful work by Ms. Adams to life.

Great story

A most entertaining story. Elizabeth as a 17 year maiden falls completely in love. Loved the interactions she as a Duchess, has with Darcy, but especially with Carolyn Bingleys disbelief and caustic remarks. So much fun to watch Carolyn deal with her fall!