• Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition

  • By: Jane Austen
  • Narrated by: Alison Larkin
  • Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition  By  cover art

Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition

By: Jane Austen
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
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Publisher's summary

Following the runaway success of her stunning rendition of Pride and Prejudice, award-winning narrator Alison Larkin returns - breathing new life into Jane Austen's Emma. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the book, Larkin - a witty and always original voice - is the perfect vessel to bring this classically satirical novel to a new audience. A fresh and hugely entertaining listen, Larkin, also an acclaimed comedienne and the best-selling author of The English American, joins her voice deftly with Austen's clever style and the result is pure, boundless fun.

Public Domain (P)2015 British Classic Audio

Critic reviews

"There's a vintage feel to Alison Larkin's narration of this Austen favorite. The bell-like quality of her sweetly accented voice harkens back to another, quieter, time. However, her delivery of this much-loved matchmaking story offers a flexibility that is contemporary and easy to hear. Larkin's vocals can be precious or blustery, proper or pompous, depending on which character she occupies, and she creates distinctions between each with skill. The pace is brisk, and Larkin's treatment of the light humor in the novel is so subtle it could be missed by the distracted listener." ( AudioFile)
"[Larkin] approaches Austen as a satirist - she has genuine theatrical skill, so her Mrs. Elton, swooping and dipping in flights of arrogant self-serving nonsensical observation, and her Miss Bates, anxious and desperately self-conscious even as she talks without end, are both sustained comic creations. The voice reveals all." ( The New Yorker)

What listeners say about Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition

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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

Best Jane Austen narration I have ever heard!

If you could sum up Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition in three words, what would they be?

Really comes alive!

What other book might you compare Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition to and why?

I have not enjoyed an audio book as much since I listened to Larkin's performance of Pride and Prejudice.

What about Alison Larkin’s performance did you like?


Often narrations of Jane Austen novels are earnest. She was not meant to be read in that way. She was meant to be read with lightness and wit - and depth. Larkin brings all this and more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Miss Bates and Mrs Elton are both hilarious and authentic. I especially love the scene where Emma first gives advice to Harriet about Mr Martin and all the scenes where she manipulates people.Jane Austen called her 'a heroine who no one but myself will much like.'

Any additional comments?

Larkin is able to channel Jane Austen in a way that breathes new life into this already amazing book. Her reading brings this 200 year-old classic to life in a way that makes me love the book more than ever before. A brilliantly good listen!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The best Jane Austen with the best narrator ever

Would you listen to Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition again? Why?

Alison Larkin brings new life and fun to one of Jane Austen's greatest stories. Perhaps because Larkin was raised in England and trained as an actress who has appeared in London and Broadway she is able to add a new and more dramatic interest to this wonderful tale. Because she is a best selling author herself, Larkin also knows how to build the narrative and bring out all the wit and emotional every word and scene.

What did you like best about this story?

I had never realized how much fun Jane Austen could be--and how relevant many of the situations were to the modern world today. Larkin has a way of making us interested in all the characters and every turn of the plot.

What about Alison Larkin’s performance did you like?

Larkin imbues every word with a meaning and and every character with an authentic accent that involves us and makes us a kind of eager participant in Austen's wonderful world..

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to listen to this book in one sitting, but had to come back to it a couple of times. Each time I was immediately immersed in this great creation by Larkin's unique ability to bring new life to such a classic tale.

Any additional comments?

Every fan of Jane Austen will love Larkin's narration of her work!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brillantly narrated by Alison Larkin

If you could sum up Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition in three words, what would they be?

Best version yet.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Emma - The 200th Anniversary Audio Edition?

There are so many it is hard to pick one, but certainly the moment when Emma realizes who she is in love with.

What does Alison Larkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Characterizations that are so convincing you feel like you are there. There's a lightness to her reading that makes it a pleasure to listen to at all times. Jane Austen is deeply funny - as well as moving and true. All these adjectives apply to Larkin's narration. I also really like the fact that one of my favorite New Yorker cartoonists designed the cover.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Emma realizes who she is in love with.

Any additional comments?

I came to this one after hearing Alison Larkin read Pride and Prejudice. She does an equally stunning job here. She has a gift for bringing out the wit and intelligence in Jane Austen who is sometimes read in far too serious a manner. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Love jane Austen - thought this narrator was awful

I honestly couldn’t finish - I hate to use this word, but narrator was positively shrill. I can’t believe this one was in honor of 200 years - thankfully the story remains as perfect as ever.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining and Becoming

I am a Jane Austen lover and really enjoyed this performance. The voice is cheerful enough to capture Emma's overall energy. The slight variations of intonation for the characters in general are well balanced and add to the narration. I particularly enjoy Mrs Elton's snobbery, Miss Bates' scattered speech and Mr Woodhouse's hypochondriac tone. Recommended!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Totally charming

Beautifully narrated by Alison Larkin, who brings Emma alive. While not on a par with Pride and Prejudice, also beautifully narrated by Ms. Larkin, the inhabitants of High Bridge become old and beloved friends. I highly recommend this recording.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Very well done

Very good narration. The only thing off-putting was the timbre of the narrator's voicing of the main character. The higher pitch grated on me after a while.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible performance

I am so impressed with Alison Larkins performance in this book! I love audio books, but she takes the experience to another level.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Execution

Larkin brings life to the characters. Each voice she uses is right on point. A most enjoyable version!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Jane Austen's Best!

Wonderful book and excellent narration! Alison Larkin's narrations match the great characters of Emma.

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