Audiobooks by Fanny Burney

Evelina & Dear Little Burney: Two BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

"A BBC radio drama adaptation of Fanny Burney’s best-known novel, plus a dramatisation of her diaries Before Jane Austen, there was Fanny Burney. In the 1780s, she was England’s most celebrated female author, having achieved extraordinary success with two hit novels. She went on to become a royal servant, marry an exile from the French Revolution and undergo a gruelling mastectomy without the aid of anaesthetic – all events chronicled in her diaries, which were published posthumously to great acclaim. Contained here are dramatisations of her first and most famous novel, and her remarkable journals and letters. Evelina – Initially published anonymously, Fanny Burney’s witty epistolary account of a young woman’s introduction to the beau monde took Georgian London by storm. Brought up by her guardian since her mother died in childbirth and her father refused to acknowledge her, Evelina has spent her childhood in rural seclusion. But a letter from her grandmother and an invitation to London lead her into the dangerous and unfamiliar world of the Ton, where she meets a collection of fops, dandies and dastardly rakes – as well as the dashing Lord Orville. Can she navigate the traps and challenges of fashionable society to find true love? Laura Doddington stars as Evelina in this 10-part dramatisation of Burney’s satirical comedy of manners. Dear Little Burney – Beginning in 1778, when Evelina catapulted Fanny Burney to fame, this 15-part adaptation of her letters and diaries vividly portrays the most momentous events of her extraordinary life. From adjusting to her sudden celebrity to becoming wardrobe mistress to Queen Charlotte, witnessing George III’s madness, spending ten years in France during the Napoleonic Wars and enduring an agonising operation, we are swept up in her joys, anxieties and disappointments – and given an intimate glimpse into everyday life in 18th century London and Paris. Starring Juliet Aubrey as Fanny, with Timothy West, Eleanor Bron, Robert Whelan and June Barrie. Evelina first published in 1778 Diaries and letters first published 1842-1846 Production credits Written by Fanny Burney Adapted by Jennifer Howarth Produced and directed by Sara Davies Cast Evelina Evelina – Laura Doddington Mr Villars – Philip Manikum Caroline/Mrs Mirvan/Prostitute – Jacqueline Tong Lady Howard/Mrs Selwyn – Phyllida Nash Mr Lovel/Mr McCartney – John Mackay Lord Orville – Ian Kelly Sir Clement Willoughby – Andrew Collins Captain Mirvan/Sir John Belmont – Mark Buffery Madame Duval – Stephanie Cole Mr Branghton – Chris Harris Tom Branghton – Stuart Crossman Polly Esther – Ruth Elliott Monsieur du Bois/Officer/Coachman – James Anderson Dear Little Burney Fanny – Juliet Aubrey George III – Timothy West Queen Charlotte – Eleanor Bron Susan – Kate Seaward Dr Burney – Robert Whelan Charles/George – Chris Garner MrsThrale – Liz Morgan Mr Fairly/Mr Kemble – Andrew Hilton Prince of Wales – Andrew Collins Mrs De!any/Mrs Siddons – June Barrie Lowndes – David Collins Gent!eman – Paul Dodgson Miss Dewe – Caitlin Hobbs Dr Johnson – Bill Wallis Mrs Schwellenberg – Kim Hicks d'Arblay – Thierry Harcourt With Cornelius Garrett, Claire Marchionne, Angela Barlow, Ric Jerrom, Rob Hutchinson and Joshua Boyden © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Fanny Burney (Author), Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, Juliet Aubrey, Laura Doddington, Timothy West (Narrator)

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The Wanderer

"This is the fourth and final novel by Fanny Burney, the author of Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla. "Who is "Miss Ellis?" Why did she board a ship from France to England at the beginning of the French revolution? Anyway, the loss of her purse made this strange "wanderer" dependent upon the charity of some good people and, of course, bad ones. But she always comforts herself by reminding herself that it's better than "what might have been..." This is not only a mystery, not at all. It's also a romance which reminds readers of novels by Jane Austen. Published in 1814, the same year as Mansfield Park, it shares some themes with it. It is also very modern, speaking freely of independent women (like Elinor), weak male characters, and unrequited love. Yes, a love triangle is lurking behind the scenes, and, in this case, it is not clear if the happy ending is suitable. At the time when it was published, critics did not like this political novel, and said that the difficulties which "Ellis" faced while trying to support herself were clearly fictional. However, don't let this deter you. It's a wonderful and mature novel, ahead of it's time by about 100 years. Happy reading! (Summary by Stav Nisser)"

Fanny Burney (Author), LibriVox Volunteers (Narrator)

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Cecilia: Memoirs of an Heiress

"The plot of Cecilia revolves around the heroine, Cecilia Beverley, whose inheritance from her uncle comes with the stipulation that she find a husband who will accept her name. This proves impossible, and she gives up her fortune to marry for love. Jane Austen referred to Cecilia and other novels in her novel, Northanger Abbey: "'And what are you reading, Miss - ?' 'Oh! It is only a novel!' replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. 'It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda'; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language. The title of Austen's Pride and Prejudice may have been inspired by a passage at the end of Cecilia: "remember: if to pride and prejudice you owe your miseries, so wonderfully is good and evil balanced, that to pride and prejudice you will also owe their termination." (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Karen Merline)"

Fanny Burney (Author), LibriVox Volunteers (Narrator)

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Camilla

Fanny Burney (Author), LibriVox Volunteers (Narrator)

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Evelina

"In this epistolary novel, we find a young woman named Evelina, who was raised in rural seclusion until her eighteenth year because of her uncertain parentage. Through a series of harrowing and humorous events that take place in London and an English resort town, Evelina learns how to navigate the complex layers of 18th century society and earn the love of a distinguished and honorable nobleman. This comedy of manners often satirizes the society in which it is set; Evelina is a significant precursor to later works by Jane Austen and Maria Edgeworth, whose novels explore many of the same issues. (from Evelina’s wikipedia entry, modified by ettelocin)"

Fanny Burney (Author), Unknown (Narrator)

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Evelina (Unabridged)

"Evelina, the title character, is the unacknowledged but legitimate daughter of a dissipated English aristocrat. Her dubious birth has seen her raised in rural seclusion until her seventeenth year. Through a series of humorous events that take place in London and the resort town of Hotwells, near Bristol, Evelina learns how to navigate the complex layers of 18th-century society and earn the love of a distinguished nobleman."

Fanny Burney (Author), Gretel Davis (Narrator)

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