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Evelina

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Evelina

By: Frances Burney
Narrated by: Dame Judi Dench, Finty Williams, Geoffrey Palmer
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About this listen

Fanny Burney's wickedly funny satire follows the trials and romantic adventures of the young and beautiful Evelina as she tries to make her way through 18th-century Britain handicapped by her three great problems: being poor, being illegitimate - and being a girl.

Evelina was a raging best seller when it was first published in 1778 and is widely credited with being the first of the great British domestic novels. Burney was a direct influence on her immediate follower, Jane Austen, who used some of the final lines from Burney’s novel Cecilia for one of her own fairly successful novels: "...if to pride and prejudice you owe your miseries...to pride and prejudice you will also owe their termination".

Public Domain (P)2008 Silksoundbooks Limited Classics Drama & Plays Funny Witty

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All stars
Most relevant
I had never heard of Frances Burney before but now I wonder why she is not better known, as this story was every bit as delightful as Jane Austen.

I cannot speak highly enough of the narration. Finty Williams was a perfect choice for the role, and of course Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer were excellent also. An engaging and enchanting performance, just wonderful.

stunning

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I must admit, I was surprised at the straight talking feminism in this piece. Loved it.

astonishingly modern

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Gosh, you can see the influence of Fanny Barney on Jane Austin’s writing. Great story to housework or decorate to.

Evelina

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A story that inspired Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, though rather more raucous. The story doesn't take itself too seriously. Look out for several familiar quotes, and overlapping themes. The readers bring the characters to life and, as the story takes shape in the form of a series of letters, the varied cast makes it easy to follow who is speaking. One of the most enjoyable audiobooks I've listened to so far.

A wonderful romantic comedy, excellently read

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The story is repetitive and there are many plot elements never resolved. It is interesting mainly for its pre-Jane Austen value. But I am at once looking to see if Flinty Williams has Read anything else.

It is outstandingly well read – mostly byFlinty Williams.

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