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  • In Sickness and in Health

  • A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Unabridged)
  • By: Frances Reynolds
  • Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman
  • Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (13 ratings)

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In Sickness and in Health

By: Frances Reynolds
Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman
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Summary

It was not long before she honestly felt that she could love him, if he truly wished it.
When a smallpox epidemic sweeps through Hertfordshire, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself trapped together at Netherfield Park with Mr. Darcy. An epidemic plagues Meryton and Longbourn village, and Elizabeth and Darcy, unexpectedly immune, must work together to help those afflicted. Elizabeth finds herself forced to reconsider the character of the man she had deemed proud and disagreeable in light of his efforts.

Fitzwilliam Darcy is immune to smallpox, but finds himself all too susceptible to the charms of Elizabeth Bennet. First drawn to her as merely a friend, his feelings deepen as he witnesses her care for her family and neighbors as they face death, sorrow, and the ravages of the disease.

When the immediate peril subsides, a new threat arises in the form of damaging rumors spread in London. Darcy finds that he must determine whether his feelings for Elizabeth can override his more practical objections, while Elizabeth must decide whether her grieving family’s needs outweigh her own wishes. Can such connections forged amid the fire of loss and adversity be made into a happily ever after?

In Sickness and in Health is a romantic variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

©2023 Frances Reynolds (P)2023 Quills & Quartos Publishing
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance
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What listeners say about In Sickness and in Health

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Highly recommended

The quality of the writing, the interest of the story and the superb performance all bring great enjoyment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

heart rending, tragic but beautiful story

one of the most emotional and thought provoking pride and prejudice variations I have listened to. made me cry couple of times. due to emotional turmoil the characters go through it feels really believable and creditable how the characters grow and their later choices. Caroline as ever is a horrible person. Good narration.

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