Of Paupers and Peers by Sherri Cobb South

Of Paupers and Peers by Sheri Cobb South

Narrated by Stevie Zimmerman

Of Paupers and Peers is a charming traditional Regency based on a good old amnesia plot. So, I think AudioGals readers will understand my excited anticipation!

James Weatherly, a curate in Fairfield, is visited by a lawyer who informs him he is the heir to a dukedom and is in fact the new duke of Montford. To say James is astonished is an understatement. He travels to Montford to take visit his (vast) estate and on the way, is set upon by footpads. His travelling money is stolen as well as his legal papers and he awakens on the side of the road with no memory of who he is or how he came to be there.

He is discovered by Miss Margaret Darrington, a lady who had been impatiently awaiting the arrival of the tutor she had hired for her younger brother. She makes the assumption that James is Peter Featherstonehaugh (pronounced “Fanshawe” for the uninitiated) and James goes along with it, thinking she must surely be right. The clothes he has with him and the books he carries seem to point in that direction and he has no reason to doubt her assertion.

Margaret, 24, lives on a small estate abutting the Montford lands, with her Aunt Hattie, her brother, Philip, and her younger sister, Amanda. Amanda, aged 18, is a great beauty and Margaret’s plans to keep the family out of the poorhouse all rest on Amanda’s hopes for a brilliant marriage – perhaps even to the new duke of Montford. Margaret therefore lets the instantly gobsmacked “Mr. Featherstonehaugh” know in no uncertain terms that he must not look to Amanda for romance; she is most decidedly not for him.

It may sound a bit mercenary but Margaret isn’t prepared for Amanda to be sacrificed altogether – she wouldn’t marry Amanda off to just anyone. But she hopes. Money is scarce and there is little option but a great marriage for Amanda to keep the family afloat. After all, nobody looks at Margaret the way they look at Amanda.

James is smitten by Amanda’s beauty but it isn’t until he regains his memory that he thinks anything could ever happen between them. Of course, at around that time he realises that his interests lie in the direction of the elder sister and he formulates a plan. James had been spurned by a young lady in Fairfield who had laughed in his face at a marriage proposal from a mere curate. James wants to be accepted for himself and not his wealth and title. It sounds good in his head but it is perhaps not his best decision.

The story descends a little towards farce as mistaken identity abounds and multiple marriage proposals are made but it all turns out right in the end.

I was a little dismayed by the representation of Romani characters. For one thing, they are not called Roma in the book and are depicted very stereotypically. Some may well not be able to get past it – which is entirely fair. I was – partly because I’m not part of or closely associated with this (or any) marginalised population. The book was originally published in September 2006 and while I can’t know for sure, I suspect the book would be different had it been written today.

Otherwise, the book was amusing, sweet and romantic.

The narration was very, very good. I don’t think I’ve listened to anything performed by Stevie Zimmerman before but my experience here means that I’ll be looking for more of her work.

Her various British and Scottish accents were fantastic and I also appreciated the deeper timbre she was able to deliver for the male character voices, particularly James’.

Ms. Zimmerman’s timing was well done in the more comedic sections of the story and her pacing and dramatic tension showed to good effect in the more emotional scenes.

With one exception, I enjoyed Of Paupers and Peers very much. I believe the audio experience was likely superior for two reasons – the main one being the calibre of the narration. But the other bonus was that I didn’t have to do mental gymnastics to see “Fanshawe” when I read “Featherstonehaugh” – happily, Ms. Zimmerman did that for me.

Kaetrin


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3 thoughts on “Of Paupers and Peers by Sherri Cobb South

  1. I’ve tried to listen to a narration or two from this narrator and both times there was a weird tinny quality to the audio. Sounds like that wasn’t a problem here so maybe I’ll give some of her newer narrations a go.

    1. You know, I said exactly the same thing to Kaetrin when we talked about this one! I’ve listened to Ms. Zimmerman a few times and had the same experience as you – but as you say, it seems not to have been a problem here. Maybe she’s got some new recording equipment!

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