Emma [Naxos]

Wonderful listen

Juliet Stevenson, by far, does the most delightful narration for Jane Austen novels.Her voice is strong and clear and she creates memorable characters with pitch and accent so that you always know who's speaking. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

66 of 68 people found this review helpful

Excellent in Every Way

Some people don't much like the main character in "Emma". I disagree, because Emma Woodhouse, although she initially has an inflated view of her own intelligence and position in the world, really learns something during the course of the novel. Handled with humor and understanding, the story brings self-knowledge and a measure of humility to Emma. She is one of Austen's most well-rounded characters.
Other characters in Emma are among Austen's very best. And they are presented with enthusiasm and distinction by Juliet Stevenson.
Although there are less expensive versions than this one, Stevenson is truly worth the extra. If you have credits, then it's a bargain at just one. Jenny Agutter is also a very good reader. Just make sure you go for an unabridged recording! Jane Austen's main appeal is in her wonderful use of language -- don't miss any of it!

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

Why can't all literature be like this?

The narration was great but above all else the story was simply as I expect it to be. It is so hard to find really good literature in modern times and that is why we have the classics... Authors like Jane Austen are constantly my 'fall back' plan really when I am looked to be immersed in a story with actual characters, characters that are so imperfect and yet so absolutely perfect in the roles they play.

Most persons already know the story of Emma, there are enough movies about the book in modern time for many persons to at least have some idea of the story. The novel was rightly named Emma and is easily one of my favorite female characters and, at the time the novel was written, was decades ahead of her time. The dynamics and description of details between the very relationships between the characters in the book by Jane Austen is what sets this novel apart I believe. Truly, just plain majestically written.

The narrator was good, she did a credible enough job to carry the book off. I will admit that she could have done more, but in all honesty the content itself more than overcompensates for the less than stellar narration.

All in all.... Stellar book... Beautiful title...

44 of 48 people found this review helpful

Even Emma would approve this marriage

To me the most important review for any Jane Austen novel is the reader. Most likely you are familiar with the author. Emma is however, one of Austen's lesser known novels so I'll simply say, if you enjoyed "Sense and Sensibility" or "Pride and Prejudice", you will enjoy Emma.

I was surprised to see how many audible versions of Emma are available. How to choose? Happily, I spent a bit more and went with this version. Even Emma would approve this marriage of Jane Austen's writing and Juliet Stevenson's narration.

If you love the beauty of the English language used to it's best advantage (as Jane would say) you don't get better than Jane Austen (Shakespeare is a given) but any reader can do the exquisite writing justice. Juliet Stevenson is such a reader. Her tone reminds me of the great Julie Andrews. Soothing, expressive, imparting emotion with every passage, inhabiting the various characters with subtle differences that make each one distinct. Jane Austen and Emma would both be proud of their story as told by Juliet Stevenson.

28 of 31 people found this review helpful

Faultless In Spite of All Her Faults

Emma, one of Austen's three most polished, perfect novels, is comfort food for the brain even in print, but this recording transcends any other possible reading experience. Juliet Stevenson is the ideal narrator for the material, and expertly brings to life Emma (the character Austen feared "that no one but myself will much like") and all other characters without exaggerating any (with the possible exception of Mrs. Elton--the character Stevenson plays brilliantly in the 1996 film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow--who inexplicably has a heavy Cockney accent in her final scenes here). This Audible selection truly is chicken soup for the soul, and a recording you will want to listen to again and again. Each time you read or listen, you'll notice new clues, dropped by the author, which Emma notoriously overlooks in her zeal to see her ultimately doomed matchmaking schemes to fruition. It's very much like a delicious Easter egg hunt, and the perfect comic novel in which to marvel at that fine line between comedy and tragedy, as you realize the dreadful consequences which COULD have resulted from Emma's various "imaginistic" meddlings. I finished listening while recovering from a severe cold, and immediately started the recording over when I realized how fun, comforting, and healing I had found it. Enjoy!

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Excellent listen

Juliette Stevenson does a wonderful job narrating this story. It's one of my favorites!

13 of 15 people found this review helpful

Lovely Listen

What made the experience of listening to Emma the most enjoyable?

I was in the mood for a lighthearted, well written story to enjoy while sitting in my cubicle longing to be outside enjoying the early spring sun. Emma was just the ticket.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character in the story is the heroine herself, Emma. I enjoyed her progression and growth during the story. She is misguided but lovable due to her warm regard for friends and family.

Which character – as performed by Juliet Stevenson – was your favorite?

This was the first novel I have listened to Juliet Stevenson narrate. I was blown away by her talent. She has an excellent range with which she brings so many individual characters to life. Juliet Stevenson was clearly familiar with the story, the characters and the various moods; the story was that much more enjoyable due to her inflection. I could not pick a single favorite.

Any additional comments?

Highly Recommended.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A great narrator matched with a great novel

I've loved Jane Austen's novels for a long time, but I recently decided to go on a little audio-version kick. I'm not going to review the novel itself, but I will say that Juliet Stevenson's performance of this novel is outstanding. Her Harriet is just a bit ditzy, her Mrs. Elton is properly condescending, her Mr. Knightly stern and upright.

Whether you're already an Austen fan or you just want to know what the fuss is about, this is a great recording to go with.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Outstanding narration

As much as I love language and the narration of audiobooks, I must admit that there were almost more words than I could cope with. You could sum up the story with "and they lived happily ever after." Were the setting of the story a modern one, the story could be termed "chick lit", not my favorite. Even so, because the narrator did an excellent job of using various voices and expression, I enjoyed the listen. I will look forward to listening to work by Juliet Stevenson.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Jane Austen Classic

The ambitions of each character was easily determined as Jane Austen's work quickly got underway. With all the matchmaking that took place in the times, Emma's social meddling gets her into a predicament with her friend Harriet, who Emma tries to set up with a man whose ego will not allow such a match to be made. Such a social hierarchy was a staple of the times and Austen illustrates both its purpose and its ridiculousness at the start. Due to Emma's fear of ruining her friendship with Harriet, she avoids her friend's company as best as she can, until the examination of her own romantic life requires a meeting.

From the beginning of their encounters, it is clear that Emma and Mr Knightley would make a great couple, as he is the only one who can put up with her sarcasm and dish his own out as well. But her lack of interest in a partner (or perhaps her own ego) keeps their romance from reaching the levels the reader knows it could - at least, at the beginning. Once Emma decides to quit meddling in other people's affairs, she begins to examine her own life and her desires of a relationship, something she's slipped to the side until now. Finally, she begins to wonder what she wants in a man and comes to identify her wishes in the end.

Juliet Stevenson's performance of each character is terrific, especially when it comes to those of Miss Bates and Mrs Elton. Just as the sentence structure displays, Miss Bates rambles on to no end, rather annoyingly at times, and the narrator's performance of such a characteristic feature is flawless, as is the pronunciation and clarity of every line in the book. Well done Juliet Stevenson!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful