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

Either Love It Or Hate It

I have listened to every main Jane Austen book on Audible; four out of six were read by Juliet Stevenson while two others read the rest. I had mixed feelings about listening to Emma based on what I heard or knew about it, but decided I should try it and only a version read by Juliet Stevenson could make it happen.

Either you love or hate Emma; even Austen wrote that she was creating a character only she would really like. I disliked Emma, but the story was fine. Emma thinks she knows everything and is the best person to matchmake after she encouraged her governess to marry a neighbor. She also takes on a protégé, Harriet Smith, whom she thinks will be interesting. But Emma is forced to acknowledge that A) she's wrong about knowing everything, B) is a terrible matchmaker and C) Harriet Smith is rather ordinary and unintelligent. It's up to her brother-in-law George Knightley and her own mistakes to show her this. My main problem with the plot is Emma's relationship with Mr. Knightley; her discovery that she loves Knightley is rather rushed right before the climax of the story, while he knows she's messing with peoples' lives but chooses not to do much (I know it's so that Emma realizes her own mistakes but it still is rather awful). Add that apparently Knightley's loved her since she was a pre-teen and is her brother-in-law and it gets creepy, even if age/marrying family up to a point was less of a thing back then.

For obvious reasons, Emma annoys me (I was rooting for everyone almost but her and a few others). Her father is also tiresome, from his whiny hypochondria to his selfishness when Miss Taylor and Isabella marry. And of course, the Eltons are a pain. Harriet Smith also became an increasingly awful character as the story progresses; not only is she gullible, but her inability to do things on her own is off-putting. But as for characters I like, Jane Fairfax, Frank Churchill, the Westons and Miss Bates are enjoyable. Jane was the most sympathetic character to me, especially when Emma is cruel to her at various points and later realizes she doesn't deserve it.

Only Juliet Stevenson could have done this book for me. Her voicing of Miss Bates, Mr and Mrs. Elton, Harriet Smith and Mrs. Weston were the best in my opinion. And though I dislike the character, she also did a great job of voicing Mr. Woodhouse.

I'm glad I finished this listen (though there were times I wanted to throw things at Emma). It's not my favorite Austen book (Persuasion is best in my opinion and Juliet Stevenson did a fantastic read of that here) but it's still a key part of her works and you can't really understand Jane Austen without reading Emma in addition to the others.

205 years old and still relevant!!

This novel is 205 years old!!! and speaks to the way women are held back by society Jane Austen had a rare gift. I hope she knows how much she’s treasured how much joy she’s brought to billions. This novel has been translated into over 200 languages. Classic English literature. So tragic she never saw success in her lifetime
Beautifully narration. Thank you

Outstanding narration brought Emma to life!

I had a great time re-listening to Emma. Jane Austen said of her heroine that she had created a character no one would like, except her. I beg to differ. Whereas Emma was arrogant and condescending at the outset, the whole book tracks her "awakening" as she recognizes her flaws and tries to improve. The superb narrator fully fleshed out the characters, especially the odious Mrs Elton, the excruciatingly boring Miss Bates, and "poor" Mr Woodhouse, perennially fascinated with ailments, his and others'.

Lovely as always

I actually thought that it was Gwyneth Paltrow doing the reading. Very nicely read and a timeless story. Definitely worth adding to your audio library.

its good because its a satire.

jane austen must herself had been so bored out of her mind from the ludicrious aristocratic peers of hers at the time.. it is otherwise unbearable.

Brilliantly narrated!

I could not have been happier with my first choice of an audible book! This was a classic I had never had an opportunity read.

Better than the movie

As us usually the case the book is better than the movies made from it. More character development and a clearer picture of what is happening and why. My wife and I greatly enjoyed listening to it together.

Wonderful!

The narrator is excellent! The way she changes voices makes it easier to listen to the story then read it. Wonderful story. Miss Austen has done it again!

Great Book

I'm a big Jane Austin fan. The book has so much more details than the movie! Loved it!

An Old Favorite Brilliantly Brought to Life

It is difficult to come up with anything new to say about a book that has been a classic for almost 200 years, other than "I LOVE IT." This has been one of my favorite Jane Austen books, as well as one of my favorite books overall, since I first read it more than 40 years ago. It has all the usual wonderful Austen touches -- beautifully drawn characters, dry humor, sparkling dialogue -- plus a bit of intrigue and what is to me a touch of sweetness about the story of love lost and refound.

Add to such a wonderful book the performance of Juliet Stevenson, and you can't ask for anything more. Her voice and inflection are wonderful and just perfect for the story and characters she is portraying. Other reviewers on Audible have said that she has the absolutely perfect voice for narrating Jane Austen books. I agree completely. Now I have to get all the remaining Austen books with Stevenson's narration!