Ethan Frome

An Immersive Audio Experience

De: Edith Wharton

Narrado por: Joe Arden

What would you do for love?

How much would you be willing to sacrifice?

And what happens when that love blooms in a garden outside your house?

Ethan Frome is a luckless farmer trapped in a loveless marriage to his domineering wife Zeena. When her cousin Mattie comes to stay with them, she brings much more into their home than just her suitcase.

Will Ethan’s newfound spark cause him to set his world afire or will his marital devotion squelch the flames of his desire?

From Edith Wharton comes this early 20th Century American classic, Ethan Frome.

©1911, 2022 Edith Wharton, Joe Arden (P)2022 Joe Arden

Beyond Pleasantly Surprised

From a guy who sought out chapter summaries online in my college lit class I took in high school (I'm now in my 30s), I wish I had this sort of production style for all the classic literature I had to read then. Joe Arden knocked it out of the park (and the production crew for score and sound effects). I WAS THERE IN THE STORY. I finished it only a few days ago, after listening on my walks over the course of 3 or so days then - and I'm tempted to listen again already (if only Miss Wharton had made a sequel, or turned the novella into a novel).

Like reading any old work, it takes a bit to get into the "language" of the day, but the audio effects and narration made it immensely easier to understand. And it makes one also appreciate that Wharton wasn't writing dull, "Ethan went inside the house," but rather described his approach, what he saw, what things felt like or looked like.

As for the story, I admit that I'm a husband to a Downton Abbey or other period piece lover, and have come to enjoy such stories myself for my own sake. I literally found this story by typing something along the lines of, "Stories that see New England as a setting and take place in the 18th or 19th centuries" into a search engine. When this came up, and the brief synopsis sounded slightly compelling, I chose this Audiobook format due to its reviews, and its length - which appeared longer than other audio narrations. An interview between the narrator and sound designer at the end is why. It's an interesting interview, for sure.

Many narrators fudge up voicing the other sex then themselves, but I feel Joe doesn't give us cheesy woman voices. He does a good job, which is to be commended since strong female roles are in this story.

The score and sound effects are fantastic, and they can't be praised enough. Nothing is cheesy or canned-sounding, and they feel just right. I wasn't expecting and was pleasantly impressed when audio effects were put on the narrator to make someone sound like they were talking from "downstairs" to "upstairs" inside the house, or when the narrator read that someone laughed and you hear in the background a chuckle from that voice. It was one of the first, and impressive "immersive audio experience," books I heard.

I sought out more books after words from Joe Arden and this sort of experience and wasn't able to find them (and I won't comment on what I did find Arden narrating, suffice it to say nothing that interests me).

Whether you're familiar with Ethan Frome, or like me, coming to it for the first time, I feel that this audiobook experience is an absolute must.

I wish all books were immersive experiences!

Joe Arden’s narration and Amanda Rose Smith’s sound design come together in a perfect rendition of this Edith Wharton classic. Listening to this while traipsing around in the actual snow was something I’ll never forget—the haunting melody, the sound of the wind, the creak of the house. Sometimes I couldn’t tell what was in my headphones and what was real life! Joe Arden’s narration has kind of ruined me for all other narrators anyway—you don’t just listen to his books, you experience them full force, in the moment, as a living breathing story full of characters brought to life so well that they become some of your best friends—but making it immersive brought it to a whole other level. Really loved the bonus interview at the end too. I wish more people did this, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at something that so many of us take for granted, which is the fact that a LOT of work goes into producing an audiobook. Instant favorite. Definitely recommend!!

Wow

Joe’s performance of this was absolutely OUTSTANDING. And the sound scapes?? Amanda, you genius!!

I was hooked and couldn’t stop listening. It’s eerie and mysterious, and just… really freaking good.

A Classic

Wharton examines a theme as old as time in this sad tale. Of her many books and short stories,*Ethan Frome* is, in my opinion, one of her best.

Narration is good, sound effects subtle and well done.

Brilliant

This story has long been one of my favorites. Joe Arden, along with immersive audio, brings it to the next level. This will definitely be a relisten.

There's bonus material at the end, too.