Persuasion

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Anne Elliot has grieved for seven years over the loss of her first love, Captain Frederick Wentworth. But events conspire to unravel the knots of deceit and misunderstanding in this beguiling and gently comic story of love and fidelity.

©2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd.

Lovely rendition

Perfect narration for one of my favorite books. Well done! You will definitely enjoy it.

Excellent

Love Jane Austen. This one has a different narrator than others but just as good

My all time favorite

I’m a big Jane Austen fan. I’ve read all of her books more than once. Persuasion is definitely my all time favorite. It has remained on top on my list, especially now that I’ve discovered audio books. The narrator was absolutely amazing!

Wonderful narration!

One of my favorite Austen books and it’s very well served by the wonderful narration!

A visit with dear friends

I see from other reviews that I am among many for whom Persuasion is the favorite of Miss Austen's books. Anne Elliot is my favorite of all her heroines, always evoking my sympathy for her dignity and composure through the trials of her life. Threaded through the story is the theme of not getting what you want the first time around and, for some, a second chance for the golden ring. Whether all these characters get their prize, or even deserve it, is revealed as only Austen can do.

Overall I thought Juliet Stevenson read well, especially conveying Anne's calm exterior and the haughtiness of her father and sister Elizabeth. But at times she overdramatised - making sister Mary sound a bit like Miss Piggy, and at the end, as Mr. Wentworth pours out his heart he sounds more like a distraught female than the hero. Had to downgrade the performance score a bit for those periodic missteps. Still, revisiting this old favorite is as comfortable as a warm cup of tea.

Wonderful Narrator

Juliet Stevenson adds so much to Persuasion! She does a wonderful performance of all the characters. It really makes the story much more enjoyable.

Excellent audiobook

This is a wonderful book, and is elevated by Juliet Stevenson's performance. Highly recommended.

Favorite Austen Book. Favorite Performer of Austen

Take the enjoyment provided by the book itself as a given. Jane Austen is one of those writers who have been appraised and appreciated by minds and pens far more gifted than mine. If you want to praise anyone, praise Juliet Stevenson, our performer.

I was going to say “narrator” or “reader”, but “performer” is closer to the mark. She reads Austen’s prose in the precise spirit in which it was written. Never heavy-handed, never sentimental, always aware of the punctuation marks and the shape of each carefully balanced, well-wrought sentence. What more could a rational mind desire?

A Beautifully performed version

What did you love best about Persuasion?

Captain Wentworth of course!

What other book might you compare Persuasion to and why?

Any other book by Jane Austen, she can't be compared to any other author.

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

The use of voice and tone helps keep the characters separate and the story in order. When reading Austin it is easy to become confused as so many characters share the same last name.

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

No, that would be too much, this kind of book is best enjoyed at varied intervals.

Any additional comments?

This is a lovely story, one of my favorites, and true Austen. It is beautifully narrated by a well chosen actress.

nuanced poignant performance by a consummate actor

Juliette Stevenson's performance of the final chapters reveals Persuasion to be the most romantic of all Austen's stories. Took my breath away. Wish I could contact this reader to tell her how much I appreciate sll her Austen narrations, as well as her performance as Mrs. Elton in Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma.