Vera Audiobook By Elizabeth Von Arnim cover art

Vera

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Vera

By: Elizabeth Von Arnim
Narrated by: Nicki Paull
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About this listen

Lucy Entwhistle's beloved father has just died; aged twenty-two she finds herself alone in the world. Leaning against her garden gate, dazed and unhappy, she is disturbed by the sudden appearance of the perspiring Mr Wemyss. This middle-aged man is also in mourning - for his wife Vera, who has died in mysterious circumstances. Before Lucy can collect herself, Mr Wemyss has taken charge: of the funeral arrangements, of her kind aunt Dot, but most of all of Lucy herself - body and soul.

©1907 Elizabeth von Arnim, & 1921. The Estate of Elizabeth, Countess Russell, 1941. (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing
Classics Fiction Literary Fiction Marriage
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Editorial reviews

A bleak but comic psychological portrait of a young innocent, Lucy Entwhistle, and her domineering husband. Lucy meets Everard Wemyss on the day of her father's funeral, while Wemyss is still mourning the recent loss of his wife, Vera. The two fall in something like love, and Everard convinces Lucy to marry him. But Lucy eventually learns the disturbing true extent of her new husband's controlling quirks, and glimpses the real story behind his first wife’s death. Australian actress Nicki Paull provides a smooth, distinguished narration of this cautionary tale, said to be based on author Elizabeth von Arnim’s second marriage to Bertrand Russell’s brother.

Critic reviews

"Elizabeth Von Arnim is a mistress of irony." (Lisa St Aubin de Terán (novelist))
"The success of the film Enchanted April renewed interest in Australian-born author Elizabeth Von Arnim's work. She felt Vera, published in 1921, was her best. Vera is the wife of the late Edvard Wemyss, who has died under mysterious circumstances before the novel opens, but who, nonetheless, is a force throughout. Nicki Paull brings this macabre story to life, breathing life into innocent Lucy; self-absorbed, creepy Mr. Wemyss; and suspicious, impotent Aunt Dot. With her voice, Paull becomes the bizarre personalities of these characters. Her performance will make your skin crawl as you listen in fascination, knowing there's nothing you can do to rescue the doomed Lucy. The inclusion of extensive biographical information at the start and conclusion of the book provides context for the story." (AudioFile Magazine)

What listeners say about Vera

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