Venetia

Venetia is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books. For an abridged edition it is quite well done. The narrator is very good, but what a shame that there wasn't an unabridged version.

One of her best books - and only available as an abridged version! An enjoyable (albeit fast) listen. I enjoyed the accents, they were well done and very consistent.

The ABRIDGED version of Venetia left me feeling cheated and as if I had only been allowed to peep through the keyhole into this unusual and exciting world of the Regency period instead of being able to open the door and walk into the story which I am normally able to in Georgette Heyer's full versions. There is something about Georgette Heyer's Regency romances that makes them special. The depth of knowledge of the settings, the lifestyle makes one feel as one is really there and experiencing the nuance of the period. When this is taken away in the abridged version, it becomes nothing more than a trite and shallow romance. I do not like reading Mills & Boon but this is what these abridged versions become like, so if you like Barbara Cartland this is for you, but if you want something with a bit more meat than I think you may be doomed to disappointment.

I loved this reading (as well as Armitage's reading of Sylvester). I must agree with other reviewers that this abridged version leaves me wanting more.

Richard Armitage's narration.

I rather took to Damerel, the rake, although I also liked Aubrey. And of course, Venetia is not afraid to speak her mind.

He has a light touch that's perfect for this novel--gets in all the wittiness without overempahsizing it.

Not expreme--just didn't expect to care for it, and I did.

This is the first Georgette Heyer novel that I've either read or listened to, although she has been recommended to me many times. I listened to an audio version, masterfully narrated by Richard Armitage; my only regret is that it was an abridged version. Overall, it was a nice bit of fluff, perfect for listening to while on a long drive. Generally, I don't care much for romances, but this was more like a witty Jane Austen romance instead of either gushy drivel or a bodice-ripper. Venetia is a sheltered young woman, shut away in a country home by her father after her mother's death. She (and everyone else) fears that she will end up a spinster as she has reached the ripe old age of 25 and is still not engaged; she has two suitors, but neither appeals to her independent spirit. But then the handsome local rake, Lord Damerel steps into her life . . .

As I said, there were a lot of elements that reminded me of an Austen novel: Venetia's care for her lame younger brother; the arrival of her elder brother's pregnant wife and her mother, who plan to take over the estate; Venetia's witty exchanges with Damerel and her brother Aubrey; the bumbling suitors. The novel has many twists and turns as well--it's not written according to a formula, as are so many novels of this genre. It's not great literature, but its a good, fun read/listen.

This is a great book, but would be so much better if it were unabridged!

The reader is fine, if a little over-emphatic.

I love Georgette Heyer and this is one of my favorites. But this abridged version has resulted in the loss of the abominable mother-in-law and scenes that make this version un-Heyer. Please can we have unabridged versions of this and all Heyers books. Abridged there is just too much missing and the narration was not my favorite.

This book is so much better unabridged. The characters of the book set this book apart from other Regency reads. Heyer is a worthy successor to Jane Austen but you would never know from this abridged version.The reader is a further detraction from the high quality of the authors and her characters. Skip this version.

Excellent narration by Richard Armitage. I agree it is too truncated. But it's rather like a movie version that leaves out some of the detail while offering its own satisfactions. The dialogue between Venetia and Dameral is really a delight when read aloud by such a competent interpreter.

Georgette Heyer is one of my favorite authors but the abridged version of Venetia was very disappointing. I've listened to the unabridged version with Sian Phillips narrating and thought it was much better. Unfortunately that is on tape so please add the unabridged version to Audible.