The Fair Miss Fortune

By: D. E. Stevenson

Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson

Jane Fortune causes a stir when she arrives in the small community of Dingleford. She has bought an old cottage and plans to open a tea room. Old friends Charles Weatherby and Harold Prestcott both fall for the newcomer, but her behaviour seems to vary wildly - she encourages first one then the other and at other times barely recognises them. Is there more to the fair Miss Fortune than meets the eye?

Never before recorded as an audiobook, this charming story was originally written in the 1930s, when it was thought to be too old-fashioned to appeal to the modern market.

©2011 the Estate of D. E. Stevenson (P)2012 Soundings

Classic D. E. Stevenson!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended it and the author. The story is charming but not entirely predictable. I didn't want to "put it down," but listen until it was finished.

What other book might you compare The Fair Miss Fortune to and why?

Although the language and story differs, the flavor is similar to anything by Jane Austen, as if Jane Austen were alive and writing in the 20th century.

What does Patience Tomlinson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

You don't notice Tomlinson at all, just the characters. She brings them alive.

If you could take any character from The Fair Miss Fortune out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Charles. It would be fun to pick his brain about life in his village, beyond what's in the book.

Any additional comments?

D. E. Stevenson is my favorite author after Jane Austen. I love the humor and the commentary on British culture of the era.

A Humorous Look at 1930s English Village Life

This is the second D E Stevenson that I have never read, but have discovered on audio. It is an almost P G Woodhouse type book. It has hapless young men, mistaken identities and one very nasty woman who is thoroughly thwarted. There are some very funny character summations by other characters, and the book pokes fun at a lot of English village "types". It is not a big book. It is a rather frothy book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just Too Cute

While this is not my favorite Stevenson story, it is sweet and funny. The narrator is quite good and definitely adds to the story. Would recommend.

Charming addition to the D.E. Stevenson collection

I was delighted to find this little story- a gently wry and humorous tale of twin sisters and their confused beaus from the pen of the talented Dorothy Emily Stevenson.

Great story!

What made the experience of listening to The Fair Miss Fortune the most enjoyable?

I could knit or sew by hand while I listened.

What did you like best about this story?

I like how she varied the voices for the characters.

Which character – as performed by Patience Tomlinson – was your favorite?

I liked Charles.

If you could take any character from The Fair Miss Fortune out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I liked Sylivia, Charles's mother because she was kind and compassionate.