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"Wonderful listen"
Juliet Stevenson, by far, does the most delightful narration for Jane Austen novels.Her voice is strong and clear and she creates memorable characters with pitch and accent so that you always know who's speaking. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." - Jojen Reed. #ADanceWithDragons
"Why can't all literature be like this?"
The narration was great but above all else the story was simply as I expect it to be. It is so hard to find really good literature in modern times and that is why we have the classics... Authors like Jane Austen are constantly my 'fall back' plan really when I am looked to be immersed in a story with actual characters, characters that are so imperfect and yet so absolutely perfect in the roles they play.
Most persons already know the story of Emma, there are enough movies about the book in modern time for many persons to at least have some idea of the story. The novel was rightly named Emma and is easily one of my favorite female characters and, at the time the novel was written, was decades ahead of her time. The dynamics and description of details between the very relationships between the characters in the book by Jane Austen is what sets this novel apart I believe. Truly, just plain majestically written.
The narrator was good, she did a credible enough job to carry the book off. I will admit that she could have done more, but in all honesty the content itself more than overcompensates for the less than stellar narration.
All in all.... Stellar book... Beautiful title...
"Excellent listen"
Juliette Stevenson does a wonderful job narrating this story. It's one of my favorites!
"Even Emma would approve this marriage"
To me the most important review for any Jane Austen novel is the reader. Most likely you are familiar with the author. Emma is however, one of Austen's lesser known novels so I'll simply say, if you enjoyed "Sense and Sensibility" or "Pride and Prejudice", you will enjoy Emma.
I was surprised to see how many audible versions of Emma are available. How to choose? Happily, I spent a bit more and went with this version. Even Emma would approve this marriage of Jane Austen's writing and Juliet Stevenson's narration.
If you love the beauty of the English language used to it's best advantage (as Jane would say) you don't get better than Jane Austen (Shakespeare is a given) but any reader can do the exquisite writing justice. Juliet Stevenson is such a reader. Her tone reminds me of the great Julie Andrews. Soothing, expressive, imparting emotion with every passage, inhabiting the various characters with subtle differences that make each one distinct. Jane Austen and Emma would both be proud of their story as told by Juliet Stevenson.
"A truly charming performance"
I have had pleasant experience with Nexos Production since 1994, and this rendition of Austen's Emma is as charming and spirited as I could have hoped, the narrator was fantastic in her alteration of voice denoting different characters, absolutely recommended for K-12 and English undergrad.
"Emma revisited"
I always thought I would never like anyone reading Emma, but Flo Gibson. I was wrong. Juliet Stevenson does a wonderful job.
"Badly done Emma." Well done Juliet!!
"Who can resist Jane Austen's"
Most Definitely. i've read this book several times, seen the movie and have now listened to it narrated most beautifully by Juliette Stephenson. It never gets old, never fails to delight.
Anything written by Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, or Anthony Trollope
The emotion and personality of each character, male and female. She is a top-notch narrator.
It is all good.
"Couldn't be better"
I became interested in the classics after listening to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, so I decided to listen to another Austen and was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it so much. Juliet Stevenson is a wonderful narrator and brings each character to life.
If you think you might want to give classic literature a try, I recommend this one. It's funny and extremely well-read.
Audiobooks have literally changed my life. I now actually ENJOY doing mindless chores because they give me plenty of listening time!
"Not Likeable Perhaps, but Delightful Nonetheless."
This great classic of early 19th century English literature tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy young woman of twenty-one years of age who has all the desirable attributes of beauty, intelligence and good breeding on her side, but surprisingly for her time, has no intentions of marrying, which makes her a rather modern heroine. She likes to think of herself as a talented matchmaker and decides to take young Harriet, a trusting and unsophisticated, though very pretty girl, under her wing. She proposes to educate Harriet and teach her the refinements of the upper classes to prepare her for a brilliant match to a real gentleman. Emma is a heroine that many readers find unpleasant, and her archness and snobbery combined with willfulness and naiveté certainly set her up for humbling experiences. Though I can't say I thought her especially likeable, I did think her rather amusing and I found the process by which Emma grows into womanhood to be delightful, especially as I was finally able appreciate for all the subtleties and humour in the play on social conventions which Austen is most known for, which signalled a great change in my attitude towards Jane Austen's work. I have yet to listen to a recording by Juliet Stevenson that is anything less than excellent.
Audible has changed my life! Dry , itchy eyes were destroying one of my greatest pleasures - reading. Now I am experiencing books again!
"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!