Pride and Prejudice, with Songs from Regency England

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jane Austen's most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice is brought to sparkling new life in this "wonderful, unforgettable" recording from AudioFile Earphones award-winning narrator Alison Larkin.

Always a witty and original voice, Alison Larkin follows her narration of Pride and Prejudice with songs from Regency England, to give the listener a sense of what after dinner family entertainment might have sounded like in Jane Austen's time.

Recorded in a drawing room not unlike the Bennets', a young lady who sounds suspiciously like Mary Bennet sings The Lonely Ash Grove, Ye Banks and Braes, and Down by the Salley Gardens, making up in vocal enthusiasm what she lacks in polish.

Public Domain (P)2016 British Classic Audio and BMA

Critic Reviews

S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2022

"A bright, lively narration by Alison Larkin makes listening to Jane Austen's classic an experience not to be missed. She sounds as if she can't wait to tell this delicious story, and she doesn't disappoint. Larkin makes sure all the characters' motives are believable - from frantic Mrs. Bennet to laconic Mr. B; from social-climbing Mr. Collins to devious Wyckham. Darcy's and Elizabeth's repartee is especially sharp. Spritely bursts of music between chapters, which emphasize the atmosphere, and an added scene written by Larkin, take listeners to the Bennets' drawing room, where the exuberant, if untrained, voice of Mary Bennet sings 'The Lonely Ash Grove', 'Ye Banks and Braes', and 'Down by the Salley Gardens'. Larkin's sparkling performance is a perfect fit for audio." (AudoFile)

"Raised in England by adoptive parents, Alison Larkin was actually born in America. She herself is a comic writer and performer - and she approaches Austen as a satirist - she has genuine theatrical skill...sustained comic creations. The voice reveals all." (David Denby, The New Yorker)

Outstanding!

Pride and Prejudice, of course, is a classic and most of us have read it many times over the years. Many people agree that it's the standard pattern by which other "romance" novels follow. It is truly the classic of classics and, in my opinion, this audio rendition is the BEST!

Every time I listen to a Jane Austen book read by Alison Larkin I get more and more impressed. She has talent that goes beyond narration. She makes the story come alive with emotions like never before and takes you on a journey you don't want to end. Alison takes narration to another level. Pure enjoyment! 🙌

I highly recommend that you add this one to your audio library. This book also includes songs from the time period in England that are a wonderful addition. You won't be disappointed.

I would like to thank the author, narrator or publisher for voluntarily providing this free review copy of this audio book. 💑

True Unabridged Version!

This is a true unabridged version of this Jane Austen classic. It made me realize that the Rosamund Pike version is not only abridged but is more of a movie tie in than anything else. Having listened to them so closely together, it is easy to see this now.

Eliza Bennett shines here through Alison Larkin's exquisite narration. She is able to be offended at her first meeting with Mr. Darcy yet still see the ridiculousness of her reaction. When she is given the facts instead of a shady story, Elizabeth is able to see her mistakes and, not only that, but change her attitude in a gracious way.

Elizabeth is a wonderful example to young girls these days. She stands up for herself in a dignified way when necessary, she refuses to settle for an inferior partner for marriage, and she is an outstanding example to her sisters and even parents on occasion. Eliza even takes advice from an elder without getting offended.

Mr. Darcy, too, learns to curb his arrogance to win the woman he has fallen in love with and humbles himself in order to show her the improvements her reproofs had made.

Alison Larkin's narrative is really first rate. She voices all of the characters really well and captures the subtle nuances of the different exchanges perfectly.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing Narration of Jane Austen Classic!

Any additional comments?

I just finished listening to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with Songs from Regency England sung by narrator Alison Larkin, and I couldn't put it down. I've read and listened to over a dozen different audio editions over the past 30 years (my first was on cassette tape), and this version is by far my favorite. Alison is one of my favorite narrators of Austen's works because she understands that Jane wrote satires and that much of what is written should be read tongue-in-cheek. Alison does this perfectly!

Everyone is familiar with the classic story of Elizabeth Bennett and her four sisters, her youngest sister's infamous elopement with George Wickham, and Elizabeth's slow to develop affection and admiration for Fitzwilliam Darcy. Alison Larkin's narration brings these most beloved characters to life with her smooth undertones and subtle nuances. As she does with all of her narrations, Alison uses differing voices for all characters, and changes up the tempo during the most exciting parts of the story.

This version of Pride and Prejudice includes a fabulous bonus of three songs that the Bennetts might have heard in their drawing room sung by a "young lady who makes up in vocal enthusiasm what she lacks in polish," much like Mary Bennet at the Netherfield Ball. Alison was hilarious singing these songs and I couldn't help but listen to them several times before going back to work after lunch. [I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.] Simply put, I can't recommend this audiobook enough!

I have listened to this twice already!

This was one of my favorites books when I was younger. I love that I now have it on audio book! its amazing to hear this book come to life. If you loved the book, you will love this audio book! the narrator does such a great job on this one. its such a joy to listen to.


I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice with Songs from Regency England
: Jane Austen


I absolutely adore this book. The Bennet family and their friends allow us to see a little peek into their lives. Romance between a mysterious handsome brooding man, a young woman who knows what she is looking for in life is very interesting. I will listening to this book many more times.


The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Alison Larkin creates the feeling of being right there in the story. I enjoyed the addition of music from the era. Well done!!!



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

This narrator is not for me

I absolutely love this book, but not as it is read by this narrator - I stayed through a whole chapter, but that was it!

The best narration of Pride and Prejudice ever

Alison Larkin's voice is perfect for Jane Austen and in addition to being very funny, her reading of this timeless classic is also deep, I just flat out loved this audiobook.. She inhabits the characters so brilliantly you feel as if you are in another century, present with Elizabeth and Jane and Darcy and Bingley - an actual part of the scene. I love this recording and the songs at the end are a delightful edition, making you feel as if you are in the drawing room with the Bennet sisters. What a treat this recording is!

Very enjoyable!

I love Jane Austen and I love this performance of Pride and Prejudice. The narrator knows the story and tells it well. Her characters are recognisable and I love the piano interludes between a good number of the chapters too. The scene from a Regency drawing room at the end is fun, even though it sounds like far more people are there than the Bennett's drawing room would hold! And a bit echoey for such a full room too. That is my only 'negative' about this book. I highly recommend it!

Brilliant!

What made the experience of listening to Pride and Prejudice, with Songs from Regency England the most enjoyable?

This is the best audiobook of Pride and Prejudice available. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Read about Alison Larkin as an Austen narrator in the New Yorker and have not looked back since. Mrs Bennet is hilarious. Darcy utterly believable. Wonderful narration and the Songs at the end make you feel you are in Jane Austen's living room - a wonderful touch.

What other book might you compare Pride and Prejudice, with Songs from Regency England to, and why?

Persuasion and Poems by Jane Austen which also brings additional material to the end of the book is also wonderful - and also narrated by Ms Larkin.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The proposal scene!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The scene when Darcy confesses his true feelings for Elizabeth.

Any additional comments?

The songs at the end are delightful - this is a MUST BUY!