Dare to Refuse Such a Man

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Mary Smythe

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

“He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything which he condescended to ask.” (Mr. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice Volume III, Chapter 17)

It had never occurred to Fitzwilliam Darcy that once he had chosen a bride, her father might dare to refuse his consent. When his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth is taken from him with only a curt note of explanation, he determines that, far from accepting her father’s rejection of his suit, he must instead find her again and make his case. After all, a woman worthy of being pleased is also worth fighting for.

Several months shy of her majority, it is not so simple a thing to defy Mr. Bennet’s will, but Elizabeth, for the sake of her future happiness, must try. With various allies in her corner, as well as foes standing against her, Elizabeth’s courage must rise against all attempts at intimidation. Even from her own, much beloved father.

©2021 Mary Smythe (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Mr Bennet Denies Darcy

Firstly, fantastic narration by the inimitable Stevie Zimmerman. She always brings the story vividly to life.

I’m this variation Elizabeth initially meets Darcy in Lambton where she is visiting a relative with her aunt and uncle Gardener. With limited misunderstandings she and Darcy first become friends and shortly thereafter fall in love. Mr Gardener writes to Mr Bennet about their understanding and soon Bennet comes to Derbyshire and, without explanation, removes Elizabeth home to Hertfordshire telling both Elizabeth and Darcy that he refuses them permission to wed.

Darcy is not to give up without a fight, however, and neither is Elizabeth. Mr Bennet has a plan for her future that could ruin her life forever. How could Mr Bennet dare refuse a man like Darcy and how will Darcy react to such a refusal?

Good story

An interesting story, very well wand narrated. I liked the premise that Darcy and Elizabeth were already in love and kept apart by the will of her father. I had no problem with Me Bennet's attitude in this story, it was unlike the original but showed the absolute powers of a father over an underage daughter very well.
Stevie Zimmerman 's narration flawless as usual.

Very enjoyable

I finished this in a day. I liked the approach that the author took in regards to Mrs. Bennett and the younger girls. There was a solidarity and a sense of real affection that most variations tend to say exists but never show. Mrs. Bennett especially is given some positive attention and is allowed to shine in a way that still feels true to the character. There are no dramatic misunderstandings between Darcy and Elizabeth since they actually communicate with and have faith in each other.

As always, Stevie Zimmerman gives a perfect performance. She is my favorite narrator.

Bad Mr Bennet

I loved the book. It explores the relationship between Elizabeth and her father when he refuses her engagement to Darcy. It was easy to read, engaging without too much angst.

Stevie Zimmerman shines in this amusing “tangled engagement” tale

Zimmerman’s voicework lends touches of appropriate humour & emotion to Smythe’s tale of D&E’s complicated path to marriage. Definitely worth the listen.