The story is about Elinor and Marianne, two daughters of Mr Dashwood by his second wife. They have a younger sister, Margaret, and an older half-brother named John. When their father dies, the family estate passes to John, and the Dashwood women are left in reduced circumstances. The novel follows the Dashwood sisters to their new home, a cottage on a distant relative's property, where they experience both romance and heartbreak. The contrast between the sisters' characters is eventually resolved as they each find love and lasting happiness. Through the events in the novel, Elinor and Marianne encounter the sense and sensibility of life and love.In this dramatic reading,talented narrators display their voices to bring Jane Austen's classic story to life.
This Audiobook contains the complete novels of Jane Austen
- Emma
- Lady Susan
- Love and Friendship, and Other Early Works
- Mansfield Park
- Northanger Abbey
- Persuasion
- Pride and Prejudice
- Sense and Sensibility
- The Watsons
Ever since Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerged from the lake in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, the novels of Jane Austen have become more popular than ever, delighting millions of fans all over the world. Now, Alison Larkin's critically acclaimed narrations of Austen's six completed novels are brought together in this very special 200th anniversary audio edition.
"Alison Larkin's narration will captivate listeners from the first sentence" raves AudioFile magazine.
Hailed by The Times as "marvelously light footed... hugely entertaining", Alison Larkin is the perfect vessel to bring the deft, satirical novels of Jane Austen to sparkling new life.
Alison Larkin is the bestselling author of The English American, a comedienne and the award-winning narrator of over 150 audiobooks. Other classic narrations include Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Fairytales of the Fiercer Sex by the Brothers Grimm et al, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (with James Warwick), Peter Pan and The Inconsiderate Waiter, and Agatha Christie's The Secret Adversary.
Title and End music "Ye Banks and Braes" sung by Alison Larkin
VOLUME TWO
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Penguin Classics presents Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by Joanna David.
'No sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes ... '
When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.
Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.
In this classic 19th century story of love battling pride, we meet Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is a smart, well-rounded woman, and she is one of five unmarried daughters of the country gentleman, Mr. Bennet, a country gentleman. Marriage is at the forefront Mrs. Bennet's mind, especially since her elderly husband's estate will not pass down to any of their daughters. The Bennets' small town is in an uproar when two highborn, eligible gentlemen, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, come to stay. Mr. Bingley takes and instant liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane. Elizabeth's prideful self does not realize her life is about to change when she meets the intolerable Mr. Darcy, who will make her questions her sensibilities.
Following the runaway success of her stunning rendition of Pride and Prejudice, award-winning narrator Alison Larkin returns—breathing new life into Jane Austen’s Emma. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the book, Larkin—a witty and always original voice— is the perfect vessel to bring this classically satirical novel to a new audience. A fresh and hugely entertaining listen Larkin, also an acclaimed comedienne and the bestselling author of The English American, joins her voice deftly with Austen’s clever style and the result is pure boundless FUN.
Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story charts the emotional development of the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, who learns the error of making hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between the superficial and the essential. The comedy of the writing lies in the depiction of manners, education, marriage, and money during the British Regency period.
Penguin Classics presents Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by Harriet Walter.
'We have all been more or less to blame ... every one of us, excepting Fanny'
Taken from the poverty of her parents' home in Portsmouth, Fanny Price is brought up with her rich cousins at Mansfield Park, acutely aware of her humble rank and with her cousin Edmund as her sole ally. During her uncle's absence in Antigua, the Crawford's arrive in the neighbourhood bringing with them the glamour of London life and a reckless taste for flirtation. Mansfield Park is considered Jane Austen's first mature work and, with its quiet heroine and subtle examination of social position and moral integrity, one of her most profound.
Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.
Writer/comedienne Alison Larkin is back with a sparkling new recording of Mansfield Park
Eleven-year-old Fanny Price is 'adopted' by wealthy relatives and leaves her life of poverty in Portsmouth for a much better life at Mansfield Park. Dependent, vulnerable and often ignored, her only true friend in her new family is her cousin Edmund. When the reckless, flirtatious Crawfords arrive at Mansfield Park, Fanny must stand up for her principles in order to protect her heart.
Mansfield Park is followed by opinions on the novel by Austen's family and friends, never before heard on audio.
Like most writers, Jane Austen was very interested in what her family and friends thought of her books. She wrote down their opinions of Mansfield Park, recording both the bad and the good. These opinions dating from 1814 and 1815 will give solace to any writer whose work has been criticized and amuse and delight Austen fans worldwide.
Samantha Spiro, David Troughton and Amanda Root are among the cast of this new BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Jane Austen’s famous novel.Mrs Bennet is determined to see her five daughters married off and secure a future for them all. When the wealthy Mr Bingley arrives in the neighbourhood, Mrs Bennet wastes no time in making his acquaintance. His friend Mr Darcy, however, discourages Mr Bingley from marrying Jane Bennet, and also appears to snub her sister Elizabeth.When Elizabeth hears that Mr Darcy himself is of poor character, her innate prejudice of him is merely reinforced, and she roundly refuses his proposal of marriage. But then, when she discovers that she was misinformed, Elizabeth wonders if she can ever hope to see Mr Darcy again…Published over 200 years ago, Pride and Prejudice remains one of the British nation’s favourite novels. Among the starring cast in this radio production are Pippa Nixon as Elizabeth and Jamie Parker as Mr Darcy.
Award-winning narrator and internationally acclaimed writer/comedienne, Alison Larkin brings depth and wit to this rich, hugely entertaining audio production of Jane Austen's last two great novels Northanger Abbey & Persuasion.
The novels are followed by The History of England, a short satirical piece in which the teenage Austen writes about the kings and queens of England with less respect (and more wit) than any British newspaper, and Poems, a selection of lesser known, mostly comic verses that Austen wrote to entertain family and friends.
"This is a particularly enjoyable rendition of (Northanger Abbey) because Larkin understands that Austen was sending up Gothic novels and never lets the parody out of earshot." - The Christian Science Monitor
"Alison Larkin's narration will captivate listeners from the first sentence. Her delicate voice and perfect English accent sweep the listener back in time, right into the lives of the characters...Austen's poems are astute and whimsical, and Larkin's voice echoes the author's artistry." AudioFile Magazine
Fanny Price, the timid eldest daughter of a large and struggling family, is nine years old when she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park. At first homesick, Fanny is no match for three of her witty and vivacious cousins, but finds friendship with the fourth, Edmund. In time Fanny's steadfast and purposeful character makes her an indispensable member of the household. But when Sir Thomas is away on a lengthy journey to the West Indies the Bertram children indulge in 'theatricals' and romantic flirtations which ultimately lead them into a web of intrigue. Fanny, by now in love with Edmund, is dismayed to find him enraptured by their cousin Mary Crawford, whilst Mary's brother Henry has himself become besotted with Fanny, whose hopes of finding love with Edmund seem ever more unlikely. Amanda Root, Jane Lapotaire and Louise Jameson are among the cast in this warmly perceptive story of 19th Century morals and manners.
