Emma [Naxos Edition]

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

One of Jane Austen's most popular novels. Arrogant, self-willed, and egotistical, Emma is her most unusual heroine.

Public Domain (P)2006 Naxos Audiobooks

Rereading Emma

I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.
- Emma

You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet.
- Cher (from Clueless)

I would recommend this book to:
Any sucker for Jane Austen’s beautiful prose and clever remarks – and dedicated fans of Clueless

The Beginning:
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.

Oh, how marvelous it is to revisit the world of Jane Austen. I’ve been meaning to reread Emma for ages. I read it 10 years ago for a Jane Austen class, where we went through all six novels in one semester. I love Jane Austen, but reading all the novels in one go is too much. Emma was one of the last novels we read in the class, and I’d had about enough at that point. I’ve always felt that I would have to reread Emma again at some point. As I’ve said many times before, I like variety in my books – that’s why I’ve challenged myself to read different genres in 2014: to ensure variety.

As bad as it makes me sound, part of me identifies with Emma. This is difficult for me to admit, as many – as well as myself – consider Emma Jane Austen’s least likable character. Rereading Emma felt like looking at my worst sides when I was in my twenties.

Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.
- Emma

Do you prefer “fashion victim” or “ensembly challenged”?
- Cher (from Clueless)

I’m not totally like Emma: I don’t try to match make and I don’t interfere with people’s life decisions (unless they’re clearly making a mistake.) But I do sometimes have a bit of a know-it-all attitude (I’m working on it!) even though I don’t have a clue (which I’m not working on, I might add). And I can be a bit manipulative (but only when it’s really important). And finally, throughout my teens and most of my twenties, I was certain that there was no man in this world I would ever want to live with. Boy, was I clueless!

My being charming…is not quite enough to induce me to marry.
I must find other people charming – one other person at least.
- Emma

Searching for a boy in high school is as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie.
- Cher

And speaking of Clueless: I love doing these comparisons between Jane Austen novels and popular books and movies. For instance, Bridget Jones is based on Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones the Edge of Reason is based on Persuasion, and Clueless is based on Emma.

Let’s try to list the similarities:

• In Emma, our heroine befriends the poor Harriet Smith and teaches her how to be more ladylike – in Clueless, Cher befriends outsider Tai and tries to make her popular.

• Emma manipulates Harriet into refusing a marriage proposal from the man she loves because he’s just “a simple farmer” – in Clueless, Cher tells Tai to not have anything to do with the skater boy she adores.

• Emma convinces Harriet that she should set her heart on Mr. Elton – in Clueless, Cher convinces Tai to go for Elton.

• Emma paints a portrait of Harriet, which Mr. Elton frames, not because he’s in love with Harriet, but because it’s painted by Emma – Cher takes a photo of Tai, which Elton puts in his locker because Cher took the picture (“I’m having a Twin Peaks experience“).

• Mr. Elton proposes to Emma in a carriage on their way home from a dance – Elton makes a pass at Cher in a car on their way home from a party.

• Emma thinks she’s in love with Frank Churchill, but he’s engaged to another and they become friends instead. In Clueless, Cher throws herself at Christian who turns out to be gay. They become friends.

• In Emma, Harriet Smith is attacked by gypsies and rescued by Frank Churchill – Tai is attacked by some boys at the mall and rescued by Christian.

• At a dance, Harriet is left with no one to dance with, when Mr. Knightly saves her by dancing with her. In Clueless, Tai is alone at a party when Josh rescues her by dancing with her.

• Emma discovers that she’s in love with Mr. Knightly when Harriet declares that she’s in love with him. Cher discovers that she’s in love with Josh when Tai declares she’s in love with him.



I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.
- Emma

As if!
- Cher

Fantastic!

The narrator, Juliet Stevenson, is absolutely divine and second to none! What a brilliant performance!!

Well written and well read

I’ve always loved Jane Austin novels, and this is one of my favorites. A delightful and fun story, with witty characters. Very well read.

The Matchmaker Meets Her Match

Each year I have a tradition of reading or listening to a Jane Austen book to start my year. This year, I was pleased to put in my earbuds and enjoy the Naxos unabridged audio edition of Emma.

Emma the Matchmaker, Emma the character whom Jane Austen thought only she would love, Emma the woman who found love at last after several misadventures poking her genteel nose into everyone else's love life. Oh yes, I was well-pleased to return to Highbury for Emma's scheming, Miss Bates' goodhearted, but incessant talking, Mr. Elton's smarmy smiles, Mr. Knightley's gallantry, Frank Churchill's charm, Jane Fairfax's secretiveness, Harriet's gentleman crushes, and Mr. Woodhouse's worries.

Emma was a tale I was none to keen on the first time I read it. I found Emma an officious interfering snob particularly into poor little Harriet's life. But, a decade later and I could appreciate the story of Emma starting out that way, but growing and changing through experience and understanding. It was like Mr. Knightley said to Mrs. Weston- Emma needed to fall in love and be unsure of the outcome to fully come into her own because she'd had it all her own way up until then. And, who can resist that eclectic cast of characters?

One part of the tale struck me new and that was Mrs. Elton speaking warmly of her family supporting Wilberforce and the Abolitionists. Just when she seemed one of Austen's most cleverly written mean women characters, she shows she has some good qualities. And, after that point, I noticed that, though officious and pushing, she and her husband do take care of the needing people in their parish. Not, that I ended up suddenly liking the woman, but felt she, like most people, aren't all or only one thing.

As to the audiowork, le sigh, I love Juliet Stevenson's narration of Emma as I have all her other Austen narration work. She captures the tone of writing, the scenes, and voices the characters wonderfully.

All in all, my revisit with Emma was splendid and I can heartily recommend this audio version of this charming Austen classic.

Sreaching woman

Is it necessary for the women to Strachey likrlike that that’s not nice on the ears- other than that it’s wonderful

Excellent in Every Way

Some people don't much like the main character in "Emma". I disagree, because Emma Woodhouse, although she initially has an inflated view of her own intelligence and position in the world, really learns something during the course of the novel. Handled with humor and understanding, the story brings self-knowledge and a measure of humility to Emma. She is one of Austen's most well-rounded characters.
Other characters in Emma are among Austen's very best. And they are presented with enthusiasm and distinction by Juliet Stevenson.
Although there are less expensive versions than this one, Stevenson is truly worth the extra. If you have credits, then it's a bargain at just one. Jenny Agutter is also a very good reader. Just make sure you go for an unabridged recording! Jane Austen's main appeal is in her wonderful use of language -- don't miss any of it!

Wonderful narration.

She does a wonderful job of making Mr Knightly serious, Frank Churchill light-hearted and carefree and Mrs Bates the most annoying but gracious person you could ever hope to meet. Truly an enjoyable listen.

Best narrator I have ever heard!

Jane Austen writes in a way that you never want to stop the story. and Stevenson's narration incorporates such a wealth voices that you can actually picture each one of the characters as if you know them.

Classic story, great reader!

I would recommend this performance of this story to anyone. Very well done. I enjoyed every moment.

So good

I loved every minute of the book. The narrator is amazing and does a wonderful job.