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

THE best Pride & Prejudice Audiobook

Kate Reading is a pro at audiobook narration, and her version is superior to every other (and I've sampled them all) because, unlike some of the Hollywood actresses who've taken a crack at it, she never forgets she's ultimately a narrator, not an actor. She changes her voice enough that the characters are distinct, but she never shrieks or bellows or overdoes any mannerism beyond a tempered volume and pitch. And lastly, her understanding of the text is unmatched. This is the only P&P audiobook I ever recommend.

One of my All Time Favorites!

I have both Nadia May's and this version and prefer this reading. As one of my favorite novel, I listen to it over and over.

A romance that sugercoats nothing

"It is a trope universally acknowledged that a romantic hero and heroine who loathe each other will eventually fall passionately in love."

Hundreds of romance novels penned since Pride and Prejudice feature a sparring couple who fall in love despite a strong initial dislike of one another. However, I've never read one that used this trope as wonderfully as Jane Austen's masterwork.

I came to Pride and Prejudice relatively spoiler free, and although it did not engage my emotions like Sense and Sensibility did, and it started out slowly for me, I was soon enthralled by Austen's characters, their witty observations and the story of prejudiced Elizabeth Bennett and proud Mr. Darcy.

Austen had an unerring eye for human foibles, and her writing about them is so spot on I wanted to stand up and cheer.

"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?"

"We all love to instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth knowing."

"Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady's attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others."

"Marriage ... was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want."

I enjoy the occasional fluffy romance as much as anyone, but the real strength of Pride and Prejudice was Austen's refusal to sugarcoat. She laid bare the hypocrisies of her society and the obstacles it put in the path of individual happiness - especially the happiness of women.

Her clear-eyed realism made me believe wholeheartedly in Elizabeth and Darcy's romance across all barriers of class and understanding.

Kate Reading was a pleasant reader with the ability to distinguish characters with slight variations of pitch and tone and a knack for playing up the novel's most sardonic moments.

A favorite novel, a favorite narrator.

This is the classic unabridged version of Pride and Prejudice. If you love Jane Austen, you know this novel. The narration is by the incomparable Kate Reading. She gets the emotions of the character just right, from the cringeworthy Mrs. Bennet to the ludicrous Mr. Collins to the amiable Mr. Bingley.

Excellent Performance of a Classic

A much beloved novel, brilliantly performed. Who could want more?

I could. I would have liked for this to continue for weeks it was so beautifully rendered. The reader (the aptly named Kate Reading) brought out nuances and subtle points that I might not have picked up in my own reading. And her character voices are fun and distinctive. (especially Lydia!)

I’d originally listened to this a few years ago but decided to pick it up again as a medicine to help cope with daily world news.

A marvelous reading!

This was such a delight that I am sorry it is completed.
On to other Austen gems.

I love Jane Austin

This book is my favorite. It never fails to make me feel good. The narrator is also my favorite.

"Pride and Prejudice

I just can't read this story by Jane Austin enough. I have read the book several times and have watched all the movies. It is one of the greatest love stories every written.

Fantastic!

I never tire of this story, but this was an especially wonderful reading. The nuances of the narrator really added to my enjoyment.

Wonderful in everyway!

I could listen to this 1,000 times. What a wonderful narration and or course, a wonderful story. I wish they had Kate Reading (the narrator) read all Jane Austen books.