Pride and Prejudice

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Austen's story of Mrs. Bennet's finding husbands for her daughters is told with wit and charm. A must for lovers of good literature. Commuters Library presents Pride and Prejudice read by Kate Reading.

©2003 Commuter's Library (P)2003 Commuter's Library

I Finally Get It!

I’ve tried to read Jane Austen several times and just couldn’t get very far in to her work. Perhaps if I had started in my pre-teen years, around the time I first read Louisa May Alcott, I might have been a die-hard fan. However, my first attempt was in my twenties and I just didn’t like anything enough to make it all the way. I’ve felt quite negligent in this regard because Miss Austen is so popular now. She has many admirers and copiers. I so often hear books described as “Austenesque” but only had the vaguest sense of what that meant. Therefore, when I happened upon an audio download of Pride and Prejudice read by one of the finest female narrators with whom I am familiar, I purchased and downloaded a copy. Kate Reading’s delightful narration led me to understand the charm of Miss Austen.

While Austen did use so many of the now-familiar romance novel tropes, she did it in a way that still seems fresh despite two centuries. I found her style to be quite humorous. Upon the commencement of the story, I already knew where it was going to go. There are no such things as spoilers when it comes to a 200-year-old novel. What did surprise me was how little I knew of the story despite all I had heard. It was quite a charming romantic comedy and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Perhaps it was meant to be read aloud.

Now that I understand Jane Austen, I will attempt at some time in the future to read another of her novels. I am so fortunate as to have several Barnes and Noble Classics’ editions on my Nook that I acquired at no cost due to a generous giveaway the had this summer past. However, it does behoove me to read some books that are more current first as I cannot write or talk like a 200-year-old woman for much longer.

Wow...just...wow.

I can't believe I've never read Jane Austen. This was a remarkable book, full of incredibly rich characters and a wonderful story. The narrator was excellent and made listening to this book a pleasure, but I can't wait to have the actual pages in my hands. I loved the strong female characters, their willingness to speak their minds even during a time when this wasn't particularly approved of, and their support of each other. This is a story that I'll read again and again, and I'm looking forward to more of Jane Austen's novels as well.

Wonderful

Delightful. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't get enough of the story and rented the DVDs. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy peeking into history through the lives of well written characters.

Great book!!

I love this book!! It was narrated very well. I have listened to it twice already!! I would recommend to anyone who loves a good old fashioned love story!

Perfect

Narration was easy to follow and delightfully expressive. The story is, as always, most satisfying.

Jane Asten and Kate Reading, a perfect pairing

Narrator Kate Reading is a perfect match for Jane Austen. Although I've watched every performance of Pride and Prejudice, this is my first reading. I believe it is faithfully rendered in those performances. But this is even more emotionally enjoyable.

Not dissapointed

I chose this version of P&P over others after reading reviews, and I'm glad I chose this one. The narration is very well done, but it took me a little bit to get used to the thick accent and classic vocabulary (this was my first JA book). I'm so happy to finally understand and know one of the classics, and I plan on on reading a lot more of Jane in the future.

A wonderful book and a wonderful narrator

The book was great, better than I ever expected. It made me laught, and worry, and exclaim with the characters.
In this case spesifically I must give the narrator her due in the pleasure this book gave me. She was great, poised, clear, pleasant to listen to, and she conveyed the spirit of the words. She was also very good at voicing the different characters so that each had a distinct and fitting sound. I later went to check if this narrator voiced any other of Jane Austen book because that's who I want to hear reading them to me. Unfortunately this the only one of Austen's books that Kate Reading voiced. Which is a real pity.

Always a pleasure!

This story never gets old. Great narrator!

A standout in English literature!

There is no author more gifted in the the use of the English language than Jane Austen.
PERIOD! This is an excellent book to listen to, particularly for the student who is struggling with the nuances of the language in their high school English class. Listen to this audio with a copy of the book in your hand, and you will be able to follow the story with much more facility than had you tried to simply read the book "cold". I will listen to this one again and again, and each time come away with a new favorite line.